Re: Ashes Fourth Test - Trent Bridge (Merged)
ENGLAND coach Duncan Fletcher sparked an Ashes war by directing a cheap taunt at Australian captain Ricky Ponting during the tense fourth Test.
*The Daily Telegraph *can confirm that Fletcher, looking out from the England balcony, smiled at Ponting and gave him a condescending wave as the skipper made his way up the steps at Trent Bridge towards the dressing-room after he was dismissed for 48 in Australia’s second innings on Saturday.
This made Ponting’s blood boil even further because he was already furious at being run out by a substitute fieldsman – a major bone of contention with the tourists through the tour.
An angry Ponting responded by looking up at the England balcony – which is directly above the Australians’ – and aiming a volley of abuse at Fletcher.
Fletcher denied the claim he antagonised Ponting but it was confirmed the incident did happen.
“From my point of view, I just looked at him as he came up the stairs and was watching the players out in the middle,” Fletcher said. "I hardly ever go out there but I had been inside chatting to someone when the run-out had taken place.
“I just went out to see what was happening.”
Ponting was called through for what was always going to be a risky single by Damien Martyn, regardless of who was fielding.
It just happened to be substitute Gary Pratt, an English county player from Durham and a master fieldsman who ran in from cover and completed a brilliant direct hit.
Pratt was on for injured paceman Simon Jones, who had gone to hospital for X-rays on his sore right ankle.
But, as he waited for the third umpire’s decision, Ponting was heard on a stump microphone questioning umpire Aleem Dar about whether Jones was really injured.
Ponting thought it was another case of England rotating one of their fast bowlers off the ground for a rest and replacing him with a fielding specialist, a practice which has riled the Australians all tour.
Lanky paceman Chris Tremlett was in England’s 12-man squad for the Test but is sluggish in the field.
As he began heading back to the pavilion, Ponting turned to the England players who had gathered in a huddle and gave them a spray.
It is understood Ponting was spoken to by match referee Ranjan Madugalle after play and he later issued an apology.
“I was frustrated with my dismissal given that it was at a crucial stage of the game and I had worked really hard to get to that position,” Ponting said in a statement.
"I no doubt let myself down with my reaction and for that I apologise to those who view me as a role model.
“My frustration with getting out was combined with my disappointment of being run out by a substitute fieldsman, an issue that has concerned us since the start of the summer and that we raised prior to the series.” The Australians noticed the tactic through the one-day series when 12th man and gun fielder Vikram Solanki often replaced the fast bowlers in short spells.
SOURCE: http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,16414108-5001023,00.html
Hmmm so basically there are 2 culprits now. Australia lost because of Aleem dar and Duncan Fletcher.