As Australia awaits a summer of cricket like no other, the Seven Network has unveiled a star-studded commentary team, with a line-up brimming with internationally acclaimed icons, on and off the field.
Launching with the highly anticipated Australia v West Indies Test, before the heavyweight battle of the world between Australia and South Africa takes centre stage, Seven’s commentary team has received an incredible boost with the arrival of former Australian Cricket Team coach, Justin Langer.
Also joining Seven’s iconic cricket line-up, headlined by the incomparable Ricky Ponting, is three of the most celebrated international figures in the sport’s history: former West Indies fast bowlers Ian Bishop and Michael Holding, and former South African cricket star – and arguably the greatest fielder of his time – Jonty Rhodes
Across an action-packed summer when an electrifying Big Bash League season will also have fans on the edge of their seats, these big names are just the start of Seven’s formidable on-air line-up.
A who’s who of former on-field stars and fan favourites will also return to Seven’s cricket team in 2022-23, including Greg Blewett, James Brayshaw, Trent Copeland, Callum Ferguson, Holly Ferling, Damien Fleming, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Erin Holland, Simon Katich, Tim Lane, Andy Maher, Mel McLaughlin, Alison Mitchell, Alister Nicholson, Jason Richardson, Lisa Sthalekar, Simon Taufel and Elyse Villani.
They will be joined by former New Zealand wicketkeeper Katey Martin off the back of her role with Seven’s WBBL coverage, while current Big Bash stars Sam Billings, Alex Carey, Aaron Finch, Moises Henriques and Glenn Maxwell will be regulars on Seven’s live and free BBL coverage.
TEST CRICKET
With a Test rivalry dating back to 1930, Australia and the West Indies have produced some of sport’s most memorable moments.
This summer, fans can look forward to more unforgettable Test cricket action as the Aussies square off with the West Indies over a two-match Test series, live and free on Seven.
From the opening day of the first Test at Optus Stadium on Wednesday, 30 November, Ian Bishop and Michael Holding will be part of cricket’s premier commentary team, while Justin Langer joins for all five Australian Tests, alongside the game’s most astute commentator, Ponting.
Former West Indies fast bowler, Michael Holding, had a message for Australian cricket fans gearing up for the iconic test match.
“Here in the Caribbean, we don’t just like cricket, we love it,” he said.
“We have created legends in Brian Lara and Sir Viv Richards… a new generation of West Indies greats are coming to break your hearts.”
From Saturday, 17 December, Seven’s cricket team will head north to the Gabba for the first of three Tests between Australia and South Africa.
The heavyweight battle of the world, Australia will face rivals South Africa in what is set to be a nail-biting Test Series, headlined by many of the world’s greats.
Joining Seven’s team for the South Africa Test will be Jonty Rhodes, who will provide expert commentary across the entire series, alongside Seven’s team of commentators.
Ahead of his commentary debut for Seven, Justin Langer said: “My favourite place to tour as a player, and coach, was the West Indies.
“Each country in the West Indies has its unique characteristics, but what is consistent is the West Indians’ love for the game of cricket. Their athleticism is elite, and their fast bowlers are always fun to watch. The West Indian fast bowlers love bowling bouncers and this always provides great entertainment. West Indies and Australian cricket each have a rich history. Let’s hope this summer adds more layers to that story.
“There is no love lost between Australia and South Africa. The last time the two teams met will be remembered in the folklore of cricket, albeit for the wrong reasons,” he said.
“Both teams have an amazing fast bowling cartel and I believe it will be the batting team that can best fight through these onslaughts that will come out on top. There is always plenty of spirit between these two teams and with the memory of their last Test series five years ago, it will be electric to watch.”
BIG BASH LEAGUE
Straight after the Australia v West Indies Test wraps, a new season of the Big Bash League kicks off on Seven – and it promises to be the best yet.
