One of Australia’s most respected opening batsmen, Usman Khawaja, has announced that he will join the Fox Cricket commentary team as a full-time exclusive expert after he retires from his playing career.
The announcement was made at a Kayo Sports media event at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), alongside Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins, ODI batsman Glenn Maxwell, and Fox Cricket commentator Adam Gilchrist. The event was convened to preview the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Khawaja will initially join Fox Cricket for a series of analysis shows during the World Cup and will also feature throughout the Australian summer of cricket. He is set to assume a permanent position in the commentary box upon his retirement. This move echoes that of his good friend and fellow opening batsman David Warner, who is also a part of the Fox Cricket team.
Discussing his decision, Usman Khawaja said,
“I love cricket and I love analysing the game. I have always wanted to stay a part of the game when I finish up playing and commentating just seemed the perfect fit.”
He expressed a sentimental connection with Fox Sports, stating,
“Fox Sports was the first thing I’d put on in the morning as a kid, so the affiliation with the company was a bit more sentimental for me. On top of that, working alongside a world-class commentary team and my mate Dave Warner is something that really excites me and I can’t wait.”
Fox Sports Executive Director, Steve Crawley, welcomed the news.
“Usman is one of the most respected and resilient cricketers in the world. He has an opinion and he’s not afraid to share it. Having him and David Warner continue their partnership in our commentary box will be a great win for fans,”
Fox Cricket’s coverage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will also feature Sydney-based hosts such as Brendon Julian, Mark Waugh, Kerry O’Keeffe, and Brad Haddin.
International cricketing personalities including Michael Vaughan, Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram, Harsha Bhogle, and Ian Smith will also make appearances via live crosses from India. Fox Cricket plans to air one-hour preview and retrospective shows, as well as pre-match analysis for every Australian match and select other games.
Kayo Sports will offer alternative Hindi commentary for all India matches, semi-finals, and the final. The service will also make Kayo Minis available for every match of the tournament.
Fox Sports will broadcast the Women’s T20 and ODI home international series against the West Indies, the Weber Women’s Big Bash League, as well as the Asia Cup, with the latter featuring live Hindi commentary for all India matches and the final.
