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| | Wednesday, 5 June, 2002, 09:08 GMT 10:08 UK Ponting to tone down sledging Ponting denies Graeme Smith was unfairly treated Ricky Ponting, Australia's one-day captain, has pledged to cut down on sledging by putting an end to personal verbal attacks on opposition players. Australia are commonly regarded by other Test-playing nations as the worst offenders when it comes to seldging. But Ponting, who took over the one-day captaincy in February after Steve Waugh was sacked, has now said that in future his players would only be dishing out "light-hearted" banter. Ponting has arrived in Brisbane for a training camp ahead of next week's start of a three-match series against Pakistan.
He denied reports that the Australians personally attacked South African rookie Graeme Smith during a recent tour of South Africa. Smith, in a rare example of disloyalty among fellow professionals, told a South African magazine that he took a heavy dose of sledging from the Australians. He said his treatment included a "two-minute tirade" from batsman Matthew Hayden. Ponting said he was surprised by the comments. "The umpires and the match referees in that series didn't think we stepped over the line, so that is why it is so shocking to actually read about some of the things that were supposedly said," he said.
"We did say a few things in the one-dayers but that was more light-hearted and playing on the fact that he wasn't hitting the ball that well. "It was to do with how many edges he was getting and how lucky he was but, when I was captain anyway, there was never any personal stuff thrown against him. "I don't mind a bit of the friendly banter going on but I've said right from the start that I don't like, and won't like, any personal barrages towards anyone." Seeking an impression "[Smith] had a fair bit to say and you can accept that. We said a few things to him and he was a young bloke out there trying to make his stamp on international cricket." The Australians will return to the practice nets Thursday for the first time since Ponting made his captaincy debut in the 5-1 one-day series win over South Africa. Australia and Pakistan play the first match in the Super Challenge series under the roof at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne on June 12. That will be followed by another match at Colonial on June 15 and the third in Brisbane on June 19. | | See also:  30 May 02 | Cricket 26 Apr 02 | Cricket 17 Dec 01 | Cricket 19 Feb 01 | Sport Front Page 19 Feb 01 | Sports Talk 19 Feb 01 | England on Tour Top Cricket stories now: Links to more Cricket stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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