Baz is back in the commentary box
Brendon McCullum to call Australia v New Zealand Test Series this December on Seven and Triple M
Thursday, 22 October 2026
As Australia continues the countdown to a huge Summer of Cricket, the Seven Network and Triple M have bolstered their commentary lineups with the return of recent England Test coach and New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum.
Returning to Seven’s commentary box for the first time since the 2019-20 summer, and making his Triple M Cricket debut, the man more affectionately known as Baz will line up alongside cricket’s #1 commentary team for the Australia v New Zealand Test Series, which starts in Perth on Wednesday, 9 December on Seven, 7plus and Triple M.
In a coup for cricket fans, McCullum will line up alongside world cricket’s most astute caller, Ricky Ponting on both Seven and Triple M, with Ponting also named as Triple M Cricket’s latest signing at today’s Upfront.
Considered one of New Zealand’s greatest ever batsmen, McCullum led the Black Caps to their first ICC World Cup Final in 2015 and in 2014 became the first New Zealander to notch a Test triple hundred – scoring 302 runs against India.
Known for his fearless mindset and sharp analysis in the commentary box, McCullum will be a welcome voice for cricket fans in Australia, following a warm reception from Seven’s viewers in 2019.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be coming back to Australia and reuniting with Seven’s commentary team and meeting the brilliant crew at Triple M,” McCullum said.
“I have such fond memories of working with the team back in the summer of 2019-20.
“Australia versus New Zealand always has a bit of an edge to it. I’ve lived this rivalry as a player, so I’m looking forward to sitting on the other side of the fence, having a bit of fun with the Seven team and hopefully giving viewers some insight into what’s unfolding in the middle.
“Australia are hard to beat on home soil. They’ve got an incredible amount of experience, but there are also some new faces coming through, and that creates an opportunity for New Zealand. They’ll be up for the fight, and I think we’re in for a really compelling series.”
Southern Cross Media Group Director of Sport – TV, Audio and Streaming, Chris Jones, said: “We’re excited to welcome Brendon McCullum back to Australia and to both Seven and Triple M for the Australia v New Zealand Test Series.
“Baz is one of the most natural media performers in world cricket. We saw first-hand during his time with Seven how much he brought to the coverage, and how exceptionally well he gelled with our team both on and off camera.
“He understands how the game is being played, coached and thought about right now, and when you combine that contemporary insight with his sharp analysis, he brings a perspective few others in world cricket can match.
“We know Australian cricket fans will love having him back, and we’re thrilled to have him joining our world-class commentary teams across Seven and Triple M for what promises to be another extraordinary Test series.”
Seven’s Summer of Cricket is already in full swing, with Game Three of the Women’s Australia v New Zealand T20 Series live tonight from 7.00pm on 7mate and 7plus, before the WBBL gets underway on Thursday, 29 October with a blockbuster double-header featuring Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder, followed by Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes.
And there’s plenty more to come, with an action-packed summer featuring the T20 Gold Clash on Sunday, 22 November, bringing together some of the biggest names in Australian and international cricket, AFL and NRL. Headlined by cricket legend and 7Cricket expert, Matthew Hayden, four-time Grand Slam winner, Ash Barty, recently retired Australian Test cricketer, Usman Khawaja, AFL Legends Gary Ablett Jr and Dustin Martin, Dally M Medalist, Johnathon Thurston and many more.
The Front Bar: Cricket Edition returns Wednesday, 2 December at 8.30pm, followed by the launch of The Agenda Setters: Cricket, hosted by 7NEWS Sport Reporter Xander McGuire and former Australian cricketer Will Pucovski, bringing fresh insight, debate and analysis to the Summer of Cricket.
The men’s Australia v New Zealand Test Series begins in Perth on Wednesday, 9 December, before the BBL launches in Chennai, India on Saturday, 12 December. The Australian women then return to the international stage for their ODI Series against New Zealand from Saturday, 6 March.
It all builds towards a truly historic finale, with Australia taking on England in the 150th anniversary Test Match at the MCG from Thursday, 11 March 2027, with English cricket legend Stuart Broad, announced today as part of Seven’s expert commentary team, live and free on Seven and 7plus.
On Triple M, the Summer of Cricket returns with a familiar lineup of cricket greats and fan favourites, bringing the network’s distinctive commentary style to another huge summer of Australian cricket. Alongside the additions of Brendon McCullum and Ricky Ponting, Triple M’s favourite commentators return for summer, including Mark Taylor, Mark Waugh, Merv Hughes, Greg Blewett, Cal Ferguson, Kate McCarthy, Mark ‘Howie’ Howard, James Brayshaw, Jack Heverin, Mitchell Johnson, Dan Ginnane and more.
Triple M will also welcome back Ian Botham for the historic 150th anniversary Test at the MCG in March 2027, as Australia takes on England. Triple M’s cricket coverage will be available across all metro markets, with every broadcast also available to stream free on LiSTNR.
From international showdowns to the biggest nights of the Big Bash and a landmark Test Match at the MCG, it promises to be an extraordinary Summer of Cricket, live and free on Seven, 7plus and Triple M Cricket.
