Peter Roebuck, in his Sydney Morning Herald report of the ODI between Australia and England at the SCG, found the chase of 333 runs thrilling but the plot of the match somewhat predictable. I would agree with Roebuck (undoubtedly our finest writer on cricket) on the chase aspect, but disagree sharply on the issue of predictability.
With 50 balls or so all left to bowl, Australia had 70 runs to score. At that stage it would have been a brave person who would have predicted a successful chase, with five balls to spare, of the highest total confronting an Australian side in Australia.
For me, watching the match in my sweltering front room, it seemed unlikely that Australia had the hitters left, with Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson dismissed, to knock over the run target. Then Michael Clarke flat-batted a six and the – successful – onslaught was launched.
There was nothing predictable about this.
What made the chase even more enthralling was the brilliant television coverage of Channel 9.
I can do without the Boys Own comments of James Bayshaw and (alas) Michael Slater. But the rest of the crew – Richie Benaud with his penetrating insights, Tony Greig with his good-humour, Mark Taylor who is becoming a Benaud (if somewhat more verbose) and especially Ian Healy, with his willingness to speak out when things are happening on the field that shouldn’t be happening.
Healy is the find of the 2010-2011 season.
He has matured into a brilliant boradcaster. He knows a lot about the technicalities and techniques of the game. He is prepared to spell out what is being done right, and what is being done right, even if this means disagreeing with some of his fellow commentators.
You learn something about the game of cricket and the current match whenever Healy takes his place in the commentary box.
Where Channel 7 tends to muck up the presentation of most of the big sports events it covers (the Australian Open and the Rugby World Cup in the past), Channel 9 tends to present a world-class broadcast of whatever event they are covering.
Stand up and take a bow Steve Crawley, the director of sports on the network.
It is the big things like picking the right commentators (their rugby league commentators are outstanding) that make the Channel 9 presentations so enjoyable.
There are also the little things, like the silence that descends on the commentary box as a ball is bowled. You are given the chance to watch and work out for yourself what has happened before the commentators come in and add to your knowledge of the event.
Channel 9 are hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It is will fascinating to see what they bring to the coverage of a game that should be better presented than it currently is.
Getting back to the ODIs, Roebuck makes the valid point that there is too much predictability about the middle parts of a ODI. Batsmen are prepared to accumulate runs, holding or trying to hold wickets in hand before launching their hopefully decisive assault in the batting power play.
He is also, correctly in my opinion, critical of the way that captains tend to push their fields back, allowing the pushing and prodding ‘attack,’ as soon as the 15 overs are completed.
He wants captains to be more adventurous or skilful and set tighter fields thereby forcing the batsmen to take risks in trying to nudge their singles and twos.
Roebuck was a fine captain and his thoughts need to be considered.
He also offers the idea of making the entire 50 overs a batting power-play event, with bowling sides forced to have five or six players inside the ring at all times.
His point is that cricket “cannot give up the ghost as far as ODIs are concerned.” He does not want a future of only Big Bash (Twenty20 cricket) and Long Haul (Test cricket).
This is absolutely right.
Crowds are falling away from Twenty20 in droves, from an average of 18,152 (2009-10) to 13,475 (2010-2011). More importantly, the gate at Twenty20 matches in Sydney, say, three times less than those at ODI.
It is calculated that the Twenty20 at the Homebush venue have, at best, a gate of around $70, 000, which means the events are being run at a loss.
Aside from the financial considerations, ODI are a much more interesting and satisfying cricket experience than Twenty20 cricket. The Big Bash game is just that, a game resembling baseball more than cricket.
They should not be a staple of the cricket game in Australia. They have their place as one-offs, or in a limited number of games.
But this presumes that the ODIs are made more interesting for spectators, or as interesting for spectators are Channel 9 makes these games for its viewers.
Roebuck’s idea of an entire innings of power play is an excellent starting point, something the officials should think about seriously and then adopt as soon as possible.
Talking about the officials, perhaps they are a part of the problem of ODIs. They tend to think of mechanistic changes like (in my view) the ridiculous notion of dividing each sides innings into two.
Forty years on, the product, especially on television, is still good.
But it is time for adjustments to be made to the ODIs to take the game into its next 40 years.
Here’s a suggestion.
Why not use the expertise of Channel 9 and its commentary team to come up with ideas? After all, it was Channel 9 with World Series Cricket that revolutionised the way cricket was televised. And Richie Benaud came up with the idea of the circle and other interesting innovations.
