Disgraced former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith is serving a 12-month ban from the game in the wake of the South African ball-tamping scandal, but per some reports today, he may yet be able to see out his suspension from inside a commentary box.
Smith is currently in New York, where he is laying low to escape from media attention, but per a report in today’s Sunday Telegraph, he is being eyed for a possible commentator position with Foxtel on the pay TV network’s new cricket channel.
Foxtel and Channel Seven recently did a $1.2 billion deal to broadcast the sport for the next six years, stealing the rights away from Nine after four decades – this in itself would probably have been the biggest cricketing story of the year, were it not for … y’know.
The two networks are currently scouting out talent to be part of their summer cricket coverage, and per a Wide World Of Sports report, Smith will “most likely undertake roles in the commentary box and offer his opinion on magazine shows.”
Whether or not Foxtel is willing to stand by its existing relationship with the disgraced Smith, they are rumoured to be chasing other talent, including Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and the legendary Bill Lawry.
Steve Smith and former vice-captain David Warner were banned from playing cricket for Australia for 12 months in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, while opener Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine.
