By IANS
Melbourne : The Australian cricketers, in a bid to improve their on-field behaviour, will watch the video of the controversial Sydney Test against India and make sure that they don’t repeat their “arrogant” attitude.
“We’ll look at some of the footage, its perception and the way people see things when they’re off the field. I might be talking to opposition players on the field but it might be construed by people watching on television that you’re in a slanging or sledging match when that’s not the case,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun, Thursday.
The Australian captain said that it was important for him and team members to look at the footage and analyse their body language.
Australia won the controversial match by 122 runs to record their 16th straight Test win, but far from being celebrated the victory was marred by charges of racism against Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and poor umpiring by Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson.
Ponting said that he was hurt at the reaction that poured out in the aftermath of the Sydney Test.
“What I want is for the Australian cricket team to be the most loved and the most respected sporting side in this country. That’s always been one of my aims and it will continue to be,” he said.
“One thing I’ve been conscious of over the last five years I’ve been captain is that this team is going to be recognised as one of the all-time great Australian cricket teams. But what I’ve also been conscious of is making sure the guys are remembered as being good people to go along with being great cricketers.
“In the last two or three seasons especially, we’ve actually started to change the perception, the way in which the public see us. There have been less (players reported). We’re ultra-conscious of how we play the game and the spirit of cricket which we all signed on to.”