January 29, 2024 -- The final instalment of the Australian men’s Test summer drew to a close yesterday, with the West Indies claiming a narrow victory on Day Four of the final Test at the Gabba, in one of the most nail-biting Test match finishes in many years.

Across the four days, the Seven Network’s live and free coverage of the second Test reached 6.7 million people nationally. 

Following a Test summer which boasted a clean sweep against Pakistan and a strong first Test against the West Indies in Adelaide, Australia’s dream of a clean sweep was thwarted at the final hurdle.

In a Test that was dominated by world-class bowling, it was an incredible seven wicket spell from an injured Shamar Joseph that led the West Indies to their first Test win on Australian soil in 27 years.

The second Test scored an average total TV audience of 875,000 across the four days of sessions,

The second session on Day Four scored the biggest total TV number, with a national audience reach of 2.2 million and an average audience of 1.4 million. 

Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “Worldclass bowling, a bold declaration from Captain Pat and a momentous breakout performance from Shamar Joseph at the close of an epic series – the final Test at the Gabba will go down as one of the greatest Test matches ever seen on Australian soil.

“This Test summer has been the perfect set up for the next two massive summers of cricket, featuring the Australia v India men’s Test Series and women’s Ashes in 2024-25, followed by the highly anticipated Ashes in 2025-26 – all live and free on Seven and, for the first time, 7plus.

“As we wrap the men’s Test summer and continue the Australia v South Africa Women’s International Series, we thank our 7Cricket broadcast team both in front of and behind the camera, and our trusted partners Cricket Australia, our sponsors and the passionate Australians who continue to remind us just how much we love cricket – and why it remains Australia’s #1 summer sport.”

Seven’s summer of cricket continues with the Australia v South Africa Women’s International Series, from 7.00pm AEDT tomorrow, live and free on 7mate.

Fans can also tune in for the glittering Australian Cricket Awards from 7.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, 31 January, on 7mate, where the Allan Border Medal and Belinda Clarke Award will be awarded to this season’s best men’s and women’s player respectively.

For more information, please contact:

Neil Shoebridge
M: 0417 511 012
E: neil@skmediagroup.com.au

Emma Francis
Senior Publicist, Sport
M: 0415 721 413 P: 03 9697 7763
E: efrancis@seven.com.au

Brittany Stack
National Publicity Manager, News & Public Affairs and Sport
M: 0410 724 424
E: bstack@seven.com.au

About the Seven Network 

The Seven Network is part of Seven West Media (ASX: SWM), one of Australia’s most prominent media companies, with a market-leading presence in content production across broadcast television, publishing and digital. The Seven Network alone reaches more than 17 million people a month. 

The company is home to some of Australia’s most renowned media businesses, including the Seven Network and its affiliate channels 7two, 7mate, 7flix and 7Bravo; broadcast video on demand platform 7plus; 7NEWS.com.au; The West Australian; and The Sunday Times. The Seven Network is home of Australia’s most loved news, sport and entertainment programming. Its iconic brands include Australia’s leading news and public affairs programs 7NEWS, 7NEWS Spotlight, Sunrise and The Morning Show, The Voice, Home and Away, Dancing With The Stars, Australian Idol, My Kitchen Rules, SAS Australia, Farmer Wants A Wife, The Chase Australia, Better Homes and Gardens, RFDS, The 1% Club and the TV WEEK Logie Awards. Seven Network is also the broadcast partner of the AFL, Cricket Australia and Supercars.

Source: please contact Seven Network for source information.