Changing Channels

posted by John Winn

A major change comes to the televising of test cricket in the next twenty four hours when BT Sport will broadcast the 1st test between Australia and South Africa from the WACA, 10:30 local time, 2:30 GMT. Viewing is available via live streaming as well as on TV. Coverage begins at 2:00 GMT.

BT announced earlier this week that they have agreed a five year deal with Cricket Australia which means that they will have the rights to the 17-18 Ashes series, the first overseas tests involving England since 1990 not to be shown on SKY. As part of the agreement BT will show all Australian Test Matches, they have two tests with Pakistan coming up after the three match series with South Africa, ODIs, T20s and the Big Bash. The deal also covers Australian women's cricket.

For those with access to BT Sport on TV, coverage is on BT Sport 3 and continues until 11:15 am GMT. If I have read my Radio Times correctly highlights are on BT Sport 2 at 18:30 GMT. BT's team is headed by Greg James, 'most famous' for hosting the drive time show on Radio 1 each day. Greg will be joined by the seemingly ubiquitous Michael Vaughan, Ricky Ponting, Graeme Swann and, wait for it, Kevin Pietersen, Can't win 'em all,

Just in case you are wondering I am not in the pay of BT, I shell out plenty of money each month to SKY, but do have BT sport for a relatively modest sum as part of my phone and broadband deal and if insomnia brought on by wondering why Finn still gets picked for England continues to trouble me then I might have a look tonight. In the interests of balance I should point out that Sky retain the rights to the next domestic Ashes series in 2019 and that year's World Cup but expect BT to be very competitive when the ECB's current deal with SKY comes to an end that year.