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Fairfax Radio joins Ashes party

As Australia head to Perth with an impressive 2-0 lead in the Commonwealth Bank Ashes Series, they will be joined by a new broadcaster – Fairfax Radio Network (FRN) – which begins its coverage of the series from the first ball on Friday.

Four of Fairfax Radio’s commercial channels – 3AW, 2UE, 4BC and 6PR – join national broadcaster ABC in delivering live cricket content throughout Australia for the remaining summer and beyond.

Initially, FRN was scheduled to launch its coverage with the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, yet with the Australians taking a commanding lead in the series – and the threat of the Ashes being effectively over before Christmas – the launch date was brought forward.   

Highly-regarded sports commentator Tim Lane will anchor the FRN coverage alongside commentators Bruce Eva and former West Coast Eagle and Perth radio identity Karl Langdon.

The trio will be supported by cricket experts Mickey Arthur, Ian Chappell, Damien Fleming, Greg Blewett, Tom Moody and Dean Jones, as well as Englishmen Henry Blofeld and Gladstone Small.

Australia Test coach Darren Lehmann and former England captain Michael Vaughan will be interviewed before and after play each day.

The network will follow Channel Nine’s model of one 30-second commercial between overs, or at the fall of a wicket.

“This is an historic moment for Fairfax Radio Network as the first commercial broadcaster calling the majority of cricket," said Clark Forbes, Fairfax Radio Network National Content Director. "The Australian team is on a high and we look forward to comprehensively covering the next Ashes Test for cricket fans."

FRN will also provide ball-by-ball coverage of the five International Carlton Mid One Day fixtures, the three KFC T20 INTL matches and all local KFC Big Bash League matches. The KFC Big Bash will have a more localised approach.  For example, if a Sydney BBL team is playing a Melbourne team, both 3AW and 2UE will carry the match. All other metro markets will be able to tune into the coverage via Fairfax Radio Network’s new digital station – Fairfax Radio News, Talk, Sport.

All Fairfax Radio Network’s cricket coverage will also be live streamed and free of charge on Cricket Australia Live: The Official App and on www.cricket.com.au.

Last month, Fairfax Radio Network and Cricket Australia announced that Fairfax Radio Network had secured the broadcast rights for the 2013-14 to 2017-18 Australian cricket seasons. 

FRN coverage will also be available through Cricket Australia Live: the official app.