As the Australian cricket team battles the old enemy for Ashes supremacy, Cricket Australia’s new Big Bash League broadcaster, Network Ten has announced the selection of cricket greats Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting for its commentary team. The former Australian players have previously commentated for Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
Ten Chief Executive Officer, Hamish McLennan, said of his coup in signing Ponting that,
“We are honoured that Ricky has agreed to join our new cricket commentary team. We are committed to making the KFC T20 Big Bash League a major television event for Ten and Cricket Australia. That is why we have recruited one of Australia’s most successful and respected cricketers of all time.”
Adam Gilchrist said,
“I am thrilled to be joining Network Ten as part of the new cricket coverage for the Big Bash League starting in December and extremely excited at the opportunity to form another partnership with my great mate Ricky Ponting.”
The new commentary partnership between the two former teammates is an early firing shot by Ten of its intention to have new and exciting cricket coverage. Mr McLennan said,
“The combination of Adam and Ricky – plus other high-profile commentators we will announce soon – is great news for cricket fans and will ensure the KFC T20 Big Bash League will be a major television event for all Australians.”
There were rumours following Ten’s announcement of its new deal with Cricket Australia that it would sign a number of current Fox Sports cricket commentators – there is no announcement from Ten on this to date. Although, Damien Fleming did appear on Ten’s the Project last week. It is unclear how much can be read into this.
Ten’s broadcast of the Big Bash League starts this December.
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