Gabba Test 'first time in 34 years' without three of Nine's famous commentating quartet

The winter Ashes opener in Brisbane will reportedly mark the first time in 34 years that three of the famous four from Channel Nine's cricket commentary team will be unavailable for the first Test of the winter.

Of the four originals, who consisted of Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell and Tony Greig, only Chappell will take his place at the Gabba due to the passing of Greig to cancer last year and Benaud struggling to regain full strength after being involved in a car accident last month.

According to News.com.au, Lawry, whose wife is unwell, has been granted leave until the Boxing Day Test, when Benaud is also hoping to return.

The report mentioned that Benaud, Lawry, Chappell and Greig first commentated together for Nine in 1979 and the quartet have been responsible for bringing cricket into Australian lounge rooms and lives.

Channel Nine, however, said that they are well prepared for the Ashes opener, adding that the next generation of commentators on the team, which includes Michael Slater, Michael Hussey, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, Mark Nicholas and James Brayshaw, represented a 'changing of the guard'.

In a tribute to Greig, Nine will unveil a new-look weather wall and pitch report on Thursday, which was a hallmark of the late commentator during the early 80s, the report added.