We've learnt, says Ponting

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Surprised by the public outcry against his team, Australian captain Ricky Ponting said his side would focus on improving their conduct to change their image of boorish and arrogant players.

Ponting said his team was determined to uphold the spirit of cricket and learn from their past mistakes.

"I have been surprised by the reaction of some in the broader community who believe we did not play that amazing Sydney Test in the spirit of the game.

"We take the spirit of cricket very seriously and are determined to ensure we are not only remembered as a good team but one that is respected throughout the cricket world for the way we play," he wrote in a column in The Australian.

The Aussies held a team meeting on Sunday to discuss the events during and after the Sydney Test.

"That is why I led a meeting this afternoon of our team and other cricket officials, where we revisited our spirit of cricket pledge," Ponting wrote.

He said the team has discussed the areas of improvement and would be careful in those issues.

"We looked back at last week's game and discussed little areas where we believed we could improve things. No one is beyond criticism or bigger than the game.

"Life's all about learning little things day by day, and it's no different playing in a successful cricket team. You always find little ways of improving yourself," he said. Ponting admitted he and Michael Clarke should have behaved better during the controversial Sydney Test.

"I know when I was given out in the first innings in Sydney, I should have left straight away instead of hanging around for a few seconds, and I know I should not have lobbed my bat into the dressing room.

"Michael Clarke also knows that he should have gone straight away too, after cutting the ball to first slip. He knows he did the wrong thing, but at the time he was just shocked at how he had got out first ball," he said.

The Aussie skipper, however, said his team did not commit any grave mistakes in the second Test.

"I believe there are no glaring issues we need to address, but when they are all added together in the heat of such a tense and dramatic final day, they caused a reaction, so we need to tighten up on how we play.