Veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor explains ‘terrible’ on-air stoush with Ricky Ponting

Veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor has conceded he feels “embarrassed” following a heated on-air debate with Ricky Ponting.

Former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting.

Veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor has conceded he feels “embarrassed” following a heated on-air debate with former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting.

The dispute erupted during day one of the day-night Test match between India and Australia at Adelaide Oval, with the duo arguing about Tim Paine’s captaincy.

Lalor and Channel 7 commentator Tim Lane bluntly criticised Paine’s inconsistent utilisation of the DRS, which prompted a passionate response from Ponting.

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“Jeez you’re harsh, you blokes, very, very harsh. There was not even an appeal, hardly a reaction,” Ponting said.

“The DRS is brought in for the absolute howler, let’s get that right. If they thought that was out, there would have been more appeals and everything out there.

“That’s just one that — it wasn’t even an option to be reviewed as far as I’m concerned.”

Lalor immediately quipped back: “Well, mate, they discussed it, I don’t know what they were talking about if it wasn’t for a review.

“They’re paid a lot of money (to get it right).”

Lane attempted to lighten the mood by joking: “So we know what tomorrow’s lead story is.”

But Lalor fired back: “Yeah, ‘Ricky Ponting tries to defend Cricket Australia again and his mate Tim Paine’.”

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

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Speaking on The Grandstand Cricket Podcast, Lalor conceded he was “embarrassed” by the awkward ordeal, which caused a stir on social media.

“That was terrible,” Lalor muttered. “It was just because I’m stupid, to be honest.

“I can’t help it, it’s not my fault. I was born stupid, I really can’t do much about that.

“It was my first time in there on air, in the Seven commentary box where the great men are. I thought, ‘I know the first thing (Ponting) will do, he’ll get me on the backfoot’. You know his style, he’s very competitive.”

Cricket journalist Peter Lalor.

Lalor emphasised that himself and Ponting were close friends, and the argument sounded worse than it actually was.

“That is the way we would talk in the corridor,” Lalor explained. “That’s just kind of the way we talk.

“Channel 7 – whose product it was – said there were awkward silences. Well hey fellas, that’s because people were running into bowl.

“It sounded terrible. Rick’s wife rang him and said, ‘Why are you fighting with Peter?’ And my wife rang me and said the same.

“And I’m embarrassed to be honest. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed, because God knows I’ve done worse things than that in my life.

“It didn’t come across well.”

Lalor is The Australian’s chief cricket writer, and has worked as a sports reporter for more than 30 years.