Australian legend Ricky Ponting is disappointed over the clash between the IPL 2025 mega auction and the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He labelled the scheduling as "the worst possible case scenario".
The clash has forced Ponting, former Australian coach Justin Langer and other key personalities like Australia bowling coach Daniel Vettori to prioritise their IPL commitments over the crucial series-opener.
The IPL auction is scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It will have Ponting (head coach of Punjab Kings), Langer (coach of Lucknow Super Giants), and Vettori (coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad) absent from significant portions of the Perth Test. Ponting and Langer will do the commentary for Channel 7 on the first day of the first Test before flying to Jeddah.
Ponting expressed his frustration with the timing, which disrupts the preparation and broadcast dynamics for one of cricket's most highly anticipated series. "It's the worst possible case scenario for me and JL (Justin Langer)," Ponting told Sports Today.
"We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there's a lot of players in both teams in the auction," added Ponting.
He also felt that the scheduling had something to do with broadcast.
"So I always thought it would've been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody. But I don't know why they've chosen the dates they have - it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast," said Ponting.
"I'm calling the first day then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we're going through our auction, we'll see when I can return. Hopefully I'll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I'll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide," he added.
The auction will be held 10 minutes after the end of third day's play. It has raised questions about its scheduling.
Channel Seven confirmed that Ponting and Langer would return for the day-night Test in Adelaide starting December 6. Chris Jones, Seven's director of sport, defended their absence, saying that their insights in the IPL auction was important for their teams.
"The IPL auction involves the world's best coaches and analysts, and both Ricky and Justin bring unrivalled insights to our coverage," Jones said.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has made adjustments to accommodate the absence of Vettori, who will miss the entire first Test. Lachlan Stevens, head of Australia's under-19 program, will join the team.
The clash has forced Ponting, former Australian coach Justin Langer and other key personalities like Australia bowling coach Daniel Vettori to prioritise their IPL commitments over the crucial series-opener.
The IPL auction is scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It will have Ponting (head coach of Punjab Kings), Langer (coach of Lucknow Super Giants), and Vettori (coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad) absent from significant portions of the Perth Test. Ponting and Langer will do the commentary for Channel 7 on the first day of the first Test before flying to Jeddah.
Ponting expressed his frustration with the timing, which disrupts the preparation and broadcast dynamics for one of cricket's most highly anticipated series. "It's the worst possible case scenario for me and JL (Justin Langer)," Ponting told Sports Today.
"We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there's a lot of players in both teams in the auction," added Ponting.
He also felt that the scheduling had something to do with broadcast.
"So I always thought it would've been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody. But I don't know why they've chosen the dates they have - it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast," said Ponting.
"I'm calling the first day then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we're going through our auction, we'll see when I can return. Hopefully I'll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I'll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide," he added.
The auction will be held 10 minutes after the end of third day's play. It has raised questions about its scheduling.
Channel Seven confirmed that Ponting and Langer would return for the day-night Test in Adelaide starting December 6. Chris Jones, Seven's director of sport, defended their absence, saying that their insights in the IPL auction was important for their teams.
"The IPL auction involves the world's best coaches and analysts, and both Ricky and Justin bring unrivalled insights to our coverage," Jones said.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has made adjustments to accommodate the absence of Vettori, who will miss the entire first Test. Lachlan Stevens, head of Australia's under-19 program, will join the team.
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