'Wasn't backing up far': Ricky Ponting's hilarious takedown of teammate

Sports Reporter

Wed, 15 Apr 2020, 10:31 pm·2-min read

Ricky Ponting (pictured left) takes a bouncer to the helmet and (pictured right) with teammate Justin Langer smiling. — Ricky Ponting has taken a hilarious dig at former teammate Justin Langer over his lack of backing up during one of the most difficult spells in his career. (Images: Getty Images)

Ricky Ponting has unveiled the most difficult and fastest spell he ever faced during his career and couldn’t help take a sledge at teammate Justin Langer while doing it.

Following in the footsteps of spin legend Shane Warne, Australia’s highest ever run-scorer has taken to social media to answer questions from viewers while countries remain in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Last week, Ponting revealed the hardest spell he endured during his time as the spearhead of the Aussie attack.

And many were surprised he gave the nod to all-rounder and English foe Andrew Flintoff. His reverse-swing masterclass had Ponting in all sorts during the Ashes series in 2005.

But many questioned why Ponting didn’t pick Pakistan steam train Shoaib Akhtar as his hardest spell during his career.

Ponting went on to explain on Wednesday, the Pakistan quick’s spell was the fastest he faced on a bouncy WACA pitch in 1999.

Got plenty of questions the other day after calling the Flintoff over the best I'd faced.

This from @shoaib100mph was the fastest spell I'd ever faced and trust me Justin wasn't backing up too far at the other end. pic.twitter.com/JhhuEwXrAc
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) April 15, 2020

But he also couldn’t help but take a slight crack at his batting partner at the time, and now current Aussie coach, Langer.

“Got plenty of questions the other day after calling the Flintoff over the best I'd faced. This from @shoaib100mph was the fastest spell I'd ever faced and trust me Justin wasn't backing up too far at the other end,” he wrote.

Ricky Ponting ducking out of the way of a bouncer. — Ricky Ponting avoiding a bouncer during the third test match against Pakistan at the W.A.C.A. ground in 1999. (Jack Atley /Allsport)

Ponting bested the spell during troublesome time for Australia and went on to score 197.

Langer also notched 144 during the innings.

Akhtar is considered one of the fastest bowlers in history and regularly bowled deliveries over 150km/h during his test career.