Sydney Test- Po(i)nting speak

What Punter Ponting's newspaper column would look like:

We were delighted to win the Sydney test match and get on level terms with Tugga's 16 match record streak. Though a part of that particular squad myself, I must admit that it is a special thrill when you are captain of the side and the record is something we are looking forward to obliterate in Perth.

I do understand that a lot of friction has been created courtesy events during the last 5 days and a lot of it has been blown out by proportion by the ever-discerning media. Admittedly, the umpiring was not of the highest standard but it isn't the first time that it has happened nor will it be the last. To suggest that we won the test match because of the officiating is unfair because this team has showcased over Melbourne and Sydney why it is the best in the world. I have also read players writing about how decisions seem to favour us in Australia all the time. I would like to remind them that we have been at the receiving end of some very ordinary decision-making in the sub-continent which we have always taken in the right spirit. Even in the recent ODI series, there were instances when Tendulkar had the "rub of the green" more than once.

There is no doubt about the fact that India are a very fine side led by an excellent and a widely respected skipper. We have been part of some gripping contests in recent times which players from both sides have cherished and played in excellent spirit. It is therefore indeed a pity that the gamesmanship has taken such a plunge as it did in India and in Sydney. I do back Roy Symonds fully and it seems to be interesting that the Indian management's complaint seems to be aimed more at the evidence on which Match referee Mike Proctor acted and not the decision itself.

Finally, there have been accusations that we have not upheld the spirit of the game. The Australian cricket team firmly believes that the umpires are there to take decisions which ought to be respected. There are hardly any international cricketers who walk these days which is understandable given the pressures of the modern game. We don't expect other cricketers to walk and we expect to be judged against the same benchmark. As far as the incidents of excessive appealing go, we all know which team has been pulled up most for the same. I have been extremely disappointed with comments from respected commentators about us cheating. I still reckon that there was no way that the ball touched the ground when I grasped it and Pup Clarke's case was similar too. Video technology according to most cricketers has been misleading when it comes to contentious catches and to go by that might not be very judicious.

We do like to play our cricket hard and party harder when we do win. It is very rarely that you have the opportunity to be part of such gripping contests and to come out better off is indeed very special. The victory was made all the more special considering that we had our backs to the wall on Day 1 at 134/6. It was undoubtedly a terrific performance by the guys and the 10 day break is indeed most welcome after the grind. We are already looking forward to the test at Perth and are keen to keep up our highest standards and etch our names in the record books.


This is utter nonsense according to the jingoistic author and you are most welcome to spew venom at Ponting and his men in the Comments section.