Daily Cricket News

Ponting fined by ICC after on-field incident

Melbourne: Australia captain Ricky Ponting was fined 40 per cent of his match fee by the ICC on Monday after arguing with umpires over an unsuccessful video review during the second day of the fourth Ashes cricket Test against England.

The International Cricket Council said Ponting was found guilty of breaching its code of conduct after getting into a heated argument with match referee Ranjan Madugalle after Kevin Pietersen was given not out while on 49 by the video referee.

The ICC said Ponting pleaded guilty to the charge, meaning the fine could be imposed by disciplinary official Ranjan Madugalle without a full hearing.

"Ricky's actions as captain of his country were unacceptable," Madugalle said. "A captain is expected to set the example and not get involved in a prolonged discussion with the on-field umpires and question their decision."

Madugalle said Ponting had apologised for his behaviour.

The incident came after Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin persuaded Ponting to call for a video review after Pietersen appeared to edge a Ryan Harris delivery. When Pietersen was ruled not out, Ponting argued heatedly, and at length, with on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Tony Hill. Paceman Peter Siddle joined in at one point, waving a finger.

Ponting demanded to know from Dar, then Hill, why it was not out. Ponting also had an angry exchange with Pietersen, amid loud booing from the crowd.

The 'hot spot' technology used by the third umpire showed a bright mark on Pietersen's bat but it was not near where the ball passed between bat and pad.

Pietersen was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for 51 before fellow South African-born batsman Jonathan Trott led England to 444-5 at stumps for a lead of 346 runs.

Trott, who shared the crease with Pietersen when the incident occurred, claimed to have no knowledge of what was said or why Ponting was angered.

"I don't really know much about what was going on, I was talking to KP the whole time," he said. "I didn't see any altercation really. I saw (Ponting) chatting but I'm not sure what about."

Siddle returned figures of 3-58 and took two catches.