On the eve of its 14th season, the Seven Network’s Big Bash League (BBL) commentary team is primed to bring fans a six-week long tournament of the exciting cricket competition.
BBL 14 will start with a bang on Sunday, 15 December, straight after Day Two of the Brisbane Test, with a blockbuster week of cricket featuring four nights of prime-time BBL action immediately after stumps at the Gabba, led by, Ricky Ponting, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
On 12 days of the season, live and free BBL matches will follow stumps in Australia’s Test series, including two days featuring back-to-back BBL clashes on top of a full day’s play on Day One of the Boxing Day and Sydney Tests.
The home and away fixture concludes on Sunday, 19 January with a huge match at the MCG between the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes.
The four-match finals series begins on Tuesday, 21 January, all in prime time, with the all-important Final scheduled for Monday, 27 January.
A procession of former on-field stars will also return to Seven’s BBL coverage as expert commentators (alongside Ponting, Langer and Finch) including Sunil Gavaskar, Greg Blewett, Matthew Hayden, Trent Copeland, Callum Ferguson, Damien Fleming, Brad Hodge and Simon Katich.
Seven sport presenters James Brayshaw, Emma Freedman, Jason Richardson, Erin Holland, Andy Maher and Alister Nicholson will also return to Seven’s coverage.
Current stars Chris Green, Glenn Maxwell and Sam Billings will be regulars on Seven’s live and free BBL coverage, while 7NEWS sport reporters Theo Doropoulos and Anna Hay will feature in their local states.
Seven cricket commentator Aaron Finch said: “Summer isn’t summer without the Big Bash, and this year’s competition will be huge.
“The BBL is in a league of its own. Nowhere else do you see such high energy from the players and fans alike, paired with world-class talent from all over the globe. It’s a unique spectacle and we absolutely love it.
“The best thing about BBL is the unpredictability of the season. Will the Heat go again and claim the victory two years in a row, or will we see the Sixers fight back after their disappointing loss in last year’s Final?” he said.
BBL 14
Starts Sunday, 15 December
Opening Match: Sunday, 15 December
Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars at Perth Stadium, 7.00pm AEDT live and free Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Super Mega Day: Boxing Day, Thursday, 26 December
Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars at SCG, 6.00pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth Scorchers v Brisbane Heat at Perth Stadium, 9.10pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Super Mega Day: Friday, 3 January
Sydney Sixers v Brisbane Heat at Coffs Harbour, 6.00pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder at Perth Stadium, 9.10pm AEDT live and free on
Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
The Qualifier: Tuesday, 21 January, 7.00pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
The Knockout: Wednesday, 22 January, 7.00pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
The Challenger: Friday, 24 January, 7.00pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
The Final: Monday, 27 January 7.00pm AEDT, live and free on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Australia v India Test Series
Third Test: The Gabba, 14 – 18 December
Coverage starts at 10.30am AEDT on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport on all five days
Fourth Test: MCG, 26 – 30 December
Coverage starts at 9.30am AEDT on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport on all five days
Fifth Test: SCG, 3 – 7 January
Coverage starts at 9.30am AEDT on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus Sport on all five days