The experienced presenter discusses his cricket expertise, and how the channel will differ from Sky when they cover England's tour of Australia this winter.
In Matt Smith, BT Sport have selected a broadcasting all-rounder to front their live Ashes coverage this winter.
It is an unusual move.
When the ex-Hampshire player Mark Nicholas saw his stretch as Channel 4 anchor brought to an end in 2005, Sky Sports entrusted cricketing darling David Gower with the equivalent full-time role.
As part of Sky’s revolution, former England internationals Ian Ward, Paul Allott, Nick Knight, Dominic Cork and Mark Butcher have all hosted live action, too.
BT, though, have elected for experience in front of camera, rather than a background in the game, for what is a landmark couple of months in their attempt to challenge Sky in the sports broadcasting stakes.
Smith’s CV is dominated by football, but also includes motorsport, snooker, darts, news, the Olympics, and – crucially – cricket, for the BBC and ITV.
But despite weekend club cricket forming the basis of his playing career, the challenge of following in the footsteps of ex-professionals does not worry him.
“I don’t personally see that it is any different, in terms of its broadcast approach, to other sports,” he says.
“I think there are pros and cons to ex-athletes covering sport.
“Obviously they give insight and expertise a broadcaster won’t have, but equally I would argue that there’s a journalistic element to broadcasting that folks that have that background could bring to the table.
“I don’t really have any expertise in football – or any of the other sports I’ve covered, to be honest – but I don’t think that’s the job.
“My job isn’t to compete with those who have walked out to the middle with bat or ball. My job is to get the best out of them, and make them tell us all – and that means me and everybody at home – the things that we ought to know before, during and after play.”
Smith, then, seems an ideal fit.
But that’s not to say that the summer phone call he received from a producer offering him the role – after Greg James pulled out in order to host the BBC’s Sounds Like Friday Night – did not come as a pleasant surprise.
“I was busy with the football side of things, but I have to say it was a very nice call to get,” he says.
“He was very keen for me to do it if I could, and I said ‘that sounds tremendous, what a great opportunity’.
“Cricket’s always been a sport I’ve followed and enjoyed and worked on a reasonable amount so I don’t feel too bereft.”
And Smith should feel immediately at home in the studio.
Michael Vaughan – who he has worked with on the IPL, and boarded the plane to Australia with over the weekend – will be joined by Ashes legends Graeme Swann, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist, among others.
Hardly backward in coming forward, that panel should ensure that the TV debate is lively throughout.
“All I’ve got to do is light the fireworks,” Smith says.
“We’re fairly well represented on both sides of this rivalry. I don’t think you’re going to hear Gilchrist, Ponting, Damien Fleming and Michael Slater take a patriotic England perspective any more than you’d expect Messrs Vaughan, Swann and [Geoffrey] Boycott taking an Australian interest.
“I like to think when it comes around that the coverage will be even-handed and fair.”
Of most interest to viewers, though, will be whether the high standards set by Sky since they gained exclusive rights to England cricket more than 12 years ago can be matched.
But Smith is sure that, while they can learn plenty from their rivals, BT should aim to make the coverage their own.
And in doing so, he believes that they are capable of appealing to cricket supporters who feel alienated by subscription television’s paywall.
“It’s not a case of reinventing the wheel,” Smith says.
“That said, what I think BT has achieved in football is that it does have a style. Dare I say it, I think it’s a little bit more relaxed, more contemporary, and slightly younger, and that’s something we could bring to the cricket as well.
“I think cricket is a sport that wouldn’t hurt for a slightly fresher take. And that’s not to say taking it less seriously, but I don’t think cricket would like to think of itself as stuffy.
“A lot of the debate about the way cricket has been broadcast almost entirely on subscription TV over the last few years has centred around attracting younger players to the game. Well part of that comes from the way it is delivered by the broadcasters to the people.
“Hopefully we can achieve that in some small way, and be part of attracting the next generation of fans to the game.
“And having taken the decision to offer a free-to-air highlights package every day, I think that’s exactly what BT’s intention will be.”
The arduous nature and length of the tour means that it is not just the players who deserve our patience and understanding, but the touring media as well.
Smith will miss a family Christmas for the first time as he prepares for the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne, a drastic change in annual routine.
However, he thinks that an Australian summer in the sun should compensate.
“It was hoped that my family would come out for Christmas, but it’s not going to prove possible, sadly, so I will miss them very much,” he says.
“It will be a bit odd being away.
“That said, we’re a big touring party with BT so I’ve got plenty of people to help me not get too lonely, and as a one-off, a Christmas and New Year away from the pouring rain will be pleasant.
“I think that those who either live there, or those that have been there often enough, should have a tip or two for things to eat and, who knows, maybe even the odd cold drink for the five host cities.”
And, crucially, what of the cricket itself?
As both a fan and a broadcaster, Smith is hoping for a tight series.
“Of course, the Englishman in you would love England to come home with the urn, and that would be a tremendous achievement in the circumstances,” he says.
“I don’t see why it shouldn’t be close. It might swing back and forth if the predictions are to be believed. But there’ll be twists and turns, won’t there?
“Here’s to standing on the outfield on day five of the fifth Test, before a ball is bowled, not knowing who’s going to take the Ashes.”
