Big Bash League

Summer cricket with Roz Kelly

Sports journalist Roz Kelly returns to TV screens after her move to South Africa with her husband, cricketer Morne Morkel, and their son Arias. She tells Danielle McGrane about returning to Australia to lead Ten’s Big Bash League commentary panel.

What’s it been like getting back to work after nearly three years away?

It’s great, it’s really exciting. We did the Women’s Big Bash opening weekend which was massive, it was quite a historic occasion for women.

It was the first time a female sport has been broadcast live on a commercial free- to- air network at prime time. It was a real honour to be a part of that and to be promoting women’s sport.

Do you think there’s more recognition now for women’s sport?

There’s huge momentum at the moment where a lot of people are starting to give female athletes the credit they deserve. These women are doing it for the love of sport because for so long they haven’t been paid, so it’s really exciting to see them actually get some recognition.

Are there any players you think are going to make their mark this year?

Travis Head is certainly one to look out for. He’s recently had some experience with the Australian set- up so I think he’ll be coming into the Big Bash with a lot of confidence and maybe we could see him go to a whole other level.

There are so many massive superstars coming this year. Brendon McCullum, he’s going to be very exciting. He just breaks record after record and I think he’ll keep the competition alive.

Did you know anyone on the commentary team, which includes Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Mark Waugh, from your time as a sports reporter?

Yes, I’d interviewed Ricky a lot when he was Australian captain. And I’d seen the other members of the commentary team during my time as a sports reporter.

It’s such a great group and I think it’s fantastic for the Australian public to see their personalities. Ricky in particular, because he was such an accomplished Australian captain, now it’s great to see the lighter side to him but also to get inside his brilliant cricketing mind.

You’ve worked on some massive events such as the London Olympics in 2012 and the Ashes in 2013, do you have a favourite experience ?

I think it would be hard to top going to the Olympics, that was a dream come true for me as a sport journalist. Cohosting the Big Bash is also up there for me because it’s my first time taking the reins as a host on a major production.

Big Bash League, ABC2, Ten/ ONE, airing 35 matches over summer