Nothing wrong with a bit of banter: Ponting

SYDNEY—Australia captain Ricky Ponting continued the fractious buildup to this week’s first test against South Africa by saying he sees nothing wrong with players engaging in banter. The International Cricket Council (ICC) warned players from both sides that they risked misconduct charges if they continued the sledging that has dominated the buildup to the series.
The teams have been trading insults, with South Africa skipper Graeme Smith claiming Australia have lost their edge after the Ashes defeat and Shane Warne saying the tourists will need a psychologist after the series. “Banter is part of our game and so far the buildup to this test series looks like it is going to be pretty intense,” Ponting told a news conference in Perth on Tuesday.
“But it has just been some pretty light-hearted banter. I’m pretty comfortable with what’s happened so far in the press”. Ponting said the build-up had certainly added extra spice to the series but added that the players were aware of the limits before the ICC warning.
“Our on-field record speaks for itself over the last couple of years and we’ll make sure when we go into the game on Friday that we’re upholding the spirit of the game as best as we possibly can,” Ponting said. “All the Australian players certainly know where the line in the sand is drawn and as long as no one’s outside of that we should be fine”.
The ICC’s warning drew sharp rebukes in Australia with media commentators and former players criticising the sport’s world governing body. Former Australia fast bowlers Jeff Thomson and Terry Alderman said the ICC was being distracted by minor matters while ignoring bigger issues. “They do nothing about blokes chucking, they do nothing about all this other stuff, they are more worried about words,” Thomson told Australian Associated Press. Alderman disagrees with the ICC’s threats to players.
“They are putting the cart before the horse, they are almost saying there is going to be problems because of what has been written and said by players,” Alderman told the Daily Telegraph.—Agencies