England vs Pakistan Third Test: U.S. Start Time, Willow TV and Scor…

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England and Pakistan’s third Test began at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9, 2026. For viewers in the United States, the immediate details are straightforward: the match is scheduled for September 9–13 with play starting at 11 a.m. British Summer Time each day. That converts to 6 a.m. Eastern, 5 a.m. Central, 4 a.m. Mountain and 3 a.m. Pacific. A Test can last up to five days, but the match may finish earlier if a result is reached, while weather and interruptions can change the amount of play completed on any given day.

Willow TV is the principal U.S. viewing destination identified for this match. Before buying anything, check whether Willow is already included with your cable package, live-TV bundle or an existing channel subscription. BBC Sport and ESPNcricinfo provide reliable live match pages for checking the score and status. This guide focuses on the practical decisions U.S. viewers need to make: converting the time correctly, confirming a legitimate viewing route, testing a device, avoiding duplicate subscriptions and setting alerts without spoiling a replay.

Key takeaways

Match: England vs. Pakistan, the third and final Test of the 2026 series in England.
Venue: Edgbaston in Birmingham, England.
Dates: September 9–13, with play scheduled to start at 11 a.m. BST each day. A result can end the match before day five.
U.S. start times: 6 a.m. EDT, 5 a.m. CDT, 4 a.m. MDT and 3 a.m. PDT.
U.S. viewing: Check Willow TV and the live guide for your specific provider and account. Availability through cable, selected Sling international plans or a Prime Video channel can vary.
Score checks: BBC Sport’s live page and ESPNcricinfo’s match page are useful for confirming the innings, score and current match state. Audio and video can be geo-restricted.
Safety: Avoid unofficial “free stream” pages, unknown apps, fake play buttons and sites that demand browser notifications or card details.

What happened

This is the last match in a three-Test series hosted by England. BBC Sport opened live coverage for day one at Edgbaston on September 9, and ESPNcricinfo lists the same fixture as the third Test of Pakistan’s tour of England. England won the first two Tests, so the series winner had already been determined before play began in Birmingham. That does not mean the third Test was canceled or reduced to an exhibition: it remains a separate Test match with its own result and records.

Test cricket works differently from a limited-overs match. Each side can bat twice, and play can continue across as many as five days. A quick glance at the raw score may not tell you which team is ahead. You also need to know the innings, wickets remaining, the lead or target and how much time has been lost. That is why a complete scorecard and a current status label are more useful than a clipped social post.

The published schedule runs from September 9 through September 13, with an 11 a.m. BST start each day. In early September, the United Kingdom is on British Summer Time while most of the United States is observing daylight saving time. The U.K. is therefore five hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time for this fixture. Saving only “11 a.m.” in a calendar can create confusion when traveling. Set the event location to Birmingham, United Kingdom, or attach the Europe/London time zone so your device performs the conversion.

Willow TV is identified as the U.S. place to watch the third Test. Access can still differ by customer. A cable subscriber may need a provider login, a streaming customer may need a particular international package, and a Prime Video user may need a separate Willow channel subscription. Opening a new in-app subscription without checking existing billing can result in paying for the same channel twice.

Who is affected

Viewers in the Eastern time zone face a 6 a.m. weekday start. Anyone watching from the first ball should update the app, confirm the password and complete any verification prompt the night before. If the match overlaps with work or school routines, a practical alternative is to watch the first session, check the score at lunch and use an official highlight or replay later.

Central, Mountain and Pacific viewers have even earlier starts: 5 a.m., 4 a.m. and 3 a.m. respectively. If a replay is the better option, turn off score previews before going to bed. Sports apps, news alerts, browser start pages and smart-speaker briefings can all reveal the result before you open the replay.

First-time Willow users need to distinguish channel availability from entitlement. Seeing Willow in a channel directory does not prove it is included in the current plan. Cable customers should confirm whether TV-provider authentication is supported. Streaming customers should verify that the active package includes the live channel, then note the renewal date and cancellation path before accepting any trial.

Spectators going to Edgbaston should treat the venue’s same-day information as authoritative. Recheck the mobile ticket, seat, gate, bag rules, transportation and any weather notice. Do not assume that a screenshot will always work at the gate; follow the ticket issuer’s instructions and save the ticket to the approved wallet or app where possible.

Fans following only the score can use BBC Sport or ESPNcricinfo rather than keeping a video stream open. Live feeds can update a few seconds apart. If one page shows a wicket while another still shows the previous delivery, refresh and compare the innings, over and batter names before deciding that either source is wrong.

What to do now

1. Save the start time with the correct zone

The scheduled daily start is 6 a.m. Eastern, 5 a.m. Central, 4 a.m. Mountain and 3 a.m. Pacific from September 9 through September 13. Name the calendar entry “England vs Pakistan 3rd Test — Edgbaston” and set its zone to Europe/London or its location to Birmingham. Start alerts can be precise, but leave the ending open because weather, over rates and the match result affect when play stops.

