Arjuna relieved for the moment

ADELAIDE, Jan 26: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday it had postponed its hearing into allegations of misconduct against Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, reports Reuters.

ICC match referee Peter van der Merwe said in a statement the hearing was adjourned after two hours and would be reopened at a date to be fixed.

Van der Merwe was later quoted as saying on Australian television: "Certain points were raised by Mr Ranatunga's legal representatives and I thought that was the best thing to do."

Ranatunga was ordered to appear before the disciplinary panel after he was cited during Saturday's controversial limited-overs match against England.

Ranatunga was charged with conduct unbecoming an international player, showing dissent, intimidating an umpire and using abusive language, local media reported. A charge was also added by Van der Merwe relating to a captain being responsible for upholding the spirit of the laws.

Ranatunga led his players off the Adelaide Oval in protest after Australian umpire Ross Emerson called Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing.

Play was halted for about 12 minutes and a visibly angry Ranatunga and Emerson could be seen pointing fingers at each other. Ranatunga also pointed his finger at van der Merwe during the delay.

On Tuesday, Emerson was stood down by the Australian Cricket Board when it was discovered he was on stress leave from his regular job.

Sri Lanka went on to post a one-wicket win last Saturday's match that also featured several clashes between players from the two teams.

Ranatunga declined to speak with local media after Tuesday's hearing was postponed.

Sri Lankan team manager Ranjit Fernando also refused to comment when the team arrived in Perth ahead of Friday's limited-overs match against England.

"Our lips are sealed", Fernando told reporters.

Asked when the hearing would be, he shrugged his shoulders and said: "Ask the match referee."