TNT Sports Grabs The Ashes Again - And That's Bad News for England

By Lewis Barnett 5 August, 2025 5 mins read 241 Views

Well, here we go again.

TNT Sports just locked down The Ashes coverage for this winter's tour to Australia, which means Sky Sports viewers are out of luck. Again. They've also snagged the ODI tours of New Zealand and Sri Lanka that bookend the main event, so basically TNT owns England cricket for the next few months.

Hear this Article

The Curse of TNT

Here's where it gets interesting (and by interesting, I mean depressing if you're an England fan). TNT Sports - or BT Sport as they were called back then - has covered England's last two Ashes tours Down Under. The results? Two absolutely brutal 4-0 defeats. Coincidence? Maybe. But superstitious cricket fans are already reaching for their lucky socks.

It gets worse. TNT also broadcast England's painful 4-1 series loss in India last winter. At this point, you'd be forgiven for thinking TNT stands for "Thoroughly Negative Trajectory" when it comes to England's fortunes.

Remember That India Coverage Disaster?

God, that India series coverage was a mess. TNT literally started the first Test without a proper studio setup. Poor Matt Floyd had to wing it during lunch and tea breaks, basically just talking over highlight reels like he was doing commentary from his living room. The whole thing felt so amateur I actually felt embarrassed watching it.

They scrambled to fix things by throwing together a makeshift studio in the Netherlands (of all places), where Alastair Cook and Steven Finn tried to salvage some credibility. But the damage was done - it looked like a student production compared to what we're used to from Sky.

At Least They're Trying This Time

TNT promises they're sending an actual team to Australia for The Ashes coverage, which is... progress, I guess? They'll still be using the local broadcaster's feed, but hey, at least we won't have presenters broadcasting from random European countries.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues its retreat from cricket's winter tours. They've been scaling back for years now, and this summer they even let go a bunch of Sky Sports News presenters. Apparently, Premier League football is where all the money is these days.

England's TV Exile

Here's the kicker: with TNT holding all these rights, Sky Sports won't show England's men's team at all between September and next June. That's when the three-Test series against New Zealand finally brings cricket back to Sky's screens.

Nine months without England on Sky. For fans who've grown up with their coverage, that's going to feel like forever.

Ben Stokes and his team better hope they can break TNT's apparent curse, because based on recent history, being on that channel hasn't exactly been lucky for England cricket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences in training for fast and spin bowlers, respectively?

Training for fast bowlers and spin bowlers differs significantly due to the differing physical demands and technical skills required. Fast bowlers focus on developing strength, speed, and endurance, with particular emphasis on aerobic and strength exercises that enhance the ability to bowl quickly and sustain energy levels throughout the day. Spin bowlers focus on the technical aspect of their craft. This includes variations in grip and wrist position as well delivery stride. Both types of pitchers work hard to hit specific lengths and with accuracy.

Are there specific recovery protocols that professional cricketers follow post-training or match?

To ensure their optimal physical state, professional cricketers adhere to specific recovery protocol after training and games. These protocols include cooldown and stretching exercises to relieve tension in the muscles, as well as ice baths and cryotherapy for inflammation and soreness. The importance of proper nutrition, hydration and protein intake in muscle repair is stressed. The importance of adequate sleep and physiotherapy is also stressed. This may include massages, foam rollers, and injury-specific rehabilitation exercises. It is important to have a comprehensive recovery plan in order to prevent injury and manage workload.

How can cricketers keep their mental focus throughout a long match?

Cricketers develop their mental focus through various mental conditioning methods. The techniques include visualization exercises, goal setting, meditation and other methods that can help cricketers to remain calm and focused during situations of high pressure. Sports psychologists will often work with cricketers to develop mental resilience. This helps them deal with stress anxiety and distractions. Pre-delivery routines are also common practices to help focus on your current delivery, rather than the match as a whole.

Do cricketers train all aspects of the game or just one?

Cricketers may have a primary skill such as batting or bowling. They are also trained in other areas to make them more versatile and adaptable. Even bowlers and batsmen who are specialists dedicate time to developing their fielding skills. All-rounders, players who are equally adept at batting and in bowling, divide their training time so that they can develop both skill sets. It is important to train in all aspects of the game for the balance of the team and for greater strategic options.

What is the role of fielding exercises in a player's routine?

Cricketers must include fielding drills in their training regimen. The modern game places a great deal of emphasis on the quality of fielding. Good fielding can change the course of the game by saving runs, taking incredible catches, or effecting game-changing run-outs. Fielding drills concentrate on agility, catching and throwing accuracy. They also develop quick reflexes. Regular practice allows fielders to become sharper and more responsive on the field. This can boost the team’s defensive abilities and also help to maintain the team’s momentum and morale.

Statistics

Dietary analysis of elite cricketers reveals that they consume approximately 55-60% of their daily calories from carbohydrates during intense training periods.
Research indicates that fast bowlers need to maintain a body fat percentage below 15% to optimize performance and minimize injury risk.
Video analysis for performance enhancement can take up as much as 10 hours per week in a professional cricketer's training schedule.
Spin bowlers spend an estimated 50-60% more time honing their technique in the nets compared to fast bowlers, who focus more on physical conditioning.
A typical professional cricketer may spend up to 12-15% of their training time on mental skills, such as visualization and cognitive exercises.

External Links

How To

How to Improve Mental Toughness In Cricket

In order to improve mental toughness for cricket, you will need to perform a number of cognitive and psycho-psychological exercises that are designed specifically to increase focus and resilience. Engage in regular meditation and breathing exercises to enhance concentration. Practice visualization techniques in order to mentally rehearse and prepare for situations under pressure. Consistently following a pre-performance routine will also help achieve a focused state. Finally, sports psychologists can help cricket professionals develop strategies to cope with stress and anxiety that are part of competing sports.