TVNZ announces cricket commentary line up
With 100 days of cricket ahead, viewers will experience TVNZ’s in-depth commentary coverage by sporting greats and helmed by legendary commentator, Scotty Stevenson, with all home BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS matches free-to-air across TVNZ.
Summer brings the return of home soil international and domestic cricket, and TVNZ’s commentary team is there to cover it all with ball-by-ball analysis and entertaining insights.
Building on Spark Sport’s strong foundation, legend of the game Craig McMillan, who played 260 international matches for New Zealand, dual-international and World Cup winner Rebecca Rolls, and Grant Elliott, best known for hitting the winning six at Eden Park against his birth country South Africa, all return to the commentary team, but this time for Te Reo Tātaki, TVNZ.
Former BLACKCAPS opening test batsman and broadcaster Mark Richardson, will also be on-hand providing in-depth and often entertaining calling.
Richardson said: “I’m looking forward to being back commentating the game I love and building on what we’ve been creating for the last couple of years with the team. It’s exciting that we’re able to bring the game to a wider and new audience on TVNZ.
“There are great international matches lined up this year for both squads alongside the domestic league, it’s going to be a fantastic summer of cricket ahead.”
With the season kicking off on December 3, when the WHITE FERNS take on Pakistan, Katey Martin whose career spanned a massive 18 years will be on her home ground in Dunedin.
Martin will once again link up with former teammate Frankie Mackay, who’ll juggle her commentary role around playing for the Canterbury Magicians. Martin and Mackay made history in 2022 as the first all-female commentary team for a BLACKCAPS international fixture in New Zealand.
On being part of the team Katey said: “It’s a real privilege doing this job and I’m thrilled to be on cricket with TVNZ. Cricket is the game I love and having cricket on free to air, reaching more viewers homes, pubs and devices than ever before will be enormous for the game in NZ.
“I’ve got no doubt the reach will create more generations of cricketers for this country, so being able to add to the game in the commentary box is something I’m hugely looking forward to.”
Alongside the core commentary team, international experts will join for WHITE FERNS and BLACKCAPS matches, including former English spin bowler Alex Hartley, Bangladeshi caller Athar Ali Khan and South Africa’s first female television cricket commentator, Kass Naidoo.
TVNZ’s General Manager, Sport and Events, Melodie Robinson said: “Cricket is such a well-loved sport in Aotearoa, and we’re really excited about the season ahead. Our experienced commentary team’s passion for the game and knowledge is showcased every time they call a match, and viewers can see that.”
Scotty Stevenson added: “It is always a privilege to cover cricket in Aotearoa, and to work with a commentary and broadcast team that has developed such a unique style and chemistry is special.
“We know the WHITE FERNS will provide us with the perfect opening to a bumper season that encompasses the best of New Zealand cricket, internationally and domestically."
Audiences will also notice a local waiata in te reo Māori in the match titles*, with Ōtautahi based band Dillastrate providing the tunes. Their single Ko Tātou Te Ahi, produced by Tiki Taane will be the theme song for cricket on TVNZ.
Viewers can enjoy BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS T20s on TVNZ 1 and ODIs and Tests on DUKE too, along with the domestic T20 league, Dream 11’s Super Smash. All matches will also stream live on TVNZ+ giving viewer’s choice over how and where they watch their favourite sport.