Seven has pinched another of Ten’s cricket commentators, announcing former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming will join the team when the broadcaster starts airing games in December.
Fleming was commentating on Ten’s Big Bash League (BBL), however, the network was left without any cricket rights when Seven (in a JV with Foxtel) secured all the rights in mid-April.
The news of Fleming’s move to Seven follows fellow BBL commentator and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s move to the network announced a fortnight ago.
It’s pretty clear Seven want a “change of the guard” with its commentary team with none of Nine’s former commentators approached for the role.
Fleming said of his appointment: “Channel Seven has delivered iconic sports coverage to Australians for many years so it’s very exciting to have the opportunity to join their cricket broadcast team and contribute to something really special.
“It will be exciting to continue my relationship with Ricky Ponting in the commentary box and I’m sure all Aussie cricket fans will enjoy the innovative new coverage Seven will be bringing to Big Bash and Test Match cricket.”
Channel Seven head of cricket Dave Barham said: “There was no ‘avenue of apprehension’ when it came to getting Flem to Seven. He is a highly entertaining commentator with theories and expressions that resonate with fans, and cricket and bowling knowledge that’s second to none.”
