SHOWPIECE IS FREE TO SEE ON TV

FROM DEAN WILSON in Adelaide SUNDAY’S T20 World Cup final showdown with Pakistan will be on free-to-air television – should the bad weather stay away.

A wet weekend is forecast in Melbourne for the finale of a tournament already hit by rain.

Sky have agreed to share coverage of the showpiece with Channel 4 – just as they did in 2019 when England beat New Zealand in the sensational ODI World Cup final (above).

Over eight million domestic viewers witnessed that dramatic Lord’s triumph three years ago and hopes will be high for more bumper figures as England attempt to unite the two whiteball trophies for the first time.

The match is schedued to start at 8am UK time on Sunday. England booked their place in the final with a roaring 10-wicket triumph over India.

Skipper Jos Buttler and Alex Hales shared a recordbreaking T20 World Cup partnership as they put on 170 without being parted.

After the win Buttler (above) was hopeful the final would be free to watch on TV, saying: “That would be fantastic for the game in our country. As many eyes as we can get on that final would be great. It’s important that we always look for ways to grow our game and showcase cricket to the next generation especially.”

Buttler and Hales shared 13 fours and 10 sixes to secure victory with four overs to spare.

The captain said: “We’re an incredibly dangerous side, there’s huge confidence in the group.

“We haven’t at points played as well as we could have done in the tournament yet found ourselves in the semi-final of a World Cup.

“We need to enjoy this win but don’t get too far ahead of ourselves. There’s still the biggest game of the tournament to come.

“It’s going to be an amazing occasion and they don’t come around very often. So it’s certainly something to be relished, to be enjoyed, and for us to play with the same freedom we showed here.”