Cricket: Ponting hurls a bouncer at racist Australian fans

Ricky Ponting

PERTH - Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has backed Cricket Australia's zero tolerance approach to racism after South African officials made public an official complaint about the behaviour of fans during the first test at the Waca.

The South Africans reported racial abuse and chants were directed at Ashwell Prince, Garnett Kruger, Shaun Pollock, Justin Kemp and Makhaya Ntini during the third day of the match, which ended in a draw.

Security was stepped up at the visitors' request for the remainder of the match and will remain at those levels for the rest of the series.

The Proteas' management called for enforcement of the International Cricket Council's anti-racism rules, which also apply to spectators.

"There's no room in sport for racism whatsoever," Ponting said yesterday. "The players are all very aware of that [and] the crowd needs to be aware of that and enjoy the game for what it is."

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said the organisation had talked with Western Australian Cricket Association after the complaints.

Waca security personnel were briefed about specific insults which might not be familiar to Australians but which were offensive to visiting players. The security staff were told to take swift action against offenders.

Staff at other venues around Australia would be similarly briefed.

Gerard Majola, the chief executive of Cricket South Africa, thanked the authorities for the assurance that the South Africans would have protection for the rest of the tour.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said the world body had discussed the issue with Australian and South African officials.

"Cricket Australia has reaffirmed its commitment to the ICC's anti-racism policy and has emphasised that it is taking the matter very seriously," he said. "The fact that this is an isolated incident by a small number of people in one country does not lessen the game's resolve to address the issue."

- AAP