Ponting surprised by bat fuss

Ricky Ponting feels that too much is being made of the whole issue surrounding his bat, with MCC suggesting that the strip of carbon graphite on the back might enhance its efficiency. Ponting revealed that he had been using the same bat for the last five or six years, and didn't think the addition of a sticker could make any difference.

He added that the sticker on the back of the bat had been changed to appeal to young cricket fans and provide protection against wear and tear. "I've been using that Kahuna bat for the last five or six years," he told Australia's Channel Ten. "It's just the sticker that's changed this year, that's the difference. I've just had a real laugh at it so far, I've not really thought too much about it."

As the matter stands, the International Cricket Council has referred the matter back to MCC who, in their capacity as guardiansof the laws of cricket, will determine whether the bat conforms to the regulations. Ponting, though, appeared the least perturbed. "I'm not sure where it's all started out from," he said, "whether it's the ICC or the MCC or whatever or whether it's something the players have drummed up over there. I'm not really sure and I don't really care to tell you the truth."