Ponting chooses commentary
Ponting chooses commentary over coaching
Ricky Ponting was a candidate for Australia head coach role after Darren Lehmann stepped down from the job despite getting cleared of any wrongdoings during the ball-tampering fiasco. However, former Australia opener Justin Langer was appointed by Cricket Australia (CA) to succeed Lehmann.
Ponting will be seen doing commentary for the Seven Network , once he is done with his stint as head coach of IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils.
Last month, CA signed a broadcast rights deal worth AUD 1.182 billion with the Seven Network and Fox Sports for Australian home cricket for the next seven years. The latter will broadcast all matches of the Big Bash League and the Kangaroos’ home series while the former will broadcast only the home Tests of the men’s team and 43 of the 59 BBL games.
The World Cup-winning captain was impressive at his role as Network Ten's commentator during the last KFC BBL. He has now signed a multimillion-dollar deal for Channel Seven.
On the other hand, Fox Sports signed former English test captain Michael Vaughan on a multi-year deal earlier this week. They had also recruited Ponting's former co-commentator at Ten, Adam Gilchrist
“It’s a really exciting time in my life — it gives me an opportunity to call some Test match cricket,” Ponting said. “Seven has long been the leader of live sport coverage in Australia and their plans for cricket will give the viewer a greater insight into the game. I couldn't be more excited to be joining the Seven Network and being part of an exciting new era of cricket broadcasting.”
The 43-year-old is also likely to work closely with the new head coach of the Australian men's team as a T20 assistant leading into the ICC World T20 tournament, to be held in Australia in 2020.