Ricky Ponting criticising England's delaying tactics

[james_tigerwoods]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/81...

BBC News said:

Australia captain Ricky Ponting criticised England's delaying tactics after the hosts clung on for a draw in a thrilling end to the first Test.

England sent their 12th man and physio on to the field in the closing stages in an apparent attempt to waste time.

Is it me or does this smack of utter hypocrisy - surely the Aussies would do exactly the same?

[MikeyT]

Not sure they would ... they do like to play it hard but fair. I felt embarrassed when they on for a second time ... as did Anderson as he turned his back on them apparently.

[Aussies5-Poms 0]

I think it is a non-story. We didn't win the match - and as Ricky said, it was nothing to do with the samll time delays.

Losing 35 overs to rain was probably more of an issue, but it has been known to rain in Wales on occasion!

[james_tigerwoods]

I can't help but think that the Aussies would have battled it out in the same way really - perhaps not bringing on Physios, but I think they'd've used every legitimate tack to force a draw.

But, as said above - losing so much time to rain probably didn't help.

Hanging on in there by the tail enders was pretty good and stubborn - but the poor batting show by the main batting line up was woeful....

[FredericRobinson]

I was at the last Ashes test to go down to this type of finish, Old Trafford in 2005, the Aussies used every trick in the book to slow the bowlers down. Can't remember any yapping from England about it either.

[Aussies5-Poms 0]

As I said, non-story.

More noise being made by fans than the players.