Ponting denies smashing TV

NAGPUR - Australian captain Ricky Ponting Thursday denied smashing a television set with his bat during the match against Zimbabwe at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, but admitted that he did cross the line in the dressing room.

Ponting was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday after the world body found that he 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.

Reports suggested that Ponting smashed the TV set after he was run out during Monday’s game but the Australian skipper denied that. He, however, said that ICC was right in reprimanding him.

“I want to clarify it once again that the TV set was not broken by my bat but it was hit by a small box in my kit bag. There was a small damage to the TV and I immediately reported it to the team manager straight away. The TV set was replaced then and there,” Ponting said.

“I am not sure from where the stories have come. I have accepted what the ICC has come up with. It was one of the stories I have been hearing for the last couple of days. But it was different from what happened actually. Hopefully we can end it today and can put this all behind.”

Ponting said it was just an accident and he wants to move on.

“There is a line that you cannot over step when some equipment is damaged in the change room. I accept what happened in the dressing and it was just an accident, no malice involved. What has happened has happened. I cant take it back and now I have to move on,” he said.