Harbhajan banned by ICC

The charge related to an incident during the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in which the spinner was alleged to have made a "monkey" comment at all-rounder Symonds.

Match referee Mike Procter said: "I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Harbhajan Singh directed that word at Andrew Symonds and also that he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin."

Officials from the India team have indicated they will appeal the decision.

Match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor levelled a charge under section 3.3 of the ICC code of conduct after receiving a complaint from Australia captain Ricky Ponting on day three when Harbhajan was batting alongside Sachin Tendulkar.

The section refers to players or team officials "using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin".

Procter presided over a four-hour hearing at the SCG on Sunday before finding Harbhajan guilty of a level three offence.

The ban imposed was short of the maximum of four Tests or eight one-day internationals possible for such an offence.

India team manager Chetan Chauhan told TV channel CNN-IBN he believes the spinner had been harshly treated, but confirmed the remainder of the tour was not under threat.

He said: "I told the match referee this is wrong. There was no conclusive evidence from the Aussie side. Our points were ignored at the meeting. There is no question of calling off the tour, but we don't want these umpires (Bucknor and Benson) in the future."