Ponting draws flak from Australian sporting legends

SYDNEY: Australian sporting legends have added their voices to criticism of the country's cricketers after their controversial win over India.   

"Sport is only sport. It's not war," said Hall of Fame chairman, yachtsman John Bertrand, accusing the cricketers of tarnishing Australia's international reputation.   

"Their desire to win at all costs is beginning to blur their moral compass," he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.   

Bertrand, who 25 years ago skippered the yacht which won the America's Cup from the US for the first time in 132 years, said he would seek an urgent meeting with cricket officials to help 're-tune' the team's thinking.   

The Australian team was accused of unsportsmanlike behaviour during their narrow victory over India in the second Test in Sydney and criticised for their aggressive on-field celebrations after Sunday's win.   

"The fallout that we are seeing at the moment is not acceptable. It's clearly damaging international relations and clearly upsetting a lot of people," Bertrand said.   

"We will be seeking a meeting with Cricket Australia to seek to get the Australian team to readjust their behaviour so that they do show respect for their opponents," he said. Bertrand was backed by fellow Hall of Famers, distance runners Herb Elliott and Rob De Castella.   

"We don't like what we are seeing and hearing at the moment," said Elliott, an Olympic gold medallist.   

India resumed their tour on Wednesday after world cricket chiefs bowed to their demand to dump top umpire Steve Bucknor, blamed for a number of poor decisions.