Sky Sports to Broadcast Women’s Ashes Test in 2015

Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage of a new-look Women’s Ashes for the first time in 2015.

Next year’s schedule will feature one Test, medicine which will be played from August 11-14 at Kent, pills that will be followed by three Royal London one-day internationals and a trio of Twenty20 internationals.

ECB’s Head of England Women’s Cricket, sale Clare Connor, said: “It has already been a remarkable year of firsts for England women’s cricket – the first crop of 18 players to receive professional contracts, alongside the first standalone commercial sponsorship deal with Kia.

“We are now delighted to report that Sky Sports will provide live coverage of every ball of the multi-format Women’s Ashes next year and in so doing, will cover a women’s Test match for the very first time.

“The level of broadcast coverage that the England women’s team now gets is exceptional, and I am thrilled that the ECB, in partnership with Sky Sports, continues to lead the way in this respect within international women’s team sport. 

“It is this level of exposure and support that will ensure that the women’s game continues to grow, and that will inspire the next generation of England women’s cricketers.

“It is also wonderful that Charlotte Edwards will have the opportunity to lead the England team in the Women’s Ashes Kia Test match in front of a home Kent crowd during an extended Canterbury Cricket Week in August. 

“The Test will be played in the middle of the multi-format Series for the first time.  These are moves to help improve the balance of the competition and to ensure maximum interest across the three formats throughout the summer.”

Bryan Henderson, Executive Producer of Sky Sports Cricket, added: “Sky Sports has supported women’s cricket for over 18 years, and we look forward to taking our coverage to the next level as we show a women’s Test match for the first time. Our viewers will be able to enjoy every ball and every minute of action as England women compete to retain the Ashes next summer.

“We have a strong and successful partnership with the ECB and are proud to have played our small part in the growth of the women’s game over the last two decades.”