15.1.2008
by Russell Palipane
 India's cricket captain Anil Kumble, right, and his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting sit down at a Perth, Australia, hotel Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in an effort to mend strained relations between the teams ahead of their third Test match starting Wednesday. Australia lead the 4-game series 2-0. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Australia captain Ricky Ponting insists that Australia will use the public outcry that followed the Sydney Test to find a balance in how they play the game.
Ponting admitted that he was surprised by the reaction to his side's victory in the second Test, with many claiming that they did not adhere to the spirit of cricket, but said that they would use the criticism constructively.
The Aussie squad held a meeting on Sunday night to allow everyone to voice their opinions on the Sydney Test and discuss the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ pledge that was developed under Steve Waugh in 2003.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the meeting was moderated by former Royal Australian Air Force officer Ray McLean and attended by coach Tim Nielsen, manager Steve Bernard, operations manager Michael Brown and Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland.
"We are very keen to ensure we get the balance of how we play the game right so we can focus clearly on another very big match coming up," wrote Ponting in his column in The Australian.
"I have been surprised by the reaction of some in the broader community who believe we did not play that amazing Sydney Test in the spirit of the game.
"We take the spirit of cricket very seriously and are determined to ensure we are not only remembered as a good team, but one that is respected throughout the cricket world for the way we play," he added.
The Tasmanian admitted that there were areas in which they could improve and confirmed that they were taking the criticism seriously.
Courtesy - SNNI |