New Sky TV cricket commentator Debbie Hockley is "mortified" after she made a race-based comment about a woman in the crowd during the second Test between the Blackcaps and the West Indies in Hamilton.
The New Zealand Cricket president singled out a woman at the Seddon Park cricket ground, asking "Is that Serena Williams?" before adding, "I've seen she's playing in the Australian Open this year, which is terrific."
Her co-star on the microphone, Simon Doull, met her outrageous comparisons with complete silence.
Hockley then quickly attempted to change topics, bringing up an earlier point made by the former fast-bowler.
New Zealand Cricket manager of public affairs, Richard Boock has relayed Hockley's remorse following the controversial comments.
"Debbie's mortified that she's made such a rookie error, and she apologises unreservedly," he told Newshub.
Hockley is a former New Zealand cricket representative, scoring 4064 runs during her one-day international career, and was the first women to pass the 4000 run landmark.
Newshub.