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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

David Gower takes parting shot at Sky Sports as he and Sir Ian Botham sign off with glass of bubbly

David Gower took a parting shot at Sky as he signed off after 25 years of fronting the broadcaster's cricket coverage.

Former England skipper Gower insisted he had not had enough of his role and joked he'd be 'selling the Big Issue' after Sky opted not to renew his contract.

Both he and former teammate Sir Ian Botham commentated on their last match as England beat Australia in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

It meant the series was drawn 2-2 but the Ashes will stay Down Under due to Australia already holding the urn.

Gower and Botham were on commentary together for the final wicket to fall as Jack Leach claimed the scalp of Josh Hazlewood thanks to a stunning catch by Joe Root.

Botham and Gower signed off after the fifth Ashes Test (SkyCricket/Twitter)

And the duo reminisced over a glass of bubbly live on air after the game - but Gower wasn't quite as happy to see the curtain come down on his stint with Sky as his pal.

Botham quipped: "Twenty-five years... do we get a gold watch for this?" To which Gower replied: "You must be joking."

Former all-rounder Botham then added: "I've had enough. I think it's time to move on."

Gower responded: "Well, I haven't. But time has indeed move on."

As Botham took a swig of his own wine, Gower said: "He'll be selling wine, I'll be outside the Garret with a Big Issue by the end of the evening."

But Gower did also pay tribute to Sky, adding: "It has been an absolute joy. A real privilege to be with people like my great mate here with everyone around us. It's a superb team that makes cricket come alive on Sky and I will miss it."

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