Time and again, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has proven to be one of the most knowledgeable cricket analysts. Ponting was a sensational reader of the game and had dazzling skills to anticipate the aftermaths – something which he still exhibits in the commentary.
Not so long ago, the Tasmanian had perfectly predicted Cameron Green’s dismissal during the second Test between Australia and England in the ongoing Ashes 2021-22. Ponting had observed that Green had a tendency to start his batting with an open stance, and the England bowlers will bowl full to target his stumps. As soon as Ponting made the analysis, Ben Stokes bowled a full delivery and cleaned up Green.
Now again, Ponting has come up with a superior prediction in the recently concluded fourth Ashes Test in Sydney on Sunday. The 47-year-old accurately called out the dismissal of Jack Leach off Steve Smith‘s bowling in the third last over of the Test match.
In the last half hour of the fifth day’s play, Australian skipper Pat Cummins was forced to use spinners for the final three overs due to the fading light in the Sydney Cricket Ground. Cummins decided to hand over the bowl to his deputy Smith.
Smith, who had started his career as a leg-spinner, proved his captain’s move right by dismissing Leach to bring Australia just one wicket away from the victory. Although, the potential game-changing moment was already predicted by Ponting, who was on air at that time.
When Smith was approaching to bowl the delivery, Ponting prophesied that the New South Wales cricketer should drop the ball on the footmarks near the batter to gain the maximum advantage.
“Can he just get something to explode out of the footmark? That’s what he’s trying to do, he’s getting it wide outside the off stump, catch a footmark…” said Ponting while commentating for 7 Cricket.
Ponting’s analysis came true as Smith’s delivery went on to hit the footmark near Leach’s off-stump and carried the outside edge of batter, which was caught by David Warner at the slip.
Here is the video:
"Can he just get something to explode out of the footmark? That's what he's trying to do, he's getting it wide outside the off stump, catch a footmark…
"About there! ABOUT THERE!" – Ricky Ponting
STEVE SMITH WICKET #Ashes pic.twitter.com/5w5ZjZE58J
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 9, 2022
