Much-loved Sky Sports pundit to return to exile after fleeting comeback five years on from axe

Sky Sports viewers were able to hear David Gower's voice once more during England's tour of Pakistan this month - but it was only a brief return.

The 67-year-old said farewell to the Sky Sports commentary box after the conclusion of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in the 2019 series. Sky decided not to renew his contract and the much-loved broadcaster was forced to exit stage left.

In recent weeks though England fans, who , were able to hear Gower's insight once more. He wasn't hired by Sky, but had been featuring on the feed commentary.

Sky showed coverage from Pakistan via the host broadcaster, for whom Gower is working. The former England captain has worked in Pakistan regularly since leaving Sky.

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When Gower departed five years ago he claimed he'd been “retired” and pointed reference to “modern pressures” about what sort of person gets to have their face on screen. His TV sidekick Sir Ian Botham was also given the boot by Sky.

Gower hinted that “ageism” had played a factor in him being moved on. The former player turned broadcaster didn't go quietly and, after initially being told he would play less of a role in Sky's one-day coverage, was eventually ushered out the door all together.

He told the Telegraph regarding his exit: “I had a tap on the shoulder and the quote this time was, ‘You’re doing a great job but we would like to freshen up our white-ball coverage. Now they didn’t start letting off fireworks or putting modern art displays in the commentary box. It was just a change of face at the start of the programme, and everything else was pretty much the same to be honest.

“I have had it explained to me that there are evolutionary trends in broadcasting and we’ve seen the change towards more diversity. Which is rampant at the moment, and will continue. Lots of things are changing very rapidly and evolving, which are beyond the control of people like me."

Gower commentated on a series that England led, but eventually lost in convincing fashion. Their defeat was confirmed before lunch on day three of the deciding Test. Pakistan spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan had been a menace since being recalled ahead of the second Test and bowled England out for 112 - their lowest ever total in Pakistan.

It left Pakistan a target of just 36 and they chased that down with nine wickets remaining as they landed their first home series win in almost four years.