Former Black Cap Simon Doull opens up on whirlwind marriage that began at a hospital bedside

Simon Doull. Photo / Photosport.co.nz

Former Black Caps fast bowler and cricket commentator Simon Doull has opened up on his whirlwind marriage to mother-of-four Liana Herbert.

The Sky Sport commentator met his bride-to-be in a hospital corridor in 2018 and was married a year later, just before Labour Weekend in 2019.

The pair both told Woman's Day magazine they've found 'the one', though confessed they're an unlikely match.

"Liana loves like no one," Doull, who is dad to Adam Carter, 31, and Hunter Doull, 15, told Woman's Day. "She showed me that you can be loved and in love and be vulnerable, and it's OK."

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Missing this girl so much. Sometimes it hard to explain how hard it is to be away. #dontplaygolf #donthavefun #canada #golf

A post shared by Simon Doull (@sdoull) on Jul 30, 2019 at 8:51pm PDT

Herbert, who has four children from two previous marriages, said since the broadcaster came into her life, she has rediscovered joy.

"Simon is the most incredibly kind, loving man. His kindness has healed a multitude of things in my life. He has taught me so much about myself."

The couple met at Braemer hospital in Hamilton last September as they were both undergoing surgery.

"I couldn't afford to bump or move my arm and she was hunched over," Doull told Woman's Day.

"We just sat at my place and had a chair outside looking over the countryside. We'd drink wine, watch races and DIY TV, and talk and talk and talk. That was probably the best thing that could have happened."

Herbert is a cancer survivor and said the fact that Doull's parents had both died from cancer helped the pair come to terms with love and loss.

"Simon lost his mum quite tragically and he always felt from that point if he ever truly loved somebody, they would be taken away, so he made a decision he wasn't going to let that feeling ever happen again. I guess we've kind of healed each other."

Doull, who played 32 tests and 42 ODIs for New Zealand, commentates for SKY TV and has been part of the commentary team for the IPL since 2008.