Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting has been rushed to a hospital during the first Test between Australia and West Indies in Perth. Reports say Ponting had a health scare and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital.
The Daily Telegraph reported Punter was rushed to the Perth hospital at around lunchtime on day three. Ponting has reportedly told colleagues that he is feeling fine but went to the hospital for checks as a precaution.
A Channel 7 spokesperson released a statement regarding the Ponting situation which said, “Ricky Ponting is unwell and will not be providing commentary for the remainder of today’s coverage.”
Considered one of the greatest captains of all time, Ponting was at the helm of Australia during their golden era of dominance. Under Punter, Australia won back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and also took home the Champions Trophy in 2006.
Ponting is also the second-most successful Test captain of all time as he led the Aussies to 48 wins. He also captained Australia to 16 consecutive Test wins and his predecessor Steve Waugh's world record.
With 168 Tests and 375 ODIs for Australia, Ponting also emerged as one best in the world. He is his country's leading run-scorer in Tests with 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85 including 41 centuries. He also leads Australia in ODIs as well with 13,589 runs including 29 hundreds and 82 half-centuries. He was also part of Australia's World Cup-winning campaign in 1999.
After a stellar career, Ponting announced his retirement in 2012 and is currently the coach for Delhi Capitals. Ponting's heart scare comes less than a year after former Australia teammate Shane Warne passed away following a cardiac arrest.
The current Australian Test captain Pat Cummins wished Ponting the best as he addressed the media after the day's play. "I wish Ricky the best," Pat Cummins said after play on day three.
"We were just chatting to him this morning out on the field. By all reports, it sounds like he's going okay. Anything like that is super scary, so we wish him the best."