Ashes 2010-11: Australia captain Ricky Ponting admits fault regarding Kevin Pietersen controversy
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 captain Ricky Ponting has apologized for arguing with the umpires on the second day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Ponting, however, was still adamant that Kevin Pietersen was clearly out and should have been adjudged so. “In my heart and in my mind, I still believe he inside-edged that ball,” said Ponting. “If you look at the replay properly
and the way it needs to be looked at, everyone will understand that the hot-spot mark wasn't a long way away from where the ball passed the bat.”
The incident flared up when Aussie wicketkeeper Brad Haddin thought he had caught an edge off Pietersen’s bat, but field umpire Aleem Dar thought otherwise. Ponting was then convinced by Haddin to ask for a referral, but even after
the third umpire’s review, KP was still adjudged safe. This enraged the already stressed-out skipper and he was then seen in a long and heated argument with Dar and umpire Tony Hill. The argument went on for eight minutes.
“There's no doubt my actions on the field yesterday have caused a massive reaction overnight and I just wanted to get my points across about it,” said Ponting. “I understand I overstepped the mark yesterday, I was charged with
dissent, for having a prolonged discussion with the umpires out in the middle.”
The Tasmanian admitted that he had set a bad example for those watching, but said that the umpires had vouched for him in the disciplinary meeting following the day’s play and had confirmed that Ponting had not been aggressive
or malicious. Nevertheless, the Australian captain was fined 40 percent of his match fee for the prolonged argument, although many believed he should have been given a suspension.
Ponting’s behaviour was telling of the tremendous pressure the skipper is under, going through a tough time in his career, with the Ashes already out of his hands after what has been one of the most humiliating series Australia
has ever played. With the captain under fire from all quarters, it remains to be seen what his fate will be after the Ashes series ends and Australia try to get their act together before the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
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