BBL 12 will start with a bang on Tuesday, 13 December, on a blockbuster week of live and free cricket between the Australia v West Indies and Australia v South Africa Tests. To launch the star-studded season, fierce rivals the Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars will face off at Manuka Oval in Canberra from 7.00pm AEDT on Channel 7 and 7mate.
The epic season-opener launches four-straight nights of BBL on Seven, each one featuring a prime-time blockbuster and a double-header on Friday night.
Across the 2022-23 summer, fans will again enjoy 45 games live and free on Seven, including all five Finals.
On 11 days of the season, live and free BBL matches will follow stumps in Australia’s Test series, including a super-mega day featuring back-to-back Big Bash clashes on top of a full day’s play in the Boxing Day Test.
The home and away fixture concludes on 25 January with a tantalising double-header on Seven featuring Hobart Hurricanes v Brisbane Heat at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, followed by Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder at the MCG.
The five-match finals series begins on Friday, 27 January, with the all-important Final scheduled for Saturday, 4 February.
Throughout the 2022-23 BBL season, cricket fans will once again be treated to Seven’s The Spin, hosted by Lisa Sthalekar, Jason Richardson and Brad Hodge, weekly on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus.
Former Australian women’s captain Lisa Sthalekar is counting down the days to the start of the season.
“Given how difficult it has been the last few years operating with COVID, I expect the players and fans will see a real celebration of BBL this year,” she said.
“With the opportunity for so many of our Aussie stars to be available at the back end of the season, it brings the opportunity for an action-packed lead into Finals.
“The two most successful clubs, the Sixers and Scorchers, have again put together a quality squad and no doubt will be there in the Finals. Plus, their encounters are always nail bitting matches and I wouldn’t expect anything different this year.
“One player that we haven’t seen for a while in BBL is Andre Russell, and while he won’t be out for the entire competition, there’s no doubt he will provide plenty of entertainment. The other aspect I am looking forward to is a few of our Aussie stars coming back and playing BBL. It has been a while since we have seen Warner turn out for the Thunder and he will certainly want to show his dominance in this format!”
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL SERIES
From Monday, 16 January, Australia’s most-loved sports team will be back on the world stage, for the Australia v Pakistan Women’s International Series.
With three ODIs, followed by three T20 matches, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy’s adored team of Aussies will look to continue their incredibly strong form on the world stage over two weeks of women’s cricket action.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said:
“With an epic season that includes a super-charged new season of BBL, an energetic week of WBBL Finals, two fantastic men’s Test Series and a women’s International Series, the new summer of cricket will be bigger than ever – and Seven has assembled an all-star commentary team to match.
“With Justin Langer joining Ricky Ponting in an on-air line-up that was already outstanding, only strengthened by the arrival of some of the game’s most iconic international stars, Seven has you covered this Summer.
“The only place to see it all live and free, is on Seven, Your Home of Cricket,”
The test Lineup for commentary on 7 is terrible..a few good ones but Haydn. Langer and Brayshaw are awfull,,Blokey, Matey and boganish…They talk a lot of absolute biased rubbish and are absolute boors, Should be nowhere near a microphone,,
Hahhahaha at least there is no Glyn!
At least there’s no Paul.
I find JL interesting. He provides a good insight into the Australian Test cricket team, having recently coached them. James Bradshaw is colourful. He might not be in the Bill Lawry class as a cricket commentator but he knows his cricket.
Every country has their own biased cricket commentators. It happens in the AFL football with biased commentators. It’s just that some are better to listen to than others.
Sadly the commentators are boring and not entertaining at all. Apart from Ricky Ponting, all others should be sitting somewhere else.
Completely disagree. Ponting is by far the worst commentator. Terrible voice, talks way too quickly and speaks in a monotone.
Krishna, Test cricket isn’t entertaining enough for commentators to be entertaining. Basically, the commentators are told to go with the flow. They get more excited when a boundary is hit, a great catch is taken or when many wickets fall. It’s not an easy job.
