Ricky Ponting apologises for damaging LCD TV

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has apologised for damaging a television set at the Sardar Patel Stadium after being run out during his side’s World Cup opener against Zimbabwe here Monday.

The incident occurred in the dressing room after an infuriated Ponting came back following his run out by a direct throw from Chris Mpofu on midwicket boundary as he attempted to return for a second run.

Cricket Australia spokesman Lachy Patterson said the incident had been blown way out of proportion and he was not aware of any plans for the GCA to take the matter further.

“He did not smash a television screen. All he has done is thrown a box. It has hit a wall, bounced onto the back of the television which affected the vision on the TV. He apologised immediately for it, spoke to the team manager and that’s where the issue finished,” she said.

The incident has been reported to the International Cricket Council by local officials in Ahmedabad.

“When Ponting was run out, he was perhaps frustrated. He threw his gloves straight at the TV,” said Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Rajesh Patel.

“It was an LCD TV, which was properly damaged. We could not view anything so I had to replace it immediately.

“We have photos of the incident.”