CROCMEDIA is set to become the newest player in the cricket media landscape as Cricket Australia finalises its radio rights deal.

The Daily Telegraph understands Crocmedia, the ABC and Macquarie Radio are all set to buy rights to broadcast during the coming summer, with Cricket Australia to potentially make an announcement by the end of the week.

It’s anticipated that the Big Bash League could be broadcast by Crocmedia and Macquarie as a joint-venture, an arrangement currently in place between the networks for aspects of their AFL and NRL coverage.

However, in regards to Test cricket the two networks would be competitors working in opposition.

Macquarie cut back their commentary last summer due to financial strain, and it’s understood their bid to land the fresh round of Test rights would centre around broadcasting the cricket on their secondary stations — headed by the new 2UE sports channel in Sydney.

Cricket Australia’s negotiations suffered a blow a fortnight ago when Triple M sensationally pulled out of talks despite Southern Cross Austereo putting together a successful product over recent summers.

CA had been following the AFL model of trying to sell to as many interested parties as possible before talks with Triple M unexpectedly broke down.

Triple M won’t be replaced by an FM rival, with CA understood to be comfortable with the interest they have on the AM band.

Having three networks commentating the summer will only increase the influx of commentary jobs currently on the open market after Fox Sports and Channel Seven both took over the television rights.

Craig Hutchison’s Crocmedia, fronted by leading caller Gerard Whateley on Radio SEN in Melbourne, impressed with their broadcast of Australia’s drama-filled tour of South Africa.

After Whateley’s high-profile switch from the ABC to SEN, Simon Katich jumped ship to join him for the South African tour and other commentary changes are possible.

Chris Rogers has been a star on ABC but has increased coaching commitments now with Cricket Australia.