South African judge to hear Gambhir appeal

Justice Albie Sachs, Cricket South Africa's representative on the ICC Code of Conduct Commission, has been appointed by the game's governing body to hear Gautam Gambhir's appeal against his one-Test ban.

Sachs, who is a senior judge on the Constitutional Court of South Africa, will issue directions regarding the hearing which must be held within seven days of his appointment. He has the power to uphold or change the decision made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding.

Gambhir was banned for one Test by match referee Chris Broad after he pleaded guilty to a charge of not conducting play "within the spirit of the game as well as within the laws of cricket". The incident that led to the ban occurred in the 51st over of India's first innings when Gambhir, who had verbal altercations with Shane Watson, appeared to elbow the bowler during a run.

The charges were laid by the on-field umpires, Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar, and the third umpire Suresh Shastri. Gambhir's hearing was originally scheduled for Thursday evening but was postponed until Friday morning because Broad wanted to review evidence.

Gambhir was told of his ban before the third day's play after which he filed an appeal. However, he will be allowed to play until the verdict of the appeal has been given. Should the appeal be unsuccessful, though, Gambhir will have to bear the costs of the appeal under an amendment to the Code of Conduct.