KEY POINTS:
So you think your favourite batsman's just received a shocking lbw decision. Well, now you're going to know for sure.
For the first time, New Zealand viewers will get the benefits of Hawk-Eye precision during a home series when England tour in the New Year. Sky Television have teamed up with the UK's BSkyB for "collaborative" coverage.
The friend of the viewer and enemy of the hapless umpire (until somebody in ICC towers utilises the technology), makes thousands of calculations to determine the path of the ball after it strikes the batsman's pads. While decried as a "gimmick" by some, it has become an essential component of modern viewing.
"We're excited to be able to bring it into the mix," Sky's executive producer of cricket Martin Crowe told the Herald on Sunday. "In the past it's always been cost prohibitive so we're looking forward to it."
Sky will continue to run 'Snicko', that picks up noise from the stump microphones but the latest piece of wizardry, Hot Spot - which uses infrared heat senses to show where the ball made contact with bat or body - remains too expensive to be worthwhile.
Another benefit is that Sky will have access to BSkyB's commentators, including Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Ian Botham and David Lloyd.
Crowe, Mark Richardson, Simon Doull and Ian Smith will be Sky's main commentators.
