Oz PM backs call for civility in cricket

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has extended his support to Governor-General Michael Jefferys call for more civility in cricket.

Melbourne, Feb 1 : Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has extended his support to Governor-General Michael Jeffery's call for more civility in cricket.

Taking part into a debate over Australia's stormy cricket series against India, Jeffery has expressed grief over the loss of grace and courtesy from the game.

"I think the governor-general is perfectly entitled to express his point of view. And on the question of civility in the game, I think that all would like greater civility in the game generally," News.com.au quoted Rudd, as telling Fairfax Radio Network.

The Australian Prime Minister said that he was not blaming any team, adding that there was room for manners no matter how tough the game.

"It's a tough and competitive business (but) you can conduct it with a bit of civility," he said.

"I think the nation would expect of us in the political sphere to be more civil towards one another in the future.

"With the history of the game of cricket, I think people would like a bit more civility as well," he added.

Hitting back at Jeffery, Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has accused the governor-general of living in the 1950s; saying that he does not understand that cricket was now a fully professional sport.

ANI