Beloff favours written submissions

Ganguly had sought to have the appeal against his six-ODI ban heard via phone but the ICC appeals commissioner wants written statements.

The ICC appeals commissioner Michael Beloff has indicated that he is likely to hear the appeal by Indian captain Sourav Ganguly against his six-ODI ban based on the extensive written submissions from Ganguly and match officials.

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The Indian captain had sought to have the matter heard at a second personal hearing via a telephone hook-up but Beloff has indicated that he believes that a hearing based on the written submissions is 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, the ICC said in a press release.

Under the ICC Code of Conduct, the way in which an appeal is heard is at the discretion of the appointed appeals commissioner.

Other appeals commissioners have elected to proceed on the basis of written submissions. In the previous case involving Ganguly the appeals commissioner elected to have the hearing via a telephone hook-up.

Should Beloff elect to proceed on the basis of the written submissions a decision on the merits of the appeal is expected to be made within the next 48 hours.