The ICC on Saturday came up with a ridiculous explanation in defence of the petulant behaviour of Brian Lara during the first cricket Test against India when he snatched the ball from Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf and waggled his finger at him.
"Lara showed a little frustration but it was borne out of circumstances," ICC's General Manager-Cricket Dave Richardson said.
"Lara is a renowned player, a famed cricketer. He got frustrated (after) the umpire forced the players to make a decision. He did get a little frustrated, snatching the ball from the umpire, but he certainly did not show dissent," he told NDTV.
Richardson also sought to justify the fine imposed on Virender Sehwag for prematurely celebrating a dismissal.
"The Sehwag incident was unfortunate. ICC wants to cut down on excessive appealing. We want to prevent players, tell them not to put too much pressure on umpires. In Sehwag's incident, it was a case of not appealing. He slipped up (on that account)."
On the controversial Dhoni dismissal, he said he had never come across such an incident -- be it in his playing days or as an administrator.
"It (the incident) was quite unique. No decision was made. The TV umpire said he could not make a decision, the on field umpires said we can't make a decision either. Lara tried to facilitate an agreement (which) was not the right way."
