Classy Tendulkar shows Ponting how to walk

I have probably watched Tendulkar in atleast 300 of those 450 cricket matches, but I never got the impression Tendulkar is a walker. May be he is doing that in this later part of his career, but I think i have seen the young Tendulkar look back at an umpire for decision even on occasions where he nicked. I remember one batsman, Alec Stewart who never even bothered to look back towards the umpire when he knew he was out. As for the 'Moral' cricket, i think its much more complex than just walking out during batting. A fielder at Point, Silly Point, wicket keeper all raise their arms when they appeal for LBW. From their angle its nearly impossible to tell whether the ball is moving in the direction of the stumps. But they still raise their arms and appeal loudly and pressure the umpire to rule the batsman out. So, whatever moral high ground they achieve while walking out when batting, they more than nullify that when they turn out to be the bowling side. That being said, I dont think one becomes a saint for walking and the other a devil for staying. Its their decision and that is why we have umpires to make the judgement.

Even Ganguly agrees with me. Case over. From Fox Sports: Ponting's former fierce rival Saurav Ganguly supported Ponting's view that walking can be a bad idea. "Sachin has never done that in the past, let's be honest, and he shouldn't because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," the ex-India skipper said.

Hey B2, even Sachin's old captain says he isn't a walker! From Fox Sports: Ponting's former fierce rival Saurav Ganguly supported Ponting's view that walking can be a bad idea. "Sachin has never done that in the past, let's be honest, and he shouldn't because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," the ex-India skipper said.

How can you possibly claim Haddin's was worse? In Haddin's case the ball hit the bail first before his gloves hit the stumps... The ball was nowhere near the stumps before Prior attempted to stump Johnson and then claim it bowled him. Both were obviously not out, but what Prior did was indefensible. Re - Catches: In my experience (15 years of cricket) the fielder is not a reliable source when it comes to low catches as it often feels like you've taken a catch even though it may have bounced a few inches before you.

"Mother Fucker", "Monkey"...I just don't know, which one is worse...in india former is the worst form of abuse..... Australian should get over with this monkey gate thing...for decades they have been abusing the families (monther, father, sister, brother) of cricketers across the globe and behave as cry babies when themselves abused as if they are the epitome of ethics, moral standards and integrity

As several people have pointed out, and rightly so - walking depends to a large extent on the state and importance of the match. If India gets to the final (which I doubt considering the lack of team cohesion) I, for one, would be most disappointed if Tendulkar walked to a thin edge. The real issue here seems to be Ponting's sub optimal IQ levels. With UDRS in place he may have thought to take a chance if it were a faint edge. But the ball deviated by several inches after taking half the bat. The world is well acquainted with Ponting's obnoxiousness and ,except for a few Aus fans, has accepted Ponting as a petulant whinger. But this particular incident calls to question his general intelligence. Good thing Ponting stuck to sport and not academia. Professor Punter’s papers would not have been treated as classic.

The problem is, I have seen Tendulkar stand his ground before. Is this walking situation here to stay or just a flash in a pan? Either way, his put himself into a corner. If he stands his ground in the future, especially if its in a high stakes match, then he should be rightly criticised. The problem is, that if umpires know a player walks then they could easily be influenced by a player standing his ground. My attitude, is that bowlers appeal when they know the batsmen is not out, so why can't a batsmen stand his ground when he knows his snicked the ball?

YOU THOUGHT....WHAT IS A MONKEY DANCE?.........THE CHANT WENT AROUND....THERE WERE AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.........ARE YOU SAYING THEY WERE THEY ALL MONKEYS?WHY DOES SYMONDS THINK IT WAS DIRECTED TO HIM? WHY DO YOU ALL INSIST SYMONDS IS BEING CALLED A MONKEY???SPECIALLY WHEN THE PERSONS CONCERNED HAVE DENIED CALLING HIM THAT. AFTER THAT DENIAL ANYONE USING THIS INCIDENT MAYBE JUST TRYING TO INSTIGATE SYMONDS AND A DEAD ISSUE.!

Some of these comments in here are truly cringeworthy. People describing themselves as 'honourable' for walking? Give me a break, enough of the hyperbole. Sachin Tendulkar has never, to my knowledge, been widely known as a walker. Certainly, not like Adam Gilchrist and Brian Lara - who were known walkers for at least the latter half of their careers. The Indians hate Ponting because a few years ago Ponting looked set to overtake Tendulkar - that is the base of this hatred towards Ponting. My respect for Tendulkar isn't increased at all just because he walked in a meaningless match against the West Indies. His never been a known walker before now, so lets see if he stays a walker. At least Ponting sticks to his guns, and he doesnt just walk when it suits him.

