Glenn McGrath, a renowned former Australian cricketer, has been removed as a commentator by the host broadcaster ABC due to his association with a betting company. Known for his exceptional skills as a fast bowler, McGrath has been a prominent figure at the Ashes matches in recent times.
Having achieved 563 wickets in 124 Test matches for Australia, McGrath was a formidable opponent for England in the Ashes series, securing victory in six Ashes tournaments with the Australian team. While still involved in the BBC Test Match Special, McGrath will no longer serve as a pundit or commentator for ABC, despite being featured in their promotional materials initially.
In a statement to The Guardian, ABC confirmed the mutual decision to part ways with McGrath for the upcoming Ashes series, citing his forthcoming collaboration with the betting company Bet365 as the reason for the separation. This move follows a similar action taken by ABC in the past, involving former Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson.
McGrath will continue to play a significant role in the BBC’s Ashes coverage, contributing to live radio commentary and highlights programs alongside other cricket experts. In a bold prediction, McGrath forecasted a 5-0 series win for the home team, emphasizing the challenge England faces in Australia, having not won a Test series since 2015 and a test match in Australia since 2010-11.