 "Glenn McGrath and ABC have mutually parted ways ahead of The Ashes. Reuters")
Legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath has withdrawn from his commentary commitments with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for the Ashes due to an upcoming deal between the player and the Bet365 agency.
“The ABC and Glenn McGrath have mutually parted ways for this Ashes. We look forward to seeing Glenn around the grounds throughout the series and would welcome working with him in the future,” said an ABC Spokesperson. “Our great commentary team, led by Jim Maxwell and Corbin Middlemas, is excited for the first test in Perth this Friday.”
McGrath has been a regular with ABC in recent cricket seasons as an expert but his upcoming deal with a betting company has not gone down well with the corporation. ABC’s has strict policies against their employees maintaining ties with betting agencies.
Former Australia batter Tom Moody, who recently joined Indian Premier League side Lucknow Super Giants as Director of Cricket, has been roped in McGrath’s replacement, as per a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Mitchell Johnson had also been sacked
A few years ago, another former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson had to let go of a deal with ABC due to his association with a betting company.
“It’s blown me away a little bit: do we have to make sure we have to align with the ABC’s moral compass? There’s nothing I can do about it … that’s the rule, and I guess I’m not going to work with them,” Johnson had said after being dropped of the commentary panel in 2022.
England announce 12-man squad for 1st Ashes Test
Meanwhile, England have announced their 12-man squad for the opening Test of The Ashes which begins Friday, November 21 in Perth. Fast bowler Mark Wood has been selected in the squad after recovering from a hamstring issue.
England squad for Ashes opener: Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood