SEVEN’S COMMENTARY TEAM
Sam Billings – Expert Commentator
The English T20 specialist has found a home in Sydney Thunder for the next three years, returning to the club following a two-year stint at the Brisbane Heat. The middle-order batsman made his debut for England against New Zealand in an ODI at Edgbaston in 2015, before being selected for the 2016 World T20 squad in India. Billings will join Seven’s commentary team as an Expert Commentator for BBL 14.
X: @SamBillings Instagram: @SamBillings
Greg Blewett – Expert Commentator
A stylish right-handed stroke-maker who played both Test and One Day International cricket for Australia, Blewett’s penchant for shots square of the wicket and powerful cover drive made him a natural entertainer. He played 46 Tests in a dominant Australian team from 1995 to 2000, scoring four centuries and regularly providing a valuable back-up bowling option as a medium pacer. Having impressed as a commentator in recent years, Blewett returns to Seven this summer for Test cricket and BBL 14.
X : @blewy214 Instagram: @gregblewett214
James Brayshaw – Host and Caller
Brayshaw enjoyed a distinguished cricket career at first-class level, averaging 42.53 runs across 75 matches as a top-order batsman. He was also part of two Sheffield Shield-winning teams, with Western Australia in 1987-88 and South Australia in 1995-96. Brayshaw has become a fan favourite since moving into television and radio, both as a host and commentator. This summer, he will co-host and call Australia’s Test series, plus BBL. Instagram: @jamesbrayshaw
Trent Copeland – Expert Analysis
The star seamer enjoyed a first-class career with New South Wales until his retirement in 2023. Now, juggling his role as General Manager of Sydney Thunder and commentary with Seven, he lives and breathes cricket all year round. Copeland’s long-standing involvement in the Sheffield Shield means he brings rare insight to the commentary box, where he can draw on his first-hand knowledge of current players, many of whom he has played with or against. He puts this knowledge to excellent use with his plain-speaking match analysis that takes viewers inside the day’s play. Copeland will unravel elite cricket’s tactics and strategy like no one else can during this summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy and BBL 14.
X : @copes9 Instagram: @copes9
Callum Ferguson – Expert Commentator
Ferguson represented Australia in all three forms of the game, averaging an outstanding
41.43 runs over 30 ODI matches from 2009 to 2011. The South Australian right-hander also enjoyed a decorated 18-year first-class career with the Redbacks and played in the first 10 BBL seasons, captaining Sydney Thunder from 2019-20 to 2020-21. A revelation since making his on-air debut with Seven, Ferguson will bring his fresh voice and exceptional insight to the live and free BBL coverage this summer.
X : @calferguson12 Instagram: @calferguson12
Holly Ferling – Expert Commentator
Becoming a cricket sensation at only 14 years old after securing a hat-trick in her first three balls of her men’s grade debut, Ferling debuted for the Australian Women’s Cricket Team at age 17, in all three formats – ODI, T20 and Test Cricket – while completing her schooling in Kingaroy in regional Queensland. She will feature across Seven’s WBBL and BBL coverage for the 2024-25 Summer of Cricket.
X: @Holly_Ferling Instagram: @HollyFerling
Aaron Finch – Expert Commentator
An original foundation member of the Melbourne Renegades, he is a four-time Renegades MVP and captained their inaugural premiership team in BBL 08. Finch made his T20 International debut in January 2011 against England in Adelaide, then his ODI debut in January 2013 against Sri Lanka at his beloved MCG. Finch also possesses one of the most precious items in Australian sport – the baggy green cap – after making his test debut against Pakistan in October 2018. Following an impressive guest appearance as an expert commentator for Seven’s Test coverage last summer, Finch returns officially to Seven’s commentary team for the first two Test matches in Perth and Adelaide, followed by BBL 14. X: @AaronFinch5 Instagram: @AaronFinch5
Damien Fleming – Expert Commentator
Fleming compiled an impressive career for Australia as a fast-medium swing bowler, taking 75 wickets at the excellent average of 25.89 in Test matches and 134 wickets in 88 One Day Internationals at 25.38. The Victorian’s career highlights include a Test hat-trick on debut against Pakistan, 31 Test wickets over the 1999-2000 summer and his key role in the victorious 1999 World Cup team. “Flem” has been equally successful since moving into the commentary box on television and radio, where fans have loved his entertaining and insightful “bowlology” theories.
