Cricket fans tuning in to coverage of the Ashes tour by one Australian television network might be in for fireworks.

Channel Nine have hired England's Ian Botham to share the commentary box with his arch-rival and former Australian captain Ian Chappell.

Chappell said yesterday that he would have no problems working with his old sparring partner.

"That's all right as long as they don't expect me to socialise with him because I certainly won't be doing that."

The two former greats have been sworn enemies since a much-publicised bar-room clash in the Melbourne Hilton in 1977.

"How can you respect a guy who puts an empty beer glass in your face and says he will cut you from ear to ear," Chappell wrote two years ago.

Botham denied the beer-glass incident.

He said at the time he had warned Chappell to cool the Pommie-bashing.

Viewers will be able to judge how the concoction works from November 20th, the first day of the first Test in Brisbane.