Ponting bounces ‘ugly Aussies’ tag

FORMER Australian captain Ricky Ponting says he’s sick of critics piling on the national team and the “ugly Aussies” tag doesn’t apply to the players he knows.

Ponting conceded there had always been a few incidents “here and there” with the team but said detractors were using the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa to blow criticism out of proportion.

He said the “ugly Aussies” tag would not be associated with the team under new coach Justin Langer and captain Tim Paine.