The controversy over the appeal against David Hussey for `obstructing the field` refused to die down with former captains Ian Chappell and Tony Greig supporting India`s contention that the Australian batsman should have been given out. The controversial incident happened during the India-Australia tri-series match yesterday in Sydney when non-striker Hussey answered his partner`s call but as he was completing the run, the Aussie put his right hand out to stop the ball from hitting him.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appealed for an obstructing the field dismissal which is allowed under the ICC rules. Umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel referred the matter to third umpire Simon Fry, who decided in favour of the batsman by concluding that he was merely trying to avoid getting hit himself instead of saving the stumps. At the post match press conference, Dhoni maintained that the umpires erred in not declaring the Australian batsman out after the Indians appealed.

"I think David was really lucky not being given out. He (David) thought he was protecting his face but his hand was too far ahead. I don`t know why he was not given out. We were at receiving end of both umpires," said Dhoni. An article in `Sydney Morning Herald` brought out the difference in opinion among cricket experts on the controversial turning down of `obstructing the field` appeal against Hussey.

According to the newspaper, Indian commentators Ravi Shastri and Sanjay Manjrekar were among those in support for David while Australian Ian Chappell and Englishman Tony Greig believed the batsman should have been given out. "Former Indian batsmen Ravi Shastri and Sanjay Manjrekar, commentating on ESPN, were among those in support for Hussey while Ian Chappell and Tony Greig believed the Australian should have been given out," the newspaper said.

Regarding the controversy of Tendulkar being apparently blocked by Brett Lee, leading to his run-out, the newspaper said, "Tendulkar was run out after being unintentionally hampered by Lee chasing a single. "He (Tendulkar) lost momentum as he tried to avoid Lee, who did not appear to be aware of the batsman`s presence, and was caught short by a direct hit from David Warner."