Andrew
Guest
Now - in light of C9's coverage of the World Cup - do you still stand ny the comments above??
hammer
Guest
I'm a kiwi .for me it all comes down to one word Sportsmanship,where has it gone.Comments should be fair,unbiased and to the point ,intelligent ,technically correct,humours good ,but too many aussie commentators dont show it.Unbiased commentary of the game,thats all sportfans around the world expect. no 1 Mark Taylor yes Richie Benaud yes Bill Lawry used to be one eyed now he's good,Kerry Okeefe would be no 1 if available Mark Waugh yes Shane Warne yes No's , Ian Healy still dont like hes too perochical and old replays show claiming catches that weren't James Brayshaw annoying voice not credable,obviously Eddie loves him ,Tony Greig best before80's Rugby.As a devoted Rugby Fan Fox's rugby coverage in Australia is good.The commentators are ABSOLUTELY APPALLING . Not only are they totally one eyed they always pick australia by 6-10 points when the opposite has been happening for the past couple of years. enjoy reading Spiro Zavos
Peternut
Guest
The commentary team is extremely outdated. Tony Greig, Bill Lawry and Ian Chappell are still living in the '70s, and continue with the line of "it was better in my day". Richie Benaud could not be more boring to listen to, reminiscing about the '50s and old stories of which there is very limited interest. If you are trying to attract kids, teenagers, women and potenital cricket converts, focus on the current batch of stars or the future "baggy greens", not on a match in 1958 where Richie Benaud took 3-100 in a dead rubber. Cricket in general and especially in the print media, is struggling to maintain its stranglehold as the dominant summer sport, thanks to clever marketing of the A-League, tennis, and even the remaining 3 football codes. The negative publicity regarding T20 cricket, is mostly generated by the cricket purist or traditionalist who only loves Test cricket. This new brand of T20 is attracting a new audience of the younger generation, this may be due to the time constraints/short attention span of such generations, but whatever the reason - EMBRACE IT. For Test Cricket, maintain the current crop of commentators, with a splash of fresh talent, such as Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh and Kerry O'Keefe (whilst not "fresh" talent, at least he has a refreshing view of all brands of cricket). A T20 commentary team could include Kerry O'Keefe, Billy Birmingham, Mark Waugh, Lee Furlong and Adam Gilchrist. For the purists calling this version hit & giggle, we may as well have a giggle during the match, rather than snoring during a recap of a 1960's series of which there is no interest. This will not only attract new viewers, due to the refreshing sounds of a youthful team (or in touch with the youth of today), but will also provide viewers with expert opinions on the newest for of the game. The AFL and NRL, very rarely do features on matches during the '50s, '60s and '70s, unless it has the significance of a grand final.
Ben Carter
Guest
Am a cricket nut, and have totally loved five of the ODIs this summer (seven was definitely too many, let's face it). Nine's visual presentation remains top notch. The voices mixed - love Benaud, Nicholas, Tubby, Gilly. Getting a bit tired of Chappelli, Griegy, Lawry, etc. Slats and Heals can be nice at times. Am stoked though by the World Series returning next summer (either Aus/ind/SL or Aus/Ind/NZ I believe), but so hope Nine does not wreck the ICC World Cup this month. I want Australia's games LIVE. Quarter-finals LIVE. Semi-finals LIVE. The FINAL LIVE. Please.
Sports Writer
Guest
I cringe every time one of the Channel 9 commentators open their mouths. The only bareable ones are Mark Nicholas and sometimes Richie Benaud. Heals and Greig are two of the worst commentators of any sport I can think of...and C9's coverage is not as good as you talk it up to be
betamax
Roar Guru
Whilst I'm far from a CH9 fan, I think their Cricket coverage from a technical point of view, is second to none. The camera work and direction(yes there are directors in cricket telecasts)are the best in the world, for cricket at least and maybe for any sport. CH9 have also been huge innovators with things such as Hotspot, which was developed at the station and Snicko. Its a pity all this good work behind the scenes is often let down by second rate on-camera personnel, apart from Chappell and Taylor. They seem to be the only ones who know the value of what not to say. Love Richie, but he won't be around much longer, unfotunately. As a commentator that is.
