The cricket commentary hiring spree continues apace, with Fox Sports bagging five new recruits and Seven confirming the signing of Ricky Ponting.

Fox Sports revealed over the weekend that another BBL commentator, Mark Waugh, has joined Adam Gilchrist on its panel, along with Mike Hussey, Mel Jones, Michael Vaughan, and Isa Guha.

This comes after Seven confirmed that Ricky Ponting will join its cricket commentary team after B&T reported the signing on Friday.

Seven’s head of cricket, Dave Barham, said: “We are absolutely rapt Ricky has decided to join Seven. He is a key signing and we will be building a formidable team around him.

“Australian cricket fans will hear him commentate Test matches for the first time ever, in addition to his outstanding BBL commentary.”

Commenting on his new role, Ponting said: “Seven has long been the leader of live sport coverage in Australia and their plans for cricket will give the viewer a greater insight into the game.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Seven and being part of an exciting new era of cricket broadcasting.”

It’s been reported that Seven and Foxtel have been competing for the signature of the King of Spin, Shane Warne, as they look to differentiate their broadcast offerings.

Meanwhile, Nine’s Bill Lawry has declined offers from Seven and Fox Sports to join their commentary teams, opting to retire from cricket commentary after 40 years on the mic.

Bill Lawry, the legendary commentator, is set to call stumps on a sensational career.  #9SportsSunday pic.twitter.com/nTnOTJFKZw

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) May 13, 2018