'Aussie cricketers crude, crass & vulgar'

The Australian cricket team as a whole and Ricky Ponting in particular is a disgrace to the country and the cricket fraternity at large, is what most Australians feel, say agency reports.

Australian spectators and sports fans in Sydney have said they have been embarrassed by the behaviour of Ricky Ponting, Symonds and Hayden, which can only be called boorish.

Former cricketer Barry Hopman, who played Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales, said it was embarrassing to see Australians act in a "crude, crass and vulgar" manner.

The fans say they are even more surprised that the Indians have been penalised for allegedly making racial remarks, whereas the Australian team, never known to be graceful and well-behaved, has been indulging in "sledging, unsportsmanlike conduct and arrogance".

There are serious question over the integrity of Australia captain Ponting, who belligerently told a reporter, he shouldn't be there, when asked why the Australian team was dishonest about two crucial decisions.

The Sydnet test in all probability marks an end to the careers of umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson, with some of the worst-ever umpiring seen.