South Africa and India have informed the ICC that they intend to play the third Test at Centurion on Friday without controversial match referee Mike Denness. Instead, the South African and Indian cricket boards have asked former South African wicketkeeper Denis Lindsay to officiate in place of Denness.

Denness incurred the wrath of the Indian team when he imposed punishments on six players after the second Test. Sachin Tendulkar was given a suspended ban for apparent ball-tampering, while Virender Sehwag will miss the third Test after receiving a one-match ban for excessive appealing.

The ICC refused to replace Denness, who himself turned down a request to step down, and the United Cricket Board of South Africa, under pressure from the Pretoria government, who was afraid that a boycott could hit its diplomatic and trading links with India, have decided to take their own action.

They say Denness will be denied access to the match referee's position at the ground. A statement said that, "The South African Government…has instructed the UCBSA to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the Test match goes ahead."

Denness has expressed his disappointment. "I certainly won't be going to the ground tomorrow (Friday)," he said, "but that is all I can say."

The move has not been officially sanctioned by the ICC. If they do now sanction it they will completely lose face, having backed Denness over the past few days, thus creating the prospect of the match becoming an unofficial Test.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd