Cricket: Black Caps annoyed over TV absence

George Worker takes a catch to dismiss AB De Villiers in a game which was not available for New Zealand viewers. Photo / Getty

The Black Caps players are "annoyed" their games aren't being played on New Zealand television after the first Twenty20 international against South African this morning was missing from screens here.

The Zimbabwe part of the tour was shown live in New Zealand on Sky TV but the South African games aren't so far scheduled, meaning fans missed this morning's six wicket defeat in the first T20 international.

New Zealand Cricket released a statement this morning saying they were "disappointed" the game was not broadcast here.

"Cricket has been on a high in New Zealand for the past year," the statement said. "The Black Caps are among the most exciting players to watch in the world and the country has shown a great appetite for the game.

"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."

Batting coach Craig McMillan went further when discussing the matter this afternoon on Veitchy on Sport.

"The players are annoyed," he said. "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."

The second T20 international against South Africa starts at midnight on Sunday night (NZT) before the three-match one-day series begins on Wednesday.

The one-day series is also not presently scheduled to be screened in New Zealand.

Sky TV spokeswoman Kirsty Way said they understood the frustration of fans and would continue to negotiate in the hope of securing the rights.

"We are really disappointed, too. 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 big cricket fans and have funded domestic cricket for about 12 years but there is a point where it becomes totally uneconomical.

"We are not going to stop trying [to get the rights]."