Ricky Ponting agrees to multi-million dollar commentary deal with Channel 7, coaching on hold

FORMER Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has confirmed his plan to take on a significant commentary role in preference to coaching, agreeing to a multi-million dollar deal following Channel 10’s loss of the BBL broadcasting rights.

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CHANNEL 7 has signed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting to be the face of their new cricket coverage.

Ponting agreed to the multi-million deal with Seven executives yesterday, confirming his plan to take on a significant commentary role in preference to coaching.

The move puts him into direct opposition with his former Channel 10 BBL stablemate and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, who has signed with Fox Sports.

Ten's BBL commentary team has split up after the network lost coverage rights. Adam Gilchrist (left) will join Fox Sports and Ricky Ponting (middle) is off the Channel 7. Damien Fleming (right) has yet to announce his next move.

Ponting had been earmarked to take on a coaching and mentoring role in Australian cricket following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

Fox Sports and Channel 7 recently signed a joint $1.2 billion broadcast deal to win the rights off Channel 9 and Channel 10.

Channel 7 will broadcast Test matches and 43 of 59 Big Bash games.

Fox Sports will televise every game.