By For and Against
February 6th 2009 @ 2:48pm
Loading ...Just who are the ‘doyens’ of sports commentary?
Commentators. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, good or bad, they’re a big part of our lives and all are striving for the ultimate accolade…to be known as The Doyen of their field.
Like sportsmen and women themselves, few commentators reach the big time. It is THE untold story of sport; the poor, heart-broken wannabe commentator once a bright eyed kid with big dreams now left by the wayside, stranded in rural ABC outposts or perhaps sentenced to a sporting Siberia, the lawn bowls, the women’s featherweight weight lifting, the pistol rage or the terrifying dressage paddock.
For those few that make the grade, fame and a little fortune, not to mention admiration and admonishment, come raining down.
Some will come and go, some will flit from sport to sport never quite finding a home, while others manage to master the black art of knowing enough about each sport to become an anchor. Then there are the true masters. The ones who, effortlessly, rise to the creme de la crème of their chosen sport – the ones we call “doyens”.
They are few, they are revered and they are both humble and imperious, a colossus and verbal artiste. At one with the microphone, the sages of their chosen creed, their gentlest whisper can render the most inebriated fan a whimpering disciple. It may never possible to define or bottle a doyen, so we chose to parade a few by way of illustration. These illustrations, appropriately enough, speak for themselves.
Richie Benaud
The doyens’ doyen. Universally liked and admired and still in possession of a keen eye and a sharp mind. Richie completed a journalists course at the BBC shortly after retiring and many a new (and indeed old) commentator would be wise to adopt the salient advice Richie received back then: “Don’t talk unless you can add something to the picture” (or words to that effect). There will undoubtedly be a state funeral when this man is dismissed for the final time. The greatest Australian?
Phil Liggett
Who here follows cycling? No I mean really follows it. Can’t see too many hands up! But you know Phil, don’t you. The unique, mellifluous voice, the unbridled genuine enthusiasm and the pleasant bed-side manner you wish your doctor had. You might only hear his voice during the Olympic Games or when you inadvertently stumble on the Le Tour highlights one night on SBS, but there’s no mistaking Phil. The words flow like the finest French Moet.
Dennis Cometti
That voice….that voice! A resonant baritone seducing the nation with its gentle caress…“Reece-Jones to the forward pocket!” The unassuming character, the sharp wit and a passion for football of the southern variety that runs deep.
Murray Walker
The man who proves that you don’t need to get everything right every time to make the grade. Mind you, Murray spent many years getting it exactly right, but not unlike many sporting champions he may have stuck around one or two seasons too long. Yet despite that, Murray’s overt passion, his friendly demeanour and his ability to get access to anyone, anywhere in the Formula One paddock made him THE voice of F1.
Jim Courier
Now see here’s where it starts getting a bit grey. Some have already proposed that he is, if not a fully fledged doyen, a doyen-in-waiting. It raises questions. Does a doyen have to be an ex-player? If so, do they need to have excelled? Is there a short-cut to being a doyen or do you need to spend years earning your stripes and building your cred? Do you have to be the best commentator in your sport or merely meet a certain, albeit high, grade? Can anchors be doyens, like Bruce or Kenny or maybe Rabs?
Of course the doyens mentioned do not comprise an exhaustive list. What about Frank Hyde…. Johnny Tapp…Gordon Bray? And those are just the Aussie nominees. There is also a catalogue of exotic foreign doyens, artists we rarely see or hear? The Canadian, Don Cherry, the voice of ice hockey, Britain’s Brian “It’s in There!” Moore and Martin Tyler, the über-cool Michael Holding and perhaps even India’s Ravi Shastri.
What’s your criteria and who makes the grade?
The team at For & Against naturally have their opinions on the matter and much else besides.
We review the cricket (should Punter resign), the tennis (should the blabbing Roger transfer to the WTP) and much else besides. Tune in to their latest podcast (see link below) for the usual lively discussion of all the big issues in Aussie sport.
http://forandagainst.libsyn.com/
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(38)
Dave said | February 6th 2009 @ 3:17pm | Report comment
Martin Tyler – Football – Commentates all English club and international matches but also does many Oz friendlies in Europe.
Never flustered, intelligent, doesnt talk too much (lets the picture do the talking), only gets emotional/excited when warranted, never hysterical (like many RL, AFL commentators) and can sum up the situation with a few well thought out words.
