In today’s uk cricket news, learn more about Australia’s favorite summer sport will reportedly continue with existing rights holders Foxtel, News Corp, and Channel 7. Cricket Australia is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a new mammoth television rights agreement. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes expressed concern over the sport’s international schedule, claiming that authorities do not give the topic any consideration. Lastly, on Monday, about 70,000 spectators flocked to the MCG to watch Australia take on South Africa and pay respect to the late Shane Warne.
Cricket Australia Nears Foxtel and Channel 7 TV Deal
Original Source: CRICKET AUSTRALIA poised to lock in new broadcast agreement with FOXTEL and CHANNEL 7
According to the SMH, the new 7-year arrangement is worth $1.4 billion in cash and contra, or $210 million each year.
The sum would be up from 2018’s $197 million if correct. After ratings drops and with the next TV agreement expected to reduce Big Bash matches, Cricket Australia would consider it a win.
Paramount (Channel 10) will lose another Tier 1 sport despite being the highest bidder if Foxtel and Channel 7 renew their Cricket Australia arrangement.
News Corp’s media outlets have mocked Paramount+/Channel 10’s offer for a month.
It’s a method that demoralizes 10 and warns Cricket Australia not to make News Corp. an enemy.
TV Blackbox knows Cricket Australia was eventually unwilling to risk shifting the majority of its athletic product onto the untested and troublesome Paramount+ streaming platform.
Cricket Australia worried that a move like this may reduce the Big Bash, Twenty20, and One Day International events to third-tier sports like A-League and NBL Basketball.
Brett Lee and Isa Guha at Brisbane’s Gabba (image – Fox Cricket)
Brett Lee and Isa Guha at Brisbane’s Gabba (image – Fox Cricket)
Cricket Australia is likely to support the Foxtel Group, which has 4.4 million paying subscribers, 1.259 million Kayo subscribers, and screens in pubs and clubs around the country.
TV Blackbox understands CA’s wish to retain digital rights to the competition for use on Cricket Australia’s website and social media platforms has been a major stumbling block.
Broadcasters are dissatisfied with the idea of paying a premium price for the sport and competing with Cricket Australia digital channels for the restricted sport advertising money.
Under the new contract, Channel 7 will stream all Test Matches and a few Big Bash matches for free. For the first time, Seven’s advertiser-supported, free streaming platform 7Plus will transmit live cricket.
Channel 7 is suing Cricket Australia in Federal Court over the Big Bash’s scheduling and promotion.
The two bodies’ new broadcast pact will incorporate additional protections to avoid such situations.
Over the past month, one side has called the cricket broadcast agreement negotiations “crap” and “extremely disorganized.”
Cricket Australia wanted to include Channel 9 in the bidding process, but Fox Sports was unwilling to cooperate with Nine due to its ownership of Stan Sports, according to TV Blackbox.
On Tuesday morning, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley told SEN Test Cricket:
“I can’t talk about commercially secret negotiations, but I would say that discussions are proceeding very well and maybe we’ll have some announcements to make in the not too distant future,”
we are striving to the best deal for Australian cricket,”
It’s complicated. Discussions are moving well, but there’s no timeline.”
“All stakeholders have been very interested throughout the process.
The CEO said, “What we saw yesterday we’ve seen over a million people come through the gates to watch international cricket this year and the interest we’ve seen and the spirit of the discussions is reflective of the fact cricket is our national sport and our only truly national and international spot.”
“Boxing Day is the perfect example. We followed play with two Big Bash last-over finishes.
“We’ve had great discussions.”
Stokes Laments White Ball Cricket’s Overuse
Original Source: Stokes bemoans too much white ball cricket
Stokes criticized the status of cricket in a BBC radio interview with former England great Sir Ian Botham. He disliked test cricket being eclipsed by international white-ball cricket and a variety of T20 franchise competitions enticing players with greater pay cheques.
“Test cricket has been discussed poorly. It’s losing supporters to new formats and franchise competitions “BBC radio quoted Stokes.
“We know there are many chances for players outside of test cricket. However, it’s crucial to the game for me. I adore playing Test cricket and thought we might do something different.
“Removing the result from the thinking is a good start. Focusing on daily entertainment. hiding the future.
“You’ve won before a ball is bowled if people show up thrilled about what they’re going to watch.”
England have had a test renaissance under Stokes and their new coach, New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, playing “Baz-ball” and winning 3-0 in Pakistan.
Stokes and McCullum’s approach was backed by Botham.
“It’s about filling seats. People want to see the game now “said Botham.
Stokes noted England’s three-match, one-day international series in Australia in November, which began four days after they won the Twenty20 World Cup.
He called it a “series which meant nothing”.
“The schedule doesn’t get enough attention,” Stokes added.
“People say, ‘You are playing for England, that should be enough’, but there is a lot more to factor in.”
