Glenn McGrath, the renowned cricketer from Australia, has been removed as a commentator by ABC, the host broadcaster, due to his association with a betting company. McGrath, a legendary fast bowler with an exceptional record, has been a familiar face at the Ashes matches in recent times.
Having claimed 563 wickets in 124 Test matches for Australia, the 55-year-old McGrath was a formidable presence against England in the Ashes series. Despite his success in six Ashes series with Australia, McGrath will not be featured as a pundit and commentator by ABC for the upcoming series in Perth.
While McGrath will continue to contribute to the BBC’s Test Match Special, he will not be actively involved as a commentator for ABC. The decision to part ways was confirmed by ABC in a statement to the Guardian, citing McGrath’s upcoming collaboration with Bet365 as the reason for the separation.
In a similar move, ABC had previously excluded former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson for his ties to a betting company. McGrath, however, will play a significant role in the BBC’s coverage of the Ashes, joining a team that includes Jonathan Agnew, Michael Vaughan, and others for live radio commentary and highlights.
Expressing his predictions in true McGrath style, he anticipates a 5-0 victory for the home team in the upcoming Ashes series. England, who have struggled in recent series against Australia, will face a tough challenge against the formidable Australian lineup led by players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. McGrath’s confidence in Australia’s strength and England’s historical struggles in Australia underpin his bold prediction for the series.
