WEEK AHEAD: While we wait for the Lions tour to begin it looks like summer has finally arrived, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as cricket’s new flagship format begins – The Hundred.
Getting us underway at the start of the week are two cricket fixtures, but not from The Hundred just yet, instead England and Pakistan round off their short three-match T20 series on Tuesday that can be seen on Sky Sports, while West Indies and Australia begin their ODI series over on BT Sport.
Thursday will be an interesting day for cricket fans as they see this new format in all its glory for the first time. Kicking off the tournament are the Oval Invincibles and the Manchester Originals, live on Sky Sports from 18:30. However, if international cricket is more your thing there is action from the Caribbean starting shortly after with another ODI between the West Indies and Australia on BT Sport. Also getting underway on Thursday is the 3m Open, which will hopefully give golf fans enough time to recover from the drama at Royal St George’s. As ever, each day can be seen live on Sky Sports from 20:00 until the final day’s play on Sunday.
Action on Friday comes again from the 3m Open in Minnesota and we’re back to Edgbaston to see the Birmingham Phoenix play London Spirit. Heading into the weekend it’s a double header for The Hundred as the Trent Rockets face Southern Brave while the Northern Superchargers are up against the Welsh Fire. The one we have all been waiting for is the start of the Lions tour proper, where Warren Gatland’s side are up against South Africa in their first Test of the series at 17:00 on Sky Sports.
Sunday is rounded off with more action from The Hundred with London Spirit hosting their neighbours the Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals welcoming Birmingham Phoenix. There should be plenty of first-class action on display this week and by the end of it we will know whether cricket has a new flagbearer or not.
