During the Ashes Test between Australia and England, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, who was present at the ground as part of the Sky Sports commentary team, faced an unpleasant incident with a rowdy English crowd. After play on day 1, Australia seemed to have a better hold on the game, restricting England to 283 and posting 61 runs on the board with the loss of just one wicket.
However, the match took an unexpected turn when a few spectators pelted grapes at Ricky Ponting, leading to an angry reaction from the legendary cricketer.
The incident occurred as the Sky Sports host conversed with Ricky Ponting to discuss the day’s play. A rowdy section of the English crowd threw grapes at the former Australian captain. Despite the hosts trying to laugh off the incident, Ponting was visibly fuming and expressed his anger at the disrespectful act. He even remarked that he wanted to determine who was responsible for the unruly behavior.
In the video doing rounds on the internet, Ponting says, “A grape has just hit me. I wouldn’t mind finding out who that was actually.”
Hi @piersmorgan & @TheBarmyArmy
— FIFA Womens World Cup Stan account ⚽️ (@MetalcoreMagpie) July 28, 2023
Is this within the spirit of the game?
Pelting grapes at Ponting who’s just a commentator.
I know you’ve lost the Ashes and all talk about Sour grapes pic.twitter.com/xkewu1h8v3
Hi @piersmorgan & @TheBarmyArmy
— FIFA Womens World Cup Stan account ⚽️ (@MetalcoreMagpie) July 28, 2023
Is this within the spirit of the game?
Pelting grapes at Ponting who’s just a commentator.
I know you’ve lost the Ashes and all talk about Sour grapes pic.twitter.com/xkewu1h8v3
Hi @piersmorgan & @TheBarmyArmy
— FIFA Womens World Cup Stan account ⚽️ (@MetalcoreMagpie) July 28, 2023
Is this within the spirit of the game?
Pelting grapes at Ponting who’s just a commentator.
I know you’ve lost the Ashes and all talk about Sour grapes pic.twitter.com/xkewu1h8v3
Hi @piersmorgan & @TheBarmyArmy
— FIFA Womens World Cup Stan account ⚽️ (@MetalcoreMagpie) July 28, 2023
Is this within the spirit of the game?
Pelting grapes at Ponting who’s just a commentator.
I know you’ve lost the Ashes and all talk about Sour grapes pic.twitter.com/xkewu1h8v3
Amidst the controversial incident, it is worth noting that Australia has retained the Ashes after rain washed out the last two days of the fourth Test. As a result, the WTC (World Test Championship) winners lead the series 2-1 going into the fifth and final Test.