Cricket: Ponting channels his frustrations

A FURIOUS Ricky Ponting took out his frustration at being run out in Australia’s opening World Cup match by smashing a television set with his bat in the team’s dressing room.

The incident during the Group A match against Zimbabwe was reported to the sport’s governing body but an International Cricket Council source said yesterday: “It was unlikely the matter would be taken any further.”

On Monday, the Australian captain was found short of his crease at the non-striking end by a direct throw from the mid-wicket boundary by the lanky Chris Mpofu while attempting a second run.

Ponting was seen talking angrily to himself as he walked back to the pavilion and it appears his emotions spilled over once he was back in the dressing room, where he saw footage of his dismissal being replayed on TV.

“It’s true. We have already informed the ICC and the Australian cricket authorities about the incident,” Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Rajesh Patel.Australia beat Zimbabwe by 91 runs in their World Cup opener at the Sardar Patel Stadium.