Friday, 15 June, 2018

Australian cricket fans will continue to enjoy ball-by-ball ABC Radio commentary for all Australian Men's and Women's international matches up to 2024 following the signing of a six-year partnership with Cricket Australia.

The agreement gives ABC Radio the rights to broadcast Men’s & Women’s international cricket and the WBBL on all platforms which include ABC local radio, ABC Grandstand Digital Radio, the ABC Listen app and ABC online at either abc.net.au/grandstand or cricket.com.au.

The Managing Director of the ABC, Michelle Guthrie, said: "Cricket on ABC Radio is a big part of any Australian summer and I am really delighted we are continuing to forge a strong partnership with Cricket Australia to provide live commentary to as many Australians as possible. I am also pleased ABC Radio will be the source of women’s cricket, with all matches of Women’s International and WBBL cricket broadcast live on one of our platforms which is a big win for audiences.”

CEO of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland, said: "“We are excited to announce our new radio rights deal with the ABC, which will see our proud and longstanding partnership continue for the next six years.

“Radio has long been an important part of how people enjoy cricket in Australia over the summer, and the breadth and depth of our radio agreements ensures that people will be able to tune in to the cricket action regardless of where they are.

“It is worth highlighting the significant coverage the ABC will provide to women’s cricket over this period, with every Women’s International and WBBL match to be broadcast, effectively making the ABC the radio home of women’s cricket.”

Head of ABC Sport, Nick Morris, said: "Audiences will once again be able to access Australia’s best cricket commentary team, led by the voice of summer Jim Maxwell, who is celebrating 45 years behind the microphone."

ABC Grandstand will announce its full cricket commentary team for 2018/2019 later in the year prior to the start of the cricket season in October.