Delhi Daredevils’ coach Ricky Ponting, at a press conference held today (April 5th) at The Lalit, New Delhi, opened up about the recent fiasco which hit Australian cricket.

Former captain Steven Smith and his deputy David Warner are facing a one-year ban, which the ACA protested by terming the decision as ‘too harsh’.

Subsequently, the disgraced Aussie trio decided not to appeal against the ban, as they accept the full responsibility for the scandal.

Ricky Ponting Opens up About the Bans Imposed on the Disgraced Aussie Trio 1 — Delhi Daredevils’ Coach Ponting alongside captain Gambhir. Credits NIE

But, DD Coach, Ponting expressed the entire culture thing which was questioned during the heat of the fiasco was not brought into focus during the Ashes series.

“The cultural issue for me is really an interesting thing. Because if we wind the clock back just a couple of months, when Australia won the Ashes like they did, there were no talks about cultural problems or issues whatsoever,” slammed Ricky Ponting during the conference.

Ponting also reckoned the entire scandal was blown out of proportion due to the reactions back home.

Ricky Ponting Opens up About the Bans Imposed on the Disgraced Aussie Trio 2 — Australian Cricketers’ Association President Greg Dyer speaks at a press conference in Sydney. (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

“I honestly feel on this occasion the cultural stuff that’s been spoken about has probably been blown out of proportion to a certain degree,” Ponting said.

“As Australians, we like to play the game hard; we like to play the game fair. Fans expect the Australian player to play that way,” he added.

“I think the reaction back in Australia was as big as it was because the Australian public felt the Australian players had not played the game in a fair way.”

David Warner Steven Smith — Smith and Warner have been banned for a year (Credits: Getty)

“There’s a very big picture there for the world game’s sake and Cricket Australia. I think, have reacted to what the world game pretty much demanded,” continued Punter.

“The world game and the Australian public demanded that these players were dealt with and treated in a certain way,

In the end, the coach sitting alongside Gambhir and Hemant Dua, CEO DD, mentioned he was happy that entire flare due to the Sandpaper Gate died down.

Australian cricket team needs to rebuild: Ponting

Steven Smith, David Warner, Australia, South Africa, Cape Town, Cricket Australia, Ban — Steven Smith rues the big blunder. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

“It’s a good thing for cricket in Australia… Now that the test series is over. The guys have got a few weeks to get away from it all. Then start rebuilding what has sort of collapsed for them over the last couple of weeks,” concluded Ricky Ponting.

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