ICC MEDIA RELEASE
Dubai , 14 January 2008
ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle is confident that the third Test between Australia and India will be played in the best possible spirit between two great teams and that cricket will be back in the headlines for all the right reasons.
Madugalle has been meeting the captains and team officials prior to the Perth Test in an effort to clear the air and he feels both teams are ready to take the field amid an atmosphere of friendly rivalry and mutual respect.
“I have met the two captains and the managers separately over the past couple of days and then I talked to the two captains together today. I am happy to say that both Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble were extremely supportive in all dealings I have had with them and I am in no doubt they want to move forward and draw a line under what happened in the past couple of weeks,” said Madugalle.
“Ricky and Anil understand and agree that the interest of the game is paramount and that it should always be played in the correct spirit and with mutual respect between opponents,” he added.
“The two captains know they are role models for millions of people and are aware of their responsibilities in projecting the game in a positive way.
“I am confident that after meeting with the two captains, we can all expect to watch an entertaining game of cricket played in a great spirit between these two fine teams.”
Australia captain Ricky Ponting echoed Madugalle’s sentiments.
“I enjoyed a productive meeting which I had with Anil Kumble and Ranjan Madugalle in which we talked through all the issues thoroughly,” said Ponting.
“I am convinced that both the teams can move into the next game clearly understanding the parameters under which the game should be played and the teams acknowledge that the game must be played in its true spirit,” he said.
India captain Anil Kumble added his support after the meeting.
“I value the meeting with Ranjan and also the meeting with Ranjan and Ricky Ponting together. Both the meetings were in the best interests of the game and have strengthened my belief that the game is of paramount importance,” said Kumble.
“We have agreed that we must uphold the interests of the game and it would be our collective responsibility to ensure that the game of cricket is played by both the teams, as role models of this glorious game of cricket,” he added.
The third Test will begin in Perth on Wednesday 16 January with the fourth and final Test of the series getting underway in Adelaide on Thursday 24 January.
ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle is confident that the third Test between Australia and India will be played in the best possible spirit between two great teams and that cricket will be back in the headlines for all the right reasons.
Madugalle has been meeting the captains and team officials prior to the Perth Test in an effort to clear the air and he feels both teams are ready to take the field amid an atmosphere of friendly rivalry and mutual respect.
“I have met the two captains and the managers separately over the past couple of days and then I talked to the two captains together today. I am happy to say that both Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble were extremely supportive in all dealings I have had with them and I am in no doubt they want to move forward and draw a line under what happened in the past couple of weeks,” said Madugalle.
“Ricky and Anil understand and agree that the interest of the game is paramount and that it should always be played in the correct spirit and with mutual respect between opponents,” he added.
“The two captains know they are role models for millions of people and are aware of their responsibilities in projecting the game in a positive way.
“I am confident that after meeting with the two captains, we can all expect to watch an entertaining game of cricket played in a great spirit between these two fine teams.”
Australia captain Ricky Ponting echoed Madugalle’s sentiments.
“I enjoyed a productive meeting which I had with Anil Kumble and Ranjan Madugalle in which we talked through all the issues thoroughly,” said Ponting.
“I am convinced that both the teams can move into the next game clearly understanding the parameters under which the game should be played and the teams acknowledge that the game must be played in its true spirit,” he said.
India captain Anil Kumble added his support after the meeting.
“I value the meeting with Ranjan and also the meeting with Ranjan and Ricky Ponting together. Both the meetings were in the best interests of the game and have strengthened my belief that the game is of paramount importance,” said Kumble.
“We have agreed that we must uphold the interests of the game and it would be our collective responsibility to ensure that the game of cricket is played by both the teams, as role models of this glorious game of cricket,” he added.
The third Test will begin in Perth on Wednesday 16 January with the fourth and final Test of the series getting underway in Adelaide on Thursday 24 January.