Australia captain Ricky Ponting reignited the walking debate at the World Cup after admitting he stood his ground despite knowing he had been caught behind in his team's defeat to Pakistan.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting reignited the walking debate at the World Cup after admitting he stood his ground despite knowing he had been caught behind in his team's defeat to Pakistan.
Ponting had made 19 when he edged off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez to Kamran Akmal in Saturday's game at the R. Premadasa stadium.
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When on-field umpire Marias Erasmus gave the Australian captain not out, the decision was reviewed and overturned.
Ponting admitted he knew he had edged the ball.
"There were no doubts about the nick, I knew I hit it, but as always I wait for the umpire to give me out. That's the way I've always played the game," he said.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said it would be a boost for the sport if players walked.
"It's nice to see people walking but that doesn't happen now I guess," said Waqar.
Ponting's admission came just a day after a similar controversy in Mumbai when Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene and Kiwi off-spinner Nathan McCullum clashed over a 'clean' catch.
McCullum took a brilliant, one-handed diving catch off Jaywardene but TV umpire Amish Saheba was called in and he ruled it not out.
New Zealand's stand-in skipper Ross Taylor said it would make things easier if batsmen were to take the word of the fielder in such situations.
"It depends upon the person. You look at (South Africa batsman) Jacques Kallis. He asks the fielders if they caught it cleanly and he trusts the words of the fielders," said Taylor.
"You put it up to the batsman to make the decision and at the end of the day you just hope the technology is right and if the technology is not right, well then don't use it."
Jayawardene went on to make 66 and shared a vital 145-run stand with captain Kumar Sangakkara (111) to set up Sri Lanka's comprehensive 112-run win.
The former Sri Lanka skipper was adamant he was right to stand his ground.
"If I felt it was a clean catch, I would have walked," said Jayawardene. "It was a 50-50 thing and it was fair it went to the TV umpire."
Waqar Younis said the available technology should always catch out the reluctant batsmen.
"There is a system in place now so you can't get away with it. I mean people still take chances and why not? Jayawardene took a chance and it went the other way."
On Sunday, India's Sachin Tendulkar walked in the World Cup clash against West Indies in Chennai.
Tendulkar had been hoping to score his 100th international hundred but his innings ended in disappointment when he was dismissed for just two.
He faced only four balls, clipping fast bowler Ravi Rampaul to wicket-keeper Devon Thomas and he walked without waiting for the umpire's decision.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy, speaking after India's 80-run victory, praised Tendulkar's sportsmanship.
"That was just brilliant on his part. It shows the measure of a man. He's a true gentleman," Sammy said.
"I knew it wouldn't affect him. After 17,000 runs I knew he would walk!" the all-rounder joked.
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