Ponting ready for verbal assault from England fans during ODIs

Sydney, Jun 23 (ANI): Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who became England fans enemy No.1 during last year's Ashes series, is bracing himself for a fresh verbal barrage during the ongoing ODI series.

Fans went after Ponting to such an extent that England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke took the unusual step of pleading with supporters in the Headingley Test to stop booing him.

Ponting still isn't sure why he was singled out for such treatment but said he was ready for anything during the upcoming five-match one-day series.

"I probably do not expect any more love than last time. I do enjoy a bit of interaction with the crowds and I think the worst thing you can do as a player is to worry about those things and get upset about them," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

"I think I have been around long enough and played enough to know that at different places and at different times around the world, that you are going to receive a hostile or a different sort of reception to what you are used to," Ponting said.

"That is part of and parcel of international sport, I think. Right through the Ashes it did not worry me one little bit and made me want to try to play well to .... shut a few of them up if you like. Hopefully it is the same over the next few weeks," he added. (ANI)