What appeared to be just another controversial ruling by a match referee is now threatening to snowball into an international cricket crisis. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has demanded the removal of Mike Denness as the match referee for the next Test and a review of his decisions by an independent panel. BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya minced no words at a press conference at Calcutta. He said that Indian team had been so upset with Denness's action that they wanted to pull out of the second Test in protest. Dalmiya said he had persuaded the team to stay in the greater interests of the game, adding that he had given them the assurance that he would take up the matter with the ICC.

Dalmiya's reaction came a few hours after Denness had penalised Sachin Tendulkar for allegedly tampering with the ball, and banned Virender Sehwag for one Test for excessive appealing and "charging at the umpire".

If the ICC does not agree to the BCCI's demands, then the Indian team might choose to return from South Africa before the third Test.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd