Ponting gets three-match ban for night-club brawl (25 January 1999)

25 January 1999

Ban puts Ponting out of England one-day match

AFP

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan 25 (AFP) - Australian batsman Ricky Ponting will miss Tuesday's tri-series cricket one-day match against England as part of a three-game suspension imposed as punishment for his part in a nightclub brawl.

Ponting was Monday given a suspended 5,000 dollar (3,200 US) fine and banned for three matches.

The 24-year-old Tasmanian has already missed two of Australia's tri-series one-day internationals against England and Sri Lanka because he was stood down after being knocked out in a Sydney nightclub last Monday.

Ponting has admitted that he has a drinking problem and is seeking counselling.

Australian Cricket Board chief executive Mal Speed said the board suspended the fine on condition that Ponting underwent alcohol rehabilitation, but said the batsman had already forfeited 3,600 dollars (2,300 US) in lost match payments.

Ponting emerged grim-faced from an ACB code of conduct hearing saying it would be a turning point in his career.

The fine will be enforced if, during that time, Ponting again breaches the code of conduct. Ponting will forfeit 11,250 dollars (7,000 US) in match payments.

Ponting, whose eye remained blackened from the nightclub fracas a week ago, said he was just relieved that it was all over.

"I just want to get back and play cricket for Australia," Ponting said.

"I am seeking counselling and I've already gone ahead and arranged that. It's just going to be how I get over the problem," he said.

Ponting pleaded guilty to unruly behaviour in a public place while representing Australia.

"I've certainly got to make sure that it doesn't happen again," he said.

Ponting said he was prepared to reduce his drinking to a moderate rate.

"I think it will be a huge turning point in both my life as a cricketer and as Ricky Ponting as well, it's certainly made me more aware of what I can and can't do," he said.

"I'll come back a better person from it and hopefully a better cricketer."

He was hopeful that his latest indiscretion would not jeopardise his chances of one-day becoming Australian skipper.

Last year Ponting was fined 2,000 dollars (1,260 US) after allegedly groping a woman in a nightclub during the Australian tour of India.

And last April he was fined 600 dollars (380 US) after an on-field confrontation with Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Source :: AFP