Cricket Clash: Ponting and Langer’s IPL Commitments Threaten Aussie Test Coverage
The highly anticipated opening Test between Australia and India next Friday could see two Aussie cricketing legends, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, miss parts of the match, as they navigate a clash of commitments with their Indian Premier League (IPL) coaching roles.
Ponting, the head coach of the Punjab Kings, and Langer, who leads the Lucknow Super Giants, are both due to feature in Channel Seven’s coverage of the Test. However, the timing of the IPL’s mega auction, set to take place in Jeddah on November 24-25, coincides with the third and fourth days of the opening Test, potentially pulling the pair away from the broadcast.
Adding to the complication is the fact that Australia’s assistant coach, Dan Vettori, is the head coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, further exacerbating the clash of commitments.
Channel Seven, though, has assured that Ponting and Langer will be present in the commentary box for the entirety of the first Test, despite the IPL auction’s timing. The network recently renewed Ponting’s contract, and Langer joined the team in July 2022 after declining a coaching opportunity with the Hobart Hurricanes.
The situation highlights the current landscape of international cricket, where franchise tournaments like the IPL can lure away not only players but also top-level coaches from national teams and broadcasters. Ponting, in particular, will have a sizable budget to work with at the auction, potentially leaving the Test match early to attend the event in Jeddah.
The opening Test in Perth is set to be a fiery affair, with both teams looking to bounce back from recent setbacks. Ponting and India coach Gautam Gambhir have also exchanged barbs in the lead-up, adding to the anticipation surrounding the clash.
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