Ponting to commentate in Big Bash

Network Ten Saturday announced that Australian batting great Ricky Ponting is joining its commentary team for the Big Bash T20 League.

The former Australian Test and One-day captain will embark on his new role with TEN after he retires from the game in October.

Having made his One-day International and Test debut at just 20 years of age, Ponting captained Australia from 2004 until 2011.

The most successful Australian captain of all time, with 48 victories in 77 tests, Ponting is also the second highest run-scorer in Test history, Australia's leading run-scorer in Test and One Day International cricket, and has scored the most international centuries by an Australian batsman.

In addition to his extraordinary cricketing achievements, Ponting and his wife Rianna have raised more than $10 million since 2002 to help Australians and their families beat cancer. In 2008, they established the Ponting Foundation to provide focus to their fundraising efforts.

Network Ten Chief Executive Officer, Hamish McLennan, said: "We are honoured that Ricky has agreed to join our new cricket commentary team.

Ponting said: I'm very excited to be joining Network Ten and being part of their commentary team

this summer. I can't wait for it all to start in December."

Network Ten Head of Sport, David Barham, added: "I have long admired Ricky's remarkable contribution to our country through cricket. His sportsmanship, professionalism, leadership and reputation are second to none. We are thrilled to have Ricky join our team.":

The Big Bash League will be broadcast live on TEN from December 2013.