Adam Gilchrist defended Ricky Ponting saying the Aussie skipper has always tried to bring trust and integrity to the game.

The former Australia wicketkeeper was miffed at Virender Sehwag's claims that Australia had cheated India by engaging in the "catching pact".

"The captain of the Australian cricket team, before every series he plays, says to the opposing captain, here's the chance to bring back a bit of trust and integrity to the game by doing away with the technology on close disputed catches," Gilchrist was quoted as saying in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

"Let's get rid of it. He says, 'Let's take the fielder's word. If the fielder says it's out, my batsmen will accept that as being good enough. We'll go'.

"Only one captain in all the series that Ricky has captained has taken him up on that offer," he added.

During India's tour Down Under, Ponting had offered Anil Kumble that batsmen accept a fielder's word on disputed catches. Kumble agreed, but the agreement was short-lived.

India lost the Sydney Test by 122 runs after Michael Clarke, who picked up a contentious catch off Sourav Ganguly on the final day, collected three wickets in the final over.

But Ponting again made the offer this time before the four-Test series, to which Sehwag said, there is no point in having a catching pact when the Australians are claiming one-bounce catches.

Offended by the remark, Ponting retorted back saying, he he felt insulted by the Indian opener's outburst. More PTI On his part, Gilchrist felt it was unfair to generalise the whole team for the fault of a certain player.

"The current Australian cricket team has been accused of unsporting behaviour in recent times. It's been going on for a while. And, yes, there have been situations where individuals have acted in a way that has allowed that sort of criticism. They are a long way from perfect.

"Sportsmanship is an individual choice and can't be generalised to represent a team, let alone a whole nation," the left-handed batsman said.

Gilchrist also felt there was nothing wrong with sledging and it should be acceptable.

"Is sledging unsporting? I think not. Yes, Australians play hard. In fact, many natSions actually respect the toughness with which we come out and pose challenges to these teams, physically and mentally," Gilchrist told an ABC-organised debate on sportsmanship.

"It's far too generalised a statement to say a country is unsporting. Every team has good and bad sports. Australia is no different," he added.