MLC 2025: Ricky Ponting turns waterboy for son as he braves heat in the nets session
Image credit: Washington Freedom
The cricketing world was treated to a nostalgic glimpse of
Ricky Ponting
's brilliance — not from the man himself, but through the bat of his son, Fletcher William Ponting. During a net session with Washington Freedom in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) season, young Fletcher turned heads with his graceful strokeplay, sparking immediate comparisons to his legendary father.
A video posted by Washington Freedom's official handle captured Fletcher effortlessly unfurling elegant pull shots and textbook drives — shots reminiscent of Ricky Ponting's classic repertoire.
Glenn Maxwell, who bowled to him during the session, looked visibly impressed as the youngster timed his strokes with remarkable ease.
In the same clip, Fletcher is seen engaging with his father, receiving batting tips in a warm yet focused exchange.
The similarities in technique, body language, and shot selection between father and son left fans both impressed and nostalgic — and reignited hopes that the Ponting legacy may yet find its next chapter on the international stage.
WATCH:
While it remains to be seen if Fletcher will pursue cricket professionally, early glimpses of his talent suggest a bright future could be on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Washington Freedom continued their strong run in the MLC with a thrilling five-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders in a last-ball nail-biter in Dallas.
With this victory, Freedom moved closer to securing a playoffs berth and climbed to second place on the points table, overtaking the Texas Super Kings in the race for a top-two finish.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Time to bring in Kuldeep Yadav': Ex-India cricketers drop big hint ahead of 2nd Test at Edgbaston
Kuldeep Yadav (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: Will Jasprit Bumrah feature in the second Test against England? What changes will India make after their defeat in the first Test? Will Kuldeep Yadav be brought into the mix? Who might be left out of the playing XI? These are some of the many questions being asked as India look to bounce back and level the series 1-1 when the second Test begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 2. The Indian team management has already stated that Bumrah, due to workload management and his injury history, will only play three of the five Tests — although it's still unclear which matches those will be. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! In the first Test at Leeds, Bumrah took a five-wicket haul in the first innings but went wicketless in the second, bowling nearly 44 overs in total as England chased down 371. Kuldeep Yadav's exclusion from the first Test raised eyebrows, but after the loss, he is now being strongly considered for inclusion in the second Test, with the surface in Birmingham expected to assist spinners. 'Kis tarah se hum Kuldeep Yadav ko team la sakte hain ["How can we bring Kuldeep Yadav into the team?]. The team will have to give some thought to how we can bring Kuldeep Yadav into the XI, because judging by the approach we saw from the England batters in the first Test, Kuldeep — who bowls wrist spin — could be effective. Historically, England's batters haven't played wrist spin particularly well. So that is definitely something worth considering,' former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bring home all new SP125 & get an instant cashback up to ₹5000# Honda Learn More Undo Kuldeep Yadav spins it tight at Edgbaston Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath believes India should bring in both Kuldeep and pacer Arshdeep Singh for the Edgbaston Test. "I think one change could be replacing Shardul — I'd definitely look to include a bowler. And maybe instead of Prasidh Krishna, I'd look to add some variety. So probably, my changes would be Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav coming into the XI. But then again, the final XI will depend on the conditions," Badrinath said. India's five-match Test series against England began with the first game at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20 to 24, where England secured a five-wicket win. The second Test will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from July 2 to 6, followed by the third at Lord's, London, from July 10 to 14. The fourth Test is scheduled at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 to 27, and the final Test will be held at the Kennington Oval, London, from July 31 to August 4. This marquee series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Limping Shimron Hetmyer hits 6 off the last ball to chase down 238 in MLC, ends Seattle Orcas' 5-match losing streak
