AUS vs ENG: "We've Been Heavily Outnumbered" - Ricky Ponting On Commentators Battle During Ashes 2023

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, who is doing the commentary duties in the ongoing Ashes 2023, talked about his battle with fellow English colleagues. He revealed about off-field banter within the WhatsApp group and said that they have been heavily outnumbered

England and Australia have produced a magnificent performance in the ongoing Ashes 2023. The on-field battle between the two teams has probably been the best fans have witnessed as both the teams have fought tooth and nail and have given immense entertainment to fans.

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Apart from the on-field battle, the off-field banter between fans and in particular commentaries have been keeping up the excitement equally up. In the ongoing series, there have been only 3 Australian commentators in the Sky Sports panel in Mark Taylor and Ponting alongside Mel Jones.

They have been engaged in funny tiffs with England commentators related to the series and it’s fair to say that it has kept the excitement equally up even outside the cricket.

Ricky Ponting said that he’s a man of few words but when he gets pricked and poked enough then he has to respond to defend his country. He admitted that they have been outnumbered before adding what players are experiencing on the field they are doing the same in the commentary box. Speaking on ICC review, he said:

“I’m a man of few words until I get pricked and poked enough and then I have to come out and defend myself or defend my country. There’s only been Mark Taylor and I as the only Aussies that have been in the commentary box, although Mel Jones was there for the first couple of games. So we’ve been heavily outnumbered, there’s no doubt about that.

“You reckon the English players were not happy that they couldn’t get back out (on to the field). Well the same feeling was bouncing around the commentary box and all sorts of accusations made at me for doing rain dances and everything.”

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AUS vs ENG: Everyone thinks I’m still playing, still part of the team – Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting further went on to say that with the kind of emotions he’s going through everyone feels that he’s still playing and is part of the team. He explained:

“So look, I think I’m pretty good at holding my own. I mean, the point with this as well is I think everyone, everyone sort of spectator wise, and I think even to a certain degree in the commentary box is almost like everyone thinks I’m still playing, still part of the team, and it means as much to me now as when I played.”

The Ashes series currently stands at 2-1 with Australia in the lead. The fifth and final Test of Ashes 2023 will be played from 27th July at The Oval in London.

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