TVNZ’s T20I Commentary Catch

Ex-Black Caps crowdpleaser Neil Wagner is joining TVNZ’s commentary box for its Summer of Cricket coverage, which will include a companion podcast-style series “where cricket collides with comedy and a touch of chaos”.

Here’s the media release:

Neil Wagner Joins TVNZ’s Commentary Team for Upcoming Summer of Cricket

A jam-packed summer of sixes is swinging into action on TVNZ, with the return of international cricket next week.

Over half of New Zealand has watched free-to-air cricket across TVNZ 1 and DUKE since cricket home soil matches were available exclusively on TVNZ, alongside a further 720,000 accounts on TVNZ+.

With tours from Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa coming up, huge audiences are expected to return for this bumper season.

BLACKCAPS crowd favourite, Neil Wagner, who played 64 caps for the international side will join TVNZ’s commentary team, calling his former teammates against the West Indies.

As a World Cup winner of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021, his recent on-field expertise will bolster TVNZ’s commentary team this season.

Wagner said: “I’m really excited for this opportunity to join TVNZ’s commentary team and to continue being involved in the game I love and am so passionate about.

“Cricket has given me so much, and I’m looking forward to sharing the insights and experiences I’ve gained over the years. I’ll be bringing the same energy and honesty I had on the field when calling the matches.”

Neil will join the core commentary team of Katey Martin, Grant Elliott, Mark Richardson, Scotty Stevenson, Shane Bond, and Frankie MacKay, alongside international and domestic experts.

TVNZ’s Head of Sports, Events and Partnerships, Melodie Robinson, said: “We’ve seen over 15 million streams of cricket since 2023 – a phenomenal result that reflects how much Kiwis love connecting with the sport over summer.

“With six international tours lined up this season and SuperSmash, we’re excited to bring fans even more of the action they love, live and free on TVNZ.”

Alongside domestic and international matches, viewers can enjoy Over and Out on TVNZ+, a companion podcast styled series, where cricket collides with comedy and a touch of chaos.

This freewheeling, irreverent show brings together cricketers, comedians and commentators tackle life’s big questions … and some not-so big ones. Featuring the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Toni Street, Ben Hurley and Suzie Bates it’s cricket like you’ve never seen before.

The season begins next week, with the BLACKCAPS taking on Australia at Bay Oval for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. With a T20I rivalry that started exactly 20 years ago between these two nations, it’s sure to be an exciting three matches.

Catch all the action live and free on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 1 starting Wednesday.

BLACKCAPS v Australia T20I Series:

• Wednesday 1 October 7pm, TVNZ+ and TVNZ 1
• Friday 3 October 7pm, TVNZ+ and TVNZ 1
• Saturday 4 October 7pm, TVNZ+ and TVNZ 1