Ricky Ponting is a certified legend of the cricketing world with more than 27,000 runs across all three formats of international cricket and having won three World Cup tournaments, two as captain of the Australian team.
However, recently the world of cricket and its fans were in for a head-scratching surprise after taking a closer look at golfer Brian Harman, who won the 151st British Open Championship.
The American has been the center of social media banter in cricketing circles, with many pointing out the similarities between him and Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Ricky Ponting.
“Yeah, I hear a lot of Ricky, Ricky's out there. Yeah, I look like him ... handsome fella,” Brian Harman said during his post-round news conference on Saturday.
Harman did enjoy the comparisons between him and Ponting, but when asked to talk about the game of cricket, he conceded not knowing much about it.
“Okay, on my first trip here, it was always on TV, Sky Sports Cricket. I think I would be the typical American cricket fan in that. What's the one where they just try to knock the hell out of the thing all the time? Over 20? I enjoy that where the guy was just knocking it over the fence. Well, they're running back and forth. Is that run every time? I'm getting there. I've got an open mind. I like it!” he said.
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The official Twitter handle of The Open Championship also shared a collage of Ricky Ponting and Brian Harman to point out the similarities.
“The former Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting…The leader of The Open Brian Harman,” read the tweet.
This led to a few cricketers taking shots at Ricky Ponting and one of them was England keeper Sam Billings. Sharing a photo of Harman on Twitter, Billings wrote, “Ricky Ponting,” along with a clapping hands emoji.
Delhi Capitals, whom Ricky Ponting coaches in the IPL, and former England women’s cricketer Isa Guha also shared their surprise on the social media platform.
