Channel 7 secure television rights to Australia’s two test series in Sri Lanka

Australian cricket fans can breathe a sigh of relief after last minute TV rights have been secured for the upcoming two Test series in Sri Lanka.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 04: Tv commentators Mel McLaughlin, Ricky Ponting and Waqar Younis are seen prior to the start of play on day two of the Men's Third Test Match in the series between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 04, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Channel Seven has bought the rights for the Australian Test series in Sri Lanka beginning later this month.

It will be the first time a non-Ashes or World Cup tour has been shown on Australian free to air television this century.

Ricky Ponting is part of Channel 7’s cricket commentary team. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Fox has generally held the rights for most Australian tours.

It is unclear how Seven will manage simultaneously holding the rights for the Sri Lanka Tests and the women’s Ashes given the first Test in Galle overlaps significantly with the pink ball women’s Test at the MCG.

Seven will also broadcast the two one-day internationals in Sri Lanka that follow the Test series.

The one-dayers serve as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, although that tournament will be on Amazon Prime as part of the streaming giant’s exclusive deal to broadcast ICC events into Australia until 2027.

“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.

“Following an exhilarating Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series, two of the greatest WBBL and BBL seasons in recent history and the intensity of the current Women’s Ashes Series on home soil, the addition of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka cements Seven and 7plus Sport as the undisputed home of cricket. Before we head to Sri Lanka to witness Steve Smith claim his 10,000th Test run as he captains the Aussie side, this weekend marks a thrilling conclusion to the BBL regular season, setting the stage for a nail-biting race to the final on Monday, 27 January.”

Originally published as Channel 7 secure television rights to Australia’s two test series in Sri Lanka