Has been commentating in England for 30-40 years…brliiant.
Pippinu said | February 6th 2009 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Yeh – Martin has to be right up there – represents the very best of the best.
It’s always a comfort to hear his voice.
Pippinu said | February 6th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Actually, one test series in the West Indies, they had an occasional female commentator. Don’t know who she was – but I could definitely have married her for her voice.
sledgeross said | February 6th 2009 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
What about Indian Navjot Sidhu
“Parore was on his toes like a midget in a urinal”
Junior said | February 6th 2009 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
agree with nominations, but jim courier? good heavens, he’s more a hack than a doyen. what is it with trying to pick several turning points during every match and then getting it hopelessly wrong? if that wasn’t enough, by the time of the men’s final, he thought he was doing such a good job he began picking CAREER turning points. that’s not insight i’m afraid, that’s textbook mediocrity.
Papa Romeo said | February 6th 2009 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
Spot on Junior, Courier is a helluva stretch. When he’s at the mike, there’s more turning points than in an Americas Cup match race.
One smokey to add to the list…Neil Crompton. Didn’t reach the very top of the touring car/V8 tree but certainly capable of mixing it with the big boys and is now a superbly insightful and mercifully calm commentator. Maybe doesn’t quite have the public profile of the archetypal doyen, but certainly one for consideration.
Kazama said | February 6th 2009 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
I have to agree with Dave and Pippinu about Martin Tyler. He is the best commentator I’ve ever heard. Even when his beloved England are playing he keeps a cool head (apart from maybe during extra time of the England v Portugal game at Euro 2004).
Forgetmenot said | February 6th 2009 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Clinton Grybas in my opinion was even better than Commeti at calling the football. But he tragically died after falling down a flight of stairs while sleep walking just over a year ago. Sad story in all of sport up there with Mr Football (Ted Whitten) in terms of sadness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w76VePiyJ0
Benau and Ligget are both THE voice of their sports.
The other voice is the one of league, but i cant remember his name.
Gordon Bray is synonymous with rugby union.
Spiro Zavos said | February 6th 2009 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
Gordon Bray on rugby. What a pity Fox Sports don’t use him. And the group that call the America’s Cup on TVNZ. Anyone who can make yatch racing absolutely thrilling has got something as a sports commentator.
JohnB said | February 6th 2009 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
Forgetmenot – IMHO Gordon Bray is about as much of a doyen of rugby commentators as Murray Mexted is. Bill McLaren was the worldwide doyen before he retired – perhaps now the doyen emeritus? He was pretty well everything Gordon isn’t as a commentator – knowledgeable, interesting, entertaining, accurate, fair and perceptive. It (top class rugby commentary) hasn’t been a particularly well-populated field in Australia so far as I can recall over the last 35 years or so, meaning I can’t come up with an alternative Australian nominee. I think it probably has to be like some wine categories at ag shows – no medals awarded.
Used to like Nigel Starmer-Smith (forgive likely misspelling) on UK matches, but haven’t heard him for some years.
Forgetmenot said | February 6th 2009 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
JohnB,
I havent watched a lot of International Rugby, so Gordon Bray is the person who comes to mind for me.
I actually had the pleasure of being his audience once, and he was saying that he was once asked to commentate a match between to two foreign teams. Apparently the list with the all the players names and numbers was lost, so he had to make the names up, and he did so. He used about 5 names the whole match, and the amazing thing was that no-one rung up and complained.
sheek said | February 6th 2009 @ 7:45pm | Report comment
Yeah,
I would give a tick to all the guys mentioned, even Jim Courier. I like him, although my wife detests him.
Alan McGilvray was the voice of cricket long before Benaud assumed his role on TV. There was another radio guy at the ABC in the 70s – John O’Reilly – who called all the footy codes. And let’s not forget Norman May – “Gold, it’s gold, gold for Australia” (I think was the correct word usage, not “gold, gold, gold”!).
Also, the race caller, was it Des Hoysted? Two of his favourite sayings were, “London to a brick on”, & “he’ll have to catch a cab to win from here”.
Rex Mossop & Lou Richards were a lot of fun for NRL & AFL respectively. And don’t forget Johnny Warren, who spoke of his beloved football with a deep passion & love.
