Surely Jayawardene's case, and Bravo's at the ICC CT, was proof that Ponting's crusade was a little misguided at the highest level with all the money and reputations on the line in international cricket. Its all well and good to take the fielder's word at club level when playing a friendly game, but I reckon his crusade was rejected rightfully by the rest of the captains.
I realise that's not the point you're making, but the reason people jumped at the chance to have a go at Ponting was because it was so bloody ironic. Its a final, Ponting, the man who himself started this whole affair regarding taking the fielder's word, was the person rejecting it. I don't reckon he was to blame, but if he really believed in it he'd probably do it anyway wouldn't he? Otherwise what are his intentions.
I realise it'd be to the detriment of his team to take the fielder's word whilst all other teams don't, but it was quite odd. And when you compare the scenario to Gilly, who walks whether his team is in trouble or not, I think the 'moral' stand is a little different. Ponting obviously wasn't so passionate about the issue, that's what (most) people were taking issue with.
Mind you, that's one flimsy incident as an example. Its an incredibly loose statement, to suggest that people have a go at him when he acts decently. The fact that in the last 3 months he's been singled out as acting like an idiot is simply because he's done so. Captains such as Graeme Smith and Inzy get heavily criticised on here when they do the same, and Ganguly copped more than Ponting does when he was at the helm of Indian cricket.