India's cricket tour of Australia was on the brink of collapse last night after a dispute over racial abuse, poor umpiring and unsportsmanlike behaviour that could undermine relations between the two countries.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the tour after Harbhajan Singh, the Indian spin bowler, was given a three-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds, the Australian all-rounder.