Ponting back at commentary box after overcoming chest scare; Day 4 of Australia vs West Indies Test
Australia vs West Indies Test: The two-time World Cup-winning captain felt “unwell with sharp pains and dizziness” during the lunch break on day 3 of the Australia and West Indies Test.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting felt “all shiny and new” as he was back at the commentary box in the Australia and West Indies opening Test here on Saturday after overcoming a heart-related scare.
“I probably scared a lot of people yesterday and had a scary moment for myself,” Ponting admitted on the Channel 7 broadcast ahead of day four on Saturday.
“I was sitting in the commentary box halfway through the stint (on day three) and got a couple of really short and sharp pains to my chest. Also, tried to stretch it out and get rid of it, and probably didn’t want to give too much away when I was on air.”
His former teammate and current commentary partner Justin Langer helped Ponting walk down the stairs. Also, found Australian team doctor Leigh Golding, before the hospital.
“I had a couple of those incidents, got through the stint and went to walk to the back of the commentary box and got lightheaded and dizzy and grabbed the bench.
“I mentioned to JL (Langer) on the way out, who was commentating with me, that I had had these pains in my chest and Chris Jones heard me and just reacted straight away and got me out of there. 10 or 15 minutes later, I was in the hospital getting the best treatment that I possibly could.”
Ponting mentions as he had a “relaxing” afternoon in hospital and a good sleep to recover.
Also, he was on high alert with Shane Warne and Rod Marsh dying from shock heart attacks and Ryan Campbell. Also at one stage placed into an induced coma “I think the bottom line is, the fact that I was willing to share it with JL and the fact that your mate looks after you. I think as people of our age, we are a little reluctant to share much or talk about our health.
“I think that is a good learning curve for me yesterday, especially with what has happened in the last 12-18 months to really close people around us.”
AUS vs WI Test: Former Australian batting great and captain Ricky Ponting rushed to the hospital due to a health scare outlets.
Ricky Ponting was Rushed to Hospital After Suffering a Health Scare on Day 3 Of Aus vs WI Test: Day 3 Of Australia vs West Indies Test
AUS vs WI Test; Day 4 of Australia vs West Indies Test
Day 4 – Session 1: Labuschagne follows 204 with 104* before Australia declare 497 in front
Australia declared 497 runs in front after Labuschagne rode some luck to become just the third Australian after Greg Chappell and Doug Walters to score a double-century. He reached the milestone just before lunch with a glance to the boundary and celebrated by taking off his helmet.
Labuschagne’s 308 runs in the Test came amid a personal run spree at Optus Stadium. After he scored 143 and 50 against New Zealand three years ago in the last Test played at the ground.
But opener David Warner missed an opportunity to make a big score after falling for 48 in the first session. Warner, who has not made a Test century since January 2020. Also, was unable to convert a strong start and fell to spinner Roston Chase.
