Sharma fined as relations strain
Indian paceman Ishant Sharma has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee after clashing with Australia's Andrew Symonds in their latest tri-series match, spiking tensions between the sides again.
Reports on Monday said India had responded to the fine by making a complaint about the hosts' provocative behaviour.
In the incident on Sunday Symonds took offence to Sharma's celebration after he was clean bowled by the teenager and the Indian responded by pointing him towards the pavilion.
Sharma was charged under the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct for the incident and faced a disciplinary hearing before match referee Jeff Crowe at the team hotel after the match.
"The gesture was a direct breach of the ICC code of conduct," Crowe said in a statement. "I took into account the fact that Sharma may have been provoked and that this was his first offence and hence the penalty was at the lower end of the scale.
"Clearly both teams are still sensitive to each others actions in the middle -- (the) ICC has recently reiterated that a zero tolerance attitude will be shown to abusive or insulting language and actions.
Symonds has had a strained relationship with the Indians since the Sydney Test, when he accused bowler Harbhajan Singh of racism. The ICC appeals commissioner was later critical of the Australian in the incident.
Website Cricinfo reported on Monday that India had written to Crowe about provocative behaviour from the Australians. Indian team manager Dr Bimal Soni confirmed they had lodged a complaint of their own, Cricinfo said.
"The umpires, based on what they had seen in the middle, reported to the match referee about the incident," Cricinfo quoted Soni as saying.
"Our plea was Symonds (provoked) Ishant and that's why he did what he did. He (Crowe) promised he would be speaking with the Australian captain about the matter."
Speaking in Hobart ahead of Tuesday's tri-series clash with India, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene weighed into the controversy on Monday.
Aggression on the field was all right as long as it didn't get out of hand, he said, adding: "Sunday was probably just a bit of frustration from both parties.
"As long as it doesn't boil into a major issue then it should be OK. The aggressive nature can bring the best out of some guys."
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