The Seven Network has secured broadcast rights for Australia’s Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka just 12 days before the first Test begins. This deal ensures Australian fans can watch the two Tests and two ODIs on free-to-air TV, avoiding a potential broadcasting blackout.
Seven, known for airing home Tests, women’s internationals, and the Big Bash League, will broadcast the entire tour on its free-to-air channels and the 7plus app.
“What this summer has shown us is that Australians absolutely love their cricket, and we cannot wait to deliver even more action as Australia takes on Sri Lanka,” said Seven’s head of cricket, Joel Starcevic.
For over three decades, every men’s Test tour has been broadcast back to Australia. The last Test not shown was during Australia’s Pakistan tour in 1994. However, this marks the first non-Ashes overseas men’s Test tour on free-to-air TV in Australia since the 1997 South Africa tour, also broadcast by Seven.
Foxtel, which previously had rights to Australia’s overseas matches, broadcast the most recent Sri Lanka series in 2022. However, the Pay TV network does not have an ongoing agreement with Sri Lanka Cricket.
Foxtel’s sale to British-based streaming platform DAZN is pending finalization in 2025, while Amazon has secured ICC event rights for the 2024-27 cycle but has yet to acquire bilateral series rights.
The tour begins with the first Test in Galle on January 29, followed by the second Test on February 6. The ODIs, scheduled for February 12 and 14 in Colombo, will serve as crucial preparation for Australia ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament Sri Lanka failed to qualify for.
Schedule:
- First Test: January 29–February 2, Galle (3:30 PM AEDT)
- Second Test: February 6–10, Galle (3:30 PM AEDT)
- First ODI: February 12, Colombo (3:30 PM AEDT)
- Second ODI: February 14, Colombo (3:30 PM AEDT)
Australia Test Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (vc), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