Shimron Hetmyer was the hero for Seattle Orcas as the Major League Cricket franchise brought an end to their five-game losing streak in 2025, winning their first game of the season in the most exhilarating, climactic fashion. Chasing 238, the Orcas needed six off the final ball to win, and the West Indies international stood up for his team, swivelling and hitting a six off MI New York's Kieron Pollard to send his teammates into a state of pandemonium. Shimron Hetmyer is swarmed by his teammates after he hit a last-ball six with six runs needed, putting on 97* to register Seattle's first win of the season.(Sportzpics) Despite struggling with injury for much of his innings, Hetmyer hit nine towering sixes enroute to a memorable 97*(40), in what will go down as one of the finest innings in the young history of the MLC. This included a 23-run 19th over to keep his team alive, before a remarkable ending which saw the struggling team pull off the unlikely with a three-wicket win to seal the largest successful chase in the MLC. A different powerful Windies southpaw had lit up Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas earlier in the night, as MI NY captain Nicholas Pooran was in vintage form to score 108* off 60 deliveries. He was given able support by USA all-rounder Tajinder Singh, who walloped 95 off just 35 deliveries to push the team to 237/4. Orcas handed over captaincy of the franchise to Sikander Raza after Heinrich Klaasen had found no success in the first five matches, and the Zimbabwean stood on business as his 30(9) gave some crucial momentum to the chase. However, it was all down to Hetmyer, who soldiered on after appearing to pull his groin while batting in the 30s. Orcas stay alive despite horror start to MLC season The Seattle franchise had struggled with capitalising on strong starts, and that seemed to be the case again as some slow batting by Hetmyer's lower-order partners in the death overs jeopardised their attempt. The Windies power-hitter showed all his quality, however, hitting a flurry of straight sixes to bring it down to 9 needed off the last over. Pollard used all his experience to deliver three dot balls, and was on the verge of pulling off the defence for MI NY with 8 needed off the last 2. However, after Hetmyer hustled through for two despite limping, he put the fate of his team in his own hands — and delivered with what might prove to be a defining image in American cricket's nascency at the highest level. It was a crucial result, one which keeps Orcas in the hunt to qualify for the playoffs despite a torrid start to their season. Three teams are now tied with just a solitary win in 6 matches played, with MI NY, Orcas, and LAKR battling it out for one position at the foot of the table.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
6 Needed Off 1 Ball: Shimron Hetmyer Does This Against Kieron Pollard With His Team Seattle Orcas On Losing Streak. Watch
Shimron Hetmyer did not have a great IPL. The Rajasthan Royals could not close matches for the side as it failed to qualify for the IPl 2025 playoffs. However, on Friday, Hetmyer played the way that he is expected to in a Major League Cricket match. Shimron Hetmyer played an unbeaten knock of 97 off 40 balls laced with nine sixes to help Seattle Orcas to chase down 238 against MI New York with a last ball maximum to end a 10-match losing streak. More crazy final ball scenes in the MLC! There was six needed off the last ball for Shimron Hetmyer and Seattle to complete a successful chase of 238. Kieron Pollard running in to bowl... — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) June 28, 2025 Meanwhile, a struggling Seattle Orcas have parted ways with head coach Matthew Mott midway through the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, with the team currently languishing at bottom half of the table after six matches. According to an official statement on the MLC website, the decision was made due to 'differences in coaching and management strategies". In another shake-up, captain Heinrich Klaasen has stepped down to focus on his batting, with Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza taking over the leadership duties. "This is a moment of reflection and renewal for the Seattle Orcas. This has been a tough run for the team, and with it, some difficult decisions had to be made. We are grateful to Matthew for his commitment and professionalism during his time with us, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours," said Hemant Dua, CEO of the team. "We respect Heinrich's decision to step down voluntarily as captain to focus on his batting. This reflects his character and team-first mindset. Sikandar was our unanimous choice once we heard from Klassen about his decision. We believe these changes set the stage for a strong second half of the season." After finishing at the top of the table and making it to the final in 2023, the Orcas endured a last-place finish in 2024. This season has followed a similar trajectory, with the team once again languishing at the bottom.