And there was the Aussie boxing commentator, whose name escapes me for the moment. I also like Mike Stephenson, on the few occasions I bother to watch the English super league.
Gordon Bray – “the Taranaki pig farmer (Dave Loveridge) & the Manawatu meat worker (Gary Knight). Loved his call of the 1991 RWC final & whole tourny in general.
The best seem to have several qualities in common. Firstly, their passionate love of the sport they’re calling. Secondly, their deep knowledge of their sport. And finally, the way they engage us as if we’re there in the commentary box with them, like we’re old friends.
sheek said | February 6th 2009 @ 7:48pm | Report comment
Yeah,
I would give a tick to all the guys mentioned, even Jim Courier. I like him, although my wife detests him.
Alan McGilvray was the voice of cricket long before Benaud assumed his role on TV. There was another radio guy at the ABC in the 70s – John O’Reilly – who called all the footy codes. And let’s not forget Norman May – “Gold, it’s gold, gold for Australia” (I think was the correct word usage, not “gold, gold, gold”!).
Also, the race caller, was it Des Hoysted? Two of his favourite sayings were, “London to a brick on”, & “he’ll have to catch a cab to win from here”.
Rex Mossop & Lou Richards were a lot of fun for NRL & AFL respectively. And don’t forget Johnny Warren, who spoke of his beloved football with a deep passion & love.
And there was the Aussie boxing commentator, whose name escapes me for the moment. I also like Mike Stephenson, on the few occasions I bother to watch the English super league.
Gordon Bray – “the Taranaki pig farmer (Dave Loveridge) & the Manawatu meat worker (Gary Knight). Loved his call of the 1991 RWC final & whole tourny in general.
The best seem to have several qualities in common. Firstly, their passionate love of the sport they’re calling. Secondly, their deep knowledge of their sport. And finally, the way they engage us as if we’re there in the commentary box with them, like we’re old friends.
Oh, & I also have the greatest respect for Bruce McAveney when it comes to Athletics. And Steve Quartermain who calls the AFL as well. Used to do the sport on The Panel’. Has a stunning wife!!!
Tifosi FC said | February 6th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Martin Tyler – I second what Dave said. Absolute brilliant commentator.
Gordon Bray is good too but is usually surrounded by gooses.
Murray Walker just because you knew you would get a good laugh out of something funny he would say!!
Justin said | February 6th 2009 @ 9:19pm | Report comment
Gordon Bray maybe synonymous with Union but he is not very good. Bill McLaren leaves him for dead.
Martin Tyler has to be one of the greatest of all time in any code, great voice, feel for the game and his enthusiasm seems to be just right and at the right moments.
PS Sheek I think it may be Quarters ex wife who is stunning, and its ex because of a certain Belgian film star…
mahony said | February 6th 2009 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
Absolutely Martin Tyler – I wish he would call other sports and bring his touch of class to the profession.
mahony
Matt said | February 6th 2009 @ 9:55pm | Report comment
Football – Martin Tyler
And forgetmenot, when you mentioned the one synonymous with Rugby League, I believe you are referring to the legendary Ray Warren.
Justin said | February 6th 2009 @ 10:04pm | Report comment
Ray “I get excited at the opening of a jam jar” Warren
westy said | February 6th 2009 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
Sheek you show your age. Who can forget Rex’s description of parramatta halfback John Kolc as a ” small diminuative little man” or his epic description of the Newtown Dawson identical twins ” they are very similar around the head” or poor old Noel Kelly request to Rex “not so many big words Rex no one knows what you are talking or about of Rex’s spew onlive TV at Lidcombe oval “I’ll kill the bastard who slashed my tyres” and his fitting finale after making a citizen’s arrest on a nude bather walking past his home “You cannot shove your genitals down my throat’ One would hope not.
A memory growing up in Sydney washing the car or at the pool or beach or all over the city was the voice of Frank Hyde “if it is long enough high enough it is there” sometimes ending in a rendition of Danny Boy on 2SM. Jack Gibson said the players prized his Seiko watch man of the match award not because of value but that he was so genuine in giving it. People even listened to Frank at a few rugby games on the northside. He was a good man. I remember him fondly.
Sam Taulelei said | February 6th 2009 @ 11:24pm | Report comment
Bill McLaren – Rugby his thick Scottish brogue combined with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the game place him above his peers for me.
