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'Absolute jaffa': Cricket legend's curse as Joe Burns cops brutal first ball

Chris Young
·Sports Reporter

The volatile MCG pitch produced the first wicket of the Boxing Day Test in record time, with New Zealand star Trent Boult bamboozling Joe Burns on his first ball.

Boult sent the stumps flying and Burns back to the MCG rooms for a golden duck with a sensational in-swinger that had the New Zealand fans in raptures.

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Unfortunately for Burns, former Test captain turned analyst Ricky Ponting seemed to hit him with the commentator’s curse while on the mic for Channel 7.

Joe Burns, pictured after he was bowled for a golden duck on day one of the Boxing Day Test.
Joe Burns reacts after he is bowled by Trent Boult during day one of the Boxong Day Test in the series between Australia and New Zealand at Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

As Boult ran in to deliver the fateful ball, Ponting took a brief moment to detail Burns’ weakness against the new ball.

“(Burns has) had a few issues with the brand new ball swinging in, shaping back in towards off stump on a full length,” Ponting said, moments before Burns was bowled.

Despite Ponting’s unfortunate commentator’s curse, cricket fans were stunned by Boult’s incredible delivery.

Social media lit up after the New Zealand seamer missed the first Test loss in Perth.

Ponting blasts BBL batsman’s ‘dumb’ act

Ricky Ponting has blasted Perth Scorchers batsman Josh Inglis over a horror ‘brain fade’ in his side’s loss to Adelaide Strikers.

Leg-spinning wizard Rashid Khan helped the Strikers absorb a stunning opening onslaught from Liam Livingstone and Inglis to notch a 15-run win over at Adelaide Oval on Monday.

After posting 4-198 from their rain-reduced 18 overs, the Strikers' attack was ravaged by Livingstone (69 off 26 balls) and Inglis (50 off 27), who combined for 124 off 52 deliveries to seemingly turn an imposing run chase into a stroll.

But Rashid (3-40) took the scalps of the high-flying pair off successive deliveries in the ninth over to spin the contest back the Strikers' way as the Scorchers were ultimately restricted to 7-183.

"We knew we had to go all guns blazing to try to get near that total," Livingstone said.

"It was a bit of risk-reward trying to take on Rashid. He's obviously one of the best bowlers in the world.

"Disappointed that we both got out to him but ultimately we should have seen our side home so it's a bit disappointing."

Ponting was left gobsmacked in commentary when Inglis fell attempting a big sweep shot the ball after Livingstone was dismissed.

“I know that they’ve been really positive, but that’s dumb batting as far as I’m concerned,” Ponting said in commentary for Channel 7.

“Now they expose two brand new batsmen to the most difficult situation in a T20 run chase with the best spinner in the world operating.

“Surely you’ve just got to pull your head in here and get through the over.”