In contrast, the Big Bash cricket commentators are way too over the top. I wish they we’re less excitable and would talk less.
Glyn is quite right. Not sure why Ponting is considered “astute”. He was a hopeless captain. I can remember him having a deep square point in the first over of a Test match in England. Yeah, very “astute”.
Tim Lane is about the only one of the above worth listening to. Ian Chappell would be a welcome addition.
Tend to agree. Too many women, Too much of the blokes anecdotes with no relevance to the game in play. Too much backstory of wags, children,family life etc . Why reference womens cricket in the middle of the men’s game. No relevance. Best comments from Fleming, Ponting, Brad Hog , Bishop.
Ponting, pathetic commentator, great batsman.
You seem very sexist Tom. Alison Mitchell is the only lady doing the actual Test cricket commentary role. She is a delightful lady, incredibly interesting and very knowledgeable about cricket. More women please!
Jonah, you forgot to mention that Ricky Ponting captained Australia in 77 Tests, for 48 wins, 16 draws and 13 losses. This is the most successful Test captaincy record out of any Australian Test captain.
Having said that, I hate him as a cricket commentator.
To whome it may concern. I have a new Nic name for new bowling sensation Scot Bolen. The Bolenator. Regards. Lawrence. Martin.
I have advice for Lawrence Martin. Don’t give up your day job!
Hayden is a loud mouth annoying boofhead but for some reason he gets a lot of airtime. I wish channel 7 would gag him.
No more women commentators.
Wrong, Allison Mitchell is absolutely BRILLIANT!
More women cricket commentators for channel 7. They bring glamour to television and they speak well and are knowledgeable. I also want Glen McGrath on the channel 7 cricket commentary team more often. Good voice and speaks well.
I think Alison Mitchell is a very professional commentator. I enjoy her quiet, smooth voice over most of the men.
Alistair Nicholson is an outstanding Cricket commentator for Channel 7. He should always do the Test cricket. He should also be a regular AFL commentator for channel 7.
Will Pucovski and Trent Copeland are great cricket commentators for channel 7. Great voices and very knowledgeable. They speak well too. Get rid of the Big Bash commentators, like Brad Hodge and Jason Richardson. Very annoying.
Agree. Will is amazing as a commentator. Easy to listen to with excellent cricket insider information. A massive asset to the commentary team.
Just wondering what shoes Glen McGrath snd Mel McLaughlin are wearing today in the commentary bix
I am a massive Erin Holland fan. What a glamorous lady she is and she knows her cricket. She has a lovely manner too.
I agree. Erin Holland is absolutely stunning. Abbey Gelmi, another glamorous lady, used to do a similar job as well, but is now reading the channel 7 sports news in Melbourne.
have found a solution when Langer drones on and on, hit the mute button
Don’t do it for JL but I hit the mute button for Ricky Ponting. I can’t stand his voice. He talks a million miles an hour and has no inflexion in his voice.
Well done channel 7. Justin Langer is a great pick to the Test commentary team. He is a breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work, Justin.
If people really dislike the commentators, don’t have any sound on the television. I know you don’t get the atmosphere, but at least you still get to see the cricket action on television.
One of the best television cricket commentators is Isa Guha. It’s a pity she works for Fox Sports.
Come on Channel 7. Offer her more money, so she can go to your television station. I could listen to her commentate all day!
To me, Justin Langer is very captivating. I personally hang on to every word he says. He has a great future in the channel 7 commentary box.
Having said that, I am a massive Melbourne Stars follower in the Big Bash.
I would like Justin Langer to coach the Melbourne Stars. He is just what they need. He will get the best out of the Melbourne Stars, who are really struggling without Glen Maxwell and Joe Burns playing.
If the Melbourne Stars could snare Justin Langer as their coach and pay him very well, unfortunately his channel 7 commentary commitments would be severely affected.