Nine’s Wide World of Sports is the only place to watch the first Test of the 2023 Ashes, exclusive, live and free from Friday, June 16, at 7.30pm AEST on the 9Network and 9Now. 

Pat Cummins will lead Australia in the mouthwatering series fresh off being crowned World Test Championship winners, with box-office batsmen Steve Smith, Travis Head, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne ready to sink their teeth into the Old Enemy’s hostile bowling attack in the five-Test battle for the Urn in England.

Nine’s commentary team is hosted by Roz Kelly, with expert comments from former Australian captain Mark Taylor, Ashes winner Ian Healy, World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch and former internationals Steven O’Keefe and Callum Ferguson. Taylor will be joined on the ground at all five Tests by Louise Ransome.

Mark Taylor said: “This is shaping up to be one of the best Ashes battles in quite a while, with both sides in really good form leading into the series.

“Australia has a settled lineup while England has been revitalised, playing extremely attractive and attacking cricket under their new coach Brendon McCullum. It will be an arm wrestle from the first ball and this series promises to be a fascinating contest on five of the most famous cricket grounds in the world.”

THE ASHES FIRST TEST ON NINE: BROADCAST TIMES

Day 1 – Friday June 16
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on Channel 9HD 
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on Channel 9HD 
Perth                           5.30pm on 9Go, play switching to Channel 9HD at 7.30pm

Day 2 – Saturday June 17
Sydney                        7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on Channel 9HD 
Brisbane                      7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD, LIVE play from 7.30pm on Channel 9HD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9GemHD, play switching to Channel 9HD at 7.30pm

Day 3 – Sunday June 18
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on 9GemHD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9GemHD

Day 4 – Monday June 19
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on 9GemHD
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9GemHD

Day 5 – Tuesday June 20
Sydney                        7.30pm on 9GemHD
Melbourne                   7.30pm on 9GemHD 
Brisbane                      7.30pm on 9GemHD
Adelaide                      7.00pm on 9GemHD
Perth                            5.30pm on 9GemHD

SERIES SCHEDULE

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S ASHES LIVE AND FREE ONLY ON NINE

THE ASHES: FIRST TEST
EXCLUSIVE, LIVE AND FREE – 9NETWORK AND 9NOW 
FROM 7.30PM AEST FRIDAY ON JUNE 16

Tuesday, June 13, 2023