Ponting, Langer Could Skip Perth Test Commentary Gig Due to IPL Auction in Jeddah

 Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting and his longtime teammate Justin Langer could potentially miss out commentating on opening Test against India at Perth, starting vember 22, due to commitments with ir respective IPL teams for mega auctions in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah on vember 24 and 25.

According to Australian newspaper ' ', "Channel Seven could be without Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer for parts of Perth Test due to a clash of commitments, and Australia may lose a vital backroom coach for start of blockbuster Border-Gavaskar series in a potential stand-off with Indian cricket." Ponting, who has been appointed he coach of Punjab Kings and Langer, who will be in his second season with Luckw Super Giants , could be present at IPL auction table for ir respective franchises along with Australian team assistant coach Daniel Vettori, who is in-charge of Sunrisers Hyderab .

"Unless (Channel) Seven and Cricket Australia can protect ir interests against powerful cricket authorities in India, Ponting, Langer and Australia assistant coach Dan Vettori will likely be in Saudi Arabia holding a pdle at IPL's mega player auction in Jeddah inste of being at Optus Stium when first Test reaches its conclusion," paper reported.

'Seven' has a seven-year AUD 1.5 billion deal with Foxtel for brocast of game in Australia and even that, many fear, can't stop Ponting or Langer from missing last three days of Perth Test.

Last year, Ponting, n coaching Delhi Capitals , left after day three of Perth Test to attend auction, while Langer stayed through till end of match. Vettori completed his duties with Australia before attending last year's auction, held two days after Perth Test finished.

"As of Wednesday morning, decision h been me on wher Vettori would stay with team through entire Test or leave early for auction, according to a team source with kwledge of situation," ' ' reported.