Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is regarded as one of the shrewd cricketing brains in the world. During his playing days, Ponting guided his team to three ICC titles – two ODI World Cups and one Champions Trophy. He still stands tall as the leading run-scorer for Australia in both ODIs and Tests.
After announcing his international retirement in 2012, he started his second innings as a commentator and has been displaying his astute brilliance in it as well.
On Saturday (December 17), Ponting perfectly predicted Marco Jansen’s dismissal from the commentary box during the first innings of the opening Test between Australia and South Africa at The Gabba in Brisbane.
With South Africa reading 132/5 in the first innings, Ponting foretold how the Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon would pick Jansen’s wicket. Much to the viewers’ delight, the Proteas all-rounder got out in the same way.
“Talk about the build-up of pressure that Mitchell Starc has created on Jansen,” Ponting said on Channel 7.
“Quite often it can have an effect that the wicket will fall at the other end. Nathan Lyon is halfway through his fourth over. Only given up the eight runs, they’ve got mid-on three-quarters of the way back. They are tempting him with a build-up of pressure to try and hit over the top,” he added.
As it turned out, Jansen came down the track to hit Lyon out of the park on the very next delivery. The left-handed batter tried to smash the ball over mid-wicket but failed to get the desired connection as the red leather went high up in the air, only to be caught by Cameron Green.
Jansen had to make a long walk back to the pavilion on just 2.
With his accurate prediction, Ponting left the fans in awe as they appreciated his call made right before Jansen’s dismissal.
Here’s how Twitterati reacted:
Ricky Ponting calls it and it happened in the next ball. pic.twitter.com/3ejIbAF0zh
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 17, 2022
Ricky Ponting an absolute genius and master of the game.
— Yasir Bhat (@YaserBhatt) December 17, 2022
What a great cricketing mind! https://t.co/9uN5gAurXC
— Irtaza Tanvir (@Irtaza_Tanvir10) December 17, 2022
How often have we seen that happen. Ricky Ponting is probably the sharpest cricket brain around.
Prophetic. https://t.co/W9ImEfFEYJ
— Parth MN (@parthpunter) December 17, 2022
The greatest cricketing mind of this century.. unbelievable
— Ahmad Hassan Kayan! (@kayaniahmad4) December 17, 2022
A true genius and a rarest of rare talent.
— Bicky (@ucntcme90) December 18, 2022
The punter is a freak at this stuff
— Peter Simpson (@PeterSimpson11) December 17, 2022
Ricky Ponting’s commentary there was 🔥. Best in the business #AUSvSA
— Jack Gallaz (@jackgalloway29) December 17, 2022
Genius on and off https://t.co/BoAQBFp7m7
— Deepu (@deepu_speaks) December 17, 2022
Wow! Analysed it better than the Fox guys.
— Jeromy Gride (@jeromygride) December 17, 2022
Just another day at the office for Punter
— PavanKuma₹ 🇮🇳 | ಪವನಕುಮಾರ (@snak9005) December 17, 2022