‘Worst possible’: Ricky Ponting leaves in middle of first Test

Australian fans have been robbed of Ricky Ponting with a late call forcing the cricket legend to leave the commentary box.

Australian fans have been robbed of Ricky Ponting with the Aussie cricket great caught in the middle of a global power struggle.

The former Test captain has arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of Sunday night’s blockbuster IPL auction, which has forced him to leave the Channel 7 commentary box.

Ponting’s departure in the middle of the first Test in Perth has caused a stir around the world — as just another example of the IPL flexing its muscle as cricket’s foremost power.

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Ponting, who coaches Punjab Kings, fellow Channel 7 caller Justin Langer, who coaches Lucknow Super Giants and Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori, who coaches Sunrisers Hyderabad, are all missing in action in Perth, having made late journeys to Jeddah where the world’s richest cricket auction will take place over two nights.

Cricket Australia and Australian broadcasters, including Seven, were well aware it would lose prominent figures to the IPL auction — the same scenario that unfolded 12 months ago when Ponting left the Perth Test before the final day because of the auction.

However, a late call from IPL officials further compounded the issue with the dates for the auction only confirmed on November 3 with many previously assuming it would not clash with the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test.

Former World Cup winner Ponting showed his frustration about the auction date when speaking last week.

“It’s the worst possible case scenario for me and J.L. [Langer],” Ponting told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Ricky Ponting previously coached Delhi Capitals. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

“We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams. There are a lot of players in both teams in the auction.

“So I always thought it would have been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody. But I don’t know why they’ve chosen the dates they have – it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast.

“I’m calling the first day then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th, and then depending on how we’re going through our auction, we’ll see when I can return. Hopefully, I’ll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I’ll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide.”

Channel 7 has confirmed Ponting will be in the broadcast booth when the second Test at the Adelaide Oval begins on December 6.

The loss of Channel 7’s biggest stars would have been disappointing for the network and for Cricket Australia, according to Aussie greats Aaron Finch and Callum Ferguson.

Ricky Ponting is everywhere. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

Finch said on ESPN’s ‘Around The Wicket’ the date chosen was “unusual”.

“The BCCI, when they want things to happen, they generally get their way,” he said.

Ferguson said: “I think CA would be a bit disappointed that they’ve put it on the start of the summer, the first Test match for Australia… their biggest drawcard.

“It’s disappointing for them.”

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley has also commented on the issue publicly.

“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’s not ideal,” he said, per Yahoo.

“But that’s out of our hands. I know certainly our players here will be fully-focused here, and it will be something to think and talk about after the Test match.”

CA said last week it supported Vettori and his commitments in the IPL.

Seven Network Director of Sport, Chris Jones also said last week: “The IPL Auction involves the world’s best coaches and analysts in the game, and we are privileged enough to have two of them on our broadcast all summer long.

“Alongside Sunil Gavaskar, who knows the travelling side better than anyone, both Ricky and Justin are uniquely placed as IPL coaches to bring unrivalled insights to viewers about the Indian and Australian players.”