Ashes matches moved to main channel

Channel Nine has promoted Sunday’s third Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes one-day international to its main channel, in a move welcomed by Australia captain Rachael Haynes.

The first two ODIs of the multi-format Ashes were broadcast live and free on Nine’s digital channel 9GEM, with the thrilling sold-out opening game of the series in Brisbane last weekend drawing a national average audience of 122,531.

Those figures were enough to convince Nine to promote Sunday’s third match – to be played from 10.15am AEDT in Coffs Harbour – to their main channel.

The second T20I, to be played at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on November 19, has also been moved from GEM to Nine, while the network has hinted further matches may also be shifted to the main channel.

“It’s awesome,” Australia captain Haynes said after her team’s emphatic win over England in Thursday’s second ODI.

“To have this whole series covered in that way is great to be part of as a player.

“I think we’ve seen players really step up as well.

“I don’t think you’ve seen the best from both sides just yet but I think there’s lots of momentum now, particularly for our group and hopefully we can carry that on.”

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland praised the decision from Channel Nine.

“We’re very grateful to the Nine Network for their support in moving Sunday’s match to Channel Nine,” Sutherland said.

“The support the Australian Women’s Cricket Team for the Ashes has been phenomenal and we very much want to provide as many opportunities as we can to ensure we keep pushing the fantastic story of this squad and their performances.”

The Women’s Ashes feature three ODIs, one Test and three T20Is, with the team that earns the most points awarded the coveted trophy.

Australia crushed England by 75 runs (on the DLS method) on Thursday to take a commanding four-point lead in the series, needing only eight points to retain the Women’s Ashes against an England side who are currently ranked No.1 and who won the Women’s World Cup in July.

“The Australian and English sides are the top two ranked sides in the world, and the Aussies are the current holder of The Ashes, so we encourage the nation to get behind them to beat the Poms,” Nine head of cricket Brent Williams told News Corp.

“If the first ODI was anything to go by, the remainder of the series should prove to be a thrilling contest, filled with some top-quality cricket.”

The historic day-night Test at North Sydney Oval from 9-12 November will be live streamed exclusively on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live app.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia lead England 4-0

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

Schedule

First ODI Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT