IANS

Durban, Dec 31: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rubbished reports that Cricket South Africa (CSA) lodged a protest against umpire Steve Davis, who was allegedly found drunk by South African cricketers on the eve of the second Test match here against India.

Colin Gibson, ICC's head of media and communications, reportedly said that the world body has not received any complaint from the CSA.

"No allegations have been made… The CSA hasn't told the ICC anything. It's all nonsense," he said.

The CSA's media officer Michael Owen-Smith also confirmed that they have not lodged any protest.

Afrikaans daily Beeld quoting team sources reported that some of the South African cricketers saw the Australian umpire frequently at a particular bar over the past week and he was also seen stumbling into the Sandton hotel in the early hours of the morning during the first Test at Centurion.

During the second Test, Davis made some umpiring errors that saw South Africa losing the Test match by 87 runs. He turned down Dale Steyn's appeal against Zaheer Khan on day three that allowed India to extend the lead to over 300, thanks to a 70-run partnership between Zaheer and V.V.S. Laxman.

On the final day, Davis also upheld an lbw appeal against Mark Boucher though replays showed the ball was clearly missing the off stump.

Asad Rauf, the other umpire, too erred in giving AB de Villiers leg before wicket when the replays showed the ball would have gone much above the stumps.