- Ricky Ponting was banned from commentary at the ‘worst possible time’
- Ponting is in Saudi Arabia for blockbuster IPL mega auction
- Test Great will be back to provide feedback for the second test.
Sunday night’s blockbuster IPL auction has deprived Australian cricket fans of Ricky Ponting’s commentary, right in the middle of the first Test against India.
The Australian cricket legend arrived in Saudi Arabia for Sunday night’s IPL mega auction, forcing him out of the commentary box.
Ponting and Justin Langer have found themselves at the center of a clash of commitments, due to their roles with IPL teams Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants.
Both Ponting and Langer are highly regarded as two of Australia’s best cricket experts.
Channel Seven recently renewed the former Australian captain’s contract with the network. It is understood he recently signed a new deal to extend his contract with the broadcaster.
Ponting, the new head coach of the Punjab Kings, left last year on the third day of the first Test to reach the IPL auction.
Australian cricket fans left without Ricky Ponting’s commentary for first Test against India
Ponting arrived in Saudi Arabia for Sunday’s IPL auction
“It’s the worst possible scenario for me and JL (Langer),” Ponting said. The Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Over the last few months we felt it would probably be in the interval between Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players of both teams. There are many players from both teams in the auction.
‘So I always thought I would have been in that gap because it seemed better for everyone. But I don’t know why they chose the dates they have; It could have something to do with the game.
‘Actually, the auction begins to air almost immediately after the end of the game. So it could have something to do with the transmission.
‘I’ll call on the first day and then fly on Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is on the 24th and 25th, and then depending on how our auction goes, we’ll see when I can return. Hopefully I’ll be back for the Perth finish and if not, I’ll be back on deck for the Adelaide start.
Asked if the timing of the auction was simply rude, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley diplomatically replied: “I think it’s not ideal.”
“I think if you spoke to our broadcast partners who have commentators who are also IPL coaches, they would also say it is not ideal.
But that’s out of our hands.
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley says auction timing ‘not ideal’
“I know our players here will be fully focused and it will be something to think about and talk about after the Test match.”
A total of 37 Australians have thrown their hat in the ring for the lucrative mega auction, including Test stars Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey and Mitch Marsh.
Indian stars like KL Rahul, Ravi Ashwin and Rishabh Pant are also in play.
In the IPL, mega auctions only happen every three to four years.