Cricket enters a new era
AUSTRALIAN cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has promised a whole new level of analysis and scrutiny from a cartel of explayers turned scrutineers as the game enters new broadcast territory this summer.
The new 24/ 7 Fox Cricket channel will take on a role as the conscience of Australian fans and ensure every success and failure is measured in equal parts, without forgetting the lighter side of the game played by adults and kids alike.
Today Fox Cricket unveils a suite of 13 new shows which will maintain a well- credentialed eye on not just the deeds of the national teams, men’s and women’s, but the sport’s administration too.
Daily investigation, via the new Cricket 360, will mash up with entertaining insights into those who play it from the top level down to the Saturday park players.
Gilchrist and Shane Warne are among a group of storied players in the 31 commentators who will be part of the broadcast of more than 1000 hours of live cricket this summer.
It begins with a one- day series against South Africa in November, all six Tests against India and Sri Lanka, and Big Bash games, with a forecast for strong opinions.
“The players will find it a new era, 24/ 7 coverage. There may be an adjustment period for them. But as a general statement it has to be positive for the game,” Gilchrist said.
“I hope our coverage is opinionated, but balanced, because we have some great cricket minds.”
Cricket has endured a torrid 18 months on the back of an ugly pay scrap and the balltampering scandal in South Africa.
But in that period there was yet another Ashes win, the ongoing growth and success of the Big Bash, and an injection of freshness through new Aus- tralian coach Justin Langer.
And with a bumper home summer leading into next year’s one- day World Cup and another Ashes series in England, back- to- back big events, Gilchrist said there was plenty to look forward to.
“I think it’s a really exciting summer because of all the unknowns,” he said.
“It’s a new coach, new captain, new players ...
“No one knows going to win or not.
“But it’s going to draw us all together and there will be plenty to talk about.” if they are