Ricky Ponting move blasted by cricket fans as Channel 7 cop backlash over BBL and Test switch

Cricket fans are questioning Channel 7's decision to send Ricky Ponting to Perth for the BBL opener on Sunday night given it meant he couldn't commentate the second day of the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane. Ponting is Channel 7's best commentator and a big drawcard for the network in their ratings battle with Fox Sports.

The former Australia Test captain has proven himself to be a genius in the commentary box over the years, and has become just as popular in his post-cricket career than during his playing days. So the fact he was absent at the Gabba on Sunday was particularly noticeable for fans, and many were left gobsmacked to learn he'd been sent to Perth for the BBL season opener between the Scorchers and Melbourne Stars.

Fans took to social media to question the bizarre move, with many suggesting Seven's best commentator should surely be used for the Test match. One theory doing the rounds was that Seven wanted to try and get the highest ratings possible for the BBL opener, and using Ponting on the coverage would help that.

But many felt it was a sad state of affairs for the Aussie legend to be utilised in the BBL over the Test match, with some feeling it sums up the changing nature of the game and where the interest of viewers lies. One person wrote on social media: "Why would Channel 7 take Ricky Ponting and send him to Perth for the BBL? He is by far their best commentator and is sorely missed."

While another said: "Sending Ricky Ponting away from a Test match in Brisbane to commentate a BBL game could be the most backwards thing I've ever seen from a TV network in Australia, especially as broadcasters love to commentate BBL from a studio." Ponting wasn't in a studio and was actually at Perth Stadium for the BBL game, but another fan said it was bizarre to see Aaron Finch (predominantly a white-ball cricketer) doing the Test match and Ponting doing the BBL, rather than the other way around.

Hilton Cartwright in scary scenes as Scorchers beat Stars

The Perth Scorchers grabbed a six-wicket win as the Stars' loss was compounded by a nasty injury to Hilton Cartwright. The veteran all-rounder was taken to hospital after suffering a scary neck injury while fielding at Perth Stadium on Sunday night, but has since been cleared of serious injury.

Cartwright's neck snapped back awkwardly after he dived at full pace in an attempt to save a boundary. The 32-year-old lay motionless on the turf after sliding to a stop, and medical staff assessed him carefully for almost five minutes before loading him onto a medi-cab and taking him to hospital for precautionary scans.

Stars captain Marcus Stoinis said: "They've ruled out concussion and that sort of thing, but he's gone to hospital for some scans on his neck. They're a bit worried or precautionary about his neck, so fingers crossed he's alright.

"He's a heartbeat of our team, but not only us, with Western Australia and the Scorchers, he's a very well respected guy. It did definitely put a damper on the mood of the night.

"It's just hard to switch that off. We ran there pretty quick just to see him. But there's nothing you can really do. He's very important to our team. He's the heartbeat of that middle order, and in the field he sets the tone, so hopefully we don't miss him (for any games)."

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Jhye Richardson took 3-19 as the Scorchers restricted the Stars to 9-146 while batting first. The Scorchers then reached the victory target with 17 balls to spare thanks to a career-best knock from Cooper Connolly (64 off 51 balls) and a cool head from captain Ashton Turner (37 not out off 27 balls).

with AAP