Allan Border to continue in Fox Sports commentary role despite Parkinson’s battle

Despite the shocking reveal of Allan Border’s Parkinson’s fight, the former Australian captain remains steadfast in contributing to the game that made him an icon.

In his typical brave heart manner, Allan Border will continue to commentate on Fox Cricket, despite battling Parkinson’s disease.

Fox Sports confirmed that the Godfather of modern Australian cricket will remain part of the network’s broadcasting team for this summer where he is set to feature in the call of Test matches against Pakistan and the West Indies.

Border has been a voice of almost unparalleled authority on Fox Sports’ for over two decades, travelling the world with Brendon Julian to cover Australian tours overseas long before the network won the home cricket TV rights back in 2018.

Julian, a former fast bowler who made his Test debut playing under Border in the 1993 Ashes, was the only person outside of Dean Jones and David Boon that Border had confided in about his private health battle prior to his decision to go public about his condition on Saturday in The Australian.

More recently, his condition has worsened and his physical symptoms become more exaggerated, but it has not dented his determination to continue dedicating his expertise to the game he treasures.

Border will continue in his role as a commentator for Fox Sports. Picture David Clark

Other former teammates reacted to the news with sadness on Saturday, as they immediately rallied around a man who represents everything Australian Test cricket should stand for.

“AB is the architect of Australian cricket’s success since the devastation of the mid-1980s,” wicketkeeping great Ian Healy told this masthead.

“He singularly stood up to the might of the West Indies in their countries and ours. His fight now turns to this health issue.

“I hate it!

“He’s about to feel the love of so many people who are willing to help and support him in any ways possible.”

Border may not have been as prominent as other more recently retired Test players on Australian Test coverage over the years, but there is no figure more universally respected across multiple generations.

Fox Cricket expert and former teammate Mark Waugh said emotions amongst the commentary team had boosted with the knowledge Border would remain part of the broadcast coverage.

“I’ve always had the greatest respect for AB as a cricketer. He was a player who I always looked up to,” Waugh said.

“He is a pleasure to work with in the commentary box.

“He was a tough competitor on the field, but you wouldn’t meet a more loyal, honest and genuine person off the field.”

Border’s diagnosis has not dented his desire to contribute to the game he loves. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

At 68, he is still greatly respected, even revered by the current Australian Test team – and during the recent summer linked with David Warner in Brisbane for a round of golf, a physical activity and passion he has been able to maintain.

Border was scathing of Australia’s batting collapses on Fox’s coverage of the recent tour of India, but players know any criticism he offers comes from the passion and love he holds for the baggy green cap.

More recently, Border correctly predicted the important role an under-siege Warner and underrated Scott Boland would play in the World Test Championship Final and Ashes campaign.

On Friday night as his interview with Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley went online, Border was faithfully watching the Australian team walk out onto his favourite cricket ground in the world – Lord’s.

Border told The Australian that it would be a miracle if he made it to 80 years of age – but that he was not afraid.

“I get the feeling I’m a hell of a lot better off than most,” Border said.

“At the moment I’m not scared, not about the immediate future anyway. I’m 68. If I make 80 that’ll be a miracle. I’ve got a doctor friend and I said if I make 80 that’ll be a miracle, and he said, ‘That will be a miracle.’

“No way am I going to get another 100, that’s for sure. I’ll just slip slowly into the west.”

Originally published as Allan Border to continue in Fox Sports commentary role despite Parkinson’s battle