Tendulkar, Ponting re-ignite 'walking' debate at World Cup

Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and Australian captain Ricky Ponting's contrasting World Cup dismissals have re-ignited the debate around walking, an issue that gained prominence in the 2003 World Cup semi-final when Adam Gilchrist walked back to the pavilion despite an appeal against him getting no response from the umpire.

Tendulkar had edged a delivery behind in the first over of Sunday's match against West Indies in Chennai and then immediately turned and walked to the pavilion.

This was despite umpire Steve Davis giving the 36-year-old not out.

Replays of the incident were inconclusive, which suggests that Davis's initial decision may not have been overturned had Tendulkar stayed at the crease.

Tendulkar's decision to walk was in complete contrast to the actions of Ponting against Pakistan in Colombo.

Part-timer Mohammad Hafeez had Ponting cut a delivery only to edge it to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal. Ponting was ruled not out by umpire Marais Erasmus but Pakistan successfully reviewed the decision and TV replays were clear that Ponting had edged it.

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Ponting admitted after the match that he had edged the ball, but said that he stayed at the crease because he has never been a walker.

"There were no doubts about the nick -- I knew I hit it. But as always, I wait for the umpire to give me out. That's the way I've always played the game," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy praised Tendulkar's sportsmanship, while Ponting's actions were criticised by Pakistan coach Waqar Younis.

Sammy hailed Tendulkar as "a true gentleman" for walking back to the pavillion despite the umpire signalling not out in their World Cup Group B clash in Chennai.

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Sammy appreciated Tendulkar's honesty as he chose to walk back to the pavillion despite being declared not out by Australian umpire Steve Davis off a Ravi Rampaul delivery.

"It shows the measure of the man. He is a true gentleman. After 17,000 runs, he could walk. That was brilliant on the part of Sachin," Sammy said after his side lost the match by 80 runs in Chennai on Sunday.

Commenting on Ponting's actions, Waqar said: "There is a system there now in place so you can't get away with it. It's nice to see people walking, but that doesn't happen now I guess."