Ricky Ponting reprimanded for damaging TV

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been reprimanded for breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct during his team?s Cricket World Cup 2011 match against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on Feb 21, the cricketing body said.

Ponting accepted the “Level 1 charge” and the proposed sanction from Roshan Mahanama of Match Referees’ panel after the incident was brought to the ICC?s attention through the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Gujarat Cricket Association.

Level 1 offences carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to 50 per cent of a player?s match fee, the ICC said in a statement.

“He was found to have breached clause 2.1.2 of the code which relates to ‘abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match’,” the ICC statement read.

Point is said to have smashed a LCD TV in his team’s dressing room after he was run out in the match.

The damage apparently occurred when he threw down a groin-guard which bounced off his kit bag and hit the corner of the television. He later apologised for the incident and said it was an accident.

“As Ponting accepted the offence and the proposed sanction, there was no need to convene a formal hearing,” the ICC said.