So, it’s finally here. The biggest rivalry in cricket is back. The Ashes 2023 is about to ignite, and whether you're a lifelong devotee or a curious newcomer, you want to be part of it. But let's be honest, in today's world of streaming services, broadcast rights, and time zones, actually watching the action can feel like its own tricky innings.
Don't worry, we’ve got you covered. This isn't just a list of TV channels. This is your complete, practical guide to ensuring you don't miss a single ball, a single Ben Stokes six, or a single James Anderson masterclass. By the end of this, you'll know exactly where, when, and how to tune in, plus some insider tips to elevate your viewing experience from passive watching to fully immersed fandom.
What You'll Need Before We Start
Getting set up is half the battle. Before we dive into the step-by-step, make sure you have these basics covered:
A Reliable Internet Connection: This is non-negotiable for streaming. A wired connection is always better than Wi-Fi for avoiding buffering at crucial moments. Your Preferred Screen: Big TV, laptop, tablet, or phone? Decide your primary device. Our advice? Go as big as possible for the atmosphere. A Sense of Time: The Ashes is a Test match series. Play lasts up to seven hours a day, for five days, across five matches. You don't have to watch it all (though some of us will try!), but knowing the daily schedule is key. A Basic Understanding of the Stakes: This is England vs Australia. It's for the Ashes urn, a tiny trophy with immeasurable history. The England Cricket Team, led by Ben Stokes and coached by Brendon McCullum, is playing a thrilling, high-risk brand of cricket dubbed England's aggressive Test cricket approach. Australia are the reigning champions. The narrative is set.
Got it? Good. Let's get you to the action.
Step 1: Know the Schedule and Match Venues
You can't watch if you don't know when and where it's happening. The 2023 series is a five-Test marathon across some of England's most iconic grounds.
1st Test: Friday 16 June – Tuesday 20 June | Edgbaston, Birmingham 2nd Test: Wednesday 28 June – Sunday 2 July | Lord's, London (the Home of Cricket) 3rd Test: Thursday 6 July – Monday 10 July | Headingley, Leeds 4th Test: Wednesday 19 July – Sunday 23 July | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester 5th Test: Thursday 27 July – Monday 31 July | The Kia Oval, London
Daily Play Schedule (UK Time): Morning session: 11:00 (local time) start. Afternoon session: Approximately 13:00-15:00. Evening session: Approximately 15:00-18:00 (close of play).
Pro Tip: Play often runs later than 18:00 if overs are lost to bad weather. Always check the official England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website or your broadcaster's app for the most accurate daily start times.
Step 2: Choose Your Broadcasting Platform (UK Viewers)
In the United Kingdom, live television coverage is exclusive to one broadcaster. Here’s your straightforward option:
Sky Sports Cricket: This is the home of live Ashes cricket in the UK. You will need a Sky Sports subscription that includes the Cricket channel. They provide full, uninterrupted live coverage of every session, with a top-tier commentary team, multiple camera angles, and extensive analysis.
What about free-to-air? BBC Sport: While they do not have live TV coverage of the full match, the BBC holds highlights rights. Today at the Test on BBC Two and iPlayer is an excellent, hour-long daily highlights package, perfect if you can't watch live. The BBC also has live radio ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Test Match Special (TMS) on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds – an iconic and beloved alternative soundtrack to the series.
Step 3: Choose Your Broadcasting Platform (International Viewers)
If you're outside the UK, your options vary. Here are the key broadcasters for major regions:
Australia: Channel 9 and the 9Now streaming service have exclusive live free-to-air and streaming rights. Expect their famous, character-rich commentary box. India & Subcontinent: Sony Pictures Networks (Sony LIV) is the official broadcaster. Check your local Sony channels or the Sony LIV app. USA & Canada: Willow TV is the primary destination for cricket. It's available as a standalone streaming service or through various cable/satellite providers. New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ holds the rights. Rest of the World: The best single source is often ICC TV via their digital platform. Alternatively, check if a service like ESPN+ (Caribbean) or Fox Sports (various regions) has the rights in your country.
Pro Tip: A quick Google search for "Ashes 2023 broadcast rights [Your Country]" is the most reliable way to get the latest, most accurate information.
