Beloff seeks written submissions from Ganguly

Michael Beloff QC, the ICC appeals commissioner, has indicated that he is likely to hear Sourav Ganguly's appeal against his six-match ban based on the extensive written submissions from Ganguly and statements of the match officials. Ganguly had sought to have the matter heard at a second personal hearing via a telephone call but Beloff felt that a hearing based on the written submissions was the appropriate way to proceed.

Beloff has sought Ganguly's final comments as to why a personal hearing is required as a matter of urgency. Ganguly was handed a six-match ban after being found guilty of slow over-rates yet again in the fourth one-dayer against Pakistan at Ahmedabad. The Indian board then appealed the ban, but chose to rest him for the last two matches at Kanpur and Delhi.

Under the ICC Code of Conduct, the way in which an appeal is heard is at the discretion of the appointed appeals commissioner. There have been instances, including the previous case involving Ganguly, of commissioners who have elected to have the hearing via a telephone hook-up. In this case, though, Ganguly has provided Beloff with two written submissions detailing the grounds for his appeal and the reasons why he believes the suspension should be overturned.

A decision on the merits of the appeal is expected to be made within the next 48 hours.