Aussies v Poms: the cricket commentators’ rivalry
Roar Guru By Sam Stoffy Stoffelen, 28 Dec 2007 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
The first thought that comes to mind when we put the words ‘rivalry’, ‘England’ and ‘Australia’ on the same page is without question, the Ashes. But let’s consider another contest. One where the old still have their say: the cricket commentators.
As the year draws to a close, cricket tops the list of things to do. Well, it’s the only thing on things to do – I should say. I looked at the match ups, predicted results and, when there was nothing left to do but ponder, I compared the commentary.
So who do we think is better, the toffee nosed Poms or the annoying Aussies? I say Michael Holding and Ian Bishop leaving the decision neutral when I decide England or Australia.
Looking at England first we have the likes of Mike Atherton, Ian Botham, Geoffrey Boycott, David Gower, Tony Greig, Nasser Hussain, Mark Nicholas. Marks go to Gower, Atherton and Nicholas. The others are typically English: very correct and always looking for an Aussie to pick on, especially Boycott who’s the resident sledger. Gower I regard as one of the great commentators, we speaks well, knows what he’s on about and is not at all biased.
The same can be said about Nicholas, with Atherton just squeezing into the good books. Overall 3/7.
Now we turn our attention to our boys, the Aussies that give us many memorable summer moments. Do we say yes, or no to the home grown lads? The Channel Nine boys consist of Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell, Ian Healy, Bill Lawry, Michael Slater, and Mark Taylor. Picking the goods is a difficult call but we definitely throw in the aging great Mr. Benaud along with Taylor, Lawry and Healy. I’m leaving Slats boarder line, he can drag on a bit and does tend to refer to himself a lot, but the definite no is Chappell. He brings out irrational comments, criticism left right and center and he takes it too seriously. Overall score 4/6.
From this analysis, I say Australia leads the way, but mind you I’m being lenient towards my home nation. Benaud, Lawry, Gower, Atherton and Nicholas are the commentators I hold the most highly. Mind you, it’s the West Indians who get the 10/10 for me. Yeah man…
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December 31st 2007 @ 1:57am
tim e said | December 31st 2007 @ 1:57am | Report comment
Sheek
I totally agree. I have lived in the UK for 5 years and now feel nauseous when home on holiday’s watching anything that channel nine produces. I can’t stand it.
A worthwhile comparison for me (albeit in another sport but still I believe instructive) is a comparison between the Rugby Club over here on Sky and the “Footy show” on Nine in Oz. The Rugby Club is an hour and a half of Rugby coverage from the previous week, upcoming games and analysis on certain topics each week with nothing being sold to anyone, no one being insulted and no “entertainment” being provided. The “footy show” is a disgrace. Fox sports has their show on Rugby League which is excellent. It still has the showy American style aethetics that seem to be everywhere in Australian sports coverage but the actual content is first rate.
Back on the Cricket, there is one other I would like to add to the list but he might not have made airwaves out in Oz yet is Damien Fleming. His commentary in the sub-continent has been outstanding, worthwhile tuning in just for that. I also really enjoy Dean Jones as well.
I also enjoy Harsha Bogle immensley when he is on the ABC.
January 3rd 2008 @ 2:02pm
Lindommer said | January 3rd 2008 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
Spiro, I wholeheatedly agree with you re the Channel 9 commentators. Benaud and Chappelli are as astute in the commentary box as they were as captains, which was formidable. Benaud allows himself some humour which Chappelli chooses to avoid. Healy is a surprise with the microphone and a delight to listen to with his incisive remarks and pleasant voice. Nicholas has had a gifted run and has made every post a winner, but, personally, I’m not very comfortable with a Pom in such a prominent position broadcasting our national sport. Of the others, Lawry has little of sense to say and Taylor says far too much and is, unfortunatley, cursed with a weak voice. Tony Greig should be shown the retirement paddock along with Bill Lawry. The few times Mark Waugh’s been on the wires he’s been very enjoyable to listen to. Those who find the intermidable touting of “mediocre memorabilia” offensive are spot on.