Step 4: Set Up Your Viewing Environment
Now for the fun part. Transform watching from a passive activity into an event.
The Screen: Connect your laptop/streaming device to your TV via HDMI for the best experience. The scale of a Test match is best appreciated on a big screen. The Sound: Consider syncing the BBC Test Match Special radio commentary with the TV pictures. Mute your TV and play TMS via BBC Sounds on a slight delay (you can pause the radio stream to sync them perfectly). It offers a different, often more detailed and humorous perspective. The Second Screen: Use your phone or tablet for stats. Follow the ECB's official app, or sites like ESPNcricinfo, for real-time scorecards, detailed analytics, and social media reaction. This is especially useful for tracking the battle between, say, Joe Root and Nathan Lyon, or the economy rate of Stuart Broad. The Sustenance: It's a long day. Plan accordingly. A proper lunch break during the interval is a must. The England Cricket Team will be having theirs, so why shouldn't you?
Step 5: Understand the Key Storylines and Players
To watch is one thing; to understand what you're watching is another. Here are the essential narratives:
'Bazball' vs The World Champions: Can England's aggressive Test cricket approach under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes work against the best Test team in the world? Will they go at five runs an over against Australia's fierce attack? This philosophy is a central theme, and you can dive deeper into its origins in our guide to England's aggressive Test cricket approach. Key Battles: Watch for James Anderson and Stuart Broad vs Australia's top order. Can Ollie Pope cement his number three spot? How will Jonny Bairstow fare back as the primary wicketkeeper-batter? Each session is a mini-contest within the war. The Legacy: Players define their careers in The Ashes. A century at Lord's or a five-wicket haul at Headingley becomes part of folklore. Feel the weight of history. To understand how this pressure shapes the modern team, explore the unique team culture and history that fuels this rivalry.
Step 6: Engage with the Community
You're not watching alone. The Ashes is a shared, global experience.
Social Media: Follow the England Cricket Team and ECB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for behind-the-scenes content, player reactions, and key moments. Hashtags like #Ashes2023 and #ENGvAUS will be buzzing. Online Forums & Communities: Places like Reddit's r/Cricket have dedicated match threads where thousands of fans from all countries discuss every ball in real-time. It's chaotic, informative, and hilarious. With Friends: Nothing beats it. Organise a viewing session for the first day of a Test. The camaraderie, the collective groans at a wicket, the cheers for a boundary – it's what sport is all about.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Trying to watch every single ball of all five Tests. Tip: You'll burn out. Plan which sessions you can realistically watch live. The first morning of a Test, the final day if a result is possible, and the evening sessions are often the most dramatic. Use highlights for the rest. Mistake: Refreshing social media if you're watching on a delay (e.g., via DVR). Tip: Put your phone away! Spoilers are inevitable. Mistake: Not understanding the playing conditions. Tip: Familiarise yourself with the basics of Test cricket – the follow-on, the new ball after 80 overs, DRS reviews. It makes the captains' decisions far more intriguing. Pro Tip: Listen to the captains' post-match press conferences. Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins are both incredibly thoughtful speakers. Their insights reveal the tactical chess game that often goes unseen. Pro Tip: If you're new, don't be afraid to ask "basic" questions in online communities. Most cricket fans are passionate about explaining the game they love.
Your Ashes 2023 Viewing Checklist
Print this out, stick it on the fridge, and tick it off as you go.
- Confirmed the full match schedule and noted the start times in my local time zone.
- Subscribed to the correct broadcaster (Sky Sports in UK, Channel 9/9Now in AUS, etc.) and tested my stream.
- Set up my viewing space – big screen, reliable internet, comfortable seating.
- Planned my second-screen strategy – stats app ready, TMS synced (if desired).
- Familiarised myself with the key players and storylines (Stokes' captaincy, the Bazball approach, key bowler vs batter battles).
- Stocked up on essential supplies for a long day's play.
- Joined the conversation – followed relevant social accounts and online communities.
- Accepted I can't watch it all and have a plan for catching up via highlights (Today at the Test on BBC) for missed sessions.
Enjoy the series from all of us at The Pavilion.
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