Former cricketer Ian Smith announced as Mornings presenter on SENZ

Ex-cricketer Ian Smith has been announced as the host of Morning Shift on Sports Entertainment Network’s new New Zealand branch, SENZ.

According to a statement, Smith, a former wicketkeeper-batsman and cricket and rugby union commentator, will “combine authoritative journalism and sharp-eyed analysis” for the show, which airs 9am-12pm on weekdays.

“SENZ will give New Zealand sports fans everything they want and more. I’m incredibly excited to be a part of the team,” Smith said.

“On SENZ’s Morning show we’ll interview New Zealand’s leading athletes, coaches and decision makers and discuss the biggest stories in sport, connecting with listeners who can share their opinions each hour.”

Additionally, SEN has announced Louis Hermann-Watt as a producer for the SENZ Breakfast Show, hosted by former New Zealand Test captain Brendan McCullum. Hermann-Watt will also be the lead racing host.

SEN unveiled its expansion into New Zealand last month, acquiring 29 TAB NZ AM/FM radio licences and establishing stations in both Auckland and Wellington. It later revealed that former Newstalk ZB Wellington operations manager and sports reader Jason Pine would lead the network’s content.

“Our business has long championed local content for local fans and that’s exactly our plan in NZ. Our 24/7 sports talk format will include shows hosted by some of New Zealand’s most loved sporting identities – as well as a block-buster line-up of live sport – all delivered through a fiercely local lens,” SEN CEO, Craig Hutchison, said at the time.

“We thank the TAB for reaching terms to take on the former Trackside radio footprint and look forward to partnering with them to provide a unique offering to sports and racing, pacing and chasing fans alike.”