Herschelle Gibbs' appeal against the ban of two test matches imposed upon him for breaching the ICC's Code of Conduct was concluded via teleconference in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The hearing was conducted by former Australia captain Richie Benaud who was appointed as the Appeals Commissioner and it is expected that he will issue his decision on Thursday. Gibbs was banned on January 15 after he was overheard on a stump microphone calling Pakistan supporters "a bunch of bloody animals" in the first Test and has since apologized. The teleconference involved Gibbs, his legal representative, ICC match referee Chris Broad and a legal representative acting on his behalf. ICC In-House Lawyer Ms. Urvasi Naidoo was also present on the call in an administrative capacity. Benaud has the power to increase, decrease, amend or otherwise substitute his own decision from that made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding. Once Benaud has reached his decision, he must provide it in writing to the ICC's In-House Lawyer, who will then forward it to Gibbs, Broad and ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed ahead of any public announcement.

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