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<\/p>\nDuring the 2022 New Year\u2019s Ashes Test at the SCG, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison walked into the Fox Cricket broadcast studio ahead of a brief cameo in the commentary box.<\/p>\n
Some of cricket\u2019s modern greats were in the room \u2014 Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Mark Waugh \u2014 but Morrison was desperate to get a selfie with one person. Shane Warne.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the King of Spin was having a nap under a table when Morrison entered the room, so a Cricket Australia staff member had to gently nudge him awake with their foot.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watch Live & Free coverage of the 2026 Marsh Sheffield Shield with Kayo Freebies | Register free now ><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe got up and shook the Prime Minister\u2019s hand,\u201d Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard recalled.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one person that the Prime Minister wanted to get a selfie with was Warnie, and I think that\u2019s a reflection on where he was held within the Australian community and the world cricket community.\u201d<\/p>\n Howard has now been part of eight home summers with Fox Cricket, calling some of the sport\u2019s iconic moments, including Scott Boland\u2019s seven-fa on debut at the MCG and India\u2019s Gabba miracle in 2021.<\/p>\n But the moment that stands out to Howard remains the 2024 day-night Test in Brisbane, when wounded West Indies seamer Shamar Joseph inspired a historic victory with a seven-wicket haul in the fourth innings.<\/p>\n \u201cWatching Brian Lara in tears was probably the one that stands out to me,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n \u201cJust to show the passion of the man and his love for Test cricket and the pride of what his country had done.\u201d<\/p>\n Fox Cricket presenters Shane Warne, Michael Hussey and Mark Howard in 2019.Source: AAP<\/p>\n During his eight years at Fox Cricket, Howard has had the opportunity to work alongside what he describes as \u201cthe best cricket commentary team in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just a privilege to go in every day and sit beside them all and listen to what they\u2019ve got to say about the game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cMark Waugh is brilliant because he has an incredible understanding of the game, but he\u2019s also funny without trying to be funny.<\/p>\n \u201cMichael Vaughan is also someone I love sitting next to because he gets that we are in the entertainment business, and then you add Skull (Kerry O\u2019Keeffe) into that mix as well. Skull\u2019s a genius and he knows more about the game than anyone I\u2019ve ever worked with.\u201d<\/p>\n But according to Howard, the \u201cNo. 1 cricket caller on the planet\u201d has to be New Zealand\u2019s Ian Smith, famous for the \u201cby the barest of margins\u201d call during the 2019 World Cup final at Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\n The Black Caps are touring Australian shores next summer for a four-Test series, and Howard would love to see Smith return to the Fox Cricket commentary box.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be those clamouring for Smithy\u2019s services,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n \u201cI just spent three weeks with him in Sri Lanka … for me, my favourite cricket commentator to sit and listen to is Ian Smith in any format of the game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just got an unbelievable way with words. He\u2019s called some of the biggest moments.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had him out here numerous times at Fox … if Fox were able to secure his services (next summer), that would be a massive boom for the coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard interviews Usman Khawaja. Photo by Robert Cianflone\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n