Seven seal Ponting as commentator

Ricky Ponting has agreed to a commentary deal with the Seven Network, but his coaching aspirations aren't over.

Ricky Ponting is inducted into the cricket hall of fame

Ricky Ponting has signed a multi-million deal with Seven to be the face of their cricket coverage. (AAP)

Ricky Ponting has signed a deal with the Seven Network to be the face of their new cricket coverage.

The former Test captain is set to again lead the way in the commentary booth over Australian summers, with Channel 7 head of cricket Dave Barham saying on Friday night that "we will be building a formidable team around him".

Australian cricket underwent its biggest media shake-up in 40 years in April when Fox Sports and Seven signed a joint $1.182 billion broadcast deal to win the broadcasting rights from the Nine Network.

The new deal could signal the end for long-time Nine commentators such as Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor.

Seven and Fox Sports will broadcast all domestic cricket for the next six summers.

Seven will show all Test matches and 43 of 59 Big Bash League games, while Fox Sports will televise every game.

It's understood that Ponting will still be able to fit coaching in around his commentary commitments.

Ponting, who is currently coaching the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, had been talked about as a potential coach of Australia's Twenty20 side after the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

Former Test vice-captain Adam Gilchrist signed with Fox Sports' cricket team two weeks ago.

Gilchrist and Ponting, along with Damien Fleming and Mark Waugh, were popular members of Network Ten's BBL commentary.

Meanwhile, cricket's new media landscape continues to evolve, with News Corp Australia reporting on Friday afternoon that radio network Triple M is dropping its broadcast of Test matches.

The network says the broadcasts are no longer commercially viable.


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Source: AAP



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