Channel Nine has revealed their commentary team for this season’s Ashes series – but have copped a backlash from cricket fans as a result.
The network unveiled Shane Warne, Michael Slater, Ian Chappell, Bill Lawry, Mark Nicholas, Ian Healy, Mark Taylor and Michael Clarke as their broadcasters for the test series between Australia and England beginning at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.
Former Ashes combatants Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen will provide the English perspective to the commentary panel.
Channel Nine has revealed their commentary team for this season’s Ashes series – but have copped a backlash from cricket fans as a result
The group has been criticised by fans, with many saying the line-up lacks diversity and is ‘male, pale and stale’.
Channel Nine broadcast the women’s Ashes series earlier in 2017 featuring female commentators.
Former Australian representatives Lisa Sthalaker and Mel Jones were part of the commentary team for that series, but have been snubbed by Nine.
Warne posted a photo of the panel on Instagram to his 704,000 followers on Friday, and was skewered by fans in the comments.
Fans also took to the comments section of Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports Facebook page to criticise the commentary team.
Fans also took to the comments section of Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports Facebook page to criticise the commentary team
‘Michael Clarke has the personality of a dead snake,’ one posted, while another said ‘how outdated, offensive and pathetic’
‘Michael Clarke has the personality of a dead snake,’ one posted, while another said ‘how outdated, offensive and pathetic’.
‘What message are you sending to young girls.’
Another said: ‘It’s 2017 – you should by now realise that you don’t have to be white or a man in order to speak.
‘Absolutely appalling decision.’
Daily Mail Australia has approached Channel Nine for comment.