Ponting, Kumble agree to move the game forward

Team India captain Anil Kumble and his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting have agreed to move the game forward and would like to forget the row, International Cricket Council (ICC) mediator Ranjan Madugalle has said.

Sydney, Jan 14 : Team India captain Anil Kumble and his Australian counterpart Ricky Ponting have agreed to move the game forward and would like to forget the row, International Cricket Council (ICC) mediator Ranjan Madugalle has said.

Ponting, Kumble and Madugalle met for about an hour. After the meeting, both captains have vowed that both sides would raise their on-field behaviour standards in the third Test at Perth.

"Both captains have agreed that it's their responsibility to move the game forward and the events of the last week are something that they'd like to forget," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Madugalle, as saying.

Madugalle further said that as leaders Kumble and Ponting need to ensure that their team plays the game in its right spirit and "importantly, with respect for one another."

"Hopefully over the next five days (they) ensure cricket is the winner through the skills of their collective performances as opposed to anything else," he added.

Madugalle also said that now, there were no issues left outstanding from the Sydney Test. Kumble had questioned Australia's sportsmanship at Sydney, racial abuse cases, several contentious catches and complaints over poor umpiring during the Sydney Test.

Kumble and Ponting are legends in the game and because of this they have great respect for each another, "so that's the underlying thing and it's in that spirit that the whole thing was conducted," Madugalle said after the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Team India has decided to drop charges against Australian spinner Brad Hogg.

Welcoming this gesture, Hogg thanked the Indians for keeping the spirit of the game paramount.

ANI