The best live sport on TV this week: 12th to 19th August

International cricket takes centre stage with the start of a major Test series, while knockout action in a popular short-form competition promises plenty of drama. Football fans can look forward to the traditional curtain-raiser to the new domestic season and a host of league action, while world-class darts heads to New Zealand and the cycling calendar rolls on with another challenging stage race.

Scroll down for the biggest sporting highlights from Wednesday 12 to Wednesday 19 August in our guide to the best live sport on TV this week. And don't forget to bookmark this page for your weekly sporting picks on Virgin TV.

Pick of the day
Paris Saint Germain v Aston Villa: UEFA Super Cup
8pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

European silverware is on the line as UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup. The traditional curtain-raiser to the European club season pits two continental trophy winners against each other in a one-off showdown, with Villa aiming to claim another major honour against one of Europe's most formidable sides. With elite talent on display and a prestigious trophy at stake, this promises to be one of the standout football matches of the summer.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees
  12.05am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• European Athletics Championships: Day 3
  From 10.30am, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

• The Hundred: Welsh Fire v London Spirit (Women)
  11.30am, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Welsh Fire v London Spirit (Men)
  3pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• The Hundred: Birmingham Phoenix v MI London (Women)
  3pm, Sky Sports Mix HD, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 511/504)

• Newcastle United v Everton: Pre Season Friendly
  5.15pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

• The Hundred: Birmingham Phoenix v MI London (Men)
  6.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 501/505)

• Major League Baseball: Philadelphia Phillies @ St Louis Cardinals
  7.15pm, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• Manchester United v Leeds United: Pre Season Friendly
  7.30pm, Premier Sports 2 HD (CH 529)

Pick of the day
European Athletics Championship Day 4
From 10.30am, BBC One HD (CH 101)

The action continues on Day 4 of the European Athletics Championships, with another packed schedule of track and field events as the continent’s best athletes battle for medals and national pride. Expect plenty of drama from the morning session onwards, with sprint stars, distance runners and field event specialists all aiming to make their mark. Whether you're following Team GB or simply love world-class athletics, this promises to be a compelling day of action.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees
  12.05am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• WNBA: Toronto Tempo @ Dallas Wings
  1am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• WNBA: Chicago Sky @ Golden State Valkyries
  3am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• Danish Golf Championship
  From 12pm, Sky Sports Golf HD (CH 506)

• Live Horse Racing
  From 1pm, Sky Sports Racing HD (CH 512)

• Super League Rugby: Hull KR v Catalans Dragons
  8pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• Super League Rugby: Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Leopards
  8pm, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

Pick of the day
The Hundred Eliminators: TBC v TBC
From 2.15pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

The road to The Hundred finals reaches a crucial stage with the Eliminators, where there’s no room for error as the remaining teams battle for a place in the competition’s showpiece event. Expect big hitting, high-pressure moments and plenty of drama as both the men’s and women’s sides fight to keep their title dreams alive. With knockout cricket at its most exciting, this is a must-watch afternoon for fans of the fast-paced format.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Atlanta Braves
  12.15am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• ATP Tennis: Canadian Open
  From 1am, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 501/508)

• ATP/WTA Tennis: Cincinnati Open
  From 3am, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 501/508)

• European Athletics Championship Day 5
  From 10.30am, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Scottish League: Kilmarnock v Ayr United
  7.45pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

• Championship: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers
  8pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

• Super League Rugby: Hull FC v Castleford Tigers
  8pm, Sky Sports + HD (CH 504)

• IndyCar Ontario: Practice 1
  8pm, Sky Sports F1 HD (CH 507)

Pick of the day
Auckland Darts Masters
8am til 12pm, ITV4 HD (CH 118)

Some of the biggest names in world darts head to New Zealand for the Auckland Darts Masters, where PDC stars take on top regional talent in front of a passionate crowd. With a fast-paced format, plenty of 180s and the potential for major upsets, this tournament rarely disappoints. Expect plenty of drama as the players battle for supremacy in the latest stop on the World Series of Darts circuit.

