Former Australian bowler Glenn McGrath joins a host of former England players
BT Sport has revealed its presenting team for the Ashes.
Australia host England in the first test of the series on 8 December, with the home side widely seen as favourites. This has not been helped by James Anderson being unavailable for the first test.
BT Sport wrapped up a deal with Cricket Australia for the Ashes, in addition to all other international cricket in the country, last month.
Matt Smith will present the broadcaster’s coverage, and will be joined in the London BT Sport Studio by former England players Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Steve Harmison, Matt Prior, Heather Knight, Jonathan Trott and Mark Butcher. Special guest Glenn McGrath will join from Australia, as well as reporters Alison Mitchell and Mel Farrell.
Meanwhile, the commentary team will include Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Isa Guha, Allan Border and Mark Waugh, with BT Sport opting against sending its own commentary team and instead relying on the feed from host broadcasters Fox and Channel Seven.
However, it will debut its Timeline feature on large screen devices through its app for the first time, in addition to mobile and tablet. It allows fans to re-watch highlights and move back to the live action.
BT Sport presenting line-up (UK dates)
First Test – Brisbane, 8-12 December
Matt Smith, Alastair Cook, Steve Harmison
Second Test – Adelaide, 16-20 December
Matt Smith, Alastair Cook, Heather Knight, Matt Prior
Third Test – Melbourne, 25-30 December
Matt Smith, Jonathan Trott, Steve Harmison, Moeen Ali
Fourth Test – Sydney, 4-9 January
Matt Smith, Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali
Fifth Test – Perth, 14-18 January
Matt Smith, Alastair Cook, Mark Butcher
Glenn McGrath will join broadcasts from Australia for all five tests, with Alison Mitchell and Mel Farrell reporting on the ground.
In addition to the live action, BT Sport will show daily live breakfast show Ashes Daily in the mornings following the day’s play. Rob Armstrong will present the latest news, highlights and talking points from the action, with appearances from the likes of Steen Raskopolous, Jason Roy, Adam Collins, Kate Cross, Vithushan Ehantharajah and Lydia Greenway, alongside journalists and cricket-mad celebs.
This will be shown on TV, online, and via the BT Sport app, as well as the best parts being on YouTube from 2pm. It will also be made available as a podcast.
A 90-minute highlights package will be available after the conclusion of Ashes Daily, with a shorter highlights package on the app and btsport.com immediately after play finishes. Non-subscribers will be able to view this shorter version from 4pm each day.
Finally, on the last day of each test, Miles Jupp will host The Cricket’s On. Geoff Norcott, Noreen Khan, Ivo Graham and Mark Steel will watch every ball with Jupp, before giving their comedic take on proceedings in the show. Andy Zaltzman will join the group from Australia.
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