SYDNEY, March 2: Adam Gilchrist will walk straight from his days in international cricket into a television career after signing with Australia’s Channel Nine.

Gilchrist will join the commentary team next season, alongside his former team-mates Mark Taylor and Michael Slater, and old pros like Richie Benaud and Bill Lawry.

He is set to make his on-screen debut later this month when he co-hosts the revived sports show Wide World of Sports on March 30. Gilchrist said it would be difficult to suddenly switch from being one of the on-field stars to analysing the game from afar.

“I’ve been amazed at how many people have said they’re expecting me to walk straight into the commentary box,” Gilchrist told The Sunday Telegraph.

“I’d be reticent to sit up and try to pass judgment and comment on my team-mates, who I’ve just walked away from so, maybe in a different type of role, you might see me around a few games of cricket.”

Wide World of Sports will return from a 10-year break on March 16 with the anchor Ken Sutcliffe to be joined by a revolving team of co-hosts.

Last week Gilchrist filmed promotions for the show and he earned the praise of his colleague, a veteran of Australian sports broadcasting.

“He’s frighteningly good,” Sutcliffe said. “He’s a natural.”—Agencies