Lehmann charged over racist comments

On a day of rest in the VB Series yesterday, it was all happening quicker than in the last 10 overs of a tight one-day match. Darren Lehmann, the Australian batsman, was charged with a breach of the players' code of conduct and ordered to seek counselling after admitting making racist comments about the Sri Lankan team. Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka's top spin bowler, said Australian crowds should keep their mouths shut and warned that he may never tour the country again because he is tired of being labelled a chucker.

The Australians may be trying to indulge in a variation of chucking – the match, that is – by resting three of their best players, including the captain, in the match against England on Sunday. And the England all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff, bounded into town after finally recovering from his hernia operation, and declared himself fitter than he had been for 12 months. Where was Lord MacLaurin, Flintoff's greatest bugbear, when he was needed?

The Lehmann incident left the Australian authorities spluttering. It was the last thing they needed, considering the history of cricketing acrimony between the countries.

Directly after he had been run out, the batsman was heard to utter a racist comment by Sri Lankans in the dressing-room area at Brisbane. They duly reported him to the match referee, Clive Lloyd. Lehmann, a popular and affable fellow, apologised to the tourists both verbally and in writing. The Sri Lankans then made appeals for clemency and he was let off with a reprimand.

But later in the day the Australian Cricket Board insisted that Lehmann should go for immediate counselling. James Sutherland, the ACB's chief executive, said: "I have expressed to Darren the ACB's disappointment at the incident and organised immediate counselling. It is clear he has acted in an undesirable manner and steps will be taken to ensure that behaviour such as this is not repeated."

But Muralitharan – who is still treated disgracefully by Australian crowds – has had enough. This is his third tour to Australia and the allegedly easy-going, relaxed nation has never left him alone. On both previous trips he was no-balled for throwing and while the umpires have been officially off his back this time the crowds have been permanently on it.

On Wednesday night, when he bowled quite beautifully at The Gabba, he was moved from his normal fielding position on the boundary because of the taunts. "They should keep their mouths shut," said Murali, which are strong words for this mild-mannered, smiling man. "I thought it might have been better this time but people still say things like 'chucker'. That's not fair because I have been proved not to be.

"The crowds should realise that and if it's going to carry on like that I might not be able to come and play here anymore. It's OK once or twice but it's been going on for years."

Murali's thigh injury, which he suffered towards the end at The Gabba, was not as bad as feared and he hopes to be fit by next week. If Australia have their way, it will not matter. Trevor Hohns, their chairman of selectors, announced yesterday that Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Lee will be rested for the final group match, against England on Sunday.

Hohns cited fatigue and said that the team had been on the road since September and deserved a break. England should take advantage to end their 10-match losing streak. That might be more likely if Flintoff was pronounced fit to play. He was in fine fettle after he landed yesterday – he said he was now pain-free and had bowled 40 overs last week off the long run.

In Lord MacLaurin's final days as the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, when he was issuing edicts and opinions like the soon-to-be ex-president Clinton proffered pardons, Flintoff was in his sights for failing to work hard enough. But Flintoff had been unlucky: it just took longer than the medics said. "I worked hard," said Flintoff with finality.