Ashes controversy as Ricky Ponting demands investigation after Stuart Broad heroics
Ricky Ponting was furious despite Australia retaining the Ashes this summer
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Australia hero Ricky Ponting has demanded an investigation into the umpiring during the fifth and final Ashes Test on Monday.
Stuart Broad's heroics saw England draw the series 2-2, avoiding a first home defeat since 2001 in the process.
But Ponting was unhappy at something that took place before Broad's heroics.
The Australia icon, who was pelted with grapes earlier in the series, was unhappy with the choice of ball handed to England on the morning of Day 5 at The Oval.
Ricky Ponting wants umpires to be investigated after England beat Australia to draw The Ashes
PA
Umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena agreed to change the ball after the first delivery of the 37th over.
They felt it's shape had changed after England bowler Mark Wood struck Usman Khawaja on the helmet with a bouncer.
The new ball seemed harder, however, and then helped England up the ante to clinch the win.
Ponting was furious after the match, however, and insisted an investigation should take place following Australia's defeat.
"The biggest concern I have is the big discrepancy in the condition of the ball that was chosen to replace the one [that had gone out of shape]," Ponting told Sky Sports.
"There's no way in the world you can even look at those two balls there and say in any way are they comparable.
"At the end of the day, if you are going to change the ball, you want to make sure that you get it right, so [you make it] as close as you possibly can to the one that you're changing it from.
"Now if you have a look in that box, there weren't too many older-condition balls in there.
"There were some older ones that were picked up, the umpires looked at that and threw them back.
"I just cannot fathom how two international umpires that have done that a lot of times before can get that so wrong.
"That is a huge moment in this game, potentially a huge moment in the Test match, and something I think actually has to be investigated: whether there was the right condition of balls in the box, or the umpires have just, blasé, picked one out of there that they think will be okay to use."
Ponting then proceeded to double down on his stance.
He continued: "The conditions were perfect for bowling this morning, let's say that.
"The conditions were better for bowling this morning.
"But what I saw last night, that ball there, I'll put my hand up and say I've got absolutely no doubt at all that that ball would not have done anywhere near as much as what that one did this morning.
"Double the amount of movement this morning from yesterday afternoon, seam movement and swing.
"I think it's a huge blunder that needs to be investigated."
While Ponting may feel aggrieved, England were delighted.
And Broad has admitted he'll remember his final wicket for the rest of his life.
The 37-year-old, who will now leave cricket behind in order to become a commentator, said:
"To take a wicket to win an Ashes Test match being my final ball was something that will make me smile for the rest of my life.
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Stuart Broad stepped up to bowl England to victory over Australia in fifth Ashes Test
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"When the dust has settled it will sink in. It still doesn't feel massively real. When I told the guys I couldn't remember what I said.
"I didn't feel like I was in my own body; I feel a little bit like that now."
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