Sky Sports’ Mark Lynch joins Whisper as lead cricket director

Multi-award-winning director Mark Lynch has left Sky Sports to join Whisper as the lead director of its cricket coverage.

Lynch, who has been a key part of three BAFTA winning teams, joins next month. He will work on coverage of all international cricket in the West Indies, New Zealand and BBC’s test match highlights show.

The director has won multiple awards and directed swathes of England cricket over the last 15 years, including the most recent Ashes win. He has also delivered a significant number of high-profile international matches at ICC events, including World Cups, World T20s and Champions Trophy tournaments.

The appointment bolsters Whisper’s in-house cricket team which already includes managing director Mark Cole, senior producer Rob Williams, who was in the chair for the memorable 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, production executive Sarah Warnock and former Sky Sports producer Graeme Brown.

Mark Lynch (left) directing coverage of the 2015 Ashes.

Cole said: “We are delighted that Mark, one of the world’s leading directors, is joining the team having delivered some of English cricket’s most memorable moments in recent years.

“From Jimmy Anderson’s 600th wicket to Alistair Cook’s final game and finishing his time at Sky with the England v India series this summer, he has been a master in sport storytelling through his pictures. Sky are leaders in this space and it’s a real coup for the team to add someone with Mark’s experience and expertise.

“We’ve already delivered some exceptional live cricket content over the last 18 months for our production partners around the world and our industry-leading team are excited about the opportunities ahead, starting with the Super Smash and live Test cricket in New Zealand, followed by England’s much-anticipated visit to the West Indies early next year.”

Whisper will be the host broadcaster for England’s five T20 matches and three test matches in the Caribbean in early 2022, as well as a wide range of high profile matches in New Zealand.

The wider portfolio includes BBC highlights for England Men’s Cricket, plus support for Sony Pictures Networks India, Super Sport in South Africa and Ten Sports in Pakistan.

The company said that the move will also strengthen Whisper’s award-winning experience in remote production, having played an integral role in Sky Cricket’s move to remote. He will add a valuable perspective, as Whisper develops plans to deliver a new enhanced broadcast facility at its London HQ.

Lynch himself said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join such a vibrant and fast-growing company, and look forward to helping develop Whisper’s ambitious and exciting plans.”

Whisper is a broadcast production agency based in London. It also has offices in Cardiff and Maidenhead.