Ponting reprimanded over TV smash

Ponting agrees to pay for damages after he smashes a dressing room television set.

NEW DEHLI: Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he smashed a dressing room television set during a World Cup tie.

The ICC said that Ponting had accepted the charge under the code of conduct which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”. Ponting accepted the Level 1 charge, which could mean he loses 50 per cent of his match fee.

Match referee Roshan Mahanama said; “It was clear that the damage he caused was purely accidental,he apologised shortly after the incident and immediately agreed to pay for the damage.”

Ponting smashed the TV in a fury after being run out during their match with Zimbabwe. The ICC had been contacted by the Indian cricket board following a complaint lodged by the Gujarat Cricket Association despite Ponting having apologised.

“When Ponting was run out, he was perhaps frustrated,” said Gujarat Cricket Association Secretary Rajesh Patel.

Mumbai approved

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the venue for the final, has been cleared to host matches by the city’s fire department.

Safety inspectors are assured the problems had been sorted out. The stadium will host the April 2 final and two group matches on 13 and 18 March.

Meanwhile, the Feroz Shah Kotla ground will come under scrutiny today when it hosts the between South Africa and the West Indies after an international ban.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2011.