New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum will join Channel 7 for Australian summer

New Zealand cricket great Brendon McCullum is returning down under next summer as a commentator for Channel 7, while Michael Clarke is also set for a sudden comeback to Australian screens.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 08: Brendon McCullum of the Heat walks off after playing his last home match during the Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars Big Bash League Match at The Gabba on February 08, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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New Zealand cricket great Brendon McCullum is returning down under next summer as a commentator for Channel 7, while Michael Clarke is also set for a sudden comeback to Australian screens.

After announcing his retirement from the Big Bash League as one of its most high profile players after the last season, McCullum had his hat in the ring for the vacant Brisbane Heat coaching job, only to be beaten to the post by Darren Lehmann.

But The Daily Telegraph understands McCullum has agreed to terms with Channel 7 in a deal to commentate on both the New Zealand Test series against Australia this coming summer, and the BBL.

On top of his Seven deal, which the network hopes could be long-term, the 37-year-old has also been confirmed to join former Australian skipper Clarke as part of the International Cricket Council’s world feed commentary team for the World Cup in England.

McCullum hung up the boots at the end of last summer. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

The announcement represents Clarke’s return to Australian TV for the first time since Channel 9 lost the summer cricket rights, with the World Cup to be broadcast on Fox Cricket, as well as the Test great’s former home at 9.

Clarke wasn’t picked up by 7 or Fox Cricket under the new deal, but has continued to feature prominently in India for international and IPL coverage.

Respected former Black Caps captain McCullum has made a swift entry to the commentary landscape and impressed with his recent work calling the IPL in India, making him a big signing for 7.

McCullum is close friends with the head of the 7 cricket stable Ricky Ponting and shares a similar reputation as a straight-shooter.

Back in 2015, McCullum didn’t miss Steve Smith in a newspaper column, when he accused the then Australian skipper of being “immature” over a controversial on-field skirmish with England.

McCullum also led one of the most profound tributes to the late Phillip Hughes, when New Zealand took to the field in the immediate wake of the incident and refused to celebrate taking wickets in a Test against Pakistan.

McCullim was one of the premiere batsmen of his opportunity. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

Australia will play three Tests against New Zealand from late December, including a pink ball day-nighter in Perth and then the banner matches on Boxing Day at the MCG and New Year’s in Sydney and McCullum will feature prominently alongside Ponting, Michael Slater and Damien Fleming.

McCullum will then stay on Australian shores for the remainder of the BBL through January and early February, just one season after hanging up his gloves as skipper of the Heat.

Seven will have two more of its star commentators in Alison Mitchell and Slater as part of the World Cup feed to be taken by Fox and Nine, alongside former Test skippers like Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakarra, Wasim Akram, Nasser Hussain and former Aussie women’s star and Fox caller Mel Jones.

Clarke and Slater are likely to feature prominently on Australian matches, with the tournament to start at the end of this month.

Originally published as New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum will join Channel 7 for Australian summer