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Ponting issues warning
Cricket, 11:32, December 21, 2009 ,
Australia captain Ricky Ponting wants his players to improve their discipline after the ill-tempered Test series with the West Indies.
There were a number of incidents during the three-Test series, which the Aussies took 2-0, with Sulieman Benn's collision with Mitchell Johnson and the subsequent exchange of words between the pair and Brad Haddin in Perth the most high-profile.
Benn was suspended for two one-day internationals despite pleading not guilty, while Haddin and Johnson were fined 25 and 10 per cent of their match payments respectively.
All-rounder Shane Watson also picked up a fine after an over-the-top celebration following his dismissal of Windies skipper Chris Gayle in the second innings of the match at the WACA.
Cricket Australia wrote to the Australia squad ahead of last summer's Ashes series to demand a better standard of discipline and a reduction in on-field 'sledging'.
But the recent series with Gayle's men saw a return to previous levels of behaviour and Ponting believes both he and the players concerned have a responsibility to toe the line during the heat of battle.
"I'm not proud of the fact and I'm sure the players aren't either that we've had three guys reported in the one game," he said. "Reports have been something that we've been really strict on the last couple of years amongst the player group and we've got a good record the last couple of years.
"Those guys are a bit embarrassed probably and know that they have overstepped the mark, and as captain I do have to take some responsibility. When things happen in the spur of the moment it's not as if I can stop or interject as it's happening either, particularly with the one with Haddin and Johnson, and I'm in the change rooms.
"All you can do is talk to them about it after, let them know it's not acceptable and hope that they learn from their mistakes. The three are all relatively young in international cricket and if they didn't know before, they now know the mark that they've overstepped."