Peter Sterling – Rugby league formed part of a great trio with Ray Warren and Paul Vautin but it was his insight, honesty and fairness that I’ll always remember.
Pat Sumerall – NFL, best in the business and sorely missed.
“Whispering” Ted Lowe – Pot Black, love that smooth sultry voice.
Brian Moore – Football, grew up watching “The Big Match” and there was nothing better on a Sunday afternoon hearing the familiar theme music and his voice introducing the match of the day.
Jesse “The Body” Ventura – WWF professional wrestling, always added colour and controversy to Mean Gene Okerlund and Vince McMahon’s calls.
Dublin Dave said | February 6th 2009 @ 11:58pm | Report comment
Can’t really comment on any of the Ozzie commentators because I’ve never heard them. Apart from Richie Benaud and I’m not a fan. His minimalist approach assumes that the viewer is already knowledgeable enough to know exactly what is going on. That may be true but then, why have a commentator in the first place?
Bear in mind that I come from a non test playing country in which cricket is very much a minority sport and not part of the national imagination at all. The only famous Irish cricketer was famous for something else entirely. Samuel Beckett, the author and playwright. (Anorak fact: the only Nobel Prize winner to have played a first class cricket match, or so I’m told).
So to me and many of my countrymen cricket is an arcane and mysterious art and let’s face it, you’re not going to learn much about it by listening to Richie Benaud!. A much superior commentator in my view is Geoff Boycott. Opinionated, condescending and patronising but a man who knows his game and loves it enough to be able to praise and damn respectively those who grace or disgrace it.
As for rugby, those who say that Bill McLaren was the best by a country mile will get no argument from me. I think good commentators come in two varieties: those who are genuinely expert and able to draw the viewer’s attention to the finer points of the sport; and those with an infectious enthusiasm that can make the dullest event seem lively and interesting. The BBC’s legendary Murray Walker, who cheerfully and disastrously gaffed his way through decades of formula one commentaries is an example of the latter, whereas the likes of John Motson or Boycott or even Benaud, assuming you have sufficient knowledge of the game to appreciate him, are examples of the former.
The truly great ones can do both. McLaren was one such.
Midfielder said | February 7th 2009 @ 12:32am | Report comment
Just mine … but the following is my list and the top three IMO are a class above my next four.
Alan McGilvray
Martin Tyler
Phil Liggett
Simon Hill
Frank Hyde
Brian Moore
Ted Lowe
ohtani's jacket said | February 7th 2009 @ 1:25am | Report comment
The best commentator I’ve ever heard was Kent Walton, who commentated the professional wrestling on ITV’s World of Sport.
sheek said | February 7th 2009 @ 7:21am | Report comment
And let’s not forget the great imitator – Billy Birmingham – of 12th man fame! Or HG Nelson & Roy Slaven.
Junior said | February 7th 2009 @ 10:20am | Report comment
you’re kidding aren’t you sheek? quartermain is a joke. i was waiting for you to mention eddie for a minute there. quartermain is closer to the bottom of my list, down there with mark nicholas and sandy roberts. on the panel, it used to look like quartermain read that day’s telegraph when he lurched out of bed about 5.15pm and parroted out what his dull mind found interesting. nothing more. i also find his constant referral to “the halfway mark of the quarter” at least once during every afl match infuriating.
for afl, it’s gotta be tim lane (even though he sold out), denis and bruce. drew morphett’s passion is also evident in his commentary. re soccer, martin tyler is peerless. motson was good when the planets aligned too. andy harper’s honesty in the a-league (‘that’s indescribably bad!”) is refreshing. and what about joe buck for baseball and nfl? when he’s on, nobody conveys the pulse of the game better.
Justin said | February 7th 2009 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Drew Morphett…bloody hell isnt he all hot air enthusiasm and a total lack of understanding of sport. Up there with Sandy Roberts…
sheek said | February 7th 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Ahhh gee, whatever…..I still like Quartermain nevertheless. Even if he has lost his wife to a Belgian movie star!!!
Daniel said | February 7th 2009 @ 11:11am | Report comment
Spiro,
Really? Gordon Bray?! The guy is so boring! He managed to spend at least 20 minutes of every game explaining basic rules over and over! The amount of times I’ve heard him repeat the phrase “there’s been a knock on, which means the ball has been propelled towards the oppositions goal line” is just ridiculous. In my opinion he’s one of those rare commentators that can manage to make a great game seem dull. I mean I know the Fox sports team aren’t perfect, but at least Rod gives good analysis and Kearns is pretty layed back and amusing (they just need to dump Marto).
