Sutherland backs Ponting's character

Ricky Ponting has received both support and criticism for his tactics at Nagpur

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Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland has mounted a passionate defence of besieged national captain Ricky Ponting in the wake of the slow over-rate furore.

Speaking at the launch of Ponting's new book, Captain's Diary, in Sydney on today, Sutherland hit back at critics who suggested the skipper put himself before the team - and possible victory - in using part-time bowlers to speed up the over-rate after tea on the fourth day of the fourth Test loss to India.

“He is a player who has always put the team first and he has never measured success by personal statistics," Sutherland said.

“Any suggestion that he put himself first ahead of the team last week in Nagpur is completely off-beam and can only come from someone who does not know him or understand him.

“His (Ponting's) batting speaks for itself but given the events of this week perhaps some need reminding that he is already a cricketing great."

Ponting rated the barrage of criticism as equal to the controversy surrounding the acrimonious January Test against the Indians in Sydney.

“(Sydney) was probably the most difficult time I've had to deal with as an Australian captain and an Australian player and I'm probably confronting the other one right at the moment," he said.

“The fact some people would come out and say I put myself above the team is the thing that has annoyed me the most.

“I don't mind people sitting back and saying things about the tactics I might employ in a day's play - that's what commentators and commentary is all about.

“But when they infer that I've put myself ahead of my team and my team-mates and the chance of pushing for a result, that's pretty hurtful.

“Anyone who knows me and knows the way I play my cricket would hopefully say I'm on the other scale to that."