Quotes on the Mike Denness controversy

South African skipper Shaun Pollock
''To call the tour off at this stage doesn't make sense to me. They obviously have their reasons and feel strongly about it. It is nothing the United Cricket Board of South Africa has done. It is nothing the South African cricket team has done. It is their battle with the International Cricket Council. It hasn't created more needle in the series, it is a battle they (India) are having with the ICC so it doesn't really bring us into the equation.''

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly
''In keeping with the rulebook, I will not comment on any of these decisions. But like the rest of the Indians, I feel the saddest part was that Mr Denness did not speak at the press conference. In today's world, everything needs an explanation.''

United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola
''The disciplinary procedures with regard to cricket matches are one of the few instances in world sport in which there is no recourse to appeal for affected players or officials.''

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed
"We have received and are currently considering a written complaint from the BCCI regarding the actions of Mike Denness during the recent India vs South Africa Test match. Mike Denness is a former Test captain and a very experienced match referee. During his time refereeing Test and one-day international matches, his record has been one of fairness and consistency. On the previous nine occasions where Mike Denness has acted as referee for a match involving India, no Indian players have been reported or penalised.''

Former India captain and coach Ajit Wadekar
''Even murderers have a right of appeal. If the ICC does not do anything, the Indian board must take legal action. I don't see any harm in the team pulling out from the series as well, because it seems the ICC has dismissed our request outright.''

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi
"Pulling out would be an overreaction. We should just play on. Just because Denness has made a bad decision on an off day, doesn't mean we make a bad decision also. Two wrongs don't make a right.''

Australia captain Steve Waugh
''If he's (Tendulkar's) picked the seam, then he's got to pay the penalty, just like everyone else. There shouldn't be any favors just because of your reputation and the way you play the game. If you do something wrong, you've got to get pulled up for it.''

'It is none of our business what goes on as long as we play good cricket,'

Former India captain and TV commentator Ravi Shastri, on the appearance of a silent Mike Denness at a press conference
''If Mike Denness cannot answer questions, why is he here? We know what he looks like.''

South African Broadcasting Corporation cameraman Harm Venter who captured the images
''The camera doesn't lie and the incident that resulted in Tendulkar's hearing was not a one-off. We clearly saw him running his thumbnail around the seam several times, like he had been doing earlier. I was surprised he didn't even try to hide it -- it was blatant. He was running his thumb about around the seam earlier in the day when he was fielding at mid-off when Javagal Srinath was bowling.''

BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya
''Either Denness should be changed and, if this is not possible, at least decisions made by him should be kept in abeyance. It is definitely shocking, but we will decide our course of action only after getting the related papers from the team management in South Africa.''

The Mike Denness controversy

India's tour of South Africa: Complete coverage