The
Australians have lost seven international games in a row and last won a Test
against Pakistan in July. Ponting said the negative stories in the media are
expected when the team is not doing well, but termed the reports of infighting
in the team as "completely made up".
"I
had a really close read of one of the articles that was written about it
(disharmony) and some of the instances that were referred to in there were, as
far as I am concerned, just completely made up," the Syndey Morning Herald
quoted Ponting as saying.
"I
am not sure why they were written the way they were, but me being captain of
the side, it is one of my jobs to make sure little things like that are handled
in the right way," he said.
"If
there is any disharmony, it is up to me to make sure I am getting on top of
it." "Some of those things reported were a long, long way from the
mark," he added. Reports of senior team members unwilling to back Michael
Clarke as Ponting's successor are also doing the rounds since the Australians
are on a losing streak.
Senior
batsman Hussey denied that was the case earlier this week, while all-rounder
Shane Watson said the reports are bound to crop up when the team is not
winning.
"It
is amazing that as soon as we do not win the games we want to, that is one of
the first things that starts flying around from everyone away from the
group," Watson said.
"It is
unfortunate that these things are being said because there is no doubt that
everyone is going in the same direction. "(Clarke's) been under the
guidance of two of the greats in Australian cricket with Ricky Ponting with his
captaincy and leadership but also Warney (Shane Warne) and how amazing he was
tactically as well," he said.
