Sky secures rights for World Test Championship final between Black Caps and India

Cricket fans wanting to watch all three Black Caps tests live in June will need to have Sky TV and Spark Sport.

Sky has confirmed it won the broadcasting rights for the World Test Championship final between the Black Caps and India at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on June 18-22.

Spark Sport last year won the rights to broadcast New Zealand cricket for six years, starting last November, and has the two tests between the Black Caps and England from June 2 and June 10 respectively.

However, Sky will air the inaugural test decider on Sky Sport after securing the rights, the broadcaster said in a statement issued to Stuff.

“To be able to share this landmark test with New Zealand is a huge honour for the Sky team, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make the most of this opportunity,” Sky TV said in a statement.

“Our thanks go to the ICC for continuing our long-standing relationship, to our sport content and partnerships team and to our customers – who we know will be delighted they can watch their Black Caps heroes go all out for victory.”

Sky’s New Zealand-based team for its coverage includes Ian Smith, the long-time commentator and former Black Caps wicketkeeper, as well as former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson and broadcaster Laura McGoldrick.

Spark Sport’s streaming service says it will have daily highlights of the final, following its live coverage of the two-test series the Black Caps play against England.

Sky was a partner with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) from 1995 until Spark Sport gained the broadcasting rights in a major coup for the streaming platform, which also had the rights for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan after the service launched in March that year.

Spark Sport also has the rights for international and domestic cricket matches played in England, after signing a four-year deal last July, but it will not air the test decider live in Southampton.

The basic cost for a new customer to both services wanting to watch all three tests would be approximately $83 for a month.

Captain Kane Williamson and the Black Caps gathered in England this week ahead of the two tests with England and the final against Virat Kohli’s India.

The Black Caps beat the West Indies and Pakistan in test series at home last summer and reached the final after climbing to first in the test rankings.

India then moved above the Black Caps into top spot after wins over Australia (away) and England (home) in their last two test series. Stuff

(Zolpidem)