Melbourne, Jan 12 With a gentlemen's agreement put in place well before the series, Ricky Ponting and his teammates should not have stood their ground in Sydney despite being out, Australian batsman Simon Katich said.

Katich said though he does not prefer any such agreement, the Australians should have been honest enough to 'walk' after the mutual decision by Ponting and Anil Kumble to go by fielder's word in close calls.

"I think when you state how you want to play the game, in terms of claiming catches in the field, taking someone's word, then you've got to be careful not to hold your ground when you know you're out," said Katich, who played 23 Tests for Australia from 2001 to 2005.

The 32-year-old current New South Wales captain said there was difference of attitude between Australians and cricketers of other countries on whether  to walk or not and said the hugely competitive environment Down Under could be the reason why the Aussies did not walk.

"I have got no problems with guys not walking, because I believe that is the umpires' job and that is what they're there for. There are plenty of times blokes are given out when they're not out so you take the good with the bad," he told 'Sydney Morning Herald'. (Agencies)