Australia's face of cricket commentary, Richie Benaud, could be calling the Ashes cricket series on Australian television this year.

With Nine knocking back the opportunity to broadcast this year's Ashes in England, Benaud will commentate the series for Britain's Channel Four which will cover all five Test matches.

SBS, who surprisingly bought the free-to-air broadcast rights for the July Ashes series after the other Australian networks passed on the idea, are tipped by industry insiders to pick up Channel Four's coverage for broadcast into Australia.

Benaud has told The Australian newspaper he was unaware of the circumstances which could see him commentate on a rival network and did not know what Nine's attitude would be.

"I have no idea," he said.

"All I know is I'll be working for Channel Four."

Channel Seven have the rights to broadcast the one-day series prior to the Ashes but Benaud's role with Channel Four does not include the limited overs matches.

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