THE African National Congress praised cricket’s governing body on Friday for its firm handling of two incidents of players using racist language. Former South African test all-rounder Brian McMillan was forced by the United Cricket Board of South Africa on Thursday to make a public apology using the term “coolie creeper” and another provincial player, Alan Badenhorst, was banned until January 1, 2001, for racist language. “We are confident that the recent events and the action taken against the two gentlemen will serve as an example to others who might want to do the same,” Lulu Xingwana, chair of the ANC’s study group on sport and recreation, said.