Lindsay overlooks Ganguly-Flintoff verbal duel

Match referee Denis Lindsay on Wednesday dismissed as "odd chirp" an exchange of words between India captain Sourav Ganguly and England fast bowler Andrew Flintoff on the third day of the first cricket Test in Mohali and said no action is being contemplated against either of the two players.

Coming in wake of the controversial punishments handed down to six Indian players by English match referee Mike Denness in South Africa, which resulted in a major row in world cricket, there was speculation that Wednesday's incident might also attract the wrath of the referee.

But Lindsay said the incident was not even reported to him and the ground umpires had asked the two players to take it easy.

"There is nothing to it," Lindsay told reporters after the match.

"As long as it is not anything personal towards the player or the umpire... Anything personal will not be tolerated," Lindsay said, while expressing satisfaction over the handling of the situation by umpires Steve Bucknor and S Venkataraghavan.

Flintoff was at the end of his run-up when Ganguly walked away from his wicket as he was not ready. A minor exchange of words ensued between the two players before umpire Bucknor intervened and calmed them down.

Day 3 match report

Mail Cricket Editor