close_game
close_game

‘I’ve lost years of my life’: Three Super Overs, three New Zealand defeats and the same commentator

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Jan 31, 2020 08:12 AM IST

IND vz NZ: In last 7 months, New Zealand have lost all three Super Overs - including the defeat against India on Wednesday - they have been a part of in limited overs cricket and in all three of those Ian Smith was in the commentary box.

If you thought New Zealand were the unlucky ones after losing the third T20I to India in Super Over on Wednesday then spare some thought for former New Zealand wicket-keeper-turned commentator Ian Smith. In last 7 months, New Zealand have lost all three Super Overs they have been a part of in limited overs cricket and in all three of those Ian Smith was in the commentary box.

Kane Williamson (left), Ian Smith(HT Collage)
Kane Williamson (left), Ian Smith(HT Collage)

Cricketers and also the ones describing their on-field activity during live broadcast may not be a firm believer of it but the New Zealand-Ian Smith Super Over results force even the most rational ones to think about the‘commentator’s curse’ at least once.

Also Read | ‘They deserve to get a game’: Kohli hints at changes for remaining matches

It all started when New Zealand ended up second best because of the controversial boundary count rule – which was later revoked – against England in the ODI World Cup 2019 final. It continued to Eden Park, Auckland when the same two sides met in a T20I in November last year with New Zealand once again losing the Super Over. On Friday at Hamilton, the same thing was repeated as India beat New Zealand in dramatic circumstances in the Super Over.

Apart from the likes of Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner – who were part of all three Super Over defeats – commentator Ian Smith too made his presence felt in the commentary box.

The pressure of the Super Over was such that Smith even went on to say that he has lost some years of his life because of them.

Also Read: ‘Little confusion’: Rohit explains why India opted for Bumrah in Super Over

“If this Super Over ends in a tie, I’m retired. I’ve lost my years of life (calling three super overs in just over six months), but I love it. I absolutely love it,” Smith said while commentating.

As fate would have it, the match did not need another Super Over as Rohit Sharma hit two massive sixes off Tim Southee when 10 runs were needed off 2 balls to seal the match and the series – India’s first ever T20I series in New Zealand.

“Super Overs aren’t really our friends. To be honest we would have liked to get across the line earlier and not in the Super Over. It’s just a shame that we couldn’t get past the line,” said a disappointed Williamson at the post-match press conference.

“It is pretty disappointing to be on the wrong side of the result after doing a lot of hard work. (But) There was a lot of improvement after the first two games,” Williamson added

The two sides meet again for the fourth T20I at Wellington on Friday.

Orange Cap in IPL 2025, Purple Cap in IPL 2025 , and IPL Points Table 2025 – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, IPL match previews, and in-depth coverage of IPL 2025 and IPL Match Today along with KKR vs CSK Live on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news.
Orange Cap in IPL 2025, Purple Cap in IPL 2025 , and IPL Points Table 2025 – stay ahead with real-time match updates, team standings, and insights. Check live cricket score , player stats, and ICC rankings of top players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli . Get expert analysis, IPL match previews, and in-depth coverage of IPL 2025 and IPL Match Today along with KKR vs CSK Live on HT Crickit, powered by Hindustan Times – your trusted source for cricket news.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, May 08, 2025
Follow Us On