LeftArmSpinner said | February 7th 2009 @ 11:23am | Report comment
Jim Maxwell is a great commentator, rugby or cricket. This is a true indication of his skill and knowledge. I am also a Hasha Bogle??? fan. Brian Johnston and John Arlott were also legends.
Chris Beck said | February 7th 2009 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
I’ve always liked Grant Nisbett for rugby (not sure if I’ve spelled that right).
North American sports fans might think of Keith Jackson, who called college football (and other sports) for many years on ABC before retiring in the last year or so.
Jason Cave said | February 7th 2009 @ 6:47pm | Report comment
For me, I go along with the others and agree about Martin Tyler. Anyone who has heard his commentary of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final between France & Italy would agree he’s the best going around right now. If I had my way, I’d ask Martin to come over and call the Hyundai A-League Grand Final instead of Simon Hill. Also Richie Benaud and Phil Liggett are good too.
But for me as far as AFL is concerned five guys stand out: Bruce McAvaney, Peter Landy, Dennis Cometti, Tim Lane, and Harry Beitzel. And let’s not forget the late Ian Major and the late Jack Dyer-’The Captain & the Major.’
ranndystone said | February 7th 2009 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
Jim Courier … you must be joking!!! The most boring gas bag of all time. Never shuts up … causes me to watch the tennis with the sound turned off
ThelmaWrites said | February 8th 2009 @ 12:40am | Report comment
Dublin Dave
Sorry to have gotten Samuel Beckett mixed up with Thomas Becket in another thread. Unpardonable! After reading almost everything he’d written, gone to his plays, read his biography twice! In one of the pictures in his bio, he looked good in his cricket whites.
Brett McKay said | February 8th 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Leftie, I’m glad someone mentioned Jim Maxwell, who with Glenn Mitchell, does a fantasic job on ABC’s radio coverage of Australian cricket. As mentioned, Maxwell doubles as the voice of Sydney club rugby, and I think I’m right that Mitchell also does AFL matches in Perth.
Both of them are wonderful in their descriptions of the game and its surrounds, and both have the perfect knack of being able the play the straight man to Kerry O’Keefe in one stint, and then to perfectly carry the serious drama in the next. The sort of commentary you’d like to bottle.
A mention also to Tim Gavel, who’s knowledge of all sports would rival one B.McAvaney, and a nice bloke to boot…
DaniE said | February 8th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
Always enjoyed Jim Maxwell for both rugby and cricket, especially when he teamed up with Brett Papworth for club rugby. Gordon Bray used to be terrific, but at Channel 7 tried too hard, as if his producers encouraged him to come up with more random comments on players and so on. Since he’s no longer doing rugby, I’ve liked his commentary on the Syd-Hobart and the tennis.
Dennis Cometti does rock though – his randomness doesn’t seem studied so it works!
ThelmaWrites said | February 8th 2009 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
DaniE
Amen re Jim Maxwell and Brett Papworth. You’ll have to explain to me the rest of your post when I see you in KL.
Sam Taulelei
I remember Pat Summerall!! He used to team up with John Madden. He was the less excitable of the two, wasn’t he? When did he stop commentating NFL?
Cheers.
JohnB said | February 8th 2009 @ 8:41pm | Report comment
David Morrow and Warren Ryan do a good job on the league on radio. Peter Wilkins used to be good also. Not sure if quite doyen status? You’d like to live in a world where Roy and HG were doyens of radio sport – mind you, wouldn’t be surprised if they could do a great job as straight commentators if they ever gave it a try.
Savvas Tzionis said | February 9th 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Martin Tyler is good but John Motson is better.
Why do you think he is the number one commentator in England and not Martin?
The greatest example was the 1986 WC final between West Germany and Argentina.
Argentina had a 2 goal lead and the Germans looked lost, yet he spotted some arrogance by the Argentinians and his comment was “The Argentians are indulging themeslves a bit and the Germans are just the team to make them pay for it”.
Within 10 minutes the Germans had equalised!!!
Brilliant…and his teamwork with Jimmy Hill was awesome.