Cricket’s No.1 commentary team is primed and ready as the Seven Network’s Summer of Cricket heats up with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning next Friday live and free on Seven and – for the first time – streaming live and free on 7plus Sport.

With an unbeatable lineup of new signings to the Seven cricket commentary team for the highly anticipated Australia-India series, Big Bash League, Australia v India Women’s ODI Series and the Women’s Ashes Series, Seven has brought together the biggest and best names in world cricket, led by the most famous name in Indian cricket, Sunil Gavaskar.

Returning to Seven’s commentary team for the Test Series named in his honour, Gavaskar will feature in all five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Joining him throughout the series will be a who’s who of Australian greats, including cricket’s most astute caller Ricky Ponting, former Australian coach Justin Langer, and fellow Australian champion battter Matthew Hayden.

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Also returning to Seven’s unbeatable cricket line-up is former Australian ODI and T20I captain Aaron Finch, who will feature in the first two Test matches and the 2024-25 Big Bash League season.

Current Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc will join the commentary team for Seven’s Women’s Ashes coverage for white ball matches, starting at North Sydney Oval on 12 January on Seven and 7plus Sport, while former English cricketer and current media star, Alexandra Hartley, joins the commentary team for the entire Ashes Series.

Rounding out Seven’s new signings is Rachel Khawaja, who will join Seven’s Australia-India Test Series coverage, connecting viewers with the people closest to the Australian cricket teams’ players – their families.

A host of former on-field stars will also return to Seven’s cricket team as expert commentators, including Greg Blewett, Lisa Sthalekar, Trent Copeland, Callum Ferguson, Holly Ferling, Damien Fleming, Brad Hodge, Simon Katich, Katey Martin, Kirby Short and Elyse Villani.

Leading Seven sport presenters James Brayshaw and Mel McLaughlin will also return to Seven’s coverage, alongside resident callers Alister Nicholson, Tim Lane, Alison Mitchell, Andy Maher and Jason Richardson, with hosts Erin Holland and Emma Freedman joining them from boundary side.

Current stars Chris Green, Glenn Maxwell and Sam Billings will be regulars on Seven’s live and free BBL coverage, while 7NEWS sport reporters Theo Doropoulos and Anna Hay will feature in their local states.

In another exciting announcement for viewers, five-time ICC Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel also returns to the Seven team to share his critical knowledge of the rules of the game, while respected cricket journalists Peter Lalor and Bharat Sundaresan will be on deck to report the biggest breaking news stories of each day’s play.

In a bonus for Indian cricket fans in Australia, Seven has announced a secondary Hindi feed will be available every day of the Australia v India Test Series on 7plus Sport.

Meanwhile, Ponting has shared his thoughts on the likely standout players in the Australia-India series ahead of the first Test in Perth next Friday.

“The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most fiercely contested series in world cricket. It’s a rivalry that’s built on rich history, talent, and sheer determination, and both sides always rise to the occasion,” he said.

“As we get closer to the start of the Test summer, Australia’s team looks more settled and experienced, and despite India winning the past two series here, they are tough to beat at home. With that in mind, I’d lean towards Australia for the series win.

“As for Virat Kohli, his record in Australia speaks for itself. While he has been far from his best in recent times, if there’s ever a time to turn around his form, it’s now.

“In terms of standouts, I think we’ll see a middle-order batsman claim the most runs this series, likely either Steve Smith or Rishabh Pant.

“For the leading wicket-taker, I’d pick Josh Hazlewood. He’s at the peak of his form, and with five back-to-back Tests, he’s likely to play all of them.

“Australia are a dominant force on home soil – they know the conditions, they have thecrowd behind them, and they’re incredibly tough to beat here. But we all remember the last time India came to Australia.

“Anything can happen, which is what makes this series so exciting.”