"It is a shame that this issue has come to dominate the Test because from my point of view I believe that overall both the Melbourne and Sydney Tests were played in terrific spirit."

"This is not something we take lightly so it is surprising and disappointing to hear Anil Kumble suggest that we did not play within that spirit in Sydney," Ponting wrote in his column for The Australian.

"I like Anil as a bloke and admire him as a cricketer and now captain. I have always felt he played his cricket in the right way, hard but fair. And I believe that is what we do, too."

Ponting asserted that his world champion team was well aware of its responsibility in upholding the spirit of the game and said, "Since I took over from Steve (Waugh) I have taken it on myself to personally ensure that each new member of the team is fully aware of his responsibilities to the game."

Ponting also rejected accusations that the Australians acted like cry babies by reporting Harbhajan to the match referee as they did not have the stomach for the sledging they so proudly dish out to the rival teams.