Ponting in umpiring row, holds up game

Australia captain Ricky Ponting figured in a fresh row on Monday, arguing with the on-field umpires and holding up game for several minutes on day four of the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

With gushing winds -- measuring 130kmph -- sweeping the stadium, the virtual-eye cameras could not provide the actual trajectory of the ball and that infuriated Ponting who kept arguing with the umpires.

Former India pacer Javagal Srinath, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Match Referee, had to come down and talk to both the teams after the incident, according to an Australian Associated Press report.

The problem started when Nathan Hauritz's leg before wicket appeal against Brendon McCullum was turned down by Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf, prompting Ponting to seek a video referral under the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS).

But with the cameras failing to project the accurate path of the ball, third umpire Aleem Dar upheld Rauf's decision.

Ponting was agitated with the decision and kept arguing with Rauf and the other on-field umpire Ian Gould of England.

Srinath said all the cameras were shaking because of the wind and there was nothing anyone could do.

"It is a very unusual day, a very, very unusual day," Srinath said.

"I just went down and briefed the teams so that they should not be taken aback if the pictures are not coming and how are they making this decision?

"If we can't decide, the challenge is null and void and they get it back," he said.