7 in 10 cricket fans 'embarrassed' with Oz team's on-field outbursts

Melbourne, Dec 24(ANI): In a recent survey by an Australian channel, over 70 percent of cricket fans have labelled the national side's on-field behaviour 'embarrassing and over the top'.

The survey conducted by Fox Sports in which more than 2300 people took part, the vast majority condemned the Australian team for its actions against West Indies during the third Test at the WACA Ground in Perth.

It also found that only 15 percent of fans though that the antics were 'passionate, but in the spirit of the game' while just one in ten believed the behaviour was 'awesome, that's how Aussies play'.

When informed about the survey results, Australia captain Ricky Ponting said that his team indeed needed to realize the boundaries of fair play.

"You have to take notice. We try and do the right thing by the game and by the public all the time and we're also trying to win games of cricket. If it's something like that to do with the perception of the team I think it's important we all take notice of it. Make no mistake, the guys are very aware that they did the wrong thing and have all come out and admitted it," The Australian quoted Ponting, as saying.

"It's sport at the highest level and the contest is very fierce, but you can play with great passion and intent without going over the top. We've had a chat about how we want to play and how we want to be perceived and how we want the fans to look at us," he added.

The latest chant of 'Ugly Aussies' comes after Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, all-rounder Shane Watson and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson were all fined for failing to play within the spirit of the game. (ANI)