Seven agrees Rick Ponting deal

Seven’s cricket coverage has received a boost with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting signing on with the network.

Ricky Ponting has signed up to join Seven’s cricket coverage.

Seven’s cricket coverage has received a boost with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting agreeing to a deal with the network after the broadcaster snatched the free-to-air media rights from the Ten and Nine networks.

Terms on a deal with Seven were agreed in principle this week, sources said. Seven declined to comment.

It is understood Seven executives have encouraged Ponting to continue to pursue his coaching ambitions.

Ponting’s former Big Bash co-commentator Adam Gilchrist recently joined the Fox Sports cricket team.

Leg spin legend Shane Warne is another likely survivor from the previous broadcast deal. Warne remains in-demand and is yet to sign a deal with one of the two new cricket broadcasters.

The move comes after Seven installed Dave Barham as head of Cricket as the sport enters a new era from October after more than 40 years on rival Nine.

The hires were prompted by Seven’s six-year $1.182 billion rights deal with Cricket Australia as part of a partnership with subscription-TV operator Foxtel.

For Seven, the deal covers domestic free-to-air broadcast rights to 43 of the 59 Big Bash League matches, including all marquee matches and finals.

Other rights include all home international tests, including the 2021-22 home Ashes series as well as key Women’s Big Bash League and International matches.