2027 Channel 7 Upfront: Brendon McCullum returns for Australia-New Zealand Tests – Brendon “Baz” McCullum will return to Channel 7’s cricket commentary box for the Australia-New Zealand men’s Test series starting in Perth on Wednesday 9 December 2026. He will also make his Triple M cricket debut during the series.
For Australian cricket viewers, this is a return rather than a first appearance: McCullum was part of Seven’s coverage in the 2019-20 summer. The new element is the shared Channel 7 and Triple M role, with Ricky Ponting also expanding to the radio commentary team. The appointment links the television and audio coverage under Seven Media Group’s new combined structure.
McCullum, a former New Zealand captain and more recently an England Test coach, joins Seven’s team for the Trans-Tasman series. Seven says he will work alongside Ponting across television and radio. Ponting has been announced as Triple M Cricket’s newest signing while retaining his role in Seven’s television coverage.
McCullum on calling the Trans-Tasman series
McCullum captained New Zealand to its first men’s Cricket World Cup final in 2015 and became the first New Zealander to score a Test triple century when he made 302 against India in 2014. His history in the Australia-New Zealand rivalry should give him a distinct perspective on the three-Test contest.
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.
Brendon McCullum, cricket commentator
He said Australia would be hard to beat at home but New Zealand could benefit from new faces emerging in the Australian side. McCullum described the prospect as a compelling series after experiencing the rivalry as a player.
Chris Jones, Seven Media Group’s Director of Sport – TV, Audio and Streaming, said McCullum’s coaching experience and analysis would add to both commentary teams.
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.
Chris Jones, Director of Sport – TV, Audio and Streaming, Seven Media Group
How the summer schedule fits together
The women’s Australia-New Zealand T20 series concludes on Thursday 22 October, while the WBBL begins on Thursday 29 October with Melbourne Renegades versus Sydney Thunder followed by Melbourne Stars versus Hobart Hurricanes. The T20 Gold Clash on Sunday 22 November brings cricket, AFL and NRL personalities together in a cross-code event. The Front Bar: Cricket Edition returns on Wednesday 2 December at 8.30pm, followed by the launch of The Agenda Setters: Cricket with Xander McGuire and Will Pucovski.
The men’s Australia-New Zealand Test series starts in Perth on Wednesday 9 December. Seven’s broader summer also includes the Big Bash League and the women’s Australia-New Zealand ODI series from Saturday 6 March 2027. The historic 150th-anniversary Test between Australia and England begins at the MCG on Thursday 11 March 2027, with Stuart Broad returning to Seven’s expert commentary team.
Triple M’s returning cricket voices include Mark Taylor, Mark Waugh, Merv Hughes, Greg Blewett, Cal Ferguson, Kate McCarthy, Mark Howard, James Brayshaw, Jack Heverin, Mitchell Johnson and Dan Ginnane. Ian Botham is scheduled to return for the anniversary Test. Triple M says its cricket calls will be available in all metro markets and free on LiSTNR.
Channel 7 and 7plus will carry the television coverage, with Triple M and LiSTNR providing the radio and audio-streaming option. Market-by-market transmission times for the December Test series were not supplied in this announcement. For more TV Central cricket coverage, head here, and see the public 7plus service for live viewing information.