What else to watch:

• UFC Fight Night 46: Stella Hemetsberger v Natalia Diachkov
  2am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• Sri Lanka v India, 1^st Test, Day 1
  5.30am, TNT Sports 4 HD (CH 524)

• International Rugby Union: Australia v Japan
  6.15am, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Action HD (CH 501/510)

• European Athletics Championship Day 6
  From 7.30am, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Formula E London Grand Prix
  From 8.30am, ITV4 HD (CH 118)

• EFL Championship: Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End
  12.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• EFL League One: Notts County v Leicester City
  12.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

• EFL League One: Reading v Luton Town
  12.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• EFL League One: Oxford United v MK Dons
  12.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• EFL League Two: Oldham Athletic v Port Vale
  12.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• EFL League Two: Newport County v Rochdale
  12.30pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• British Superbikes Thruxton, Day 1
  From 1pm, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• Soccer Saturday: Championship, League One, League Two
  From 3pm, Sky Sports+ HD (CH 504)

• EFL Championship: Sheffield United v Birmingham City
  5.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

• Scottish Premiership: Dundee United v Celtic
  5.45pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

• Major League Baseball: St Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs
  7.20pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

Pick of the day
FA Community Shield: Arsenal v Manchester City
3pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

The domestic football season gets underway in style as Arsenal and Manchester City meet at Wembley in the FA Community Shield. Traditionally the curtain-raiser to the new campaign, this clash pits two of England’s biggest clubs against each other as they look to lay down an early marker. With silverware on the line and both sides packed with star quality, expect a fiercely contested encounter and a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come in the season ahead.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers
  12.15am, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• UFC 330: Islam Makhachev v Machado Garry
  2am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• Sri Lanka v India, 1^st Test, Day 2
  5.30am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• European Athletics Championship Day 7
  From 7.30am, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• EFL Championship: Watford v Southampton
  1.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

• The Hundred Final: TBC v TBC
  From 2.15pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• EFL Championship: Burnley v West Ham United
  4pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

• Major League Baseball: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Atlanta Braves
  6.35pm, TNT Sports 2 HD (CH 522)

• Major League Baseball: Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles
  9.10pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

Pick of the day
EFL Championship: Cardiff City v Wrexham
8pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Football HD (CH 501/503)

There’s a distinctly Welsh flavour to Monday night’s Championship action as Cardiff City welcome Wrexham in a hugely anticipated derby clash. With local pride at stake and both sides eager to make their mark in the early stages of the season, expect a passionate atmosphere and a fiercely competitive encounter. Wrexham’s remarkable rise continues against a Cardiff side determined to challenge at the top end of the table, making this a fascinating contest that should deliver plenty of drama under the lights.

What else to watch:

• Major League Baseball: Seattle Mariners @ Houston Astros
  12.20am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• Sri Lanka v India, 1^st Test, Day 3
  5.30am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• ATP/WTA Tennis: Cincinnati Open
  From 4pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 501/508)

• Major League Baseball: St Louis Cardinals @ Cincinnati Reds
  6.40pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

Pick of the day
UCI Tour du Limousin Stage One
From 1.30pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

The UCI Tour du Limousin gets underway with an opening stage that could prove crucial in shaping the general classification. Set against the picturesque backdrop of central France, the race attracts a strong field of riders looking to build momentum and challenge for overall victory. Expect attacking racing, tactical battles and a fast-paced finish as the contenders begin their quest for success in this popular late-season stage race.

What else to watch:

• WNBA: Dallas Wings @ Golden State Valkyries
  3am, Sky Sports Action HD (CH 510)

• Sri Lanka v India, 1^st Test, Day 4
  5.30am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• ATP/WTA Tennis: Cincinnati Open
  From 4pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 501/508)

• Super Rugby League: Hull KR v Warrington Wolves
  8pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Action HD (CH 501/510)

Pick of the day
England v Pakistan 1^st Test, Day 1
From 11am, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 501/505)

A new chapter in England’s Test journey begins as newly appointed captain Joe Root leads his side into the opening match of the series against Pakistan. With experienced campaigners and emerging talent on both teams, the first day promises plenty of intrigue as England's batters look to build a platform and Pakistan's formidable bowling attack aims to strike early.

What else to watch:

• Sri Lanka v India, 1^st Test, Day 5
  5.30am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• ATP/WTA Tennis: Cincinnati Open
  From 4pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Tennis HD (CH 501/508)

• La Liga: Atletico Madrid v Malaga
  8pm, Premier Sports 1 HD (CH 528)

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