Ricky Ponting’s choice words for moaning Pom Joe Root

Ricky Ponting had a short, sharp response to England batsman Joe Root’s suggestion to extend Test cricket well into the night.

Ricky Ponting used one simple, cutting word to describe Joe Root’s suggestion for changes to the way Test cricket is played.

Batting star Root and the rest of his side have been bemoaning the English weather ever since heavy rain in Manchester denied the hosts a likely Ashes series-equalling victory at Old Trafford.

Watch every game of the Major League Cricket Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“It doesn’t get dark until 10pm here in the summer,” Root told the BBC after the Test match. “Why can’t we play until the overs are bowled?”

All and sundry following the fourth Test was aware that heavy rain was forecast for the final two days of the match.

That’s exactly how it unfolded, with England’s decisive play giving them a massive advantage in the game through more than three days, before the rain more than likely saved Australia.

Joe Root (left) and Ricky Ponting have not always seen eye-to-eye during this Ashes series. Photos: Getty Images

The notoriously combative former captain Ponting had a direct response to Root’s dreams of changing the way Test cricket is played.

“You can’t just choose to change the laws of the game whenever you want to,” he said on The ICC Review podcast.

“I’m sure there have been times when England have wanted to not get back out there and play themselves. I mean, that’s just a ridiculous thing to say.”

A number of Englishmen have complained about the weather in their own country in the days since the match ended at the rain-soaked ground, including captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Stuard Broad.

Australia legend #RickyPonting has labelled as "#ridiculous" suggestions by former #England captain Joe Root to help combat bad weather & slow over-rates by extending Test sessions into evening. pic.twitter.com/yfZT38w2oK

— Cricket Fanatic (@CricketFanatik) July 25, 2023

Broad wrote in a column ahead of the final day’s play it would be “unjust” if weather had the definitive say in a match that ultimately decided the Ashes for another series.

Ponting showed some rare sympathy towards the blond-headed quick, before reminding him it was a regular issue with playing cricket outdoors in England.

“I can understand Stuart’s frustration,” he said. “You know, they had dominated that game.

“They had to dominate that game, they had to win that game to get themselves back in the series.

“So they’d done everything that they possibly could, but unfortunately the weather came in.

“So I can understand the frustration there, but it’s not like it’s the first time it’s ever happened, especially in the UK and especially in Manchester.

Pat Cummins (centre) is congratulated by Ricky Ponting after Day Five of the second Test match between England and Australia at Lord's. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

”It’s not the first time it’s happened here, won’t be the last time.”

Ponting was also keen to cheekily remind the Englishmen they had waited far too long in the series to display the type of swashbuckling cricket they produced in Manchester.

“You know, they did everything they could in their power to try and force a result.

“Unfortunately for them, they’ve waited until the fourth Test to actually play that way and get themselves in a situation like that in a game.

“And for them, it was too late.”

Originally published as Ricky Ponting’s choice words for moaning Pom Joe Root