X : @bowlologist Instagram: bowlologist
Emma Freedman – Host and Reporter
Emma Freedman is widely regarded as one of Australia’s brightest media talents and most authoritative voices in Australian thoroughbred racing. Outside of her love for racing, Freedman’s sport knowledge knows no bounds, which has seen her feature on Seven’s broadcast of the Repco Supercars Championship Bathurst 1000 broadcast, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the AFL Grand Final and Brownlow Medal, as well as Seven’s WBBL, Women’s Internationals and BBL coverage.
X: @Emma_freedman Instagram: @Emma_freedman
Sunil Gavaskar – Expert Commentator
Sunil Gavaskar, one of cricket’s greatest opening batsmen, redefined batting with his skill and resilience, particularly against the world’s most challenging bowlers. He debuted for India in 1971 and went on to become the first player to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, setting a record of 34 Test centuries that stood for nearly two decades. Renowned for his technical mastery and composure, especially against the formidable West Indies attack, Gavaskar elevated India’s status in world cricket. Post-retirement, he’s become a respected commentator, sharing his rich insights and experience with cricket fans globally. Sunil returns to Seven’s cricket commentary team for the Test Series between Australia and India, aptly named the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Instagram: @GavaskarSunilOfficial
Chris Green – Expert Commentator
An accomplished all-rounder in the Big Bash League, Chris Green is known for his sharp off- spin and reliable lower-order batting. Representing Sydney Thunder, Green brings energy and leadership to the team. Green has also represented franchises worldwide, making a name as a versatile and consistent performer in the shortest format. He returns to Seven’s commentary team for BBL 14.
X: @ChrisGreen_93 Instagram: @ChrisGreen_93
Alexandra Hartley – Expert Commentator
A former English bowler who made her debut for her country at just 14 years old in 2008, Hartley impressed in her breakout season two years later after taking 25 wickets against Scotland. In 2017, she played in her first Ashes against Australia before being named as one of the players in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year. Following her playing career, she has enjoyed a successful media career as an expert commentator and will join Seven for coverage of the Women’s Ashes.
X: @AlexHartley93 Instagram: @AlexHartley93
Matthew Hayden – Expert Commentator
One of Australia’s greatest openers of all-time, the destructive left-hander menaced opposition bowling attacks across 103 Test matches from 1994 to 2009, averaging 50.74 and scoring 30 centuries. In 2003, he recorded the then-highest individual Test innings, 380 runs against Zimbabwe, a score that remains the second highest in Test history. Hayden also enjoyed a stellar ODI career, averaging 43.80 over 161 matches. The Queensland fan favourite will join Seven’s cricket coverage again this summer for the first three Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
X : @HaydosTweets Instagram: @haydos359
Brad Hodge – Expert Commentator
With an unbeaten Test double century to his name and a reputation as one of the world’s most consistent T20 players, viewers have more recently come to know Hodge via his insightful commentary of BBL matches. Unlucky not to play more than six Tests after averaging 55.83 as a middle-order batsman, the Victorian represented Australia in all three forms of the game. Hodge will again provide expert commentary throughout the BBL this summer.
X : @bradhodge007 Instagram: @bradleyhodge302
Erin Holland – Sideline Reporter and Host
Holland is a television host and presenter whose cricket experience includes working on the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League and Canada’s Global T20 competition. Named Miss World Australia in 2013, Holland is also a classically trained soprano singer, holding a Bachelor of Classical Voice degree from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She returns to Seven’s coverage of the WBBL and BBL seasons.
X : @erinvholland Instagram: @erinvholland
Simon Katich – Expert Commentator
A hardnosed left-hander whose greatest success came as an opener, Katich played 56 Tests for Australia from 2001 to 2010, averaging 45.03 runs. As a part-time left-arm wrist spinner, he also proved a handy partnership-breaker, taking 21 Test wickets at the highly respectable average of 30.23. Since retiring, Katich has showcased his keen tactical understanding of cricket as an expert commentator. He returns to Seven’s team this summer for the much-anticipated Australia v India Test Series.
