Ponting apologises to India chief

Ponting finally got through to India chief Sharad Pawar after 36 hours

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has apologised to Indian cricket board president Sharad Pawar after an incident at the Champions Trophy final.

Pawar called the world champions "totally uncivilised" after he was jokingly pushed from the podium.

Ponting finally got through to Pawar on Thursday after trying for 36 hours.

"It was a very amicable telephone call and the two decided they would take a sporting approach and move on," cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said.

"Ricky offered an apology on behalf of himself and the team and it was accepted in good spirit.

"Cricket Australia felt it was really important to clear the air on this matter. Ricky wanted to take ownership of the situation on behalf of himself and his team."

An impatient Ponting gestured with his finger for Pawar to hand over the trophy quickly after the Aussies had beaten the West Indies in Mumbai.

Batsman Damien Martyn then pushed him away from the celebrating players, prompting an angry reaction from the Indian media, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar.

Martyn has since also offered Pawar an apology, saying: "I didn't mean to offend him and I apologise if I did so.

"There was nothing in it other than me trying to help him out as there was a crush of people."