Ian Ward

Ward retired from first-class cricket in 2005 to pursue a career as a full-time cricket presenter and commentator, having worked for Sky Sports for the previous two winters. Ward is now an integral part of the Sky Sports cricket presenting team. Throughout the television coverage of the 2013 Ashes he anchored the "Ashes Zone", returning to his professional experience as a batsman, demonstrating cricket shots, bowling techniques and field placings. His in-depth analysis won acclaim from counterparts in the media.

Having played for Surrey in 1992 and then been released, he was taken back onto the staff in 1997, and was an integral part of the side that won the championship three times between 1999 and 2002. Ward played five Tests for England in the 2001 summer against Pakistan and Australia. After a promising debut innings of 39 against Pakistan he subsequently failed to impress, betraying obvious technical problems which were quickly exploited by the Australian attack during the Ashes. He was duly dropped from the side after the third Test of the series. Ward moved to Sussex in 2003, still keen to receive a recall to the England squad, however he was never to return to international cricket.

Ian James Ward (born 30 September 1972) is an English cricket commentator and cricketer. He was a left-handed opening batsman and an occasional right-arm medium bowler.