Ricky Ponting to join Seven’s cricket lineup
Seven has announced former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting as a key commentator, ahead of its cricket broadcasting coverage later this year.
Ponting, one of Australia’s highest ever run-scorers, has previously been at Ten as a BBL commentator.
Ponting’s new appointment extends beyond BBL commentary
The announcement comes a month after Seven and Foxtel locked in a landmark deal with Cricket Australia, which sees all free-to air cricket – Test matches and 43 of the 59 BBL matches – broadcast on Seven. Seven’s contract with Cricket Australia will run until 2024.
In his new role, Ponting will act as a face for the free-to-air coverage, joining as a commentator for both the BBL and Test Matches.
Ponting described Seven as the “leader of live sport coverage”.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Seven and being part of an exciting new era of cricket broadcasting,” Ponting said.
Seven’s head of cricket, Dave Barham, said he was rapt by Ponting’s decision.
“He is a key signing and we will be building a formidable team around him. Australian cricket fans will hear him commentate Test Matches for the first time ever, in addition to his outstanding BBL commentary,” Barham said.
Barham – Ten’s former managing director of AFL films and head of sport – joined Seven as cricket boss two weeks ago.
Sports presenter Matt White was appointed Ten’s new head of sport earlier this week.
