Cricket fans in New Zealand will be able to enjoy three home T20Is live and free this summer, while the first Genesis Powerplay of each match will also be streamed live on NZC TikTok.
Tomorrow night’s opening BLACKCAPS T20I against India, the WHITE FERNS’ second T20I against Bangladesh, and the BLACKCAPS’ first T20I against Sri Lanka in January will all be broadcast live and free on Sky’s Free to Air platforms, Three or Sky Open and Three Now.
In what’s thought to be a world-first for international cricket, the first Genesis Powerplay of all three matches will also be streamed LIVE in vertical format on TikTok LIVE, giving fans across Aotearoa a new way to catch the action wherever they are.
The initiative is a collaboration between NZC and Sky and made possible with support from sport technology platform WSC Sports.
NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley said the initiative was an innovative way to engage new and existing BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS fans.
“A key priority for NZC is engaging younger Kiwi audiences, and that means being present on the platforms they use every day,” said Critchley.
“TikTok is already the home to thousands of kiwi sports fans and this initiative will expose international cricket to a whole new generation of fans.
“The powerplay is T20 cricket at its most explosive, making it the perfect bite-sized hit of international cricket for the TikTok generation.
“We hope this initiative introduces a new generation to the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS, and encourages them to watch the rest of these matches on Three and ThreeNow.”
Sky’s Head of Content Partnerships Adam Crothers said the initiative would bring fans across the country closer to the cricket.
“We’re proud to work with NZC to make international cricket more accessible to New Zealanders,” said Crothers.
“Our free-to-air coverage on Three or Sky Open and ThreeNow, and the coverage of the first innings Powerplay on TikTok LIVE, will serve as great entry points for growing the fandom for cricket, while Sky Sport delivers every moment of the action throughout the season.
“That’s the strength of Sky’s partnership with NZC: combining the reach of free-to-air and digital platforms with the depth of our live sports coverage to bring fans closer to the cricket they love, wherever and however they choose to watch.”
WSC Sports Head of APAC Guy Port said they were proud to support the initiative.
“We are thrilled to help reimagine how cricket fans experience live action, with a feed built for vertical viewing on TikTok,” said Port.
“We hope the vertical view will help engage new fans ahead of another big summer of cricket in New Zealand.”
The T20I Powerplay refers to the first six overs of an innings, where a maximum of two fielders are permitted outside the 30-yard circle. The restriction favours the batting team, making for an explosive opening to the match where big sixes and wicket-taking opportunities often shape the course of the match.
The coverage for all three matches will go live on TikTok as both team’s take the field, meaning fans will be able to see the team’s traditional Māori call to field and the national anthems, before the Genesis Powerplay action gets underway.
Alongside the three full matches free-to-air, highlights from every T20I and ODI in the BLACKCAPS’ tour of India will be available on ThreeNow after each match, giving fans even more ways to follow the action.
The Hero VIDA T20I Series, Powered by AI+ Nova Smartphone gets underway tomorrow in-front of a sold out crowd at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
NZC International Summer of Cricket – Free-To-Air matches
1st Genesis Powerplay LIVE on NZC TikTok
1st T20I BLACKCAPS v India - Thursday 22 October, 8:00pm – LIVE on Three and ThreeNow
2nd T20I WHITE FERNS v Bangladesh – Saturday 12 December, 1:00pm - LIVE on Three and ThreeNow
1st T20I BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka – Tuesday 26 January, 6:00pm – LIVE on Sky Open and ThreeNow
BLACKCAPS v India | Hero VIDA T20I Series, Powered by AI+ Nova Smartphone
All matches LIVE on Sky Sport, Sport Nation & The ACC
Highlights available after each match on ThreeNow
1st T20I – Thursday 22 October, 8:00pm – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd T20I – Saturday 24 October, 8:00pm – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
3rd T20I – Tuesday 27 October, 8:00pm – HNRY Stadium, Wellington
4th T20I – Friday 30 October, 8:00pm – Eden Park, Auckland
5th T20I – Sunday 1 November, 8:00pm – Seddon Park, Hamilton