Proteas' fans feel aggrieved even though the BCCI has been given a slap on the wrist for their poor sportsmanship in manufacturing a drawn series against South Africa recently.

The ICC warned the BCCI over sub-standard pitch preparations in Kanpur where the Indians came back against the South African subdued powerhouse.

The South African fans' discontent is based on, as ever, the exposure and effect of a reprimand versus the effect of this unsporting incident within the bigger picture of their team's progress in 2008.

'The BCCI failed to offer any satisfactory reply and were lucky to get away with murder'


The Indians have salvaged pride in the eyes of their media and beyond while the ICC's reprimand will be a back stage non-event.

Proteas fans have memories like elephants and we have the high ground over India. Not only did all the hype surrounding the Indians evaporate during the South African tour, but South African respect for fair play from the Indians has likewise vanished into a mirage.

The ICC pitch and outfield monitoring process is designed to ensure equity within the game and they stepped in after witnessing the circus which saw 32 wickets fall in three days of play.

At that point Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates elite panel of ICC match referees submitted a report to the ICC expressing his concern over the quality of the playing surface.

'My considered view is that the pitch was poor as it was too dry and had considerable turn and variable bounce from the first day. The pitch was not up to Test match standards,' said Mr Mahanama in his report.

Under clause 3.3 of the regulations governing the process, and following receipt of the match referee's report which rated the pitch as sub-standard, the ICC wrote to the BCCI enclosing a copy of Mr Mahanama's report and asked for a written report on the condition of the surface including any extenuating circumstances which may have existed.

The BCCI failed to offer any satisfactory reply and were lucky to get away with murder.

The records will show South Africa were unable to beat India and that the series was a draw. The slap on the wrist is too little to late for South Africans.