Damien Martyn reprimanded

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has reprimanded batsman Damien Martyn for making a gesture filmed by media when the Australian team was outside its Melbourne hotel yesterday (30 February).

"I acknowledge he didn't mean to cause offence but his action was inappropriate and not fitting of an Australian player and ambassador for the game," Ponting said.

Acting captain Adam Gilchrist, who will lead the Australian side in their VB Series one-day international against India in Perth on Sunday, supported Ponting's action taken under the players' Spirit of Cricket code.

Damien Martyn has apologised for his action, which he agreed was foolish.

"I am sorry for the offence caused by the gesture and apologise to the public who have seen it on TV," he said.

"My action was in no way pre-meditated, nor did I did I mean for it to cause any harm."

Cricket Australia General Manager Cricket Operations Michael Brown, who viewed the incident today, said he was satisfied that the issue had been handled at the appropriate level within the team, and said no further action would be taken by Cricket Australia.