The Ashes return this week as Australia take on England in sport’s oldest rivalry. Five test matches will decide whether the urn stays Down Under or returns to England with Ben Stokes and his team.
But while watching is pretty easy on 7Plus (AUS), what if you want to listen to The Ashes? British listeners are in luck, as the iconic BBC Test Match Special (TMS) will broadcast ball-by-ball coverage of every game.
How to listen to The Ashes on Test Match Special
To access TMS’ bullet-by-bullet coverage, you have a range of different options. A digital radio is of course an option, but if you don’t have one, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app (iOS/Android) are also available.
The programming will be broadcast on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
To listen you’ll need a BBC account – sign up here.
And if you miss any of the action, you can listen to the TMS podcast, which will be released shortly after each day’s broadcast.
Can I access The Ashes on BBC Sounds from abroad or on holiday?
Yes. UK residents seek to listen Test Match Special Travelers abroad can still access the BBC Sounds app via a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which is offering 75% off and an extra 3 months free this Black Friday…
How to unblock The Ashes on BBC Sounds with a VPN
If you’re currently outside the UK and unable to use BBC Sounds, you can still access the app through the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
The software allows your devices to appear as if they are back in your home country, no matter where you are in the world. Ideal for listeners traveling to work or on vacation who want a taste of home.
NordVPN is our favorite:
BBC Sounds Troubleshooting Tips
If you always You can’t access BBC Sounds even with the help of a VPN, you can try a few other things.
Make sure your BBC account is linked to a valid UK postcode, such as W1A 1AA.
The BBC Sounds app (iOS/Android) will not appear in the Play Store or App Store outside the UK, but you may be able to work around this by changing your phone’s region in the settings menu.
The BBC, like most broadcasters and networks, is engaged in a never-ending cat-and-mouse battle with VPN providers.
Although we have ranked the best iPlayer VPNs, which we have developed through extensive testing, if one of them works today, there is no guarantee that it will work the same tomorrow, in which case you can raise the issue with your VPN provider’s customer support team and ask them to recommend the best server to connect to.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
