Tension still prevails between Ponting and Chappell, Border

Sydney, Nov 19 (UNI) The scathing criticism from Australian media and former cricketers for the humiliating 2-0 loss to India in the recent four-Test series has come hard on Ricky Ponting, who remains in a tense stand-off with former captains Ian Chappell and Allan Border.

Ponting's decision to bowl part-timers when Australia might have pushed for victory in the Nagpur Test has brought him under fire from former greats, facing a possible suspension for his team's slow over-rate and was accused of placing his own interests first in deciding to bowl the part-timers.

The skipper said he remained upset at the criticism he received, particularly from Chappell and Border.

''I haven't spoken to either of those two gentlemen and probably won't for a while,'' Ponting was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

''That's fine, I understand people are going to have opinions on players and my captaincy. A lot of times you totally respect that.

''I don't mind people questioning tactics of mine, but the thing that worried me the most was everyone thinking that people were saying I put myself ahead of the team and interests. I thought that was a bit unfair,'' he lamented.

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