Australia captain Ricky Ponting apologises for damaging TV in Zimbabwe run-out tantrum

 Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been accused of damaging a television in the team dressing room after being run out in the 91-run win over Zimbabwe on Monday.

The Tasmanian was caught short of his crease at the non-striker’s end by a direct throw from Chris Mpofu from the boundary as he attempted a second run.

On his way back to the pavilion, Ponting was seen talking angrily to himself. He apparently let anger get the better of him after watching the replay of his dismissal on the television. According to reports, Ponting immediately apologised for the incident.

Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Rajesh Patel said: “When Ponting was run out, he was perhaps frustrated. He threw his gloves straight at the TV. It was an LCD TV, which was damaged. We could not view anything so I had to replace it immediately. An Australian team captain should not behave in this manner.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, venue for the final but criticised last week by the city’s top fire chief for not meeting safety standards, finally got clearance to host World Cup matches yesterday.

Giles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, is facing four weeks in the High Court this summer after trial dates were set for libel writs brought against him by IMG and Lalit Modi.