Greg Blewett’s reaction said it all after Ricky Ponting produced another moment of absolute genius while in commentary on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test. Ponting is well-known for his predictions that he usually gets exactly right, and he often calls things before they happen.
The Australian cricket legend is always one step ahead of the viewers, and showed his nous again on Friday at the MCG. Ponting was in commentary for Channel 7 when he called Alex Carey’s downfall just moments before it eventuated in real time.
Ricky Ponting (L) delivered another genius moment, and Greg Blewett (R) was gobsmacked. Image: Channel 7
Ponting noticed that England captain Ben Stokes had put a leg-slip in place for Carey, and noted the Aussie wicket-keeper often struggles with short balls at his body early in his innings. “A slight change in the field now as that leg-slip comes in,” Ponting said. “Alex Carey was out in Adelaide gloving one down the leg-side.”
Ponting then perfectly predicted how Stokes would look to get Carey out. “Stokes has predominantly been angling the ball back into the rib-cage area,” he said just seconds before Carey clipped the ball straight to the fielder in question.
“Just like that,” co-commentator James Brayshaw said. Sitting next to Ponting in commentary, Blewett was gobsmacked. The former Test opener’s mouth fell open as he marvelled at another one of Ponting’s genius moments.
Cricket fans blown away after Ricky Ponting does it again
Ponting has one of the best cricket brains in the world, and fans never tire of seeing him show it off. Channel 7 posted a clip of his latest prediction coming right, which had garnered over 120,000 views on X as of Saturday morning. On Facebook it had been watched over 470,000 times.
The 7Cricket account wrote: “Unsure what’s better here…Ricky Ponting saying exactly what England are trying to do. That happening exactly on cue to get Carey out. Ponting and Blewett’s reaction right after it happened…”
Greg Blewett’s (L) reaction said it all after Ricky Ponting (R) did it again. Image: Channel 7
Ponting put his microphone down and looked at Blewett with a little smirk. It was similar to what happened in the third Test in Adelaide when he called Pat Cummins’ dismissal before it happened.
One fan wrote online: “Ponting is the smartest, most astute, and most visionary commentator going around. The amount of times he does this is incredible. Makes you understand why he was such a great captain. This isn’t a fluke – this is Ricky being Ricky!”
Another person wrote: “This right here is why Ricky needs to become coach of the Aussie team.” While a third joked: “Punter, when Australia is batting please predict boundaries instead.”