The Nine Network has announced that it will broadcast every Australian game plus other big match-ups in both the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, live and free.
The competition begins on October 16 with the Men’s T20 World Cup. For Australia, the defending champions, the mission is to claim more glory on home soil after last year’s triumph in Dubai.
Nine’s director of sport, Brent Williams, said: “Any cricket World Cup is a premium event on the international calendar and we’re excited to be the free-to-air home of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia and the 2023 World Cup which will be held in India.
“Nine has a long and proud history with cricket and we look forward to that continuing with all Australian and key matches of these prestigious events being broadcast across Nine’s platforms.”
The flip side of the coin is that the Women’s World Cup, which is set to be held in New Zealand, will not be aired by a free-to-air broadcaster. The competition will be streamed exclusively on Foxtel and Kayo, as Channel Nine relinquished the rights.
Speaking from Adelaide Oval over the weekend, Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said she was disappointed about the decision. “Not having it on free-to-air, it kind of excludes a fair chunk of our population who don’t want to pay or can’t afford to pay for subscription TV,” she said.
“It’s a little bit of a slap in the face to say we’re not commercially viable. It’s a little bit hard to take in that regard.
“With fans unable to travel, viewership is probably more relevant than bums on seats right now.”
Australia‘s Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 fixtures
Oct 22 — vs New Zealand, SCG, 6pm AEDT
Oct 25 — vs qualifier, Optus Stadium, 10pm AEDT
Oct 28 — vs England, MCG, 7pm AEDT
Oct 31 — vs B2, Gabba, 7pm AEDT
Nov 4 — vs Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT
Semi-finals
Nov 9 — SCG, 7pm AEDT
Nov 10 — Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT
Final
Nov 13 — MCG, 7pm AEDT