Australian cricket fans can rejoice as the Seven Network has officially secured the rights to broadcast Australia’s Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, just days before the series kicks off. This marks a historic moment, as it will be the first time since 1998 that a non-Ashes men’s Test series will be available on free-to-air television in Australia.
A Last-Minute Deal to Avoid a Broadcast Blackout
With no network initially picking up the rights, there was a real possibility that Australian fans would miss out on live coverage of the two-Test and two-ODI series. However, Seven, which already holds broadcasting rights for home Tests, women’s internationals, and the Big Bash League, stepped in to ensure the series would be accessible via its free-to-air channels and the 7plus streaming platform.
“This summer has shown us just how much Australians love their cricket, and we are thrilled to bring them even more action as Australia takes on Sri Lanka,” said Seven’s head of cricket, Joel Starcevic.
Breaking Foxtel’s Hold on Overseas Broadcasts
For decades, Foxtel has dominated the rights to broadcast Australia’s overseas Test series, having held exclusive coverage since 1998. The network aired the last Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka in 2022. However, its recent sale to British-based streaming giant DAZN—set to be finalized in early 2025—may have contributed to the delay in acquiring rights for this tour.
Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video recently secured exclusive rights to ICC tournaments in the 2024-27 cycle, including the upcoming World Test Championship Final, but has yet to venture into bilateral series coverage.
A Significant Moment in Australian Cricket Broadcasting
This will be the first non-Ashes men’s overseas Test series shown on free-to-air TV since Australia’s tour of South Africa in 1997—when Seven last held international Test rights. Additionally, every men’s Test tour has been broadcast back to Australia for over 30 years, with the last one not televised being Australia’s series in Pakistan in 1994.
Australia’s Tour Schedule
The much-anticipated series will begin with the first Test in Galle on January 29, followed by the second Test on February 6. Additionally, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed an extra ODI, with the two matches set to take place in Colombo on February 12 and 14. These ODIs will serve as crucial preparation for Australia ahead of next month’s ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament Sri Lanka failed to qualify for after missing out on the top eight ranking spots in men’s ODI cricket.
Australia’s Test Squad:
• Captain: Steve Smith
• Vice-Captain: Travis Head
• Other Players: Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
Match Schedule (All times AEDT):
• 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)
This last-minute broadcast deal ensures Australian cricket fans can watch their team in action without needing a pay-TV subscription, a move that is being widely celebrated across the cricketing community. Read also Australia vs. Sri Lanka
