The BBC has signed a four year year with the England and Wales Cricket Board to cover over 400 games per year on the radio.
Ball-by-ball commentary will be provided on every men’s First Class and List A cricket match played in England and Wales covering the LV= Insurance County Championship, the Royal London Cup and the Vitality Blast.
The deal will see some 3,100 days of cricket broadcast on the BBC’s network of local radio stations, the BBC Sport website and BBC Radio Wales (in the case of Glamorgan games). Some will also be aired on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
The agreement means the BBC will provide coverage of all red and white ball competitions for the following four domestic cricket seasons through to the end of 2024.
Stephanie Marshall, Head of Sport for BBC England, said: “Last year this service was invaluable for cricket-lovers across England and Wales as all the matches took place behind closed doors.
“As we start to come out of lockdown, we hope the stands will start to fill – but, as ever, we will remain at the heart of it all with ball-by-ball commentary of every single match.”
Included in the deal is a commitment to get new and diverse commentary talent on air through the BBC’s ‘third voice’ scheme.
Adam Mountford, Assistant Editor of BBC Cricket, said County Cricket is “a cornerstone” of the corporation’s coverage. He added: “The County Cricket service has proved to be a breeding ground for the next generation of cricket commentators with the likes of Charles Dagnall, Aatif Nawaz, Isabelle Westbury and Scott Read all becoming Test Match Special regulars following time spent doing County games.”
The deal also benefits Welsh listeners. Graham Davies, Managing Editor of Sport in BBC Wales, said: “This is terrific news for all cricket lovers in Wales and we look forward to bringing ball-by-ball coverage of all Glamorgan’s matches to Welsh audiences over the next four seasons.”
One commentator involved is Anthony Gibson, who recently celebrated 50 years covering cricket for the BBC; particularly Somerset County Cricket Club.
Anthony said: “For thousands of the most dedicated cricket followers – and for many cricketers as well – the County Championship is the Holy Grail: the most important competition of the summer; uniting communities in their interest and support.”
“That the BBC, supported by the ECB, can bring commentary on every ball of every game to these supporters, wherever they are, is the ultimate in public service sports broadcasting. It’s a service that I feel genuinely privileged to be part of.”
BBC Radio will also provide ball-by-ball commentary of every men and women’s game in The Hundred with coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and/or the BBC Sport website and app.
Posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2021 at 4:45 pm by RadioToday UK