ICC praises India over Bell run-out decision

The ICC on Sunday ruled that the run out decision of Ian Bell on the third day of the second cricket Test at Nottingham was correct and applauded the Indian team's fine gesture to recall the England batsman by withdrawing their appeal.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat praised India, the England team and the match officials at Trent Bridge, for the way they upheld the "Great Spirit of the Great Sport of cricket".

At the end of the afternoon session, Bell was given run out after leaving his crease in the belief that tea had been called by on-field umpires Asad Rauf and Marais Erasmus. "On appeal, after consultation with television umpire Billy Bowden, Bell was given run out, which was the technically correct decision under the letter of the law of the game," the ICC said in a statement.

"Absolute credit must go to Team India, the England team and the match officials -- Ranjan Madugalle, Asad Rauf and Marais Erasmus as well as the off-field umpires Billy Bowden and Tim Robinson -- for the superb way that they all handled a tricky situation," Lorgat said in the statement.

"While the initial appeal and umpire decision may have been acceptable to the letter of the law, the decision by India captain M S Dhoni and his team -- as well as the Team India coaching staff -- to withdraw the appeal shows great maturity.

"To see players and officials uphold the Great Spirit of cricket, which has underpinned the game for more than a century, is very special. I am indeed grateful for the way that the teams and match officials handled what was clearly a difficult situation and their behaviour reflects well on everyone," he said.