Ponting denies rift in Australian team

SYDNEY - Skipper Ricky Ponting Saturday rubbished media reports that suggested disharmony in the struggling Australian side which is looking for its first win since July.

The Australians have lost seven international games in a row and last won a Test against Pakistan in July.

Ponting said the negative stories in the media are expected when the team is not doing well, but termed the reports of in-fighting in the team as “completely made up”.

“I had a really close read of one of the articles that was written about it (disharmony) and some of the instances that were referred to in there were, as far as I am concerned, just completely made up,” the Syndey Morning Herald quoted Ponting as saying.

“I am not sure why they were written the way they were, but me being captain of the side, it is one of my jobs to make sure little things like that are handled in the right way,” he said.

“If there is any disharmony, it is up to me to make sure I am getting on top of it.”

“Some of those things reported were a long, long way from the mark,” he added.

Reports of senior team members unwilling to back Michael Clarke as Ponting’s successor are also doing the rounds since the Australians are on a losing streak.

Senior batsman Hussey denied that was the case earlier this week, while all-rounder Shane Watson said the reports are bound to crop up when the team is not winning.

“It is amazing that as soon as we do not win the games we want to, that is one of the first things that starts flying around from everyone away from the group,” Watson said.

“It is unfortunate that these things are being said because there is no doubt that everyone is going in the same direction.

“(Clarke’s) been under the guidance of two of the greats in Australian cricket with Ricky Ponting with his captaincy and leadership but also Warney (Shane Warne) and how amazing he was tactically as well,” he said.