Ponting demands racism action

Ricky Ponting has called for life-time bans to be given to any supporters found guilty of racial abuse © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting has called for life-time bans to be given to any supporter found guilty of racial abuse at Australian cricket grounds.

The recent Test series against South Africa, and the ongoing VB Series involving Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka, have both been marred by incidents of players being racially abused by certain sections of the Australian crowds.

The problem has not just been limited to one ground either, with incidents reported at the WACA in Perth, the Adelaide Oval and the Gabba in Brisbane.

And Australia captain Ponting admits the incidents have been a huge embarrassment for everyone concerned with Australian cricket.

“It’s a huge concern to all the players and a huge concern to all those involved in Cricket Australia as well.

“As soon as anyone is heard using racist language they should be ejected from the ground and not be allowed back in again - ever.

“I’m in favour of life bans for this sort of thing. We have $6,000 (£2,500) fines for running on the pitch over here and I don’t see any reason why we can’t have the same applied for this kind of thing.”

After the latest incidents, South Africa’s chief executive Gerald Majola has gone on record as saying that future tours of Australia are in jeopardy if the problem persists, while the ICC have sent Goolam Vahanvati, India's solicitor general, to investigate after the South African board made an official complaint.

But Ponting is confident the Australian authorities can find a way to stamp out the problem.

“There’s obviously a zero tolerance policy that applies to the Australian cricket team and to Cricket Australia and it’s very disappointing that this has happened,” he said.

“But I know the authorities are working overtime to find ways to make sure we can stamp it out of the game here in Australia. There’s no place for it.”

Once the current VB Series is over, the Australians travel to South Africa for three Test matches and six ODIs.

Ponting does not anticipate the crowds being any more hostile as a result of what has happened in Australia, and is looking forward to another tough series against Graeme Smith’s men.

“I wouldn’t have thought it will be any tougher than at any other time to go over there,” Ponting said.

“It’s always a tough place to go and play cricket, and I don’t expect this time it will be any different.

“We’re looking forward to that tour as a really big Test series. We had a really good battle with them in the Test series over here and we’re expecting the same thing again over there.”

Despite the furore surrounding the crowd behaviour, Ponting has still found time to enjoy himself off the pitch during the VB Series.

On Thursday he spent the day on board ABN AMRO One - the yacht currently leading the Volvo Ocean Race.

It was an experience Ponting clearly found inspiring.

“I really enjoyed it. Just seeing the guys out there and seeing the teamwork and how the boat runs was just great,” Ponting said.