The crucial question about a coming sporting event used to be “When’s it on?” Now it’s “What’s it on?” – an inquiry once reserved for a racehorse posting an unexpectedly fast time.

Our Boys have been doing well in the T20 World Cup cricket, but there are several problematic aspects to this event (apart from the time difference, which has many matches starting after midnight here). First, the co-hosts are the West Indies and the USA. One may note that “USA” and “cricket” are rarely seen in the same sentence. Second, the only way to watch matches in Australia is on Prime Video. If a wicket falls on Prime, does anyone know?

Glenn Maxwell is bowled during the men’s T20 World Cup match between Australia and Scotland, at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St. Lucia, on Saturday, June 15.Credit: AP

Cricket coverage has changed dramatically since the ABC supplemented its radio description of the 1934 Ashes Test series in England with imaginative special effects: a pencil tapping a coconut conjured the sound of bat on ball. Commentary giants like Alan McGilvray and Richie Benaud have departed the crease. And if the blokey banter of their successors grates, well, that’s what the “mute” button is for.

The days of all cricket (indeed, all sport) on free-to-air TV are long gone. The previous men’s T20 World Cup, held here in........

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