Potential HK T20 Blitz audience of 175 million as global broadcasters sign up – but Aussie master blaster Chris Lynn out of the picture
The Big Bash sensation is picked for Australia’s T20 series against England and is unable to play in Hong Kong
BT Sport (UK), Fox Sports (Australia), OSN (Middle East), Neo Sports (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh), ESPN Caribbean, DSports (India) and Chinese-owned StarTimes (Africa) have signed up for the February 6-11 tournament at Mission Road with more deals in the pipeline.
However, Lynn – world cricket’s first million-dollar man when he signed a four-year deal with Brisbane Heat for Australia’s Big Bash League – is forced to pull out of the Hung Hom JD Jaguars team.
The 27-year-old Lynn, one of the world’s top T20 batsmen, was picked for Australia’s T20 series against England that clashes with the Blitz, although the tournament will still boast quality names in Kumar Sangakkara, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Smith and Sohail Tanvir, among others.
Taking part in this year’s tournament are Jaguars, defending champions Kowloon Cantons, City Kaitak, Galaxy Gladiators Lantau and Hong Kong Island United.
The broadcasting rights will allow the tournament to raise its profile around the world. Out of the potential 175 million audience, organisers are hoping at least 30 million will tune into the Blitz – a significant viewership that would help the Blitz secure more sponsorship for the future.