Glenn McGrath, the renowned Australian cricket legend, has been removed as a commentator by the host broadcaster ABC due to his association with a betting company. McGrath, a celebrated fast bowler with 563 wickets in 124 Test matches for Australia, has been a prominent figure during the Ashes series in recent times.
Despite McGrath’s impressive cricket career, including tormenting England in multiple Ashes series, ABC has decided not to utilize him as a pundit and commentator for the upcoming series. While McGrath will still be part of the BBC Test Match Special, he has been excluded from ABC’s coverage following his partnership with the betting giant Bet365.
In response to the decision, ABC stated that they have mutually parted ways with McGrath for this Ashes series. The broadcaster expressed its anticipation of working with McGrath in the future and highlighted the excitement of their commentary team, led by Jim Maxwell and Corbin Middlemas, for the first Test in Perth.
This move by ABC is consistent with their previous decision to drop Mitchell Johnson, another former Australian fast bowler, for similar reasons. McGrath, however, will continue to play a significant role in the BBC’s coverage of the Ashes alongside other cricket personalities.
McGrath, in his classic style, has boldly predicted a 5-0 victory for the home side in the upcoming series. With a strong Australian team featuring top bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, McGrath is confident in their ability to dominate. Considering England’s recent struggles in Australia, McGrath’s prediction reflects the prevailing sentiment among cricket enthusiasts.