Ricky Ponting stuns fans with David Warner commentary call as viewers question Channel 7 move

Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting has once again shown his uncanny ability in commentary to make accurate predictions as fans question why he was moved from Channel 7's commentary team in Brisbane. Cricket fans have been questioning why Channel 7 have opted to use Ponting during the opening week of the BBL, instead of the third Test in Brisbane against India. But it only took a few minutes for viewers to see why his insight in all forms of the game is so valued.

David Warner was featuring in his first game as franchise captain with plenty of hype around his Sydney Thunder team. The Adelaide Strikers set the Thunder 8-182 to chase down, which left Warner primed for a big run chase.

The left-hander was facing his very first ball against Matt Short and Ponting made the prediction Warner might opt to immediately reverse sweep against the spin. "He might try reverse sweeps early on here, against Matt Short," Ponting said in Channel 7 commentary.

"The ball is turning away, he might try and turn around and hit some right-handed shots. There he goes, first ball." Warner did exactly this and happened to reverse-hit Short for a boundary on the very first ball he faced.

This left Ponting's co-commentator stunned at the call, before Ponting explained the reason behind his prediction. "The reason Matt Short has bowled the first over is to try and spin the ball away from the left-hander. Davey understands that and this is a much easier shot for him," Ponting added.

Unfortunately for Warner, his innings did not last long at all with the opener dismissed for just seven runs in his first BBL outing of this campaign. And interestingly, it was young batting talent Sam Konstas that shone the brightest in his BBL debut. The 19-year-old is predicted by many to go on and open for Australia in Test cricket.

And he showed his talent against the white-ball as well having hit a 20-ball half-century to set-up the Thunders' successful run-chase. Konstas became the youngest player to ever score a half-century for the Thunder and has already eclipsed Warner's record having hit the franchise's fastest-ever 50.

Daniel Sams then hit 31 off the last over to give the Thunder a victory with two-wickets remaining on the last ball of the match. While all eyes were on Warner to start the contest, Konstas has once again shown why so many are singing his praises with a Test opening position soon becoming available.

Channel 7 cop backlash over Ricky Ponting move

Ponting has been widely lauded for parting his cricket knowledge onto listeners in the commentary box during the Australian summer. But fans were shocked when he was absent at the Gabba on the second day of the third Test.

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This was because he was sent to Perth for the BBL season opener between the Scorchers and Melbourne Stars. This didn't set well with many fans who claimed the best commentators should be used for Australia's Test matches, rather than the BBL.

However, it could also show the changing nature of cricket with Channel 7 making sure there is plenty of hype around the T20 format, which is going on at the same time as the Test series against India. Regardless, fans were left upset they couldn't listen to Ponting's insight as Australia chase victory against a battling India in Brisbane with the series locked at 1-1.