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Glenn McGrath joins the Seven commentary team

Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath poses during an exclusive interview with HT City -Hindustan Times at ITC Maurya Hotel on August 29, 2016 In New Delhi, India. During the interview, McGrath said, “The other day, someone told me that a biopic should be made on me. Maybe (Hollywood star) Hugh Jackman can play me? He is an Aussie himself and loves cricket. But then, someone wanted a name from Bollywood. In that case, Akshay Kumar.” (Photo by Amal KS/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Expert
5th July, 2018
19

Glenn McGrath, the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket history, has joined Ricky Ponting, Michael Slater, and Damien Fleming In Channel Seven’s commentary team in the new two-way battle for viewers with Foxtel.

McGrath will add extra clout to Seven, as he did on the field with his 563 scalps from 123 Tests behind three spinners – Muttiah Muralitharan (800-133), Shane Warne (708-145), and Anil Kumble’s 619 from 132.

But like Channel Nine’s two-way rugby league battle, Foxtel’s cricket commentary team swamps Seven.

Adam Gilchrist heads the Fox squad with Mark Waugh, Mike Hussey, former England skipper Michael Vaughan, Allan Border, Brendon Julian, Melanie Jones, and Isa Guha.

But that leaves the likes of Ian Chappell, Mark Nicholas, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, and Michael Clarke without a gig from the former Channel Nine squad.

The Channel had covered international cricket from 1977 when Kerry Packer high-jacked the sport with World Series Cricket that turned the grand old game from dying as an amateur game into a highly-professional sport.

Chappell, along with the late great Richie Benaud, and Tony Greig, were the key figures in changing the face of cricket worldwide forever.

Chappell is the only one left of the trio, and should be picked up by one of the stations, preferably Fox, where his vast experience as both national captain and commentator would be a prize asset,

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Taylor and Healy don’t deserve to be dumped either – Taylor with hs analytical insight, Healy with his interviewing skills.

But there won’t be many disappointed with Nicholas and Clarke disappearing.

One of Packer’s rare mistakes was appointing Englishman Nicholas to take over as head honcho when Richie hung up his microphone.

Nicholas never cut the mustard, nor did Clarke who used the gig as a self promotion platform to keep recalling what he did as captain.

Thankfully the remote was always closeby.

There are two others very worthy of recognition in Matt Hayden, and Stuart Clark.

Hayden was a standout caller in the IPL, while Clark has been used by Fox in the past, but nearly enough.

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I’ve left the best until last.

One must pick up Bill Lawry, if only for the MCG Boxing Day Tests, and the SCG in the New Year.

“Phantom” is shamelessly Victorian, his chirping about the “G” as the greatest sporting venue in the world, is legendary.

He dramatically changed from being the most negative captain who set out not to lose, to become the most positive caller.

But he brings a very different view from behind the microphone, and if he’s well enough, Bill Lawry will certainly be the most colourful caller of them all.

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