Extended coverage for Plunket Shield

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and Radio Sport today [2 February] announced that the remaining six rounds of the Plunket Shield will be covered via an internet live stream in addition to the regular updates provided on Radio Sport.

Radio Sport announced at the commencement of the season that it would not be providing live, ball-by-ball commentary of the Plunket Shield for the 2011-12 season. The change to quarter-hourly updates from all three matches would better suit its programming.

Strong feedback from fans to both NZC and Radio Sport has resulted in them agreeing to pilot live internet coverage for the remainder of the Plunket Shield season on www.blackcaps.co.nz and www.radiosport.co.nz. Coverage will alternate between the three grounds during each round, providing a constant stream of commentary.

"Cricket fans have a strong emotional attachment to the Plunket Shield and they want to be able to remain connected to the matches throughout each day's play," said David White, CEO of New Zealand Cricket.

"NZC and Radio Sport have agreed to fund this trial coverage via the internet to supplement the radio coverage already provided by Radio Sport.

"We believe this will provide fans with choice and it will certainly increase the channels by which fans can follow their teams," he said.

Radio Sport noted that there had been very strong feedback from cricket followers when they announced the decision to alter the coverage of the Plunket Shield this season.

"There was a strong amount of passion and we are delighted to be working with NZC to respond to that passion with this initiative," said Dallas Gurney, General Manager, Talk Programming.

NZC and Radio Sport will review the internet coverage trial at the conclusion of the season