While watching an at times enthralling, but at other times snail-paced Twenty20 game between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat, viewers were treated to a wonderful on-air interview of Kevin Pietersen by former Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting.
The candid and frank question-and-answer segment ran concurrently with the slower part of the Renegades’ innings and was a masterstroke by Channel Ten producers. It again highlighted the gulf in coverage between Ten and Channel Nine (something that hasn’t been said for some time).
Channel Ten often looks for points of difference with their sports coverage, with a fine example being their AFL coverage a decade ago. Channel Ten introduced the first on-screen female commentator, Kelli Underwood.
They also introduced ‘five-minute warning’ rather than the countdown clock to heighten excitement towards the end of a game.
The interview with Pietersen was actually quite powerful, and surprisingly Ricky Ponting, not well known as an outstanding presenter, seemed to find the perfect balance to conduct the interview.
While Pietersen tried to stay very light hearted at the beginning and joke with Ponting, the tougher questions were asked without a smile. They were asked again if a satisfactory answer wasn’t forthcoming.
It made for wonderful television, and while KP has never been one to shy from the media, he gave a very honest and open account of his time playing for England.
It is another huge tick for the Big Bash League coverage, which has found the perfect mix between the presenters, friendly banter between colourful ex-players, quality and insightful interviews with those playing during the game and finally in-depth analysis like we saw with the Pietersen interview.
While having half the time to discuss fields and bowling plans due to the fast-paced nature of Twenty 20, the detail and explanations given are better than the Test coverage. The commentators have been providing excellent insight without needing to over-hype the cricket they are watching.
Once again it highlighted the major failings of Channel Nine over the past few summers with their cricket coverage. In an earlier article, I wrote about the cheerleading for Australia which goes on in the box, and the clear need to have greater international and female participation in the commentary box.
This, coupled with the over-the-top style that suits the Big Bash League, has Channel Ten showing they know how to cover cricket. They maintain terrific restraint and then choose when to lift the tempo, when to relax and enjoy the cricket on offer.
Channel Nine and its plethora of commentators could learn a lesson. Subtlety is key to the commentary game.
Even their attempt to get Michael Clarke in the box during the final few Tests backfired. Clarke has never been particularly exciting to listen to, always toeing the company line and refusing to say anything much that’s controversial.
I found his stint in the box was boring, mundane and did not give any real insight into his captaincy.
While his hands are tied being the current captain, Channel Nine missed a trick by not getting a recently retired Indian player in the box to discuss the changing nature of the Indian team following their great era and provide some insight into their style of play.
It is quite ironic that in a game like Twenty20, where the crowd seem to have something to follow during every second of play, the tempo in the commentary box is more reserved than the Test version.
Perhaps Channel Nine feel the need to constantly pump up and over-hype the play because they feat that long extended periods without a wicket or six can be dull? Whatever is the case, they are misreading the viewer and Ten have provided a great balance between excitement and restraint.
Channel Ten have put together a smart, funny and watchable coverage this summer. No doubt the ratings will show that while most cricket fans like all forms of the game, watching the Big Bash through Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh’s eyes has been a delight.
Let’s just hope Channel Nine pick up their game for the World Cup.
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