Ponting Hits Back at his Critics! Says hit Hurts!

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was completely hurt by the remarks from his critics which includes former Austrlian captains and few board members of Cricket Australia.

He used part time bowlers Hussey, Clarke and White. Though White is a regular spinner, he was not successful. So, he bowled only less overs in the first innings and also in the 2nd innings.

Ponting would have faced suspension for the team's slow over-rate, said he never felt not using regular fast bowlers was a "negative tactic, as depicted by his critics including Cricket Australia Director and former captain Allan Border.

He said, "To tell you the truth I am a little bit disappointed with some of the criticism, particularly from former Australian captains and CA board members. The thing I'm most disappointed about is htere seems to be this inference out there that I've put myself totally ahead of the team. Anybody that knows me or knows the way I play my cricket or operate around the Australian team or any team would hopefully not say that's the case."

"I'd like to think as far as team players go that there haven't been many who have ever played for Australia would do more than I have for the team," Ricky added.

Earlier, Border said, "I don't know what to make of all this. They go into the tea break on a high and come out worrying about over rates."

Warne expects Ponting to learn from Mistake!

The legend Australian spinner Shane Warne has expressed surprise over Ponting move on the fourth day of the final test against India in Nagpur. His tactics of using part time bowlers after team was really surprising because he always put team first.

"His tactics surprised me - and everyone else - because he is naturally an attacker," Warne wrote in his column in the Herald Sun. "The reason he is under pressure is that it looked like he put himself in front of the team, and that just isn't Punter. Having played with him for a long time, he was one of the guys that put the team first - always."

"If it meant throwing his wicket away in the chase for quick runs, he would do that. And there have been previous captains who would not do that. I just think he got it wrong this time and I'm sure he will be a better captain for the experience."

"Hopefully Ricky understands where everyone's criticism is coming from, takes it on board and does not wipe people," Warne said. "I'm sure if he thinks it through, he could do worse than ask Ian Chappell or Allan Border out for dinner and chat about it. He might just pick up something."

Ponting received criticising from all over cricketing world for his poor tactics. Though coach Tim Nielsen and Cricket Austrlia CEO Sutherland backed his decision, they were also surprised by his move.

Steve Waugh Too Not Happy with Ponting Decision!

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh also criticised Ponting for his poor decision to use part time bowlers after tea on the fourth day. India were struggling at 166 for 6 with tail enders to follow.

The use of part time bowlers like Hussey and Michael Clarke was the turning point with Dhoni and Harbhajan adding runs on the board. Though Dhoni is a recognized batsman, Bhajji was not. He scored 50, his second in the series. They added 108 for the 7th wicket and took the lead beyond 350 where Ponting could have restricted India to less than 300 including the lead.

"I am sure Ricky would regret the decision," Waugh told the Herald Sun. "Winning the Test match is what mattered. You have just spent six weeks in the subcontinent. You just don't take your foot off the gas."

The Australian team were running late in overs. During tea, the umpires warned Ponting about the slow over rate. Ponting was under pressure to complete 25 overs in 75 minutes. Ponting was later fined for slow over rate.

"There are far too many stoppages," he said. "I remember when I played it was considered a badge of honour not to have a drink in a session [apart from the scheduled drinks break]. And no one died from dehydration. These days there are far too many drinks breaks. It's ridiculous. But it is just not the captain's fault. It is up to coaches, referees and umpires to keep the show moving."

Sutherland to query Ponting on his tactics!

Cricket Australia will question the Australian captain Ricky Ponting on the tactics used after the tea on the 4th day of the final test match. Austrlia had a very good chance of equaling the series and retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2008.

With 0-1 down, Australia had a good chance of winning the final test thirce with close to winning chance on the 4th day during the Indian 2nd innings.

The first chance was on the 2nd day when Australia started the first innings. India were 311 for 5 at the end of day 1. On day 2, Australia restricted India to 441 which was expected to go beyond 500.

Second chance when Australia batted and could have gained good lead or at least went close to Indian total. They were 189 for 2 at the end of day 2, but the tactics played by Dhoni restricted Aussies to 355. The chance was not taken by Australian batsmen. Though India did bowl little negative, Australia could have played positively as they were 0-1 down in the series. They scored just 166 runs 85.4 overs they played on the third day.

On the fourth day, India were struggling at 166 for 6 at tea with Tendulkar run out and tail enders to follow. If Ponting had used his strike bolwers Lee or Johnson, sure they could restricted to less than 225 and had to chase around 300. But, the slow over rate and warning from umpires turned the match in favor of India. Ponting used part-time bowlers--Hussey, Clarke, and White. Australia had to bowl 25 overs in 75 minutes for which he used them. Otherwise, he would have faced one match suspension. Dhoni and Harbhajan utilized the situation, swept spinners and took singles and twos. They added 108 for the 7th wicket and took the lead beyond 350. Harbhajan scored his 4th fifty against Austrlia and Dhoni also reached his fifty.

The Cricket Australia CEO and other cricket experts critisized Ponting for his poor leadership skills and bad decision. Cricket Australia CEO Sutherland indicated that he will talk to Ponting and seek an explanation on his decisions.

Slow Over Rate Gives 4 Match ban to Collingwood!!!

The ICC match referre Javagal Srinath handed over a 4 ODI ban to England captain Paul Collingwood for bowling slow against New Zealand. This was considered a level 3 offense as per ICC regulations and hence he faced either a 4 ODI or a 2 Test Match ban.

His offense was pushed to level 3 from level 2 as he committed the mistake within a year. AS per rules, he cannot repeat the mistake again within the year.

His team bowled more than two overs short in a game against India in August last year.

A short of more than two overs in an ODI brings with it an automatic Level 2 charge against the captain involved, but if that captain has already been charged and found guilty of the same offence within the preceding 12 months then the penalty imposed is elevated to Level 3.

Each player will be fined 5% of the match fee for every over short with the captain fined 10%.

Up t level 4 offense, the player can appeal and if he does it, until the verdict, the punishment will not be in effect.

If the ban stays, he will miss the final ODI against New Zealand, the T20 and the two ODIs against South Africa.

Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians fined!

Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils have been fined by the IPL for maintaining slow over rate durng their match in Mumbai on Sunday, May 4.

The home team won by 29 runs upsetting the Delhi Daredevils, who were in the winning freak.

Match Referee Javagal Srinath found both the team guilty of bowling slow and hence fined them. Since IPL is following ICC rules, for every over short, the team would be fined $500.

Mumbai Indians found to be two overs short and Delhi Daredevils one over short. Both of them have been fined $1000 and $500 respectively.

This was already a worry for the IPL organizers as the teams were taking more time in the field.