The ABC radio coverage seems to be going the way of Channel 9 with some ordinary ex-players getting a leg up. Damian Fleming says little of note and is bloody painful on the ears. Both Grenn Mitchell and Drew Morphett continually refer to AFL matters in their broadcasts; it is both presumptuous and arrogant to think AFL is their audience’s football code of choice, it isn’t mine and has no place in a cricket broadcast. Jim Maxwell is extremely professional and a delight to listen to. Kerry O’Keefe says probably the most insightful things of any broadcaster, when he’s being serious. The fact Glenn Mitchell doesn’t like Kerry and is frequently rude to him is unforgiveably unprofessional; he should be pulled up about this. Terry Alderman is also quite insightful and isn’t cursed with verbal diarrhoea. We don’t hear enough of the beautiful tones of Roger Wills or Terry Jenner, or if I go back far enough, Neville Oliver. Which brings me to the final ABC cricket commentator, Peter Roebuck. How he keeps his job at the ABC (and the SMH), I don’t know. He says nothing of interest, he talks down to Australians and I find his ability to be easily distracted enfuriating. His writing in the SMH would fail a year 10 English exam. His constant lecturing of all and sundry to all and sundry is quite insulting.
Have I missed anyone?
January 5th 2008 @ 6:53pm
Greg said | January 5th 2008 @ 6:53pm | Report comment
Isn’t the sporting memoribilia a Tony Greig side-project that Kerry, back in the day, let him sell on air? If so, I doubt very much this will be abandoned while he’s still around. The problem is they oversaturate the market with cheap rubbish – if it was only done once throughout an entire tour, it would at least make the pieces a little more valuable. Not to mention some of the items are of records and stats of players still playing! Who wants a signed lithograph of Ricky Ponting complete with his stats when he still has some years to play and his stats will be out of date before you even receive it?
January 8th 2008 @ 9:30am
Antony Croft said | January 8th 2008 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Michael Slater is like a breath of fresh air and adds a new dimension to very knowledgeable team. How much longer do we have to endure listening to Tony Greig? Surely it is time he went back to South Africa!.
March 12th 2008 @ 8:23pm
Santy said | March 12th 2008 @ 8:23pm | Report comment
Guys, have you heard ESPN commentators. Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri are outstanding. I am surprised no one mentioned Davis Lloyd from the SKY. Pommie Mbangwa of Zim is also excellent. My choice of worlds ten best commentators wil include : 1. Benaud 2. Slats 3. Chappel 4. Bhogle 5. Shastri 6. David Lloyd 7. Holding 8. Bishop. 9. Mbangwa 10. Ian Smith.
September 12th 2008 @ 11:45pm
Adhil said | September 12th 2008 @ 11:45pm | Report comment
Hi.i would prefer the ch9 commentators 2 bskyb commentators anyday.the bskyb team is very biasd & theoritical & their obsession with the aussies espically nasser hussein.some times i wory wether he swings the other way.i cant stand them,even bob willis that crybaby.ch9 is professional,i love bill lawry,”its al happening here @ the scg”.hs superb.i salute benaud,hs a legend and i also like slates.another commentry team is a decent 1 is skysport in nz.ian smith,mark richardson,simon doull,recently appointd stephen fleming along with the big man,martin crowe.it needs improvement thou,jeremy coney n danny morrision must be added.ian smith does a superb job anchoring,coney is gud wid the pitch report n danny 4 hs humour.they r decent 1 that doesnt get noticd
September 12th 2008 @ 11:53pm
Adhil said | September 12th 2008 @ 11:53pm | Report comment
My top 10.
1.bill lawry
2.michael slater
3.ian smith
4.mark richardson
5.richie benaud
6.danny morrison
7.simon doull
8.pommie mbangwa
9.mark nicholas
10.ranil abeynaike
david lloyd annoys me with his pathetic jokes