Australia’s cricket legend, Glenn McGrath, has been removed as a commentator by ABC, the host broadcaster, due to his association with a betting company. Known for his exceptional career as a fast bowler, McGrath has been a prominent figure at the Ashes in recent times.
Having claimed 563 wickets in 124 Test matches for Australia, McGrath was a formidable opponent for England in the Ashes series, winning six of them with Australia. Despite his notable presence at the upcoming first Test in Perth, McGrath will no longer provide commentary for ABC but will still feature on BBC’s Test Match Special.
Following his collaboration with the betting giant Bet365, ABC decided to part ways with McGrath, a move that mirrors their past decision to drop Mitchell Johnson for a similar reason. McGrath will continue to play a significant role in the BBC’s Ashes coverage, working alongside other renowned commentators.
Expressing his confidence in Australia’s performance, McGrath boldly predicted a 5-0 victory for the home team in the upcoming Ashes series. With a formidable bowling lineup and England’s recent struggles in Australia, McGrath believes it will be a challenging test for the visiting team.
In a statement to the Guardian, ABC mentioned the mutual decision to part ways with McGrath for the Ashes series but expressed openness to collaborating with him in the future. The broadcaster’s commentary team, led by Jim Maxwell and Corbin Middlemas, is eagerly anticipating the start of the series in Perth.