Alternative Commentary Collective to continue

The team (from left): Leigh Hart, Jason Hoyte, Jeremy Wells, Lee Baker, Mike Lane, Paul Ford and Matt Heath.

The Alternative Commentary Collective (ACC) will continue commentating games for the remainder of the Cricket World Cup.

Their abstract ball-by-ball commentary and offbeat analysis has been a hit amongst cricket fans but looked to be taken off air due to an alleged protocol breach during the game between Afghanistan and New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier on Sunday.

At a drinks break during the Afghanistan innings, comedian Leigh Hart, a member of the ACC, accompanied the cart on to the park. That broke a rule about who is permitted on to the playing arena on a game day.

An ICC spokesman yesterday said: "An individual went outside the agreed boundaries of an activation and appropriate action has been taken."

The ACC had their accreditations pulled by the International Cricket Council but will continue to broadcast matches.

NZME's General Manager - Talk, Dallas Gurney says it is a good outcome.

"We understand the importance of security at the World Cup and fully appreciate the concern the ICC had. To have them able to continue commentating, albeit not at the game, is a great result not only for us as a company but for all of the fans they have attracted since their inception."

"It is very common for commentators to be based away from the venue, we do this regularly on Radio Sport when commentating international events."

Gurney says their popularity has continued to grow.

"The boys have generated 241,819 streams to date with the New Zealand versus Australia game attracting so many listeners that our server actually crashed. I know the boys are very thankful for everyone's support but now it's time to get on with the cricket!"

The ACC resumes on Friday when the Black Caps take on Bangladesh.