Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath has been dropped from ABC’s commentary team for the upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series against England after his partnership with major betting company Bet365 was revealed. Now, Glenn McGrath will not appear in the broadcast.
The legendary Australian fast bowler was part of the Ashes commentary line-up for ABC, but his broadcast deal ended when he joined Bet365. The ABC has a strict policy that does not allow commentators and staff to make any commercial deals with gambling agencies.
However, Glenn McGrath’s management had informed broadcaster ABC of its deal with Bet365 before the decision, so the partnership was mutually ended. Although McGrath will not be included in the commentary panel, he will still be seen around the field during the Ashes 2025-26 series.
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An ABC spokesperson said in a statement quoted by The Guardian: “ABC and Glenn McGrath have parted ways by mutual consent for these Ashes. We look forward to seeing Glenn McGrath around the field throughout the series and would welcome working with him in the future.”
“Our great commentary team, led by Jim Maxwell and Corbyn Middlemass, is excited for the first Test in Perth this Friday.”
When Michelle Johnson left ABC because of gambling restrictions
Earlier, in 2022, former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson also left ABC due to his links with betting agencies. And at the time, Johnson openly disagreed with the decision and questioned the restrictions placed on commentators regarding gambling partnerships.
Mitchell Johnson said at the time, “It freaks me out a little bit: Do we have to make sure we’re in line with ABC’s ethical code? There’s nothing I can do about it… That’s the rule, and I feel like I’m not going to work with them.”
Usman Khawaja calls for immediate ban on gambling ads in sports
Even veteran Australian batsman Usman Khawaja recently criticized the government for acting too slowly on gambling advertisements in sports. Khawaja stressed the need for immediate action to end the ties between betting companies and sports to protect the game and its players from the influence of betting.
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“If gambling is being repeatedly brought up with sports and athletes, showing that you can’t have sports without gambling, then that’s a very dangerous precedent,” Khawaja said.
The Ashes 2025-26 set to ignite classic Australia vs England rivalry
Meanwhile, the Ashes 2025-26 is set to bring one of the most intense rivalries back into the spotlight. Australia and England are set to clash in a five-match Test series starting this weekend. The first match will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21, while the remaining Tests will be held in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Australia will be led by stand-in captain Steve Smith as Pat Cummins is ruled out with a back injury. Led by Ben Stokes, England are finally aiming to break their long losing streak in Australia. England have not won an Ashes Test series on Australian soil for 15 years and their last Test win in Australia was in January 2011.
The upcoming Test series gives them a chance to end that long wait and claim a historic series after a decade. However, Australia has been the dominant team in Ashes history, with a total of 152 wins in 361 Tests and 142 wins in 345 Ashes matches.
