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Ricky Ponting rushed to hospital after suffering cardiac issues amid first Australia vs West Indies Test

'Ricky Ponting is unwell and will not be providing commentary for the remainder of today’s coverage,' said a Channel 7 spokesperson

BY PIYUSH ARORA

PUBLISHED DEC 2, 2022

Ricky Ponting is believed to be still under observation in hospital (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: The former Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting was rushed to a local hospital in Perth on Friday, December 2, after suffering a health scare during the first Australia vs West Indies Test match. The Australian batting legend was commenting on the third day of the series opener when he left the Optus Stadium in Perth around lunch time.

“Ricky Ponting is unwell and will not be providing commentary for the remainder of today’s coverage,” a Channel 7 spokesperson was quoted by the Daily Telegraph. The report also claimed that Ponting, who retired from international cricket in 2012, told his colleagues that he is experiencing dizzy spells.

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Ponting, 47, was privately driven to Royal Perth hospital at lunchtime and is believed to be still there under observation approaching stumps on day three. He reportedly had a heart scare which is perceived to be not serious. He also is believed to have deliberately sought assistance due to symptoms he was having. It is unknown at this time if Ponting will participate in commentary duties on the fourth day of the Test.

Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting commentates for Seven during day two of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 07, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. — Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting commentates for Seven during day two of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 07, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Former players of the sport are thought to be extremely cautious about any potential health issues following the recent deaths of cricket greats Shane Warne, Andrew Symonds and Dean Jones. The spin legend, Warne unexpectedly died in March this year after suffering a lethal heart attack in Thailand. The former Australian bowler was just 52 years old. Another former Test player Ryan Campbell, gratefully survived a cardiac arrest in April this year at age 50.

Ricky Ponting of Australia blows a kiss to his wife Rianna on reaching his double century during the second day of the 2nd Test between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval on December 13, 2003 in Adelaide, Australia. — Ricky Ponting of Australia blows a kiss to his wife Rianna on reaching his double century during the second day of the 2nd Test between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval on December 13, 2003 in Adelaide, Australia (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Talking about Ponting, he is one of the greatest right batsmen Australia has ever produced. In his 17-year-old long career, Ponting played 168 tests for Australia, including 77 times as captain. He also led his dangerous Australian team in 229 one-day matches. He is the most successful captain in international cricket history, with 220 victories in 324 matches with a winning rate of 67.91.

He also secured his place on the legends table after scoring 13378 test and 13704 ODI runs. Ponting is also joint second with Virat Kohli in the list of most hundreds in international cricket. Following his retirement in 2012, he has since dabbled in commentary and has had coaching stints with the Australian men’s team and currently is the head coach of the IPL (Indian Premiere League) franchise, Delhi Capitals.