Actually Ponting looked pretty silly standing and waiting there. I mean its a personal choice whether to walk or not walk, but if you're so clearly out it makes sense to walk and not make a fool of your self. And with Ponting especially, for all his efforts to get the 'word of the fielder' incorporated into decision making about catches, should know above all that he himself needs to be honest first.

I've never been a walker and have no issue with those who stand their ground. I do believe in roundabouts and swings. Equally, once the umpire has put his finger up, you go and you do not make a fuss or show the world that, in your opinion, the umpire made a mistake. You just cop it and go. Having said that, any batsman who walks is also fine with me. It's a personal decision. Since this discussion seems to have become one of Ponting vs Tendulkar (there's a surprise) allow me to add yet another possibility. Given the public hammering Ponting has received for standing his ground perhaps Sachin saw an opportunity to grab the high moral ground and apply yet more pressure to Ponting. After all, who do Australia play next in a knock out game with the skipper batting like a dog? Don't tell me, let me think.....ah, yes, India. If Sachin walks in the next game with nine down and two to get, the Booth question, then I'll believe he's a walker of the highest order. As things stand now, though, he's done it in a meaningless game with nothing depending on the result. Noble, maybe, but certainly well timed to add further pressure to Ponting. Just a possibility, guys, no proof of course. By the way, if I'm right I also have no issue with it. Any advantage is still an advantage in a game which has a lot riding on it for both countries. There's no doubt Ponting is well and truly under the pump. Why not add to his woes. After all, "All's fair in love and war!" I am as ready as the next man to laud Tendulkar's record and skill. It's just that, unlike any Indian supporter, I'm not ready just yet to confer sainthood. Very few cricketers are deserving of that particular honour, including Gilchrist. he may have walked, but he still appealed when he knew the batsman had not nicked it. I find that a contradiction. But that's just me!

Good Article David....... Ricky Ponting is definitely one of the greatest batsmen of the current genre. But list of some of his unsportsmanlike behavior....... 1. Claiming a dropped catch as legal and then argumenting with the umpire in the same series of Monkeygate......Excuse me for forgetting the venue of the test. 2. Behavior after getting run out during the Ashes Series in 2005. 3. Pushing Mr. Sharad Pawar during the Prize Distribution ceremony of ICC Champion's Trophy. 4. Breaking Television set after getting out during this world cup itself during the league match. 5. And there are numerous occassions he refused to leave the crease even when he was/is dead sure about the nick, the current one against Pakistan not the first instance!!!!! And still SOME AUSTRALIANs would like to say that Tendulkar is protected across the media all over the world and they praise Ponting's Aggression!!!!!!! Defeatist attitude really........

I will say that Sachin is classy because he walked and Ponting is not because he did not. If umpire decision is the last decision then there should be no reason for Ponting to be upset when Sachin was called back by the umpire himself because the replays clearly that the ball had not brushed Sachin’s bat but his shoulder in one of the India Australia matches during a McGrath over. In the same match it was Ponting who was ruled out by the umpire in a run-out incident. Replays showed that Ponting was not out and was recalled by the umpire himself. Ponting seemed happy at that time. Why was he so happy when he was recalled and upset when Sachin was recalled, on both occasions the umpire being the same. I know you will not reply to this because you don't have one or you will reply and it will be a very weak one. Show me one instance where Sachin knows he is out and he has not walked.

Any defence of Ponting would make a lot more sense if he didn't take such a rediculosly pious stance regarding taking a fielders word over catches. Watching him stand there when he so blatantly knicked it, why would anyone take his word on a cricket pitch about anything. Hypocrisy and piety - probably my least favourite combination in anyone .....Ricky

Ponting is the same guy who asks a batsman to take the fielders word if a catch is claimed. In the Sydney test of 2008, this guy and his deputy Clarke claimed catches that have been grounded. Symonds stood his ground after he nicked a ball, that too a thick one. Ponting doesn't like to walk but everybody here who watches must have seen him get in batsmens face when they don't walk and abuse the umpires. Whatever you all may say, Ponting has lost it. He never was a good role model, neither a good captain. Aussie of yore won their matches on the capabilities of guys like Warne, Macgrath, Hyden, Gilchrist. Without them Aussie team is ordinary, like any other team, not the world beaters.

None of them have a value on sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. It's a weapon of choice - used when and where it suits.

I thought we saw people in India doing monkey dances during all of that, as the chant went around the grounds. Anyone confirm or deny?

i guess sammy here, just like his team, is not able to take their recent lacklusture performance. What was graceless in that series was the shameless aussie captain picking up the ball from the grass and claiming the wicket. after that episode, i am not surprised at his decision to keep standing. those who have a conscience are the ones who walk.

if clarke stood his ground when he gloved a low catch to dravid and if clarke claimed a bump ball catch, i'd suggest somebody other than ponting doesn't have a lot of high moral ground to occupy.

Spot on Sheek. Sport reflects life, and vice versa, Respect is earned by your actions, win or lose.