Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath has been removed from the Australian Broadcast Corporation’s (ABC) commentary team for the upcoming Ashes series due to his association with a betting company, prompting a late reshuffle in the broadcaster’s lineup.
McGrath is currently part of a promotional campaign with bet365, alongside former teammate Ricky Ponting, set to run through the Australian summer. ABC’s strict policy prohibiting betting affiliations led to the decision.
In a statement, ABC confirmed that both parties had “mutually parted ways” for this Ashes series.
“The ABC and Glenn McGrath have mutually parted ways for this Ashes,” an ABC spokesperson said. “We look forward to seeing Glenn around the grounds throughout the series and would welcome working with him in the future.”
Despite the split, McGrath is expected to rejoin ABC’s commentary panel as early as next year, with the broadcaster expressing interest in renewing the association.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody will step in for McGrath for the first Test in Perth. He will join Darren Lehmann and former Test pacers Jason Gillespie and Stuart Clark on the expert panel, alongside lead commentators Jim Maxwell and Corbin Middlemas.
Bet365 is a “gold partner” of Cricket Australia, with its branding to be prominently displayed on boundary rope padding during the Ashes.
Squads for the First Test
Australia:
Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
England:
Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook (vice-captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.