Ponting admits Australian players stepped out of line during Perth test

Ricky Ponting has called an urgent meeting to remind his players of the Spirit of Cricket after one third of his team was fined for bad behaviour

Ponting admits Australian players stepped out of line during Perth test

"I'm not proud of the fact," the Australian captain after yesterday's 35-run victory at Perth.

"I'm sure the players were not sure of the fact either that we've had three guys reported in the one game.

"I know all the boys are a bit embarrassed probably and know that they've overstepped the mark.

"I guess as captain you do have to take some responsibility for it, but when things happen in the spur of the moment like that it's not as if I can interject or stop it as its happening either."

Ponting said the players were well aware they had stepped out of line. Saying he was not proud of his players' behaviour, Ponting said he would address the team on the subject before the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne.

Ponting said he had already spoken to Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson who, along with West Indian Sulieman Benn, were all hauled over the coals by match referee Chris Broad. Pace bowler Doug Bollinger was reprimanded in the Adelaide Test.

While the Australians were made to forfeit varying amounts of their match fees for behaving in a manner that brought the game into disrepute, Benn has been awarded a two-match suspension, a sentence the West Indies consider disproportionate and are incensed over.

"Without sitting down as a group already, there's been enough talk around the change rooms about it for the guys to be really clear on what's accepted and what's not", Ponting said.

"It's something that needs to be revisited quite regularly, but at the same time a lot of it can be pretty unavoidable as well."

Despite the team's initial displeasure with the disproportionate suspension handed down to Benn, the West Indians have decided not to appeal. Instead the teams' board is expected to lodge a protest with the International Cricket Council and seek an explanation for his severe punishment of their player compared with that of the Australians.

West Indies manager Joel Garner said: "They slapped two fellas on the wrist and they killed the other fella ... there are inconsistencies in the entire process and how the charges were laid ... and that's why I think it is a bit unreasonable."

Captain Gayle, named Man of the Match and Man of the Series, added that Mitchell Johnson should have been suspended for initiating physical contact with Benn on the second day of the Perth Test.

"If you watch the tape, Johnson was the first to make contact.

"You shouldn't have to tolerate that sort of thing on the field.

"If they are going to deal with one of the players (Benn), they should have dealt with them all the same way."
u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 ******
It has been revealed that Ricky Ponting is spending tome in a hyperbaric chamber in a desperate attempt to be fit for next Saturday's Test against Pakistan.

Ponting, who celebrated his 35th birthday last Saturday, was locked in the chamber to increase the oxygen flow and hasten the healing process of the injured tendons near his left elbow.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels