Ponting's bat illegal, rules MCC

Ponting's next century won't be saluted with a bat like this

Cricket lawmakers the MCC have ruled that the bat used by Australia's Ricky Ponting, and other cricketers sponsored by maker Kookaburra, is illegal.

The bat has been withdrawn with immediate effect and will not be used in upcoming international matches.

The bat attracted interest because the length of the blade was supported by a backing strip of graphite.

The MCC stated: "Following a thorough review, MCC has concluded that these bats do not comply with law six."

Law 6.2 says covering matering should "not be likely to cause unacceptable damage to the ball".

Kookaburra Readers managing director Brett Elliot said the company disagreed with the decision as they believed the carbon fibre cover was designed to be within the laws of the game.

He added that more than 60% of cricket bats currently on the market have a cover similar to the Kookaburra graphite cover, but said the company would abide by the MCC's decision.

"Kookaburra is extremely disappointed by the MCC's opinion and strongly disagree that our graphite covered cricket bats do not comply with law six of the laws of cricket," said Elliot.

"Kookaburra has a proud history of manufacturing cricket equipment since 1890 and this is the first instance that a Kookaburra bat has been drawn into question.

"However, Kookaburra fully respects both the laws of cricket and the spirit of cricket and has therefore reached agreement with the International Cricket Council to voluntarily withdraw the bats from international cricket."

Kookaburra will immediately supply Ponting with a replacement bat for the tour of South Africa.

Australian batsmen Justin Langer and Damien Martyn and Sri Lanka international Sanath Jayasuriya are among the other players sponsored by the company.