Seven has appointed former managing director of AFL Films and head of sport for Network Ten, Dave Barham, to head up the network’s cricket coverage.

During his time with Ten, Barham was in charge of its coverage of the Big Bash League and the Australian F1 Grand Prix.

His new role at Seven comes after it pinched the cricket rights from Nine in a deal with Foxtel worth close to $1bn over six years.

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The deal runs from 2018 to 2024, with Seven securing the domestic free-to-air broadcast rights to:

43 of the 59 Big Bash League matches, including all marquee matches and finals

All home international tests, including the 2021-22 home Ashes series

Key Women’s Big Bash League and international matches

Allan Border Medal and Belinda Clark Award

CEO of Seven West Media Tim Worner said he was pleased with the network’s first cricket signing.

“There is no-one better placed to lead our coverage than Dave, who has been instrumental in the phenomenal success of the BBL.

“I know Dave has been itching to have a crack at Test cricket for some time, and having heard some of his ideas, next summer can’t come soon enough.”

Worner noted everyone at Seven is “fired up” about the cricket, arguing the network now has the number one summer sport and the number one winter sport, in the form of AFL.

The comments come despite the network losing the tennis broadcasting rights to Nine.

Seven’s head of sport Saul Shtein said: “I’m a huge fan of Dave’s BBL innovative production which raised thew bar for cricket coverage in Australia. I’m looking forward to welcoming him on board.”

Barham himself added: “Cricket has been a huge part of my life over the past five years, so I’m thrilled to be joining Seven, the new free-to-air home of cricket.

“In my conversations with Tim, it’s very clear he and his team are 100% committed to producing even bigger and better BBL coverage and completely re-energising the Tests, so I can’t wait to get stuck in.”