Stokes retired from ODIs in July, calling playing all three formats “unsustainable.”
The 31-year-old helped England win the 2019 ODI World Cup.
“International cricket should be top-notch. But we’ve seen a lot of different squads and people being rested, which isn’t international cricket “Adds Stokes.
On Tuesday, England announced the men’s squad will return to Bangladesh for two white-ball games in March.
They’ll start with three ODIs and three T20s. All matches are in Dhaka and Chittagong.
The 2016 ODI series was won by England.
England cricket board interim CEO Clare Connor said, “There is a strong enthusiasm for cricket in Bangladesh, and we expect a tough battle against a side that have an excellent record in home conditions.”
Warne Tribute: MCG Audience Feels Like They Know Him
Original Source: ‘Everyone felt like they knew him’: MCG crowd delivers touching tribute to Warne
Australia hosted South Africa at the MCG on Monday in a tribute to Shane Warne.
The first Boxing Day Test since Warne’s death in March attracted large crowds.
In honor of the leg-spin tale, thousands of Australians wore wide-brim hats.
With his American partner Ally Coll, Bruce Williamson is home for Christmas after five years in New York.
At 3:50pm, the crowd interrupted play to cheer and wave their hats for Warne, Australia’s 350th Test cricketer.
Williamson told Coll that after Warne’s death, she had to attend the Boxing Day Test on her first visit to Australia.
Warnie’s 700th wicket, Ashes 2007, he bowled Andrew Strauss and ran away. “That’s my favorite Warnie moment,” Williamson added.
He’s like baseball’s Babe Ruth, so it’s great to be here today. “This is my first cricket match, and it’s great to honor his legacy,” Coll said.
Zac Bampton, 29, still bowls leg spin 20 years after Warne inspired him.
“Warnie bowling blokes around their legs is my favorite memory,” Bampton remarked.
He’s the reason I’m a leg-spinner, and that ball was a game-changer.
His wrongs. I had a Shane Warne King of Spin ball and practiced holding it in the backyard. It made my childhood.
As a batsman, “him and Glenn McGrath seeing who’d have more ducks and then coming out and scoring the 99 and believing he could drop down on one knee and slog cry it, he was simply a character that made the game so much better and so much more enjoyable.”
In honor to Warne, 22-year-old West Bairnsdale Cricket Club player Jack Lind wore a broad brim on Monday.
Lind added, “He was a character and we all miss him.”
“The caps are a tribute to an incredible champion of the game and suitable for Australian cricket.
“His 700th wicket and huge Mervyn taking that catch at bat pad were both extremely special.”
“Look at Scotty Boland now—he loves it out there.” Warnie would have liked it with 95,000 here against England facing Kevin Pietersen.
“Australians adore sport and he’s the definition.”
Bradley Daniel, 22, said, “He was an idol.” Everyone knew him since he was one of the boys.”
Daniel Fraser, 31, stated the “Gatting Ball” was his favorite Warne delivery, followed by the 700th wicket at the MCG.
Fraser recalled being 12 or 13.
“Everything he accomplished in T20 was the finest,” he said. It was spinnable.”
“Warnie is Australia cricket,” said 29-year-old James Murphy.
“We heard about it, got a couple of my buddies to grab me one because Warnie was everything,” Murphy recalled.
He could do anything with the ball. He was our hero.”
Neil Buckenham, 28, a South African YouTuber, said Warne was appreciated worldwide while interviewing people for Unbuckled Discussions.
“Shane was really inclusive with the whole cricketing globe, whether it was India or South Africa,” he remarked.
He loved playing in South Africa and had a tremendous record there. He liked to joke around with the South Africans and Indians, but he also took them.
“It was nice to see someone who was so successful over the world and could compete with the Indians in the subcontinent.
I never liked the Australian squad since you usually beat us, but I loved Shane Warne.
“I especially appreciated him as a commentator.”
Summary of today’s Cricket/Sport News
Overall, Cricket Australia is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a new mammoth broadcast rights agreement that will see Australia’s favorite summer sport stay with current rights holders Foxtel, News Corp., and Channel 7. It has been reported by the SMH that the new 7-year arrangement will be worth around $1.4 billion in cash and contra, or about $210 million annually.
On the other hand, Stokes expressed his displeasure with the current condition of cricket on BBC radio with former England great Sir Ian Botham. He cited the increased popularity of Twenty20 (T20) international white-ball cricket and the proliferation of T20 franchise competitions as reasons.
Finally, nearly 70,000 spectators packed the MCG on Monday to watch Australia play South Africa and pay respect to the late great Shane Warne. Many cricket fans have traveled to this first Boxing Day Test since Warne’s tragic passing in March. Thousands of Australians dressed in wide-brimmed hats to honor the leg-spinning icon, who preferred to wear one over the traditional baggy green.