SYDNEY, Jan 10: The Australian and Indian cricket captains sought to ease the racism and sportsmanship rows overshadowing their series, as India returned to action on Thursday after fears they would abandon the tour.

India’s Anil Kumble said he hoped to hold talks with opposite number Ricky Ponting, while the under-pressure Australian captain said he wanted to ensure “the guys are remembered as being good people as well as great cricketers”.

“We are equal partners in ensuring that cricket is played in the right spirit, and I’m sure moving forward everybody can stick to that. On behalf of my team, I can assure we will play it in the right spirit,” Kumble stated.

Ponting said he was keen to meet Kumble before the third Test, which starts in Perth next Wednesday, to ensure there was no lasting ill-feeling and to make sure the remaining matches were played in the right spirit.

“It’s going to be very important,” he told Nine Network television. “He’s had a little bit to say the last couple of days and I’m holding no grudges against him whatsoever.”

The conciliatory tone follows Sunday’s explosive finale to the second Test in Sydney, when ill-feeling between two of the world’s biggest teams reached fever pitch.

Kumble accused Australia, who narrowly won the match for a 2-0 series lead, of poor sportsmanship, a charge echoed by the usually protective Australian media and public.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh received a three-Test ban for alleged racism, prompting India to effectively halt their tour in protest.

India made the trip to Canberra only after umpire Steve Bucknor, whom the tourists faulted over a number of key decisions, was axed from the rest of the four-Test series.

However, India, the sport’s financial powerhouse, have issued veiled threats to suspend the tour again if their appeal against Harbhajan’s ban fails.

Meanwhile, Ponting stood by his decision to report Harbhajan for racial abuse.

“I carried out my duties as captain,” Ponting said. “It’s not about me reporting anybody, it’s the umpires’ job to do that and that’s what they did.”

Ponting added that he spoke to Kumble after last Sunday’s hearing, explaining why he was obliged to take a stand against racism and asking for understanding.

“When we sat down at the end and I had a really good chat with him and the Indian management and the few other players that were there,” Ponting stated.

“I said ‘look, this is not about us, this is a big issue in the game and I want to move on. When this is done I want us to play the best series we can from here on’ – and he agreed with that.”

Ponting, who was described by the Daily Telegraph as ‘dumbfounded’ by the backlash over the Sydney Test, rejected widespread charges of arrogance as well as calls for his removal.

“I don’t think anyone wants the way Australia plays cricket to change,” he told the newspaper. “Everyone likes to see a tough, uncompromising brand of cricket. But if there are areas in our game to improve then obviously we need to address that.”

In his later TV interview, Ponting said: “It’s not only about Australia, it’s about how it’s being seen in India as well, and as an Australian player and an Australian leader I want to make sure that anyone who’s watching the game really enjoys it.” —Agencies