Cricket: Australia and S Africa hit back at ICC

SYDNEY - Australia and South Africa have rounded on the International Cricket Council (ICC) for criticising the teams over a war of words before their three-test series.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting yesterday said he saw nothing wrong with players engaging in banter, while South Africa's Cricketers' Association (Saca) said its players had always conducted themselves in line with the spirit of the game.

The ICC has warned players from both sides they risk misconduct charges if they continue the sledging that has dominated the build up to the first test starting in Perth on Friday.

"This South African team play hard and fair and are full of experienced cricketers who have for years conducted themselves in line with the spirit of cricket," Saca chief executive Tony Irish said.

"Australian players have done likewise. I am amazed that the ICC sees fit to warn players, and even past players, in the media."

The teams have been trading insults, with South African skipper Graeme Smith claiming Australia have lost their edge after the Ashes loss to England and Australian legspinner Shane Warne saying the tourists will need a psychologist after the series.

"Banter is part of our game and so far the build up to this test series looks like it is going to be pretty intense," Ponting said.

"But it has just been some pretty light-hearted banter. I'm pretty comfortable with what's happened so far in the press."

Ponting said: "Our on-field record speaks for itself over the last couple of years and we'll make sure when we go into the game on Friday that we're upholding the spirit of the game as best as we possibly can.

"All the Australian players certainly know where the line in the sand is drawn and as long as no one's outside of that we should be fine."

Irish said the matter should have been dealt with differently.

"If there are genuine concerns that players may offend the spirit of the game then this should be taken up with them directly and not in the form of a public lecture," he said.

"Everyone is looking forward to the heat of the rivalry which accompanies a series between South Africa and Australia.

"The verbal exchanges are a part of this and they simply add to the build up."

Former Australian fast bowlers Jeff Thomson and Terry Alderman said the ICC was being distracted by minor matters while ignoring bigger issues in the game.

The Australian newspaper's chief cricket writer Malcolm Conn described the ICC's actions as hypocritical.

"How can the game's governing body possibly complain about what is essential promotion of the game when it is standing idly by as test countries self destruct?" he said.

"By failing to act on the Zimbabwe crisis and allowing Bangladesh to continue competing at test level, the ICC is sponsoring the freefall of international playing standards."

- REUTERS