Melbourne, Feb 1 : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has come out in support of Governor-General Michael Jeffery's call for more civility in cricket.

Taking part into a debate over Australia's stormy cricket series against India, Jeffery has lamented the loss of grace and courtesy from the game.

"I think the governor-general is perfectly entitled to express his point of view," said Rudd, adding, "And on the question of civility in the game, I think that all would like greater civility in the game generally."

The Australian Prime Minister said that he was not blaming any team, adding that there was room for manners no matter how tough the game.

"It's a tough and competitive business (but) you can conduct it with a bit of civility," The Age quoted Rudd, as saying.

"I think the nation would expect of us in the political sphere to be more civil towards one another in the future," he said.

Hitting back at Jeffery, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has accused the governor-general of living in the 1950s; saying that he does not understand that cricket was now a fully professional sport.

ANI