Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath has been removed as a commentator by host broadcaster ABC due to his association with a betting company. Known as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, McGrath has been a familiar presence at the Ashes matches in recent times.
Having taken 563 wickets in 124 Test matches for Australia, McGrath was a formidable opponent for England in the Ashes series, winning six of them with the Australian team. Although he will continue to appear on the BBC Test Match Special, he will not serve as a pundit or commentator for ABC during the upcoming series.
In a statement to The Guardian, ABC announced the mutual decision to part ways with McGrath for the Ashes series. The broadcaster expressed anticipation of seeing McGrath at the matches and potential future collaboration. The decision to drop McGrath stemmed from his upcoming partnership with the betting company Bet365, following a similar action taken against former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson.
McGrath’s involvement in the BBC’s coverage of the Ashes will remain significant, including live radio commentary and highlight shows alongside other cricket personalities. Notably, McGrath has boldly predicted a 5-0 victory for the Australian team in the upcoming series, citing the formidable home conditions and England’s historical struggles in Australia.