NZ judge appointed for race hearing

The International Cricket Council has appointed New Zealand High Court judge Justice John Hansen to hear the appeal of India's Harbhajan Singh against his three-test ban for racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds.

The pair clashed in last week's second test in Sydney, with the Indian players upset that evidence from the Australian team led to a suspension for the spin bowler despite Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan both saying the term "monkey" wasn't used in the incident.

Importantly for Harbhajan, who is free to play until Hansen gives a ruling, a date for the hearing is still yet to be made.

The third test starts in Perth next Wednesday.

Hansen is New Zealand Cricket's appointment on the ICC Code of Conduct Commission.

"The ICC received official notification of the appeal from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday and the ICC senior counsel and company secretary Urvasi Naidoo appointed Justice Hansen today in line with ICC Code of Conduct processes," the ICC said in a statement.

"Justice Hansen will now make preparations for the appeal hearing.

"No time, date or venue for the appeal have yet been fixed.

"The process indicates that the appeal should be heard within seven days of the commissioner being appointed. However, this time period may be extended if circumstances dictate."

-AAP