Sky Sports announce schedule

Sky Sports has confirmed its county cricket fixtures for next summer, with at least 65 matches scheduled for broadcast, more than ever before.

Every county will feature at least four times, including one home match, in the initial 49 fixtures selected by Sky together with the ECB.

Paul King, Sky Sports’ cricket producer, said: “Next summer is our biggest yet. The schedule is a mouth-watering line-up of cricket that I’m sure will excite all cricket fans. We’ve got more matches than ever before too, underlining our unrivalled commitment to county cricket.”

The schedule begins with Durham’s home clash with Yorkshire in the Friends Provident Trophy on April 20, followed by World Cup heroes Ireland against Nottinghamshire in Dublin the following week.

14 matches have been scheduled for broadcast from next year’s competition, including both semi-finals for the first time and two extra day/night games.

Twenty20 Cup fans are treated to another busy schedule of fixtures beginning with holders Kent Spitfires’ opening match against the Sussex Sharks at Canterbury on June 11.

18 live games have been scheduled, including at least three quarter-finals, plus the Finals Day in its entirety. There is also the first ever televised Twenty20 Cup match at Lord’s.

The Worcestershire Royals’ defence of their NatWest Pro40 crown begins against Nottinghamshire live on Sky Sports, the first of 31 live games from the competition, 23 of which are day/night fixtures.

There is also one extra LV County Championship game next summer with three games scheduled, including Sussex’s clash with Lancashire beginning on June 29.

Coverage is in high definition plus Dolby 5.1 surround sound, providing viewers with a cinema-like experience for those with compatible systems.

In the Sky Sports commentary box are some of the biggest names from cricket including Sir Ian Botham, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Bob Willis, David Lloyd, Michael Holding, Nick Knight and Paul Allott.

Coverage is presented by Charles Colvile and Ian Ward with daily reports, news and views featured on Sky Sports news and skysports.com.

Sky Sports will also show England’s home npower Tests, NatWest one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches against New Zealand and South Africa next summer, together with live coverage of all four county cricket competitions.