2. Check your existing subscriptions before paying

Search your cable or live-TV guide for Willow and open the September 9 listing. In streaming apps, inspect the account’s subscriptions or channels page rather than relying on a promotional landing page. Review your cable extras, app-store subscriptions, Prime Video channels and Sling package before adding anything. This prevents the common mistake of subscribing through a second platform when the same channel is already available.

3. Test playback in advance

Do not make the first login at the scheduled start. Password resets, emailed security codes, location permissions and device limits can cost several overs. Open the service the night before—or at least 30 minutes early—and test another live program. Make sure the billing account, viewing profile and TV app are aligned. If you plan to cast the match, test the HDMI, AirPlay or Chromecast connection before play.

4. Prepare a legitimate score-only fallback

If video fails, do not rush to an unknown streaming site. Fake play buttons, malicious ads, notification prompts and card-stealing forms are common. Check Willow’s account status and your provider entitlement, then use BBC Sport or ESPNcricinfo for live text and the score while troubleshooting. If audio or highlights are blocked, territorial rights—not a broken device—may be the reason.

Laptop, headphones and clock arranged for an early-morning Test cricket stream in the United States — An early start is easier to manage when the account, device, alerts and backup score page are checked the night before.

5. Configure alerts for live viewing or a spoiler-free replay

For live viewing, set a start alert 15 minutes early and enable wicket alerts if desired. For a replay, disable lock-screen previews, team alerts and sports headlines. Also check browser sports cards and smart-speaker news routines. Turning off only one sports app may not be enough if a general news service pushes the score.

6. Use Edgbaston’s day-of guidance if attending

Verify the date, seat and entry gate on the ticket and save the mobile pass in advance. Charge the phone and check whether a battery pack is allowed. Review Edgbaston’s current bag, prohibited-item, accessibility and transportation guidance. Weather can delay play, but ticket treatment depends on official venue terms and the amount of play, so use venue notices rather than speculation.

How to confirm official information

For the live match state, compare BBC Sport’s live page with the ESPNcricinfo match page. Confirm the teams, date, venue and innings so you do not confuse this fixture with another England–Pakistan game. Live text supplies context, while the scorecard makes it easier to see innings and player figures.

For U.S. coverage, use Willow TV’s site and your provider’s live guide as the final checks. Prices and plan names quoted by third parties can change. On the actual checkout screen, verify the price, renewal interval, trial end date and cancellation method. Most importantly, confirm that the third Test live card opens in the account you intend to use.

For the format and playing rules, consult the ICC’s current Test match playing conditions. Scheduled hours can be adjusted for weather, light, interruptions and officials’ decisions. A search snippet that shows a fixed end time should not override the live status at the ground.

For attendance, use Edgbaston’s official visitor information. Ticket inventory, gate procedures, bags, food, accessibility and transport can vary by event. An old blog post or a rule from another stadium is not a reliable substitute.

Frequently asked questions

What time does the match start in the United States?

The scheduled daily start is 6 a.m. EDT, 5 a.m. CDT, 4 a.m. MDT and 3 a.m. PDT. Rain or operational delays can move the first ball, so check the live status shortly before the scheduled time.

Will the Test definitely continue through September 13?

No. September 9–13 is the maximum five-day window. The match ends early if a result is reached. Lost time can also contribute to a draw. Recheck the official match status after each day rather than assuming that day five will be played.

Where can I watch in the U.S.?

The current U.S. destination is Willow TV. It may be available as a cable add-on, through selected international streaming plans or as a separate Prime Video channel. Availability varies by account and package, so verify the live event in Willow and your provider’s guide.

Can I watch the full match for free on BBC?

BBC Sport may offer live text, radio information and in-play highlights, but not every media element is available in the United States. Rights vary by territory. Use the authorized U.S. rights holder for full-match video.

What if two score pages show different numbers?

Refresh both and compare the innings, over, wickets and batters. A small update delay is normal. Also check labels such as Lunch, Tea, Stumps, Rain Delay or Result; a social screenshot may show an earlier moment rather than the current state.

How can I avoid spoilers before a replay?

Disable score alerts, lock-screen previews, browser sports cards, smart-speaker briefings and team notifications. Be careful when opening the streaming app because its home screen may display the result or a highlight title.

Should ticket holders travel if rain is forecast?

Follow Edgbaston and the ticket issuer’s same-day notices. Test play can resume after rain, and delay, abandonment or refund treatment depends on official ticket terms and how much play occurs. Do not cancel travel based only on an unofficial post.

Official sources

Start times, coverage, subscription terms and venue operations can change. Recheck the official match page, broadcaster and venue immediately before watching, subscribing or traveling.

England vs Pakistan Third Test: U.S. Start Time, Willow TV and Score Guide