The hallmark Test series of the cricket calendar, The Ashes, returns to Aussie shores this summer. TV coverage will be on Channel 7, Seven Plus, Foxtel and Kayo Sports, while, Triple M and SEN will be broadcasting the match on FM and AM radio frequencies.
The Ashes on Free-to-air
Free-to-air coverage will be on Channel Seven and two of the most celebrated figures in Ashes’ history – England all-rounder Lord Ian Botham and Australia’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, Ricky Ponting – will lead the live and free coverage on Seven.
Also adding a distinctively British flavour to the coverage will be actor, comedian and writer Stephen Fry, 2019 Ashes fast-bowling hero Jofra Archer, ex-Test player and leading commentator David “Bumble” Lloyd, and former star off-spinner Graeme Swann.
Returning to the Seven cricket commentary team in 2021-22 are Damien Fleming, Simon Katich, Mel McLaughlin, James Brayshaw, Lisa Sthalekar, Greg Blewett, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Trent Copeland, Tim Lane, Alison Mitchell, Callum Ferguson, Abbey Gelmi, Jason Richardson, Andy Maher, Alister Nicholson, and Erin Holland.
The Ashes on Fox Cricket
Fox Cricket’s coverage will be led by Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Isa Gua and also feature Mark Waugh, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Kerry O’Keeffe, Mark Howard, Michael Vaughan, Kath Loughnan and Allan Border.
Fox Cricket launched its coverage of the 2021-22 Ashes Series with three of the most well-known voices in cricket celebrated in a four-metre-tall, larger than life monument on Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.
Two new Kayo original series’, The Rundown and Kayo Clubhouse – both hosted by Gogglebox stars Adam Densten and Symon Lovett – are also due to premiere on Kayo from December 3.
With the KFC Big Bash League kicking off on December 5 and the first Test in the Vodafone Ashes Series on December 8, both shows will offer Kayo customers new ways to keep up with all the big smashes and catches throughout the summer.
Triple M
Test captain Mark Taylor AO and Lord Ian Botham will preside over Triple M’s ‘Summer of Cricket’ when the first Ashes test commences in Brisbane at the Gabba on Wednesday 8 December.
Triple M’s commentary team will be led by James Brayshaw and Australia’s #1 sports podcaster, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, alongside former Ashes greats Greg Blewett, Brad Haddin, and Merv Hughes. Triple M also introduces former international cricketer Isabelle Westbury to the commentary team, bringing her formidable credentials as the former captain of Middlesex and a highly respected cricket journalist.
Cricket makes its return to Triple M after the network signed a long-term partnership with Cricket Australia, including covering the 2021-22 men’s Vodafone Ashes and Dettol One-Day International matches – heard via its FM stations Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
In an Australian first, LiSTNR will also be streaming the matches Australia wide. Along with the FM broadcast in the capital cities, cricket fans will be able to download the LiSTNR app and hear the call wherever they play, work and holiday right across Australia.
SEN
Spearheading SEN’s coverage is chief sports caller Gerard Whateley, who will be joined by experienced sports commentator Anthony Hudson and award-winning cricket broadcaster Adam Collins on ball-by-ball duties.
Gerard Whateley
Former Australian opener Simon Katich and “bowlologist” Damien Fleming return to the team to share their views of the game, with Ashes-winning batsman and Victorian cricket coach Chris Rogers.
SEN has also secured the services of former England captain, The Times chief cricket writer and cricket broadcaster Michael Atherton to be part of the team, along with Australian wicket-keeping legend Ian Healy and former Australian women’s cricket captain Lisa Sthalekar.
Regulars including The Australian’s Peter Lalor and former Australian all-rounder Simon O’Donnell will complement the team across the series.
SEN chief executive officer Craig Hutchison commented: “The calibre of commentators we’ve compiled is befitting of cricket’s biggest showpiece, and will deliver a unique combination of expertise and analysis whilst celebrating the pageantry of one of sport’s biggest rivalries.”
Schedule
First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba, start time 11am
Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval, start time 3:00pm
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG, start time 10:30am
Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG, start time 10:30am
Fifth Test: January 14-18, TBC
Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood