The Ashes 2023 news | Nine adds Aaron Finch to commentator line-up with Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Callum Ferguson, Steve O’Keefe
3 min read
Australia’s former one-day international and T20 captain Aaron Finch has joined Nine’s commentary line-up for its coverage of the upcoming Ashes series.
Finch, who retired from international cricket in February having played five Tests, 146 ODIs and 103 T20s joins Wide World of Sports regulars Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Callum Ferguson and Steve O’Keefe to call the action of one of the most tantalising series in years, with England employing its ‘Bazball’ philosophy to sweep aside all comers since a humiliating 4-0 defeat in a COVID-affected tour of Australia in 2021/22.
While Australia has been dominant at home, it’s been a miserable story as Ashes tourists over the last two decades, with Australia last tasting a series victory in England under Steve Waugh’s captaincy in 2001.
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The closest they’ve come to a series win as tourists since then was in 2019, with Tim Paine’s men taking a 2-1 lead by winning the fourth Test. They lost the fifth Test by 135 runs to draw the series 2-2.
Having retained the Ashes by drawing that series, Australia have now been the holders since 2017, with England desperate to break the drought.
It looms as a mouthwatering contest, with Pat Cummins leading the No.1 team in the world and England in the midst of a resurgence under the captaincy of Ben Stokes and the coaching of Brendon McCullum.
The men’s Ashes series starts on June 16 and will be broadcast exclusive, live and free on the 9Network and 9Now, hosted by Roz Kelly.
Nine will also broadcast the women’s Ashes series that follows, starting on Thursday June 22, with Australia’s all-conquering women’s team competing for the trophy across Test, ODI and T20 formats.
Mark Taylor will be at the ground for all five Tests of that series and will be joined by presenter Louise Ransome, while back home in the studio host Emma Lawrence will be joined by Australian former internationals Rachael Haynes and Eylse Villani.
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Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: « The Ashes: two simple words that represent so much in our nation’s sporting history, with famous moments, legendary players and unforgettable battles.
« An Ashes series never fails to deliver, and Wide World of Sports is proud to be right at the heart of it with our exclusive broadcast of both the men’s and women’s Ashes on Channel 9HD and 9Now. »
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