Ponting tees off on 'substandard' BBL sight

Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting has ripped into the "substandard" wicket on offer at Sydney Thunder's home ground.

Ponting was commentating on Monday night's Big Bash League clash between the Thunder and Perth Scorchers at Sydney Showground.

The western Sydney outfit's dismal run continued with a seven-wicket loss, having their 137-run total chased down by the visitors with five balls to spare.

READ MORE: Football great who 'inspired generations' dies

READ MORE: Defending champ Kokkinakis out of Adelaide in first round

READ MORE: How Smith bombshell changed post-Warner battle

But it was another sight during the contest that rubbed Ponting the wrong way.

He says the Showground wicket - which is not used for international cricket - is not suitable for professionals to play on.

"The wicket we've seen tonight is substandard for BBL. As simple as that," he said on Seven.

"If (Thunder spinner) Tanveer Sangha, if he actually lands them in the right spot, I guarantee the right-handers will not lay a bat on him. We saw that with Ashton Agar and even Cooper Connolly.

"The problem I've got with it is Thunder have been a struggling team, I think it's fair to say that, and how are you gonna attract young players from around Australia or even overseas players to come and play at your club if they're gonna be batting on a wicket like that?

"It's always been a really inconsistent surface."

Despite Ponting's claim, it was English right-hand batters Alex Hales (72) and then Zak Crawley (58) who dined out on the deck, while Sangha failed to take a wicket.