Society Insider: Former Black Cap Simon Doull becomes a father for the fourth time before NZ summer of cricket

Based in England and the United Arab Emirates, Doull arrives in New Zealand on Sunday before returning to Sky Sport as commentator for the summer of cricket.

His Dutch fiancee, Brigitte Segers, 41, will follow 10 days after, travelling with Rocco and their 18-month-old son, Axel.

Simon Doull and his fiancee Brigitte Segers will marry in Portugal next August.

Doull will commentate on India’s tour of five T20s, five ODIs and two tests against the Black Caps, alongside former players including Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Ian Smith.

“Sky has been very good to me, and them losing the cricket rights in 2020 was part of the reason I moved away from New Zealand to explore other opportunities,” he tells Society Insider.

“To come back now that Sky has the rights again is exciting.”

Doull has lived between England and Dubai for more than five years and has been rated one of the top commentators on the international circuit.

He commentates for Sky Sports Cricket, as well as for the BBC’s coverage of The Hundred tournament in Britain and the DP World ILT20 in the UAE. He has also called the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2008.

As well as a home in St Albans, England, Doull and Segers have a base in Dubai where Doull says they “have a lot of great friends” and “play plenty of golf”.

The couple are members of Dubai’s The Els Club, a premium country club with a golf course designed by South African professional golfer Ernie Els.

Doull says he’s lucky enough to play with several professionals from the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

The couple met in 2021 and Doull proposed a year later in Dubai. Last year they enjoyed a babymoon in Dubai before Axel was born in April. They are due to marry in Portugal next August.

Simon Doull proposed to Brigitte Segers in Dubai in 2022. Photo / @misssegers

Doull says Segers knew from the start that travel came with his job and has never questioned it.

“She might not always like it when I’m away, but she gets on with things. She’s an incredible woman, loves being a mum and is brilliant with the boys.”

Since Rocco’s birth, Doull had a couple of days’ work in Dubai, but barring those, he’s been home in St Albans the whole time.

“Brigitte has been great. We have some help at night, which has made her recovery and life a little easier during the first month. I think that’s crucial, especially when I’m not around.”

Simon Doull and Brigitte Segers in London.

Doull says Segers, an inflight manager, has great friends around Britain and, after several years in the UAE, wonderful friends there too.

“We make it work. I’m away a lot, but if it’s a long trip like the IPL, I now try to do it in two stints, so I’m back in England for a few weeks in between.”

Otherwise, he says, the family travels with him as much as possible.

Simon Doull and Brigitte Segers in New Zealand in 2024. Photo / @misssegers

Doull has two adult sons, Adam Carter, 38, from an earlier relationship, and Hunter, 22, from his marriage to Karin Doull.

He married Liana Herbert in 2019, which Society Insider understands came to an end the following year.

“Hunter has been living with us [in Britain] for the past five months, so it’s lovely to have him here,” Doull says.

“Rocco will meet Adam for the first time when we are all home [in New Zealand].”

Doull says it’s been a hectic few weeks with two little ones, but they’re settling into a routine.

“Axel goes to nursery a few days a week, and we concentrate on Rocco when we have that time.”

Simon Doull’s 17-month-old son Axel holds his baby brother Rocco.

Doull played his last cricket test in 2000. His television career started in the early 2000s at TV3, now owned by Sky, while he was also on The Rock’s breakfast show.

He credits The Rock for his media career and the late cricketing legend Martin Crowe with launching his commentating career. In 2007, Crowe called Doull to ask whether he’d do some commentary for Sky.

He says learning from Crowe and working alongside Ian Smith in those early years shaped his career.

“Smithy is one of the most revered commentators in the world,” Doull says.

“It’ll be magnificent to be back with him over the next few months, even though we’ve worked together at a few ICC events over the past few years.”

Doull says Britain has been brilliant for him, especially because he can stay at home between games.

“It’s a privilege to watch the men’s and women’s games around the world, call them as I see them and work with some of the best in the business.”

He says the secret to his success is his honesty, which has probably also been his downfall at times.

“That honesty has upset players and others at times. But I feel there’s an obligation to have an opinion, not for the sake of it, but because it reflects my genuine thoughts on the game. I’d never say something simply to get a reaction or ruffle feathers.”

Party People of the week

Tudor Boutique opens on Queen St

Partridge clients and friends met Tudor ambassadors, All Black Beauden Barrett and Black Fern Sarah Hirini, last week at the launch party for the Swiss watch brand’s first standalone New Zealand boutique.

Tudor ambassadors Beauden Barrett and Sarah Hirini at the Swiss watch brand’s first standalone New Zealand boutique. Photo / Sonna Studios

The boutique has been brought to life with Partridge, as the New Zealand-owned fine jewellery and timepiece company celebrates a 35-year partnership with Tudor.

The party moved between the new boutique and cocktail bar The Nightcar, a few doors down.

Guests mingled with the rugby stars and viewed Tudor’s latest timepieces while sipping champagne and bespoke cocktails, with canapes from fine-dining chef Anthony Price.

The celebrations continued on Friday with a public meet-and-greet with All Blacks Damian McKenzie, Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi in store.

Beauden Barrett. Photo / Sonna Studios Sarah Hirini. Photo / Sonna Studios Aimee Williams and Amanda Bush. Photo / Sonna Studios Sylvia Halim and Jack Partridge. Photo / Sonna Studios Partridge’s Patrick McIvor shows timepieces at the new Tudor boutique. Photo / Sonna Studios Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Heather Partridge and Damian McKenzie. Photo / Sonna Studios Tudor ambassadors All Blacks Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai and Damian McKenzie. Photo / Sonna Studios Wallace Sititi (back, from left), Tyson Pedro, Peter Lakai, Damian McKenzie, and Crystal Vaega (front, from left), Kini Roy Earley and Amata Earley at the new Tudor boutique. Photo / Sonna Studios

Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.