Ponting backs Pietersen’s claims

Former Australia captain affirms presence of ‘bullying’ culture in England

LONDON: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has spoken up in support of Kevin Pietersen's allegations of a ‘bullying’ culture within the England team.

Pietersen, in one of several controversial claims in his recently-published autobiography, accused England's senior bowlers and wicketkeeper Matt Prior of aggressively demanding apologies from teammates not in their clique for any mistakes they made while fielding.

Ponting, Australia's captain from 2004-11 supported the claims of England's all-time leading run-scorer.

"We saw them doing it, [James] Anderson was always the same, and [Graeme] Swann," Ponting told the Sydney Daily Telegraph yesterday.

"There would be pointing of fingers and you'd hear a few expletives if there was a misfield or a dropped catch.

"The guys who were doing it were the so-called leaders. That's where the captain has got to come in, not wait and let little things turn into big things. That's what it sounds like has happened in this England team."