How to listen to The Ashes on Test Match Special from anywhere in the world

The Ashes return this week as Australia face England in the oldest rivalry in sport. Five Test matches will decide whether the urn remains Down Under or heads back to England with Ben Stokes and his side.

But while watching is easy enough on 7Plus (AUS), what if you’re looking to listen to The Ashes? UK listeners are in luck, as the BBC’s iconic Test Match Special (TMS) will be broadcasting ball-by-ball coverage of every match.

Jonathan Agnew, as ever, will lead the coverage alongside Jim Maxwell and Simon Mann, with ex-players live on air including Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, and Glenn McGrath. Don't forget about stat mad Andy Zaltzman either, who will provide all the figures you need to know about The Ashes.

But how can you access Test Match Special, and is it available in the US, Australia, and Canada too? Read on as our short guide explains how to listen to TMS from anywhere in the world.

How to listen to The Ashes on Test Match Special

To access TMS’ ball-by-ball coverage, you have a range of different options. A digital radio is, of course, one option, but if you don’t have one, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website, and the BBC Sport app (iOS/Android) are also available.

Programming will go out on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

To listen, you will need a BBC account — register here.

And if you miss any of the action, you will be able to listen to the TMS Podcast, which will be released shortly after each day’s play.

Can I access The Ashes on BBC Sounds from abroad or on holiday? 

Yes. UK residents looking to listen to Test Match Special traveling abroad can still access the BBC Sounds app via a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which comes with 75% off and 3 months extra free this Black Friday...

How to unblock The Ashes on BBC Sounds with a VPN

If you're outside the UK at the moment and blocked from using BBC Sounds, you can still access the app thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for listeners away for work or on vacation wanting a taste of home.

NordVPN is our favorite:

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BBC Sounds Troubleshooting Tips

If you still can't access BBC Sounds, even with the aid of a VPN, there are a few more things you can try.

Make sure your BBC account is associated with a valid UK post code, such as W1A 1AA.

The BBC Sounds app (iOS / Android) won't appear in the Play Store or the App Store outside the UK, but you may be able to get around that by changing your phone's region in the settings menu.

The BBC, like most broadcasters and networks, is engaged in a neverending cat-and-mouse battle with VPN providers.

Although we've ranked the best iPlayer VPNs, something we've worked out through thorough testing, if one of them works today there's no guarantee the same will be true 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.