Live Cricket Production with the ECB

From Rookie to Replay Operator: My Unexpected Cricket Journey

I’ll admit it: when I first stepped into a production van to vision-mix cricket for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), I knew nothing about the sport. Fast-forward a decade, and I’m now the guy checking scores on my phone —proof that live production can be a crash course in fandom.

This is how we turn grassroots games and Ashes showdowns into stadium-filling entertainment—and the lessons that apply to any live event.

The Anatomy of a Cricket Broadcast

1. The Van: Where Chaos Meets Precision

Inside the OB truck, our team juggles:

• Multi-camera replays (for LBW debates no one will ever agree on).

• Big-screen graphics (to bring all the stats to the crowds in-game).

• “Oblivious Cam” (our secret weapon when a crew member nods off mid-match).

Key Takeaway: The difference between amateur and pro coverage? Redundancy. We always have:
✔ Backup bits of kit
✔ A big network of skilled freelancers from replay nerds to camera operators
✔ A Wera Tool-Check kit in case you've got to whip something out of the rack!

2. The Unseen Hero: vMix for Grassroots Streams

While Test matches get the EVS treatment, smaller clubs need affordable solutions. For domestic games, we’ve used:

• vMix setups to handle 8-camera angles

• Wireless mics for pitch side interviews.

• Content shoots to create custom content for clubs with the players

Example: A club’s £5k budget got them live streams with graphics, replays and wireless cameras for pre-match build ups

3. The Magic of Live Moments

You can’t script the energy of:

• Ben Stokes’ 2019 Ashes miracle at Headingley (and the Aussie producer we gently ribbed).

• Kids racing onto the field for mini-games (our camera operators’ favourite challenge).

Three Lessons for Event Producers

1. Crew Chemistry > Fancy Gear

The best tech fails without a team that laughs when:

• A camera nearly gets hit with a massive SIX!

• Someone accidentally queues up the wrong replay (we’ve all been there).

2. Innovation Lives in Constraints

No budget for massive box lenses? We've integrated clubs PTZ cameras to reduce costs. Need instant replays and graphics? We've also trained up clubs to use vMix replay and integrate scores from PCS Pro

3. Audiences Crave Connection

Cricket’s niche? Maybe. But custom content shot with players or presenters are great for connecting with the fans and discovering what's happening on a match day around the ground.

Want This Energy for Your Event?

Whether it’s:

• Sports production (cricket, rugby, or anything else).

• Live streams that punch above their weight.

• Stadium entertainment to keep crowds hooked.

Let’s talk. Contact us here