Lindsay overlooks Ganguly's verbal duel with Flintoff

Mohali, December 5: Match-referee Denis Lindsay on Wednesday dismissed as "odd chirp" an exchange of words between Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and England fast bowler Andrew Flintoff on the third day of the first cricket Test here and said no action was being contemplated against either of the two players.

Coming fresh in the wake of the controversial punishments handed down to six Indian players by English match-referee Mike Denness in South Africa, which resulted in a major row in world cricket, there were speculations that Wednesday's incident might also attract the wrath of the match-referee.

But Lindsay said the incident had not even been reported to him and the umpires on the ground had asked the two players to take it easy. "There is nothing to it," Lindsay told reporters after the match.

"As long as it is not anything personal towards the player or the umpire... Anything personal will not be tolerated," Lindsay said while expressing satisfaction over the handling of the situation by the ground umpires.

Flintoff was at the end of his run-up when Ganguly walked away from his wicket as he was not ready. A minor exchange of words ensued between the two before umpire Steve Bucknor intervened and calmed them down.

No player from either side addressed the customary press conference today and it was England bowling coach Graham Dilley who spoke to the media.

Dilley too dismissed the incident regarding Ganguly and Flintoff as "trivial talk".

Dilley appreciated the efforts of his bowlers saying they bowled with a lot of discipline and control. "They also displayed a bit of aggression when needed."

"They were able to create some chances and that is important because if they had not been able to create the chances (and only waited for the batsmen to make mistakes) they would have had to remain on the field for an awfully longer time," he said.

India were all out for 469 in their first innings after they resumed at their overnight 262 for three.