Darren Lehmann reveals how Ricky Ponting’s heart scare impacted Australian cricket’s old boys’ network

Ricky Ponting’s heart scare sent a shudder through Australian cricket’s old boys’ network, which is still coming to grips with its most tragic year.

Darren Lehmann has revealed how Ricky Ponting’s heart scare sent a shudder through Australian cricket’s old boys’ network, which is still coming to grips with its most tragic year.

Test great Ponting opened up on the “scary moment” on Friday he felt chest pains and dizziness while commentating on Channel 7 and was ushered straight to hospital by Justin Langer and the Australian team doctor for heart tests.

Wife Rianna jumped on a plane to Perth to be by his side, but Ponting returned to the commentary box on Saturday motivated to send a clear message for blokes to speak up and get checked out, still rocked by the deaths of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh to heart attacks and now his own experience.

A year before Warne’s passing, Lehmann survived a major heart attack on his 50th birthday and has since devoted his energy to promoting the Australian Heart Foundation.

Earlier this year, Ponting organised a reunion boys’ trip in regional Victoria for a bunch of former greats including Langer and Lehmann. It was an emotional bonding session where grown men openly shed tears together late at night toasting Warne, Marsh and Andrew Symonds.

Ricky Ponting spoke of his heart scare before play on day four. Picture: AFP

Following the spate of cardiac related incidents involving the game’s greats, it’s understood the Australian Cricketers Association will move to offer annual free heart health checks to all past Australian and state players.

Lehmann said when a message landed on the ex-players’ whatsapp group about Ponting’s shock rush to hospital, he was once again overcome with the anxiety that has plagued Australia’s greats all too often over the past 12 months.

“Yeah it is a shock. The skipper is always a tough little bugger. It’s like the other (incidents) that have gone before him,” Lehmann told News Corp.

“You’re just happy he’s OK and I’m sure it would have sent shockwaves through the cricket community, but also the people who have lost loved ones as well.

“It was a tough day, albeit behind the scenes.

“We are a pretty close-knit group our boys. We keep in touch. We found out straight away and thank God he’s alright.”

Ponting pushed through his commentary stint on Friday despite a series of stabbing chest pains and was forced to grab a bench for support when he got up as he was struck by dizziness and light-headedness.

But he straight away told best mate Langer and Channel 7 executive producer Chris Jones what he’d felt, and they instigated his immediate rush to hospital, driven by Australian team doctor, Leigh Golding.

Darren Lehmann knows the importance of hearth health. Picture: Getty Images

“I probably scared a lot of people yesterday and had a little scary moment for myself as well to be honest. I was in the commentary halfway through the stint and got a couple of really short, sharp pains through my chest and I tried to stretch it out and get rid of it,” said Ponting on Seven.

“I didn’t want to give too much away when I was on air. I had a couple of those instances, and got through the stint.

“I got up, went to walk around the commentary box, and got a bit a light headed and dizzy and grabbed the bench.

“And mentioned to JL on the way out, who was commentating with me that I had these pains in my chest.

“Chris Jones (Channel 7 executive producer) heard me as well, and basically these two just went, they just reacted straight away and got me out of there and 10 or 15 minutes later I was in the hospital getting the best treatment I possibly could.

“I feel great this morning, I’m all shiny and new this morning, but I think the bottom line with it is the fact I was willing to share it with JL and your mate looks after you and I think as people of our age, we’re probably a little bit reluctant to share much and talk much about our health especially.

“And I think that’s a really good learning curve for me yesterday especially with all that’s happened over the past 12-18 months with really close people around us.

“My little mate (Langer) looked after me, got me down there and I’m back shiny and new this morning.”

Ponting was back in commentary today. Picture: Getty Images

Langer said he immediately knew something wasn’t right. Ponting is not the type of character to complain over nothing.

“I knew if Ricky Ponting comes to me and says, ‘something is not quite right’, well you know something is not quite right,” said Langer.

“I think it’s a great lesson for everyone that after our 12 months it’s become very public with Rod Marsh and Shane Warne of course, Ryan Campbell (former Australian ODI wicketkeeper who also survived a major heart attack this year).

“When someone says they’ve got something going on, talk up.

“It’s good to see the little fella (Ponting) not being the tough guy, not being the ice man. He reached out to one of his friends and as Ricky said, we got some great care for him yesterday afternoon.”

Lehmann reiterated Ponting and Langer’s message that there are no medals handed out for toughness when it comes to your heart.

“That’s right. There’s no point being tough. It doesn’t get you anywhere. Talking to your mates and letting people know when something is not quite right is so, so important,” said Lehmann.

“Not just heart wise but also mentally. It’s paramount.

“If anyone is struggling, just reach out and chat straight away basically.”

Originally published as Darren Lehmann reveals how Ricky Ponting’s heart scare impacted Australian cricket’s old boys’ network