'Ponting's team among worst behaved'

Fast bowling legend Michael Holding feels that as world champions, the Australians need to set the standard in on-field conduct as well. Readers' response

Fast bowling legend Michael Holding has slammed Ricky Ponting's Australian team as one of the worst behaved in world cricket due to their excessive appealing which puts tremendous pressure on the umpires.

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"I won't pinpoint the exact teams, but Australia isn't far from the top (for poor behaviour)," Holding said. "I base that on their excessive appealing and the way they intimidate umpires," the Jamaican was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.

"I would say the reaction from the Australians when an appeal is turned down is a lot more aggressive than other teams, which intimidates the umpire. I have seen many good umpires fall to pieces in Australia," the former pace man, nicknamed 'Whispering Death', said.

He felt that as world champions, the Australians needed to set the standard in on-field conduct as well.

"Australia is the No 1 team and as such they should be setting the benchmark for the spirit in how the game is played," Holding added.