Heart scare for Aussie legend Ponting
Former skipper taken to hospital while commentating on Windies test
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was taken to hospital yesterday after suffering a heart problem while commentating during the third day of Australia’s first test against West Indies at Perth Stadium, reports said.
Ponting left the stadium around lunchtime after feeling unwell.
The 47-year-old, who is part of the Seven Network’s commentary team for Australia’s two-test home series against West Indies, told colleagues he was feeling all right but went to a hospital as a precaution.
“Ricky Ponting is unwell and will not be providing commentary for the remainder of today’s coverage,” a spokesman for broadcaster Channel 7 said in a statement to Australian media.
“It’s not yet known if Ponting will return to commentate on Saturday, or the remainder of the test.”
Australia captain Pat Cummins wished Ponting well following the third day’s play.
“We were just chatting to him this morning out on the field,” Cummins said. “By all reports it sounds like he’s going OK, but anything like that is obviously super scary. I wish him the best.”
Ponting, who retired from international cricket in 2012, played 168 tests for Australia and is one of cricket’s most successful captains with 48 wins in 77 tests.
He has coached the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
Australia took a grip on the first test with Cummins bagging his 200th wicket as they bowled out a resolute West Indies then piled on more runs to stretch their lead to a commanding 344.
The visitors were dismissed for 283 in the final session yesterday after the hosts declared their first innings at 598 for four on the back of double centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
David Warner, on 17, and Labuschagne, on three, then hammered home Australia’s advantage after they opted against the follow-on to bat again to reach 29 for one.
“You always bowl better when you’re slightly fresher, there’s really not too many instances where the follow-on is realistic,” Cummins said.
“I felt like all the guys stuck to it really well today. Even the first session, we didn’t really get rewards but I felt we were in it. Happy everyone stuck at it,” he added.
The West Indies, who have not won a test on Australian soil in 25 years, started on 74 without loss and made it to lunch with just the loss of debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 51 and with Nkrumah Bonner retiring hurt after a blow to the head from a Cameron Green delivery.
But Cummins bowled fellow skipper and danger man Kraigg Brathwaite for 64 soon after the break – his 200th test wicket – and the momentum swung back in Australia’s favour.
Three wickets fell in the second session before Mitchell Starc took the new ball and proved almost unplayable, removing Kyle Mayers and Joshua Da Silva.