Blackout annoys Blackcaps
Craig McMillan has said the New Zealand players were "annoyed" that the first T20 international against South Africa in Durban was not broadcast on television in New Zealand
ESPNcricinfo staff
15-Aug-2015
Kane Williamson's 42 off 21 balls in Durban could not be watched on television in New Zealand • AFP
New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan has said the players were "annoyed" that the first T20 international against South Africa in Durban was not broadcast on television in New Zealand.
A Sky TV spokesperson said they would continue negotiations for the rights and New Zealand Cricket said it would discuss the situation with Cricket South Africa, in the hope that the rest of the series - another T20I and three ODIs - would be televised. At the moment, however, the matches are not scheduled for broadcast.
"The players are annoyed," McMillan said on Veitchy on Sport, a New Zealand radio show. "They want to be seen back home. We have some young guys playing for New Zealand for the first time, like George Worker ... these are guys who are just starting out on their international careers. Let's hope some resolution can be found in the next 24 hours and hope the next game will be on the box.
"I know there are some issues with time difference but it's very unusual for us to be touring around the world and be playing one of the world's best teams and not have that on TV back home."
Sky TV spokesperson Kirsty Way said their bid for the rights hadn't been accepted. "We are really disappointed, too," she told Herald on Sunday. "We have put in a really good bid - a big bid - and it hasn't been accepted. No one in New Zealand has offered more for it. We are not going to stop trying."
NZC said in a statement that it would try and reach a resolution with CSA. "The broadcasting rights for overseas tours are not owned by NZC: they are the property of Cricket South Africa. However, NZC will be discussing the situation with Cricket South Africa, in an attempt to ensure Black Caps fans will be able to watch the remainder of the series live in New Zealand."
New Zealand lost the first T20 international in Durban by six wickets, and the second game is scheduled for Sunday, followed by three ODIs from Wednesday. The Zimbabwe leg of New Zealand's tour of Africa was available on television in New Zealand.