Ricky Ponting's effigy burnt for 'disrespecting' Pawar

Varanasi, Nov 10 (UNI) Even as Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting made peace with BCCI president Sharad Pawar, cricketers here today burnt an effigy of the player and demanded a five-match ban on Ponting and teammate Damien Martyn for their ''unwarranted conduct.'' Led by chief patron of Varanasi Cricket Association Ashok Singh, former cricketers of the city gathered at the Sampoornanand Sports Stadium here and later burnt in effigy the Australian captain.

Amid shouts of anti Ponting slogans, Dr Singh said by showing disrespect to the BCCI president, Ponting and his teammate Martyn have not only humiliated the Indian cricketing fraternity, but also insulted the entire nation as Mr Pawar is senior political leader and union Agriculture Minister.

Dr Singh and former cricketers, including Parmanand Navlani, R P Gupta and Shailendra Arya said merely tendering apology to Mr Pawar would not be enough for both Ponting and Martyn, but demanded the ICC slap a five ODI ban on both the players for their unwarranted behaviour.

Ponting and Damien's conduct, where they were seen trying to usher Mr Pawar off the victory podium in their eagerness to celebrate their Champions Trophy triumph drew ire from the BCCI officials and media. Mr Pawar, himself had called the Australians' attitude as ''totally uncivilised.'' UNI ARS VS AY MIR RAI1815