Herschelle Gibbs said on Thursday he was disappointed that his appeal against a Test match ban failed but he was glad that he had been cleared of racism.
The South African batsman will miss the third Test against Pakistan starting at Newlands yesterday as well as a Twenty20 international and the first of five one-day internationals against the same opponents next month.
He was originally banned for two Tests but in terms of the ICC code, the punishment was amended to take account of the next matches the player was due to appear in.
Despite the ban, Gibbs was delighted the ICC appeals commissioner Richie Benaud concluded that he was not a racist.
disappointed
Gibbs said in a statement: "I am really disappointed to be missing the Test match in front of my home ground and the next two matches the Proteas will be playing."
"However, I am glad that I have now had a proper opportunity to explain myself. I feel it is important that Mr Benaud has confirmed that I am not racist. I have apologized if my remarks inadvertently caused offence, and that apology still stands," he said.
Cricket South Africa has dropped its own disciplinary action against Gibbs following remarks made by the player about a section of the crowd which were picked up and broadcast by a stump microphone during the first Test against Pakistan in Centurion earlier this month.
Gerald Majola, CSA chief executive, said the national body accepted Benaud's findings.
"We particularly welcome the fact that Mr Benaud has emphatically cleared Herschelle of any allegations of racism," Majola said.
reaction
Gibbs' remarks were in reaction to abusive spectators.
According to Majola and newspaper reports the words allegedly used by Gibbs included "these fucking Pakistani animals", a reference to "fucking baboons" and a suggestion that the spectators should "fuck off back to Pakistan."
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