Ricky Ponting brilliance shows he can tell the future

Ricky Ponting could see it coming from a mile away.

The former Australian Test captain needed Pakistan to do exactly what he had done on Day 2 at the SCG to dismiss David Warner, setting the stage for a masterclass in cricket commentary.

Warner, on Thursday, fell victim to a tricky piece of spin bowling from Azhar Ali just before lunch, creating a bizarre scene as he tumbled over a challenging delivery and, while still on the ground, received applause from the Sydney crowd.

Warner had put in the hard yards to get into his innings, but moments before his dismissal, he faced a tricky delivery from spinner Azhar Ali. The unusual sight unfolded when Warner, still on the ground after the fall, acknowledged the cheers from the Sydney crowd as he made his way back to the pavilion.

Ponting had called for a bowling change from Pakistan just moments before the incident, suggesting a shift in the bowling attack to include Azhar Ali in the assault.

Pakistan was clearly tuned in, introducing the spinner in the next change – an immediate impact creating a ripple of rewards.

Warner was squared up by a delivery that bounced and gathered a high outside edge before popping up to Babar Azam at slip.

It’s exactly what Ponting had advised the tourists to do.

He speaks about the scoring rate of Australian openers. “Usman Khawaja changed his scoring rate mostly against spin, when Sajid Khan came into the attack. It might be worth thinking about the change in spin,” he said on Channel 7.

“Salman was quite effective with his off-spin in the first two Test matches. He didn’t bowl many loose deliveries.

“It feels like he has a bit more work on the ball against Sajid’s match-up. Today, he didn’t change much, Sajid. Salman is there. A little bit of spin before the lunch break could be worthwhile.”

When Salman claimed a wicket, the Channel 7 commentary team said, “Ricky Ponting has done it again.”

Former Australian coach Justin Langer was concerned.

“Ricky, have you ever captained a team before?” the former opening batsman exclaimed.

Ponting replied, “Once or twice in the IPL. That was a bowling spell.

“I just felt like he [Sajid Khan] was working the ball quite a bit against Warner, and he’s extracted something from the surface above the wicket. He got Warner caught and he was gone.

If Australia puts up a big total or rain impacts the match, this could be Warner’s last batting in Test cricket, as revealed by Fox Cricket analyst Kerry O’Keeffe.

He uncovered where Warner went wrong, stating, “He worked very hard for Warner, but the change in bowling didn’t work,” he said.