Well put. Ponting has only said he believes his player and would like the appropriate body to deal with the situation as they see fit. If the ICC then botches it this is not his fault. It is worth remembering the Procter grew up in apartheid S. Africa, he has possibly let other issues cloud his judgment, an appeal is the way to resolve the issue and I would be very surprised (on the evidence we have in the public) if they did not say we can't prove it either way, so no ban, but you be very careful about the M word in future. Which would be fair.
