The prestigious Ashes series has begun with a controversial new broadcasting approach from TNT Sports that is already dividing cricket traditionalists. The UK coverage of the five-Test battle between England and Australia features a commentary team delivering play-by-play commentary remotely from London, nearly 10,000 miles from the Australian stadiums.
Meet the Unconventional Commentary Team
Helming the microphone for this winter's Ashes are Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch, both respected broadcasters but better known for their work in other sports. Eykyn has built his reputation primarily in rugby commentary, while Hatch is an award-winning cycling commentator. Their appointment to lead cricket's most storied contest has raised eyebrows among followers of the sport.
They're joined by genuine Ashes heroes, including three members of England's triumphant 2010/11 squad - Sir Alastair Cook, Graeme Swann, and Steven Finn. This remains the last English side to win the Ashes urn away from home. Presenter Becky Ives completes the core team, with two of the three former players being on the ground for each of the five Tests alongside her.
The coverage will also feature insights from former England player Ebony Rainford-Brent and Australia's Justin Langer across the series, adding expert analysis to the broadcast.
Mounting Criticism of Remote Broadcasting
The decision to have lead commentators call the action from television screens in London rather than from the stadiums in Australia has drawn strong criticism across social media and in the press. The Daily Telegraph didn't hold back in its assessment of the first Test coverage from Perth, describing it as "shoddy" and accusing TNT Sports of "ripping off viewers".
The Daily Mail had earlier condemned what it called TNT Sports' "half-baked plan", labelling it a "dumbed-down insult to long-suffering England fans". The publication specifically questioned Hatch and Eykyn's ability to provide comprehensive commentary given their "inability to see anything other than what their monitors are showing them".
Broadcasters Defend Their Approach
Scott Young, executive vice-president of WBD Sports Europe which oversees TNT, came to the defence of the commentary team. He emphasised that both Eykyn and Hatch are "huge cricket fans" and insisted that modern technology links mean viewers "won't know where they are" as they interact with pundits at the venue.
In an interview with The Independent before the Ashes began, Hatch addressed concerns head-on. "For television commentary, one of the key rules is to talk to pictures," he stated. "We will talk to the picture, and of course, we have eyes and ears in the stadium as well, so if there is anything bizarre happening, we'll get to know about it."
Despite these assurances, the remote commentary setup represents a significant departure from traditional cricket broadcasting, leaving many fans and critics questioning whether this approach can truly capture the atmosphere and nuance of an Ashes series down under.
