Ponting reprimanded for 'TV incident'

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	Australia captain Ricky Ponting finds himself embroiled in controversy once again © AFP Enlarge
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Ricky Ponting has escaped with a reprimand from the ICC after the incident that resulted in a damaged television in Australia's dressing room during the win over Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on Monday. Ponting was not fined and there was no formal hearing, after he accepted a level one charge and the reprimand from the match referee Roshan Mahanama.

Ponting was visibly frustrated as he left the field after being run out, and he threw his groin protector at his kit bag, only for it bounce up and hit the corner of the television. The Australian camp stressed that the damage to the TV was accidental and he immediately reported it, but the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) still filed a complaint with the BCCI.

Ponting was found to have breached clause 2.1.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match". However, while the level one charge could have carried a fine of up to 50% of Ponting's match fee, the ICC accepted that the incident was unintentional.

"Ricky knows that his action was in breach of the code, involving a brief moment of frustration," Mahanama said. "That said, it was clear that the damage he caused was purely accidental and without malice, he apologised shortly after the incident at the ground and immediately agreed to pay for the damage."

It was the second time in two months that Ponting found himself charged with a level one offence, after he was fined 40% of his match fee for the Boxing Day Test, over a prolonged debate with the umpire Aleem Dar over a decision review that went against the Australians. The latest incident has captured the attention of the local media, with several newspapers reporting on the morning after the game that Ponting had smashed the TV with his bat, which was not the case