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ew Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced an extension of its partnership with Stats Perform as their exclusive official data partner for international and domestic competitions.

As part of the deal, Stats Perform’s ‘Opta’ data analysts will collect, analyse and deliver ball-by-ball event data and insights to the NZC high-performance team, along with broadcasters, media, fantasy and betting operators, including NZC’s official digital and social media platforms.

The partnership hopes to provide insights and information in an effort to improve fan engagement, with Stats Perform to distribute live match video streams to licensed sportsbook operators through their Watch&Bet live streaming platform.

Stats Perform chief rights officer, Alex Rice, said the deal covers all of NZC’s international fixtures across all formats and domestic competitions including the Ford Trophy 1-day competition, the Plunket Shield 4-day competition and all Super Smash men’s and women’s T20 competitions.

“We are thrilled to have renewed our partnership with New Zealand Cricket,” Rice said.

“We look forward to continuing to provide extensive coverage for all of the premier Cricket New Zealand matches and supporting the production of live streams from previously un-broadcast competitions.

“Through our new agreement, Stats Perform data and video will be used to maximise significant opportunities for global engagement and improve the way it is experienced and understood by fans.

“We look forward to providing an expanded premium in-play gaming experience, improved data insights and providing more content for sponsors,” he said.

Stats Perform will also distribute NZC news video clips to worldwide media through its sports news content service, with the deal meaning Stats Perform is the exclusive official data partner of the England Cricket Board, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket, and Cricket South Africa, as well as the International Cricket Council (ICC).