Cricket Australia exclusive: Ponting speaks out

Cricket Australia kindly provided littlelle with an advance copy of Ricky Ponting’s speech to his upcoming press conference. It is understood the statement was prepared by Ponting with the assistance of Cricket Australia staffers.

“Hello everyone. I’m going to make a statement on the past few days’ events, and I won’t be taking any questions. Thank you.

As most of you are probably now aware, the Indian Cricket team, on advice from the Board of Cricket in India, today suspended their tour of Australia, pending the result of an appeal lodged against the suspension of Harbhajan Singh. Cricket Australia, as do I, believe that should the appeal be upheld, the suspension of the tour will remain in force, and the Indian team will return home without competing in the Perth and Adelaide Test Matches.

I’d like first to discuss the issue of Harbhajan’s suspension.

On the evening of day three of the Sydney Test, a verbal altercation took place between Singh and Andrew Symonds. It was then alleged by a number of Australian players – Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, and Andrew Symonds – that Singh called Symonds a monkey. I was informed of the incident, and as is my duty as captain, I informed the field umpires, who later charged Singh with misconduct under rule 3.3 of cricket.

A hearing into the charge was held yesterday evening by the match referee, and Singh was duly found guilty and suspended. Without discussing the specifics of the hearing, I’d like to address some of the arguments levelled by the Indian team in defence of Singh.

After negotiating the fact that it was Singh’s word against ‘ours’, the Indian defence suggested that the term monkey was not racist, and barely derogatory. This is patently untrue. It ignores recent history: during the last tour of India, Symonds was abused by members of the crowd, and subjected to monkey taunts. We made it very clear at the time that we viewed this behavior as racist; the BCCI agreed, and arrested the perpetrators. To now claim ignorance of the racist implications of the term ‘monkey’ is nothing less than preposterous.

Secondly, part of the Indian defence contained a counter-claim of misconduct against Brad Hogg. Whilst I’m unable to discuss the specifics, I want it made clear that should the Indian team feel duly aggrieved, they too should lodge an official complaint. Cricket Australia, the Australian team, and I, personally, will stand by the decision of the resulting hearing.

To not only stubbornly refuse to accept the word of an official, but to react so stunningly against it and suspend all relating activities, says much of the Indian spirit of cricket.

I would also like to discuss the allegations made in the press against myself, and the Australian team in general.

Firstly, Anil Kumble suggested that the Australian team was not playing in the spirit of the game. Indeed, I’m prepared to admit that there were some questionable moments throughout the test. But both teams had their share of the dishonor. I’ll leave Kumble to back his statement with specific allegations against Australia, but I will also counter that with a few specific reminders of my own.

On day four of the Sydney test, Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed the wicket of myself, caught at silly point. I walked, without waiting for the umpires adjudication. It was by no means a milestone wicket, but despite this, Singh proceeded to spring at least 100m across the ground toward the members pavilion, ending his hollering run with two somersaults across the turf. I was surprised not see him don his shirt across his face. Frankly, I’ve never seen a ‘celebration’ like it, and challenge you all to provide an example of any Test wicket approaching it’s garishness. After Harbhajan’s recent accusations of ‘arrogance’ against the Australian team, it left me wondering if I’d cross the fence into a neighborhood soccer match: it was certainly not test cricket.

On day five of the Test, Surav Ganguly edged a delivery to third slip, where Michael Clark took the low chance. Ganguly stood his ground, and rightly so, forcing the umpire to make a decision. As discussed with, and agreed upon by myself and Anil Kumble prior to the series, the controlling umpire Steve Benson consulted myself, as captain, as to whether the catch be ruled legal or not. I had no hesitation in backing the judgment of the Australian field, and duly notified Benson that the catch was taken. As a result Benson gave Ganguly out, who departed the crease accordingly. This is where the issue should have ended: apart from the fact that no television replay showed the decision to be incorrect, all parties had abided by the previously agreed upon terms for such incidents. Indeed, to dispute my judgment on such matters – after I previously negated a similar incident on day two – is nothing short of petty. Kumble has done himself a disservice by back-flipping on this issue, and as such, it is he that is playing outside the spirit of the game.

While I will refuse to discuss specific incidents, I will acknowledge the Indian dissatisfaction with the umpiring through the Sydney test. However, to call for the dismissal of an official after one poor performance is entirely childish. Such a claim should at least be backed up with similar ruthlessness: I wait eagerly for the day when, following a single poor performance, Indian players are sacked, never to return to the Test squad. Further, it is an ignorant participant who does not acknowledge that the irregularities in our great game turn their favour regularly: it is only a matter of time before luck will turn against Australia and flow toward the Indians.

It is a sad state of affairs when failure sees blame heaped upon the external; the uncontrollable. The Australian team of the past decade has proven itself world champions time and time again because of our refusal to apportion blame: failure rests upon our own shoulders. We would be sorely disappointed should the Indian team – nay, the cricketing world – turn against the independent world body and allow India to set an ugly example of just how poorly informed an international Test team can be.

The Australian team relishes the chance to resume its home summer schedule against the Indian’s, just as soon as their honorable captain overrules the sorry politiking of his ruling body.

Thank you.”

I wish… instead we get undiscussed arrogance:

“How dare they!? We WON! What a bunch of SORE LOSERS!”