Australian captain Ricky Ponting ensured even less public support for his team here on Thursday when he said he had no sympathy for South Africa’s early exit from the World Cup.
”The West Indies were the ones who were really hurt by the rain in my view,” said Ponting referring to the washed-out match against Bangladesh at Benoni which ultimately delivered a fatal blow to Carl Hooper’s campaign.
South Africa’s chances, meanwhile, were washed away in Durban when their final group game against Sri Lanka ended in a tie. ”South Africa made a few mistakes along the way and did not play as well as they should have,” added Ponting.
If that wasn’t bad enough for local pride, it was also reported in the Business Day newspaper on Thursday that Australian Rules football was to become an accredited sport at the North West Academy of Sport based in Potchefstroom — ironically the same town where the Australian cricket squad has been staying for large parts of the World Cup.
Australia take on Sri Lanka in their opening Super Sixes match at Centurion on Friday. – Sapa-AFP