Australian captain Ricky Ponting has complained about lax security after he was involved in a swearing match with a spectator during the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting has complained about lax security after he was involved in a swearing match with a spectator during the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
As reported in KHALIDOSCOPE yesterday, English crowds have been heckling and jeering Ponting and other members of his team at Test venues, prompting Ponting to say he would be disappointed if Australian crowds abused a visiting Test skipper the way he has been incessantly booed.
Torrent of abuse
Ponting was walking off the ground after his dismissal when a fan subjected the captain to a torrent of abuse.
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Australia captain Ricky Ponting pic/getty images |
He admitted he got involved in a heated verbal exchange with the England supporter who was later ejected from the ground.
"There were some words exchanged, the spectator was actually leaning over the front of the grandstand and gave me a bit of a gobful as I got out the other day," Ponting said.
He said that while he had "taken it with a grain of salt", he hoped that Australian crowds would show an English captain more respect.
"It's not as if I have done anything wrong against the crowd or against the English players," Ponting said.
"You would be disappointed if it happened in Australia. It doesn't need to happen, there is no need for it to happen.
"I've spoken to a few English journalists the last couple of weeks and they've said they've been disappointed about it."
Following the incident and given Headingley's reputation for rowdy fan behaviour, the authorities have imposed a security crackdown for today's Test amid concerns the abuse could reach new levels. As part of the crackdown on England supporters, Barmy Army trumpet player Bill Cooper has been banned from playing at the ground.
Cooper had also been prevented from playing during the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia.
Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss has urged fans not to "cross the line", but said that didn't mean they could not continue to support his team in a noisy manner.
"We want the crowd to get right behind us," Strauss said. "It's always a fantastic atmosphere here. The more supporters there are for us, the better.
"As cricketers, you want all your fellow cricketers to be treated with respect. But that doesn't stop them (fans) being supportive of us in any way.
"There's just a line there that you shouldn't cross. Generally, the crowds have been pretty well behaved so far in the series and hopefully that can continue."
Meanwhile, England superstar Andrew Flintoff, a doubtful starter for today's game, has bowled at nets in a desperate bid to be fit, even as he has hobbled, but has been banned from having painkilling injections on his injured right knee.
His captain Strauss insisted yesterday a decision on his inclusion in the playing squad will not be taken until the start of the match.
On the Australian front, vice captain Michael Clarke, who has a stomach strain, and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who has had pain killing injections in his broken finger, will also be assessed this morning, but both are hopeful of playing.
Ponting confirmed that although Brett Lee had been passed medically, the selectors probably remained in doubt about whether he should play given the fact that he had not played in a match since the tour match before the first Test.
Given Headingley's reputation for helping seam bowlers, Australia may go into today's Test with four fast bowlers, with spinner Nathan Hauritz sitting out.
