Ricky Ponting left fuming at spectator's 'disgusting' act during fifth Ashes Test
The Aussie cricket legend wasn't impressed after unsavoury scenes at The Oval on Thursday.
Ricky Ponting was left seething at the actions of a spectator at The Oval on Thursday after having grapes thrown at him during an interview after stumps. The Aussie cricket legend was part of a TV segment for Sky Sports in which he and Nick Knight were speaking to Todd Murphy.
But things took a nasty turn when Ponting was hit by a number of grapes thrown from the crowd. The TV segment continued with the grapes on the ground in front of Ponting, who could be seen looking up at the grandstand in disgust.
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As the interview with Murphy wrapped up, Knight said: "You better go because we're getting pelted by grapes." Ponting responded: "I actually am. Someone's just hit me with a grape and I wouldn't mind finding out who it was."
It was the latest example of England supporters embarrassing themselves in the Ashes series after a number of unsavoury incidents throughout. Fans have been taunting Steve Smith with masks of him crying, while regularly chanting "we saw you cry on the telly".
Aussie players were also kicked and abused in the Long Room at Lord's in the second Test as they made their way off the field and into the dressing room. England fans were left raging at the manner in which the Aussies had dismissed Jonny Bairstow, labelling them cheats and hurling abuse at them.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner then took exception to the actions of a number of MCC members as they were walking through the famous Long Room, which reportedly saw the Aussies kicked and abused. Three MCC members have since had their memberships suspended.
England players have pointed out that they always cop abuse in Australia as well, but Khawaja said it was irrelevant which country it takes place in. "I don't agree with it either way. I don't think it's the right thing to do," Khawaja said earlier this month.
The Aussie batter even made the sad revelation that he'd never take his young daughters to an Ashes Test match as a spectator. "If I am coming to the cricket and watching the cricket, I wouldn't want my kids to be around that," he admitted.
"If I saw that I would 100 per cent make a complaint or just leave. Some of the stuff can be pretty poor. Over at Edgbaston they were calling Travis Head a c***, you know what. I can't believe you can actually say that in a public domain anywhere.
"I know, watching a lot of sport and loving sport, that it happens around the world. It can be a little disappointing at times. We can take it too far in Australia. I'm not a big fan of it."
Hi @piersmorgan & @TheBarmyArmy
Is this within the spirit of the game?
Pelting grapes at Ponting who’s just a commentator.
I know you’ve lost the Ashes and all talk about Sour grapes pic.twitter.com/xkewu1h8v3— FIFA Womens World Cup Stan account ⚽️ (@MetalcoreMagpie) July 28, 2023
@piersmorgan care to comment on the english fans throwing grapes at Ponting and Murphy? Pretty disgusting display of the so called "spirit of cricket" you carry on about yet you dont condem them.
— Danny Peeps (@danpeoples87) July 28, 2023
I hear they threw their sour grapes at Ponting
— X (@BoknRoll) July 27, 2023
Sounds like sour grapes to me
— Matty Appleby (@matty_appleby) July 27, 2023
FFS some pom thinks it's funny pelting grapes at Ricky Ponting.#GrapeGate#TheAshes #Ashes2023 #Ashes23 #AUSvsENG #ENGvsAUS #TheOval #TheAshes23 #Ponting #Nasser pic.twitter.com/qMvHdYG6Ec
— M4D (@malc4dead) July 27, 2023
Someone throwing grapes at Ricky Ponting whilst he's live on Sky Sports. Hopefully they won't have the option of returning to any matches anytime soon, idiots...#Ashes #Ashes23
— County House (@TheCountyHouse) July 27, 2023
Mitchell Starc rips through England in fifth Test carnage
The first day of the fifth Test ended with Australia at 1-61 in response to England's first innings total of 283. Khawaja was unbeaten on 25 at the close, with Marnus Labschagne two not out. Warner's disappointing series with the bat continued after he made another start but fell for 24.
Mitchell Starc was brilliant with the ball for Australia, overcoming a shoulder injury to spark an English collapse. The Aussie bowler took 4-82 as the hosts lost their last seven wickets for 99. England were 0-62 and 3-184, but fell in a heap after Starc returned to the field following some treatment on his shoulder.
Harry Brook made 85, cashing in after a dropped catch from Alex Carey when he was on five. But he became Starc's second wicket of the innings after the Aussie quick dismissed Ben Stokes with a brilliant delivery that smashed his off stump out of the ground.
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