Ricky 'Cry Baby' Ponting Soils name of Australian Cricket - 03-01-11

March 1 - Once considered a 'gentleman's sport', cricket is no longer close to being a gentleman's sport considering the antics of players both on and off the field in recent years, that have included racism, cheating, match-fixing and poor sportsmanship.

And now with the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup underway in host countries Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, the sport is once again in the international spotlight, and unsurprisingly there have already been reports of match-fixing and poor behavior.

Recent matches between India and England, and Australia and Zimbabwe are reportedly being investigated by the ICC in terms of possible match-fixing. And one player who is yet again bringing the sport into disrepute is Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Despite Ponting's enormous responsibility as captain of one of the top cricket teams on the planet, his actions have revealed him to be a 'cry baby' incapable of controlling his temper, which he demonstrated after being run out again Zimbabwe recently.

The 36-year-old Ponting was reportedly so angry at being run out for a paltry 28 runs, that when back in the Australian dressing room, he took his school boy frustrations out on a nearby LCD television set, rendering it by all accounts totally unwatchable.

Said ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama about the incident, 'Ricky knows that his action was in breach of the code which involved a moment of frustration. He did apologise shortly after the incident at the ground and agreed to pay for the damage.'

Ponting's temper tantrum was serious enough that he could be docked up to 50 percent of his match fee by the ICC, although judging by the comments made by Mahanama, it is unlikely the Australian captain will have to do more than replace the TV.

Said Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Rajesh Pate, 'When Ricky was run out, he was perhaps frustrated. He threw his gloves straight at the TV which was damaged as a result. An Australian team captain should not behave in this manner.'

Couldn't agree more. If it were up to this writer, Ricky would have been sent to his room without dinner and then home on the first plane the next day. The million dollar (contract) question is what makes some professional sportsmen act like two-year-olds?

Visit William Hill for match previews and tournament odds.