2019 Ashes Series Broadcast Guide

The oldest rivalry in Australian sport reignites this week  when The Ashes returns home to Nine.

The Australian men’s side head over to England as the current keepers of The Urn, having defeated England on home soil in 2017. They will be looking to replicate the success of the superstar women’s side who this week secured an emphatic victory over their English counterparts.

With the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the side, Australia will be brimming with confidence and self-belief.

Tensions will be high, and they will be itching to gain a measure of revenge against a formidable English side who ended Australia’s World Cup dream only weeks ago. The home side will be hungry to continue their success with a squad which includes world class players in Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokesand veteran Jimmy Anderson.

Hosting Nine’s coverage will be Australian sporting legend Todd Woodbridge, alongside former Australian men’s captain Mark Taylor, former Australian women’s captains Melanie Jones and Lisa Sthalekar, and Aussie wicket-keeping great, Ian Healy.

“Like most Australians, I grew up watching the cricket on our screens every year”, said Woodbridge. “Hosting something as iconic as The Ashes is a real privilege, and I can’t wait to work with some of the legends of Aussie cricket.”

Commentary will be provided by a collection of heavyweights of world cricket, such as Aussie and English stars Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Michael Atherton, David Lloyd, Isa Guha and more.

The 2019 series is highly anticipated among fans and analysts, who expect a much closer contest than in previous series given the talent on offer.

Mark Taylor, an Ashes-winning former captain of the Australian side, feels the series will be tight in 2019. “Both sides are filled with match winners, but I think the Aussies could have enough firepower to get them over the line this year and retain The Urn”, said Taylor. “It’s shaping up to be a brilliant series.”

Former Australian women’s captain Mel Jones – also no stranger to Ashes success – said, “Justin Langer’s first Ashes series as coach, Tim Paine’s as captain. Fresh, new faces for the oldest of competitions. This series will uncover new Australian heroes and reaffirm old ones as they take on the old foe on away soil.”