David Warner's commentary falls flat as Ricky Ponting wows again with 'genius' call

David Warner's first foray into commentary since his retirement from Test and ODI cricket didn't exactly go to plan on Monday night, with the veteran batter copping plenty of criticism online. Warner was in the commentary box for Fox Cricket as the Melbourne Stars battled the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.

Fox Cricket were quick to snap up Warner last year when he hinted that his playing days were coming to an end. And on Monday night, fans got their first look at Warner the commentator since he walked away from Test cricket last week.

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The 37-year-old showed off his chops and insight into the game, but overall his commentary left fans underwhelmed. One social media user wrote: "What's the hiring process from Fox Sports with commentary, David Warner absolute does not have the voice for it which kinda seems like a mandatory prerequisite."

Another wrote: "I hope David Warner continues to play on the T20 circuit for many, many years to come. Anything that keeps him out of the commentary box." While a third added: "I’d rather watch David Warner stinking it up at the crease than listen to him in the commentary box."

Ricky Ponting wows fans with 'genius' commentary call

Others said the sound of Warner in the box made them switch over to Channel 7's coverage of the game, while some put it on the Australian Open instead. It was a completely different story over on 7, with Ricky Ponting winning more praise from fans for another genius piece of commentary.

Ponting is known for his ability to call things before they happen, and has wowed fans over the years with his incredible knowledge and foresight. And it was no different on Monday night as he perfectly predicted how Nathan Coulter-Nile would dismiss Nikhil Chaudhary.

Chaudhary had just taken Coulter-Nile for two runs, but Ponting knew exactly how the bowler would respond. "He'll drag the length back now and take the pace off," Ponting said. "It's what he does so well here at the MCG."

True to form, Coulter-Nile proceeded to bowl a short slower-ball next delivery, with Chaudhary mis-timing his shot to be caught by Glenn Maxwell at mid-off. Co-commentator Alister Nicholson said: "Ricky Ponting all over it."

Fans were once again left in awe, with one writing: "Ricky Ponting could literally be the richest man in the world if he started putting money on the games and the events in them. Never seen a prediction of his go wrong." Another commented: "This isn’t a one off. It’s like he knows what’s going to happen almost every ball. Ponting commentates cricket like he’s watching a replay."

Hurricanes beat Stars but both miss BBL finals

The Hurricanes managed to salvage some pride in another disappointing BBL campaign, beating the Stars by seven runs at the MCG. Neither team managed to qualify for the finals after the Adelaide Strikers sealed the last spot in the top-four with victory over the Sydney Thunder on Sunday night.

Beau Webster (55 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (48) gave the Stars a chance to reach Hobart's total of 8-187, but their hopes were dashed when Stoinis perished to Chris Jordan in the 18th over. Matthew Wade (63) and fellow opener Ben McDermott (50) did the damage for the Hurricanes while batting first.

Since making the BBL final in 2019/20, the Stars have missed the playoffs four years running - finishing seventh, sixth, last and fifth. "We used to have the rep of always making the final and never winning, which I think was was a great rep if you asked me, because it means that we're doing a lot of things right," Stoinis said.

"It was disappointing for us to go missing for two or three years or so. But it also feels like we're building back to what we're capable of, we're a very proud franchise and a proud team."

with AAP

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