Rachel Khawaja – Colour Reporter
The wife of Australian batsman Usman Khawaja, Rachel Khawaja joins Seven’s coverage for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to deliver viewers all the excitement of a Test match day and take us behind the scenes of the Australian Test team with the people that know them best – their families.
X: @Rachel_Khawaja Instagram: @RachelMKhawaja
Tim Lane – Test Match Caller
One of the best-known voices in Australian sport, Lane has earned enormous respect from sports fans over more than 40 years as an award-winning broadcaster and journalist. During that time, he has become synonymous with Australian cricket as one of the game’s leading callers. He has covered more than 100 Test matches and more than 1500 AFL games, five Olympic Games and seven Commonwealth Games. His articulate commentary and thoughtful analysis make him an integral member of the Seven cricket team. This summer, he will call Australia’s Test matches for Seven.
X : @TimLaneSport
Justin Langer – Expert Commentator
Fresh off his time as Australian Cricket Coach, Langer arrived at Seven in 2022 with an unmatched skill set. Until the announcement of his retirement from Test cricket in 2007, Langer was one of Australia’s great top order batsmen. Originally playing at number three, he moved to opener in 2001 and played 105 Test matches scoring 7,696 runs including 23 Test centuries. Few have worn the baggy green with greater pride. Along with Matthew Hayden, Langer formed a hugely successful opening partnership, which ranks as the best in Australian history and featured six double century stands.
Andy Maher – Host
Describing himself as the “unfunny one” from Seven’s The Front Bar and “least swashbuckling” member of Seven’s BBL commentary team, Maher is also a highly respected journalist and sport presenter on radio and television. Maher’s extensive media commitments cover a variety of sports, including AFL and cricket. He will again commentate WBBL, BBL and Women’s International matches this summer.
X : @AndyMaherDFA Instagram: @andymaherdfa
Katey Martin
A highly experienced wicketkeeper who has represented New Zealand in all three formats and is now a much loved and respected voice in world cricket, Martin made her international debut in a Test against India in late 2003, followed by her WODI debut in the same tour. Martin’s T20I debut came nearly five years later, but she has contributed on many occasions in the format, including a fiery 65 against West Indies in 2018. Martin has appeared in six ICC T20 World Cup tournaments, most recently selected for the 2020 edition. She was the voice behind the microphone as her beloved New Zealand women’s team won the 2024 T20 World Cup, having the honour of commentating the emotional winning moments.
Instagram: @KateyMartin15
Glenn Maxwell – Expert Commentator
A key figure in Australia’s T20 and ODI teams, Maxwell brings versatility with his off-spin bowling and exceptional fielding skills. His ability to score quickly under pressure and innovate with the bat has made him one of the most exciting players in modern cricket, consistently delivering match-winning performances on the international stage. “Maxi” returns to Seven’s commentary team for BBL matches in 2024-25.
X: @GMaxi_32 Instagram: @GMaxi_21
Mel McLaughlin – Host
A leading Seven sport presenter, McLaughlin has hosted a raft of leading sporting events on the national and world stage, including Test and BBL cricket, Summer and Winter Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups, Commonwealth Games and the Supercars Championship. As 7NEWS Sydney’s sports anchor, McLaughlin presents the 7NEWS sport bulletin five nights a week, following a passion she has lived and breathed from a very young age as part of a sports-mad family. This summer, McLaughlin will host Test matches and blockbuster BBL games.
X : @Mel_Mclaughlin Instagram: @mel_mclaughlin
Alison Mitchell – Test Match Caller
An international sports broadcaster and commentator, Mitchell is an award-winning journalist and has won plaudits around the world for her polished and professional cricket commentary. She started her career at the BBC, where she has worked extensively across television and radio in broadcasting and journalism. She also has more than 10 years’ experience in ball-by-ball commentary internationally, having covered series in England, Australia, Sri Lanka and India. A meticulous researcher and lover of the game, Mitchell also has an instinctive ability to draw out the best from the experts alongside her in the commentary box.
