Harvey condemns Ponting, Benaud all praise

Sydney, January 8: Legendary Australian batsman Neil Harvey joined the wave of criticism against captain Ricky Ponting following the tainted Sydney Test and questioned his team’s on-field conduct and the strength of his leadership.

Harvey, the Invincibles member, said the present Test team didn’t play with the right spirit and criticised Ponting for allowing his players to go too far with sledging. “Certainly the captain needs to be stronger and keep his guys in line. He needs to look at himself,” Harvey was quoted as saying in The Australian.

Harvey was also angered by the team’s failure to shake India captain Anil Kumble’s hand at the end of the Test on Sunday.

“I don’t think they are very sporting,” Harvey said. He agreed with the International Cricket Council’s decision to withdraw West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor from the third Test in Perth next week, saying he was “past his best.” “He has been making a lot of mistakes for the past five years.”

Former England captain turned commentator Tony Greig said the time had come for players to be accountable for the state of the game and walk when they know they are out.

He said improved technology would continue to expose players who didn’t walk and umpires who made wrong decisions. “When we walked in county cricket, the game was much better for it,” Greig said.

But, former Australia captain Richie Benaud came to the defence of Ponting saying he had been an “outstanding” leader of the team. “The thought of Ponting being sacked, I think that’s absolute nonsense,” Benaud added.

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