Star-studded commentary panel announced for ODI World Cup 2023

ICC TV is set to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience for cricket fans around the globe during the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Alongside live coverage of every match in the event, a complete world feed service will be available for licensees, ensuring that fans have access to all the action.

The extensive coverage will comprise a pre-match show, an innings interval programme, and a post-match wrap-up. A distinguished commentary panel featuring cricketing legends will provide insights and analysis that bring fans closer to the game than ever before.

Three-time Men’s Cricket World Cup winner Ricky Ponting, who has held the trophy aloft as skipper twice, joins ICC's coverage alongside the captain who led England to their first Men’s Cricket World Cup title four years ago, Eoin Morgan.

They will be joined by fellow Cricket World Cup winners, Shane Watson, Lisa Sthalekar, Ramiz Raja, Ravi Shastri, Aaron Finch, Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden who all know what it feels like to lift the ultimate prize in one day cricket.

The trio of Ian Smith, Nasser Hussain and Ian Bishop who brought the curtain down on the 2019 final at Lord’s and in turn provided us with one of the most iconic stints of commentary in the history of sport will be back in the box for ICC TV.

Former international captains Waqar Younis, Shaun Pollock, Anjum Chopra and Michael Atherton will be lending their voices to our prolific panel of former international stars which also includes Simon Doull, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Sanjay Manjrekar, Katey Martin, Dinesh Karthik, Dirk Nannes, Samuel Badree, Athar Ali Khan and Russel Arnold.

The commentary team is rounded off by some of the leading cricket broadcasters in the world with the likes of Harsha Bhogle, Kass Naidoo, Mark Nicholas, Natalie Germanos, Mark Howard and Ian Ward who will all help shape what promises to be the biggest Men’s Cricket World Cup in history.

Eoin Morgan: “I’m eagerly looking ahead to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The craze for the game in the sub-continent is unparalleled and I am sure the crowds will be out there to see all the teams in action.

“Winning the World Cup is a dream for any player, and I still get goosebumps thinking of that magical day at Lord’s, when we lifted the trophy after one of the most thrilling ODIs ever. I now look forward to my time behind the microphone, and I cannot wait to get to India!”

Lisa Sthalekar: “Winning a World Cup in India is a truly special feeling. There are several exciting teams in the fray this time, and it promises to be one of the great World Cups. May the best team win!

“It’s great to be part of the commentary panel that will take all the action from the World Cup to fans the world over.”

Ravi Shastri: “The 50-over Men’s Cricket World Cup with the ten top teams taking on each other in India for the title of world champions – it does not get any bigger than this! This is going to be one grand tournament and I can promise you that the atmosphere is going to be exhilarating. 

“I have commentated in several World Cups before, but this stint is going to be very special. The support for the sport in India is matchless, and it will truly be a festival of cricket.”

Ian Smith: “Commentating in the final of the last World Cup has been a high point of my broadcasting career and that match showed how thrilling this format of the game can be.

“The 50-over Men’s Cricket World Cup returns to India after 12 years and I am sure there is tremendous anticipation among fans across the country. It’s going to be a great experience soaking in the atmosphere while commentating along with my seasoned colleagues.”

Ricky Ponting: “Lifting the World Cup is every cricketer’s dream, and I am sure there are quite a few captains fancying their chances in India. The competition is evenly matched with most teams very familiar with Indian conditions.  

“The frenzy we witnessed in the 2011 World Cup in India was pretty incredible, but I reckon this year will be even bigger! I’m thrilled to be commentating and can’t wait to call the action.”

ICC TV will be supported by production services partner Disney Star and equipment services partner NEP Broadcast Solutions. AE Live will deliver the on-air graphics for the coverage, supplemented by in-depth cricket data analytics provided by Cricviz.

The broadcast will feature a variety of visual enhancements and innovations. Hawk-Eye will provide off-bat tracking and Piero graphics for better analysis of the game. They will also provide DRS services including ball tracking and edge detection. Quidich Innovation Labs will provide Field 360° - a virtual field model used to illustrate fielding positions and strategies. They will also provide a drone camera for stunning views of all venues and surrounding geography, and a roving buggy cam as well for a ground level view, while Spidercam will provide an aerial view of proceedings.

A groundbreaking innovation by ICC TV is the introduction of the vertical feed, a first-of-its-kind coverage in cricket that aims to engage casual fans by offering a more intuitive viewing experience optimized for mobile phones.

Beyond live match coverage, ICC TV will produce a wealth of non-live content, distributed to media rights partners via the ICC TV Content Delivery Service. This will include daily player profiles, team features, match previews, venue spotlights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, allowing fans to get up close and personal with all the action surrounding the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.