X : @AlisonMitchell Instagram: @alison_mitchell00
Alister Nicholson – Commentator
Nicholson has become one of sport’s most recognisable voices over the past decade as a commentator on cricket and AFL football, including the past three years with Seven. His broadcasting experience extends to the NRL, A-League, Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Australia’s major golf tournaments and the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Before his broadcast career, he was a highly respected sport journalist in Tasmania. This summer he returns to Seven’s BBL and Test commentary team.
X: @AlisterNicho Instagram: @alisternicholson
Ricky Ponting – Expert Commentator
One of the most decorated cricketers in the game’s history, Ponting has led Seven’s commentary team since its foundation in 2018-19. In 168 Test matches, Ponting bludgeoned 13,378 runs at the remarkable average of 51.85 and currently sits second on the all-time runs list, behind Indian great Sachin Tendulkar. The Tasmanian also captained Australia in 77 Tests from 2004 to 2010 – second behind Allan Border – and in One Day Internationals also led the Aussies to the 2003 and 2007 World Cup crowns. Now widely regarded as the best cricket commentator in the world, Ponting’s intimate knowledge of the game is matched by his ability to communicate to cricket fans of all levels of interest and understanding.
X : @RickyPonting Instagram: @rickyponting
Jason Richardson – Host
An experienced broadcaster and former elite sprinter, Richardson will host and commentate BBL matches and the Women’s Ashes across Seven’s cricket coverage this summer. A Stawell Gift winner in 1993, he brings plenty of personality and fun to a broad range of sports on Seven. A key member of Seven’s horse racing team as a host and commentator, Richardson has also worked many of Seven’s sport broadcasts.
X : @JaseRicho Instagram: @jaserichardson7
Kirby Short – Expert Commentator
The former Australian cricketer and captain of the Brisbane Heat is known for her strategic leadership and composed batting. Juggling her role as a teacher and cricketer throughout her playing career, Short also played a pivotal role in the development of women’s cricket in Australia. Following her commentary for the Women’s International matches against New Zealand earlier this year, Short returns to Seven’s commentary this summer across WBBL and the Women’s Internation Series against India.
Mitchell Starc – Expert Commentator
One of Australia’s premier fast bowlers, known for his explosive pace, lethal yorkers and left- arm swing. Since his international debut in 2010, Starc has become a force in all formats, playing a pivotal role in Australia’s 2015 Cricket World Cup victory, where he was named Player of the Tournament. With his height and speed, Starc is a constant wicket-taking threat, making him a standout in Australian cricket’s modern era. Starc joins Seven’s commentary team for white ball matches in the Women’s Ashes.
Instagram: @MStarc56
Lisa Sthalekar – Expert Commentator
The former Australian women’s player forged a stellar international career as an all-rounder from 2001 to 2013, becoming the first woman to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in One Day Internationals. She was named the Australian Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2007 and 2008, and was a member of the World Cup triumphs in 2005 and 2013. Sthalekar has since made a seamless transition to the commentary box and will commentate on
WBBL and Women’s International games this summer.
X: @sthalekar93 Instagram: @Isthalekar
Simon Taufel – Expert Analyst
After his career as a fast-medium bowler was cut short by injury, Taufel moved into umpiring, progressing so quickly through the ranks he made his first-class debut in 1994 aged just 24. By the time he retired in 2012, he was widely considered the best umpire of his generation after an international career that spanned 74 Tests, 174 ODIs and 34 T20s. He won five consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year awards from 2004 to 2008, and later worked as the ICC’s Umpire Performance and Training Manager. This summer, Taufel returns to Seven’s Test team, where viewers will enjoy his expert insights into contentious umpiring decisions.
Elyse Villani – Expert Commentator
Top-order bat Elyse Villani’s clean hitting and impeccable timing have seen her grow into one of the most damaging batters in women’s cricket. Villani has enjoyed great success with the Australian Women’s cricket team, helping them to lift the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 trophy in the West Indies in 2010. Currently the captain of the Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL, Villani stepped behind the microphone for Seven’s 2023 WBBL coverage and will continue her role across Seven’s WBBL telecast.
X: @ElyseVillani Instagram: elysevillani
