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Botham loving Ponting and Warne spat

New Delhi: Legendary all-rounder Ian Botham “loved every second” of the public spat between Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting as he feels the “turmoil” in the Australian camp has enhanced England's chances of winning the Ashes next month.

“Oh, yes, I've heard all about Warnie and Ricky Ponting and I'm loving every second of it,” Botham told The Sunday Telegraph.

“That is turmoil, and the more turmoil Australia are in, the better it is for us. It's great when the Aussies start whingeing among themselves.

“I don't blame Warnie for what he said and I don't blame Ricky for his reaction. But something obviously isn't right down there for it to happen in the first place,” Botham added.

Legendary spinner Warne had questioned Ponting's tactics during the Bangalore Test against India, especially the use of spinner Nathan Hauritz during the match.

Subsequently, reacting to Warne's comments, an upset Ponting said, “Every field Nathan (Hauritz) had, was as per his request. That's the field he wants to bowl with, unfortunately it doesn't appear that Shane would take his time to ask anyone about it; he has his opinion out in the public at the moment. It's a personal opinion, I guess.”

Botham said that he could not believe that there were knives thrown at the Australian captain before the start of the Ashes series. — PTI

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