Ponting Urged to Hold Peace Talks With Kumble

The Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been urged to hold peace talks with his Indian counterpart Anil Kumble to try to resolve the escalating crisis between their teams. James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, wants the rival captains to hold a private meeting to avert any threat of the tour being canceled as tensions threaten to boil over.

The row, which has been simmering since Australia's tour of India last October, erupted after the hosts pulled off a last-gasp but highly controversial win over India in the second Test at Sydney on Sunday.

Kumble accused the Australians of bad sportsmanship and his team-mates were left fuming after their spinner Harbhajan Singh was later suspended for racially abusing Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds. India have appealed against the ban, temporarily suspended the tour and lodged a counter claim against Australian Brad Hogg, promoting Sutherland's suggestion of a meeting between the captains.

"It's not for me to comment on whether Anil Kumble is out of line," he said. "That is something that Anil and Ricky need to sit down and discuss. Anil Kumble had a fantastic Test match as a captain and a player and there is no doubt he was disappointed in the end.

"To some extent it's not surprising in that emotionally charged environment to say what he did. But in the course of the next few days it is time for the two captains to get together and have a chat."

Sutherland's offer of an olive branch came as the Indian cricket board (BCCI) announced it was suspending its team's tour of Australia pending the outcome of their Harbhajan appeal.