Ricky Ponting has again taken aim at Jofra Archer, after a poor start to Day 2 from the England star helped Mitchell Starc to his second consecutive half-century.
Resuming on 33 not out, Starc took just two overs to post his 50, hitting four boundaries off Archer and Brydon Carse.
After a fifth boundary in the third over of the day, Archer got some revenge after bowling the Australian star for 54, having made 21 runs off just 12 balls on Day 2.
On Channel 7, Ponting, who ‘champed’ Archer during his confrontation with Steve Smith in the dying stages of the Brisbane Test, teed off at the 30-year old again, and in particular his low pace in his first over.
“I wouldn’t accept it – it is unacceptable, and we see it too often,” Ponting said.
“Jofra Archer bowling at 135km/h when you know he has 150 in the locker.
“You talk about seizing opportunities … when Australia get away they run with the momentum.”
What an unbelievable series he's having!
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Mitchell Starc brings up another 5⃣0⃣
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Archer failed to reach 140 km/h in his first over, which also featured a full toss and several wide balls down the leg side.
Ponting didn’t take long to get stuck into Carse, either, after his first over was similarly poor.
“This is a reaction to how poorly they have bowled, one slip to a tailender,” he said.
“And that will be four more, that is rubbish.”
The wayward start prompted some words from captain Ben Stokes mid-over.
“Some words are happening now, along the lines of come on, mate, you need to be better than that,” Ponting commentated.
“I’ve given you the responsibility and the new ball, you have to take it for me and your team.”
England’s post-wicket huddle after Starc’s dismissal featured another exchange between Stokes and Archer, with Ponting praising Stokes’ captaincy while further criticising the star quick.
“That should have happened before the first ball. The example is what would Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc have done?” the former Australian captain said.
“They don’t take long to warm up, they are not willing to give any momentum to the opposition team.”
The wicket didn’t cool Ponting down either, going at Archer again over a poor throw from fine leg in Carse’s next over.
“Another example of what would drive me mad – that ball has dribbled to Jofra Archer at fine leg and he has thrown at 15 metres over the top of the keeper’s head,” Ponting said.
“You have certain standards and values you have to live by every day if you want to be a champion team. You have to have things that are acceptable and things that are not acceptable.
“There have been a few things not acceptable for a Test player – look at this! As easy as you like, put it over the keeper’s head.”
Archer had been the pick of England’s bowlers on Day 1, taking 3/29 off 16 overs.
He would go on to take the last two wickets of the innings to finish with 5/53.
The Roarhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/12/18/that-is-rubbish-ponting-blasts-archer-poms-again-over-unacceptable-first-over/‘That is rubbish’: Ponting blasts Archer, Poms again over ‘unacceptable’ start to Day 2
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