Ponting fined by ICC after referral row

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Australia captain Ricky  Ponting was fined 40 percent of his match fee after his  frustration over a TV referral decision boiled over into an ugly  row with umpire Aleem Dar on the second day of the fourth Ashes  test today.
Ponting, whose team face a huge task to save the test and  keep alive their hopes of winning back the Ashes, spent more  than a minute remonstrating with Dar after demanding a review of  a not out decision against England batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin had launched a loud but solo appeal  for caught behind, convinced Pietersen, who was on 49, had  nicked the ball from quick Ryan Harris.
A review of the decision revealed no “hot spot” where the  ball passed Pietersen’s bat but a furious Ponting, who was  joined by finger-jabbing seamer Peter Siddle, argued long and  hard with Dar, prompting jeers from the crowd.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement  Ponting pleaded guilty to the charge of “arguing or entering  into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision”.
“Ricky’s actions as captain of his country were  unacceptable. A captain is expected to set the example and not  get involved in a prolonged discussion with the on-field umpires  and question their decision,” match referee Ranjan Madugalle  said.
“While pleading guilty to the charge, Ricky understood that  the discussion went far too long. He apologised for his action  and stated that he has nothing but respect for the umpires and  his on-field actions were not intended to show disrespect to  Aleem Dar or Tony Hill.”
Siddle declined to comment on the incident.
“It’s just cricket,” he said, refusing to elaborate when  asked if the incident had stemmed from frustration from long  spells in the field for little reward.
Pakistani Dar, widely regarded as one of the best umpires in  world cricket, later called on the technology to save England’s  Matt Prior after he was caught behind.
Prior, who was on five, walked but was called back to the  crease as Dar consulted the third umpire, whose review of the  footage showed bowler Mitchell Johnson had planted his heel on  the line and the delivery was a no ball.
Pietersen made just two more runs after the first appeal  before falling lbw to the fired-up Siddle but Prior went on to  form a formidable partnership with Jonathan Trott.