Cricket: Ponting Plays Down Sledging Fears

The Australia captain Ricky Ponting has dismissed fears from the International Cricket Council that the upcoming Test series against South Africa will be dominated by animosity between the teams. The ICC's chief executive Malcolm Speed has been critical of recent comments from both sides and said the players involved risked code-of-conduct offences.

Ponting, however, sees the comments, from South Africa's captain Graeme Smith and Shane Warne ahead of the three-match series, as nothing more than "lighthearted banter" and feels his side have shed their image as constant sledgers.

"Banter is part of our game and so far the build-up to this Test series looks like it is going to be pretty intense," said Ponting ahead of Friday's first day in Perth. "Our on-field record speaks for itself over the last couple of years and we'll make sure when we go into the game that we're upholding the spirit of the game as best as we possibly can."

South Africa will be without Jacques Kallis because of an elbow injury.