Test Match Special has not secured the rights of the India-England Women’s one-off Test that began on December 14 despite “strenuous attempts” by the BBC to cover the game on the radio.
TNT is the official broadcaster for the tour in the UK, but the ongoing India-UK Test in Mumbai reportedly failed to secure rights due to the BBC’s failure to secure rights for the Home Affairs Committee. (in the case of BCCI in this article) or a third party that does not sell in time.
TMS recently acquired the radio rights to most England women’s matches, but delays in confirming the latest series meant radio commentators were left waiting until the last minute for updates. TMS’ Daniel Norcross said in Zero Ducks Given<. /em>Podcast: “Waiting to see if we can cover the England vs. India Women’s Test match.”
The radio program on the day before the test did not include any commentary on the women’s Test match.
A few days ago, current TMS commentator Alex Hartley said on the No Balls podcast: “The BBC is trying to get the rights. I’m texting them every day and they’re still trying. They want the rights. I want to report on it on the radio. At the other end there are complications. It’s not England. It’s not the BBC. It’s in a different location. ”
TMS producer Adam Mountford later confirmed that there would be no radio broadcast of the Test in the UK. “It would have been nice to have Test Match Special commentary for both T20s and Tests. Unfortunately, despite intensive attempts to secure the rights, we were unable to secure them. @ Text commentary from BBCSport and updates on 5 Live.”
Believe me the whole experience has been incredibly frustrating.
We deeply regret not being able to provide comments on this momentous occasion.
– Adam Mountford (@tmsProducer) 13. December 2023
We would have loved to have had commentary on Test Match Special on both the T20s & Test.
Unfortunately, despite intensive attempts to secure the rights, we were unable to do so.
@BBCSport with text commentary and updates on 5 Live.
– Adam Mountford (@tmsProducer) 13. December 2023
This is the first time since 2011 that the UK Women’s Test will be played in the UK without ball-by-ball commentary.
It is worth noting that England’s white-ball series against West Indies last year was not broadcast on radio and the only audio available was on Cricket West Indies’ YouTube channel.
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