WTC Finals: It Has been revealed why Australian Fans May Miss The Match That Will Determine The World’s Best Test Team
With fans in India and New Zealand gearing up to watch the most anticipated match of the year that will determine the world’s best test team, Australian fans can skip all the action that unfolds in Southampton starting on June 18. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying to contact the broadcaster to show the match, but has so far been unable to strike a deal. Without broadcasters guaranteeing the rights to broadcast the match, Australian residents may miss the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). Also Read-ICC Test Rankings: Ravichandran Ashwin Takes 2nd Position, Ravindra Jadeja Rises To 1st Place
“The International Cricket Council is scrambling to find a provider to show the match between India and New Zealand in Southampton, starting next Friday,” said a report in theroar.com.au. Also Read – WTC Final: India Have Better Record Than New Zealand Away From Home
The report quoted a spokesperson of streaming provider Kayo as saying, “At this stage, we don’t have the rights to show the final but discussions are ongoing.” Also Read – Ravichandran Ashwin Could be The Match-Winner For Team India in WTC Final 2021 vs New Zealand, Says Monty Panesar
The ICC also confirmed that there is no deal yet although it expressed confidence that the deal will be thrashed out in the coming days.
Usually, Star Sports, the ICC’s broadcast partner, handles the global broadcast network. However, since the WTC final is a one-off match, it has not taken up the responsibility of distributing the broadcast across the world.
The WTC final’s broadcast rights are held by Star India in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; Sky in England, SuperSport in South Africa and Sky New Zealand in New Zealand.
Australia, who were in the running to make it to the WTC final, missed out on it after India defeated England 3-1 in the Test series in India.
Aussies had earlier lost to India at home and did not tour South Africa due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that affected their chances of qualifying for the final.
