Stuart Broad Stuns Ricky Ponting With On-Air Dig as Aussie Commentator Hits Back
Stuart Broad was called out for his 'nonsense' on the Ashes broadcast.
Nasir Jabbar
Stuart Broad stunned Ricky Ponting with his on-air remark during the first day of the fifth Test of the Ashes series.
Bad weather in Sydney restricted play on the first day of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series.
At the start of the day, Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat, with the tourists posting 211-3 at stumps.
Joe Root and Harry Brook both hit half centuries as they shared an unbeaten 154-run partnership.
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Root and Brook batted superbly against the Australian seamers, with the hosts opting against picking a spinner.
It meant Australia went into a Test match at the SCG without a spinner for the first time since 1888.
Australia breaking a 138-year tradition was brought up on the broadcast of Channel 7, where Tim Lane, Broad and Ponting were on commentary.
Lane, 74, said: "The first time since 1888 Australia has gone into a Test at the SCG without a spinner."
Broad cheekily replied: "Did you call that game, Tim?"
The England legend's comment stunned Ponting, who leant back on his chair and smirked at his fellow commentator.
Lane hilariously fired back as he left Broad red-faced.
The Australian broadcaster jokingly fired back: "It's a very old joke and I thought you were above that kind of nonsense, Stuart. But I've learnt to live with it for a very long time."
Brook was not out on 78 at stumps on the first day of the fifth Test.
He hit seven boundaries, including a six, as he aims to reach three-figures on Day 2.
Speaking after his terrific knock at the SCG, Brook said he was expecting to face more spin on this tour.
"I was expecting to face a little bit more spin," he said. "Something came up on the TV that there’s only been 60 overs or something per side this whole series. So yeah, I was expecting to face more spin than we have, but their seamers have been outstanding this whole series.
"They’ve been relentless and they’ve hit the length over and over again. So you can see why they’ve gone with a five-seam attack this week; five-, six-seam attack. However many they’ve got in there."
Michael Atherton claimed the lack of spin bowling deprived fans of variety.
"It means the cricket we have seen in this series has been a bit one-dimensional," he explained.
"Looking at the pitch [on day one in Sydney] you wouldn't say it offered enough for five seamers but that is not to say it is going to turn on the last day either. We will have to wait and see.
"[Not picking a spinner] may be a reflection on Murphy - if Lyon had been fit, I imagine he might have played. Murphy is not a bad bowler but he is no Lyon."