No sympathy for ousted South Africans: Aussie skipper
Thursday, March 6 2003 18:33 Hrs (IST)

Johannesburg: Australian captain Ricky Ponting ensured even less public support for his team on Thursday when he said he had no sympathy for South Africa's early exit from the World Cup.

"The West Indies was the one which was really hurt by the rain in my view," said Ponting referring to the washed-out match against Bangladesh at Benoni which ultimately delivered a fatal blow to Carl Hooper's campaign.

South Africa's chances, meanwhile, were washed away in Durban when its final group game against Sri Lanka ended in a tie. "South Africa made a few mistakes along the way and did not play as well as they should have," added Ponting.

If that wasn't bad enough for local pride, it was also reported in the ‘Business Day’ newspaper on Thursday that Australian Rules football was to become an accredited sport at the North West Academy of Sport based in Potchefstroom - ironically the same town where the Australian squad has been staying for large parts of the World Cup.

Australia takes on Sri Lanka in its opening Super Sixes match at Centurion on Friday.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Lankans unfazed by Aussie form, look forward for clash