Ricky Ponting dares question Sachin Tendulkar

AHMEDABAD: Ricky Ponting decided to fight back on Indian television when he was unfavourably compared to much-loved batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Ponting edged a ball to Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal while batting in Sunday's World Cup Group A match in Colombo and the appeal was turned down, although Pakistan got their man after requesting a video referral of the incident.

A day later in Chennai, Tendulkar was caught behind in the first over of the Group B game against West Indies and immediately walked, even though Australian umpire Steve Davis shook his head to indicate not out.

Tendulkar was praised by Windies captain Darren Sammy as a "a true gentleman" for walking.

When a viewer asked Ponting on a TV show why he didn't walk and Tendulkar did, Ponting went onto the front foot.

"I've never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I'm not sure why he chose to walk the other day," the Australia captain said.

"If I get a nick behind to the 'keeper, then I stand there until the umpire makes a decision.

"If Sachin had looked up the other day and noticed that the umpire was giving him not out, then I'm not sure he would have walked either."

Ponting's former fierce rival Saurav Ganguly supported Ponting's view that walking can be a bad idea, especially in a big game like Thursday's quarter-final between Australia and India in Ahmedabad.

"Sachin has never done that in the past, let's be honest, and he shouldn't because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," the ex-India skipper said.

"At the end of the career, it balances.

"I think it's fair for everyone to wait for the umpire's decision, including Sachin Tendulkar.

"It could be a big game India 100 for three, Tendulkar batting on 55, he's holding the key to India's success.

"I would really not want him to walk unless an umpire has given him out.

"He needs to stick to the umpire's decision. Whether he does that consistently, we'll have to wait and see."

Criticised for his furious glare directed at Steve Smith after the pair clashed as they went for the same catch in a game against Canada, and also for damaging a TV screen in the dressing room after being run out against Zimbabwe, Ponting continues to attract negative headlines.

Scoring 102 runs at 20.40 isn't helping his cause amid speculation his reign as captain could be under threat at board level at Cricket Australia.

"I know that if I make some runs in this quarter-final against India it might keep everyone quiet for a while," Ponting told the "Headlines Today" TV network.

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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/ricky-ponting-dares-question-sachin-tendulkar-20110323-1c63m.html

‘Tendulkar showed how role-models should act’

KARACHI: Former and current Pakistan cricketers believe that Sachin Tendulkar has shown the right way; the way role-models should conduct themselves on the field after he walked off the ground against West Indies on Sunday.

Tendulkar showed great sportsman spirit by walking off the field in spite of on-field Umpire Steve Davis giving him not out when he was caught-behind off Ravi Rampaul.

It was an entirely different way to what Ricky Ponting did the other day when he stood his ground against Pakistan after snicking the ball to Kamran Akmal and was given out after a referral by Shahid Afridi.

Test leg-spinner spinner Danish Kaneria praised Tendulkar’s decision to leave the field.

“Sachin Tendulkar has set a perfect example for millions of followers and by walking off,” Kaneria told ‘The News’ on Sunday.

“It’s great to see that he understands his responsibilities as a legend.

“Every batsman likes to bat as much as he can but there are times when you have to decide whether you fulfill your desire or maintain the spirit of the game.”

Meanwhile, he added that Ponting should not have stood his ground.

“Ponting is a great player and shouldn’t have stood his ground.

“He should have realised that he is not only followed by the fans but by several international players as well.

“The Australian skipper has a great stature and that’s why his actions are always under the microscope.”

Ponting’s former teammate Adam Gilchirist showed great character in 2003 World Cup’s semifinal, as he walked off the field after being given not out.

Gilchrist got a top-edge while trying to sweep Arvinda de Silva. The ball flew off his pads and was caught by Kumar Sangakkara but Umpire Rudi Koertzen ignored the Sri Lankans’ appeal, ruling that the ball had only hit the pad before popping up.

Gilchrist waited to hear the verdict but when decision came in his favour he decided to walk back to the pavilion. But Ponting at that time as well said in his press conference that he won’t encourage his players to do so.

A top-notch former Test player said that Ponting should have atleast recalled the actions of Gilchirist.

“Ponting for a second should have recalled the example set by Gilly in 2003,” he told on the condition of anonymity, due to personal commitments.

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http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=37322&Cat=10&dt=3/21/2011