Disgraced cricketer David Warner joins Nine’s commentary team
Banned test cricketer and former vice captain of the Australian team, David Warner, has been signed by Nine to join the commentary team for the upcoming second one-day international (ODI) against England on Saturday June 16.
Nine’s director of sport Tom Malone said the Australian public has tried to paint Warner as a villain throughout the ball-tampering scandal, but contended the embattled star “has been hurting as much as the others”.
Warner is a “pretty normal and humble bloke”, according to Nine
“We’ve had a professional relationship with Dave for five years now [and] we’ve always found him to be a pretty normal and humble bloke,” Nine’s Wide World of Sports quoted Malone as saying in the announcement.
“He just wants to atone for his mistakes and move on – I hope Australia gives all of them that chance.”
Nine’s Wide World of Sport publishing platform said Warner would be a welcome addition to the broadcaster’s line-up of experts.
“The batsman brings his expertise and insight developed over years of top-flight cricket to Nine’s broadcast team,” it said.
Malone agreed Warner’s pedigree was unrivalled.
“Dave is the best One Day and T20 batsman of the past decade, so he’s perfectly placed to join our coverage of the UK series,” he said.
Warner was banned from Australian cricket for 12 months for his role in the ball-tampering scandal alongside captain Steve Smith and bowler Cameron Bancroft.
The punishment means he cannot hold any leadership position in the team for the rest of his career, but does allow him to play in overseas domestic leagues and Australian Premier Cricket – senior inter-club or district cricket competitions in each of Australia’s states and territories.
After the media gig, Warner will head to Toronto for the inaugural T20 Canada, which will mark his return to professional cricket.
Nine recently lost the cricket rights to rival Seven and subscription television provider Foxtel, however had already signed a deal for the 2019 Ashes tour in the United Kingdom, along with the ODI and T20 series which are conducted on British soil.
The deal cost the new rights holders – Seven and Foxtel – close to $1bn over six years and has left a potential hole in Nine’s summer broadcasting schedule.
Seven begins broadcasting the cricket from next year, but Nine’s new position as the rights holder to the Australian Open tennis – which runs for two weeks in summer and often brings in large audiences – doesn’t begin until 2020.
In recent months, Seven has appointed Ten Big Bash League executive Dave Barham as head of cricket, as well as announcing former captain Ricky Ponting would join its commentary team.
topics
Australian cricket
Australian Open
Broadcast Rights
cricket
Dave Barham
David Warner
Nine
One Day Cricket
Ricky Ponting
Seven
sports rights
tennis
Tom Malone
If I could have a dollar for every wrong move Dave Warners camp has made in managing him since the fuck up vs. Steve Smith’s right moves I’d have about 20 bucks.
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Can’t believe 9 have taken on Warner. Perhaps his co hosts can ask him why he bullied a young player into cheating thereby destroying his budding career.
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That’s a great question. I’d listen to him answer that.
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I’m guessing it was a good deal for Nine!
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I will now watch with the sound down.
This guy is toxic. Sad move channel nine.
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This just seems like one of those classic deals where no-one wins. Nine just seems tone-deaf, and reinforces its blokey-bloke image, and whilst Warner is OK when they interview him, I’m not sure he’s going to surprise with his insightful commentary…surely his best play was to just concentrate on cricket, maybe volunteer his time helping Juniors/Charity organisations (I know it’s cynical, but that’s how PR works…) rather than grab $$$s from nine and be an unwelcome distraction. Maybe his mortgages from his sizeable property portfolia are starting to bite, given the est. $5m he’s forfeited this year already….
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This makes me sad and its exploitation all round. He’s been banned from the game for a year – just serve your time Warner and come back having learned something from the experience. This is a terrible move for you.
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Another reason to turn the sound down and switch to ABC or Macquarie Sports Radio.
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Really Channel 9, are you that desperate? David Warner is a bad egg, even though he might be a great batsman, he’s a bad egg and a troublemaker and is not good for the game. Please someone out there we’ve had enough of this guy! Channel 9 is a bad bloke supporter, why I am not surprised its them.
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… because he was responsible for his team and its actions…. so yes, he did the wrong thing.
Seriously Nine. No wonder 7/Foxtel have won the cricket rights. Obviously you have lost the plot!
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The race to the bottom continues…
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It’s so ridiculous that he is in our face so soon, commenting on how the game is and played. Get him off , we need a break for a while mate. I want you back but not yet. You let us all down and it’s too soon to see you giving us your opinion.
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Its a sad day. I hope ch9 get the back lash they deserve over
this poor judgement. I wont be watching. Warner you need to be seen (more to the point not see) to be doing your time.
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