I wonder if they will look at more TV coverage shared with free to air providers as a way of involving the lost audience, bearing in mind that international matches get good crowds. I have seen some discussion about football doing this.
(Pete, there has been no free to air Internationals of any variety, or indeed county cricket here since 2005 with the exception of the ODI final last summer generously shared by Sky).
Bruce - that seems a sensible option given (largely) captive home audiences and the ability to fill a few threadbare mainstream schedules and, I suspect, boost ad revenues at the same time, which might negate some of the potential clawbacks from various sports. Will be interesting to see whether it will come to pass.
ICC set to ban use of saliva to shine cricket balls - as reported by the BBC sports pages.
Players are likely to be banned from using saliva to shine the ball by the International Cricket Council when the sport resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, but the application of sweat will still be allowed.
A lot of sport here are cutting new post lockdown broadcast deals. Hopefully there maybe a better deal for free to air. Think right now cricket and other sports need all the exposure they can get. It’s going to be a long road back.
Good short interview with Chris Woakes this morning on BBC R4. He said two main benefits of lockdown: his body is well rested, and his mental space is benefiting from less stress.
Given CW’s injury history of late, I suspect he and Jimmy are probably glad for the break, although it means Jimmy’s timeclock will be running down in terms of adding to his Test wickets.
…and Boycott is out. For the last few years he has been embarrassing and I am not sad to see him go. Replaced by Alistair Cook who perhaps surprised me be being funny and entertaining as well as perceptive in his first TMS stints. Agree Isa Guha is excellent.
I had not realised that BBC had the rights for Test highlights package each evening. Probably be 20 minutes and on at midnight…
Bruce - I think GB is (was) ok when summarising (as in the C5 Highlights package) but the constant sniping and absence of recognition for the skills of the players nowadays grates after a while.
I’m afraid I’m not a fan of Isa as, IMV, she often tries to fill gaps with banal questions and points, especially when doing the ladies’ games…and Ian Bishop does the same. Less is often more, albeit I will acknowledge the speed of the games is a lot slower nowadays, with so many more gaps to fill!
….Messrs Johnston, Blofeld, Frindall, CM-J et al would have had time to make their own chocolate cakes between overs some days
Not that many adverts, even on Sky. But when The Hundred competition finally gets going in England, I’m expecting a far more commercially based offering on the TV and via the ad breaks.
Given the Aussie leaning towards many things healthy, I’m surprised how prominent the KFC sponsorship of their Big Bash competition is. Mind you, they don’t seem to major on the product, more the brand (bucket heads et al) - and even the commentators sometimes slip and suggest eating a lot of KFC isn’t the best thing for you.
Watching the 1984 Eng v WI test - what memories!
I can’t recall if I was there - except to say that in those days there were a group of us who always went to the Lord’s test. Never mind, it’s a joy to watch the highlights.
Mind you, seeing Gatting padding up is a reminder of poor judgement that is rare today.