Although fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and New Zealand, cricket lovers in Australia could be deprived of the most-awaited contest as no broadcaster has secured rights to televise the clash, which will decide the world’s best Test team.
“The International Cricket Council is scrambling to find a provider to show the match between India and New Zealand in Southampton, starting next Friday,” said a report in theroar.com.au.
The report quoted a spokesperson of streaming provider Kayo as saying, “At this stage, we don’t have the rights to show the final but discussions are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the ICC also confirmed that there is no deal in place. It however, expressed confidence that a deal will be shot very soon.
Usually, Star Sports, the ICC’s broadcast partner, handles the global broadcast network but as the contest is a one-off match, it has not taken up the responsibility of distributing the broadcast globally.
The WTC final’s broadcast rights are held by Star India in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; Sky in England, SuperSport in South Africa and Sky New Zealand in New Zealand.