Ricky Ponting stuns with commentary act amid David Warner's dismissal in final Test
The former Australian cricket captain continues to show his extraordinary feel for the game.
Ricky Ponting has once again shown his incredible feel for the game of cricket, predicting the exact nature of David Warner's dismissal in the SCG Test. Batting in his final match in Test cricket, Warner was given a huge let-off on 20 when debutant Saim Ayub grassed a simple catch at first slip.
It marked Pakistan's third drop at the position so far this series after Abdullah Shafique put down two chances. Shafique has since been removed from the position and replaced by Salman Ali Agah, but Salman was off the field when Warner edged one to Ayub.
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Commentators were left gobsmacked that Salman had left the field just 10 minutes before the drinks break, putting the debutant Ayub in such an important position. But Salman atoned for his mistake not long after when he was brought on to bowl and snared Warner's wicket for 34.
Salman produced a brilliant ball that spun and bounced to catch Warner's edge, presenting a simple chance to Babar Azam at slip. Incredibly, Ponting had predicted the moment almost to a tee not long before Warner's dismissal.
With Sajeed Khan bowling and not having much luck, Ponting had called for Salman to be brought on to replace him. "Salman was quite impressive first couple of Test matches with his off-spin," Ponting said on Channel 7.
"Didn't bowl many mad balls. To me, it looks like he gets more work on the ball than what Sajid does. Hasn't really turned many today, Sajid. Worth giving [Salman] a bit of a crack before the lunch break."
Ricky Ponting's commentary call proven exactly right
Pakistan captain Shan Masood appeared to be listening and brought Salman straight on. The all-rounder then sent Warner packing in his first over - proving Ponting to be a genius.
Justin Langer was gobsmacked by Ponting's nous, saying: "Have you ever captained a side before?" Ponting responded: "Once or twice JL. What a piece of bowling it was. I had the feeling. He gets a lot work on the ball. That took a chunk out of the top of the wicket. Squared Warner up. Off he goes."
It came as another example of Ponting showing his immense knowledge and feel for the game while in commentary. He also predicted how Australia would dismissed Mohammad Rizwan on the first day's play on Wednesday.
Justin Langer blasts Pakistan over David Warner drop
Langer had earlier savaged Pakistan for the Warner drop. "We've seen some of the easiest catches dropped by Pakistan and we said it before the series started - if Pakistan have any chance of competing in this series, they must take their catches," he said on Channel 7. "That's almost again impossible to drop. He's obviously nervous. He is on debut. He missed out yesterday, but again, Pakistan have to get this right.
It's craziness to me, and it's costing Pakistan big time. That's a shocking put-down. Salman had just gone off for that over and he's back on. Would he have been in that slip cordon? You talk about attention to detail. Salman, I assume, has gone off for a bathroom break. He's got five minutes until the drinks break. He's got five minutes! And it could again cost Pakistan the Test match.
"All we talked about last Test match, besides the Pakistan sundries, was their dropped catches. It was the number one topic last Test. And to drop another one as simple as that, on a wicket as good as this, will be very costly for Pakistan."
It's happened again! 😲
David Warner gets a life courtesy of the debutant Saim Ayub #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/VAr7bBis6L— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2024
Australia went to lunch at 1-78 in response to Pakistan's first innings total of 313. Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 35, while Marnus Labuschagne was not out on three.
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