Ponting's parents received abusive phone calls

MELBOURNE: Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Thursday claimed his parents received abusive phone calls in the wake of the controversy-marred Sydney cricket Test against India.

Ponting said his parents were forced to change their phone number following the anonymous calls criticising the captain.

"There were a few people who rang in the past few days, having a dig," Ponting was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

He said it was disappointing for his parents to have to go through the ordeal.

Ponting and his side have come under fire in recent days after Indian captain Anil Kumble accused them of not playing in the 'spirit of the game' in the Sydney match, where the home side took a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

The Australian captain rejected claims he and his world champion team were arrogant but said there were elements of his side's performance in the second Test that 'in hindsight, you might do a little differently.'

"I don't think anyone wants the way Australia plays cricket to change," Ponting said.
 
"Everyone likes to see a tough, uncompromising brand of cricket. But if there are areas in our game to improve on, then obviously we need to address that."