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Shane Warne Joins ESPN STAR Sports Presentation Team for the Second Test Between India and England

Legendary Australian leg spinner Shane Warne was formally introduced today as part of the ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) presentation team for the second test between India and England starting tomorrow at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Aloke Malik, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. presented an ESS jacket to the leg spinner welcoming him on board. 

The India England series is being covered on STAR Sports and STAR Cricket HD in English and on STAR Cricket in Hindi. The English commentary panel includes Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Sanjay Manjrekar, L Sivaramakrishnan, Paul Collingwood & Harsha Bhogle – Shane Warne thus joins a very illustrious group of analysts many of whom were adversaries in matches gone past. 

Known for his forthright and honest opinions and a superb cricket brain, cricket fans can look forward to Warne’s sharp analysis of the game starting with the second test of the England tour of India followed by Australia’s upcoming tour of India. Having mastered the art of all formats of the game at the highest level, and his experience playing with and against some of the biggest names in modern day cricket, Warne’s unique insights will add immense value to ESS’s presentation of cricket. Warne will also be actively involved in promoting Cricket related broadcast on ESPN STAR Sports. 

Warne has had an incredible international career for Australia claiming over 1,000 wickets in Tests and One-day Internationals. In the new Twenty20 format of the game, Warne not only made his stamp as an effective bowler but also showed his ability as a strategist and as an inspiring leader when he led Rajasthan Royals to victory in the first edition of Indian Premier League. This is the first time that Shane Warne will be commentating for the ESPN STAR Sports network. Earlier this year, Shane Warne had signed a 3 year deal as a part of ESPN STAR Sports ’commentary, presentation and analysis team. 

Speaking on the occasion, Aloke Malik, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. Said, “We’re delighted to have Shane Warne on board the ESS commentary, presentation and analysis team. His unique experience and no-holds-barred insights will add immense value to ESS’s presentation of cricket. Shane continues to share a very strong bond with Indian fans and is extremely popular in the subcontinent. We are confident that cricket viewers will enjoy watching and listening to him in his new role.” 

Commenting on his new role and his association with ESS, Shane Warne said, “I am delighted to be part of the ESPN STAR Sports commentary panel. I have some old on-field rivals who are part of the ESS commentary team. I think it will be fun working with them for a change. I am here only for the second Test match between India and England this time but I will be back for the India Australia series due next year. 

On the current India England series, Shane added, “The first test match was very interesting. England did show some great fighting spirit but India probably was too good. It will be in interesting to see how the second one pans out. Spinners would play a key role in the upcoming tests as always in the subcontinent. England might also have to relook at their team composition and I expect them to come back strongly.” 

ESPN STAR Sports has always been at the forefront of showcasing the best talent for cricket fans. Shane Warne’s announcement comes close on the heels of ESPN STAR Sports signing of former England captain Kevin Pietersen as part of its presentation and analysis team for the ICC World Twenty20, and former Indian captain Rahul Dravid in its ICC World Twenty20 programming. 

The sports broadcaster has also launched STAR Cricket’s Hindi presentation with the start of the current series with eminent analysts like Kapil Dev, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Ramiz Raja, Arun Lal and Ayaz Memon.