27 July 2023 , 18:21
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Australia legend Ricky Ponting vowed to get revenge on whoever threw a grape at him during a live Sky Sports broadcast.
The former Aussie captain glared into the crowd at The Oval after being struck as he helped presenter Ian Ward interview spinner Todd Murphy at the end of the first day's play.
Murphy had taken the wickets of Moeen Ali and Mark Wood as he posted figures of 2-22 in the first innings, with England dismissed for 283.
Australia finished day one on 61-1, with David Warner the only man out, and as Ward and Ponting spoke to Murphy a grape was visible on the ground.
Ward wrapped up the interview by joking with Ponting about "getting pelted", but the Aussie great - who had a spell at The Oval with Surrey in 2013 - looked far from impressed.
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Ponting glared into the crowd in an awkward moment, saying "I've just been hit by a grape. I wouldn't mind finding out who that was actually."
Murphy had been scheduled to come in as Australia's nightwatchman had a late wicket fallen, and he said he was pleased he didn't have to make his way into the middle.
"That's the worst feeling in cricket knowing you're next in [as nightwatchman] as a bowler. But it's one of those things you've got to do and I'm glad the boys got through to stumps," he said.
Ponting was fuming after being struck (Sky Sports)"Winning the toss and bowling, the first objective is to bowl them out. We managed to do that, we created a lot of chances - it would've been nice if we could've held on to all of them but it's a good day, all in all. To be 61-1 at the end is nice.
"As a spinner you just want to get into the game and be involved, it was nice to get in nice and early and do a little bit.
"When they're playing the sort of cricket that they are, it almost comes back to one-day cricket where you have to mix and match and be brave at times, and also be smart. Make sure when they're coming at you, it's on your terms."
Ward and Ponting then spoke to Harry Brook, who top scored in England's innings with 85.
"I think we've had a good day in the end. We were talking about 250 being a good score at about lunchtime so to get up to 280 we were pretty happy with," he said.
"Australia are so persistent in their lengths, especially Pat Cummins. As soon as he gets a little bit out of the pitch, he's very tough to face - I felt like I got battered on the inner thigh pad all day!
Harry Brook made 85 in England's first innings (Getty Images)"We ended up scoring at a decent rate but they were bowling really well. The way we're playing, we're always going to try and take them their lengths because Pat doesn't miss much.
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"So as long as I get down to the pitch of the ball or stay back and give myself a bit of width - it's challenging but it's those little risks you've got to take.
"I know it looks madness when we're all there and scoring quick but we've always had little moments where we have had to rein it in and soak up the pressure. We don't tend to take long to put the pressure back on them."