Cricket fans fume at unforgivable detail in Channel 7 Ricky Ponting image

He’s one of Australia’s best ever cricketers and commentators, but Channel 7 has been accused of doing Ricky Ponting very dirty.

Oh the disrespect.

Aussie cricket fans couldn’t believe their eyes when Ricky Ponting was described by two underwhelming words that didn’t do the national sporting treasure justice.

On Saturday morning, Ponting appeared on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise to recap the action on Day 2 and preview Day 3 of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth.

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“Well how’s this for a treat. Joining me now — commentator, coach, former player — Mr Ricky Ponting,” said Sunrise host Matt Doran, introducing Ponting for the live cross.

Viewers couldn’t help but notice how Ponting was described under his name on the strap at the bottom of screen, which read: “Ricky Ponting, former cricketer.”

It’s certainly an understated way to refer to Australia’s second best batsman behind Don Bradman and equal games record holder, who scored 41 Test centuries and the most Test runs by an Australian player.

Anthony Leach wrote on X: “’Former cricketer’ is the best Channel 7 can do to describe their best commentator.”

Former cricketer, oh the disrespect! Photo: Twitter.

The tweet quickly did the rounds on social media, with many cricket fans stunned Ponting didn’t get a more illustrious moniker, such as legend or even just former captain.

AAP sport journalist Oliver Caffrey said: “Arguably our best batter since Bradman gets tagged like a bloke who played 7 mediocre Shield games in the 80s. C’mon 7.”

Beloved cricket YouTube compiler Robelinda2 joked: “I’d go with DIRECT HIT DEMON”, in reference to Ponting’s tendency to pull off run-outs for fun.

Triple M’s Josh Conway said: “Out of all the things they could’ve labelled him, they land with that.”

One person commented: “The guy is an Australian icon scored 70 centuries for Australia’s over all formats and that how they describe him.”

Another quipped: “Just a nice “Punter” would’ve been better.”

It brought back memories of when US President Barack Obama was referred to simply as a “Chicago resident” during his interviews in the Last Dance documentary about the Chicago Bulls dynasty.

Ponting didn’t seem too fussed, continuing with his live cross before dropping more gems in the commentary box that fans hang out for.

Ricky Ponting is as sharp in the commentary box as he was on the field. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

On Day 3 he pointed out a moment in the field when Nathan Lyon approached Josh Hazlewood as he was walking back to his mark and gestured to the paceman to bowl a bouncer.

Hazlewood duly executed a nasty short ball that Saud Shakeel edged it high behind the cordon into the hands of David Warner.

As sharp as ever, Ponting noticed the interaction between Lyon and Hazlewood.

“Who said spin bowlers don’t understand fast bowling and how to get fast bowling wickets,” Ponting said.

“Have a look at Nathan Lyon. Just before the last dismissal, Lyon runs all the way from point to have a chat to his fast bowling mate.

“Look what he says, he actually starts to demonstrate what he should bowl. There he goes, get it up under the armpit, up high on the bat on the gloves.”

On Day 1, Ponting gave Pakistan debutant Khurram Shahzad cricket’s kiss of death after he dropped a sitter of a catch.

“It just looked lazy to me,” Ponting said from the commentary box.

But then Shahzad tempted Ponting some more with a little shimmy in the outfield, attempting to replay the catch.

“You see him practising it now. It’s too late now, champ,” Ponting said.

“You can see him practising it now. It’s too late now champ. It’s way too late.”