Two female broadcasters were named as the "surprise faces" of Seven’s cricket coverage as the network "seeks to redefine free-to-air sports broadcasting in a post-ball-tampering era," according to Darren Davidson of THE AUSTRALIAN. Four months after Seven and subscription TV broadcaster Fox Sports "stumped up" A$1.18B for Cricket Australia’s media rights in a record-breaking deal, English broadcaster Alison Mitchell was unveiled as one of Seven’s "key" commentators. Mitchell, who worked for the BBC and has called cricket in England, India, Sri Lanka and Australia, will be the first female to call ball-by-ball test action on Australian free-to-air TV in 35 years. Mitchell will be joined by Mel McLaughlin, who appeared in headlines around the world in '16 when West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle flirted with her during a sideline interview, and said, "Don’t blush, baby." McLaughlin has worked for Seven since '16 and covered the Big Bash League for Ten under the previous deal, before Seven "toppled" Ten and broke Nine's four-decade run as the free vehicle for cricket as part of a six-year deal (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/11).
