Ricky Ponting set to sign with Seven
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is on the verge of signing a lucrative contract with the Seven Network to be the face of their cricket coverage.
Fairfax Media understands Ponting has been offered a contract by Seven and will make a final call on Friday. Should he sign the deal, it would mean he would have little time to take on a coaching role with the national side.
The 43-year-old had been mentioned as a potential coach of Australia's Twenty20 side but, with a young family, and already coaching in the Indian Premier League, he does not have the time.
Justin Langer was last week named as coach of Australia in the sport's three formats.
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 two networks will broadcast all home and domestic cricket for at least the next six summers.
Seven will broadcast Test matches and 43 of 59 Big Bash games, while Fox Sports will televise every game.
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 Big Bash League commentary.
Fairfax Media understands Fleming and Brad Hogg, the latter a colourful former Australian spinner who became a cult-hero with the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, are set to sign with Seven.
AAP, More to come