Rhys
Guest
I agree about Healy. He too often comes across as a boorish, oafish fool. I know Mark Taylor annoys a lot of people, possibly because of the high rev cadence of his commentary, but I agree with Swampy that he is the most insightful of the 'newer' crop of 9 commentators. Ah yes Richie B. - he is a national, nay international, treasure among commentators, and long shall we lament the day when he finally departs the commentary box for good. On the broader issue of Channel 9's coverage - until they offer viewers nationwide full coverage of games from the first to the last ball each game, they'll remain second rate to what Fox Sports offers their viewers. At least twice during the current ODI series viewers on the east coast have missed out on the final over or so of the first innings to cross to the news - in this multi-channel digital age that's just not good enough.
Lolly
Guest
This must have been written by Ian Healy's mum hacking into Spiro's account. I cannot understand it otherwise.
MM Fike
Guest
In Qld we didn't even get live coverage of the Twenty/20 games. Channel 9 may not have heard of the internet or good old radio because they pretend it is live. The picture quality is low definition and more than a couple of the commentators have had their day. I don't know why pay TV only gets the dregs of sport in Australia because they broadcast in HD too.
Swampy
Guest
I cannot agree that Ian Healy is a great commentator. He basically makes me cringe and wish for him to just stop prattling on when he gets on his high horse. The over rate commentary recently was the most annoying piece of commentary work I've heard since Keith Stackpole and his endless reference to the depth and position of slips fielders. James Brayshaw whilst a cricketer by trade has no place in cricket commentating due to his endless references to AFL. I can handle Michael Slater's presence when Brashaw is not present. Without Slats many of Mark Taylor's best work would be absent. Which brings me to my agreement with most other posts here, that is, Mark Taylor is far and way the finest commentator of the new generation. He is insightful, intelligent, funny and when the moment requires, excitable or reserved. I also concur that Mark Waugh is an excellent commentator. Despite my great dislike for him as a person I have enjoyed Shane Warne in the box as well as Adam Gilchrist on the rare occassion he guests. It will be a sad day for me when the first test comes on one summer and the familiar voice of Ritchie Benaud is not present. He is one of a kind - looking for the next Ritchie is in all probability a futile pursuit -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Lurchn
Guest
I fear I will not get much sleep during the RWC this year As ch9 have the rights. 3 hr delay in Perth for the cricket where they can't manage to telecast every ball but a 10 min injury brake is shown on full along with every one of Tony Greg's crapmobilia ads. The one maybe two 1970-80s movies on at 1030 pm before the league in winter are obviously larger raters than the league. Ch9 doesn't care about sports fans the shoddy directing of the cricket eg ad breaks starting before the end of the over or before the appeal has even finished prove this. The gov should make a law, use it LIVE in all of the country or loose the rights to sporting events. Even with the extra FTA channels they prefer to put crap on them and hold back sport to the dim dark night. The issue is that they know the gov won't do anything and the fan will watch a good sporting event any time they decide to put it on, bastards. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
dunc
Guest
Thanks for the column Spiro so all of us cricket tragics can vent our spleens. Channel 9 and Fox Sports and the Pommy writer: The A team: Richie Benaud - still the best by an Australian country mile... Mark Waugh - straight up, interesting, understands whats happening. been there out in the middle. Mark Taylor - can bumble along like Barney Rubble but I want his take on the game... Bill Lawry - he does know the game and I quite like, the GOT HIM! Mark Nicholas - bit greasy but needed to balance the Aussie hype. I wished he had put the knife in more during the Ashes. Warnie: Great, except when he pumps Austraya up to much - had to laugh when he said the Aussies could rebound in the fifth test, then they got totally crushed and obliterated.... Daniel Brew - lets get the 17 year old that jibed Clarke to do some TV pieces from around the ground. Useless, jingoistic and annoying: Healy, Damien Fleming, Slats, Brayshaw (totally useless) Respected but boring - Border (sorry sir) and Ian Chappell. Most Verbose Predictable Wannabe Classical Prose Writer Award: Roebuck ..zzzzz.... Request: Lets get Sir Ian Botham on Nine so we can have some real stoushes on air. thank you, i feel better. PS. I go for the Black Caps and i like Ian Smith's commentary!
Tony F
Guest
On an aside, I can't agree with your comment that Channel 9's Rugby League commentators are outstanding. Ray Warren is past his use-by date and of the ex-players used for sideline comment, Brad Fittler is a simply a cringeworthy embarrassment. Phil Gould's attempts to provoke disagreements with Ray Warren about the rules and video referee decisions (presumably scripted or rehearsed in some way) are a waste of time - the officials are just given nonsensical rules to try and administer so it's no surprise they make some howlers. Thank god for Peter Stirling's contributions. Andrew Voss is now a much better caller than Ray Warren and should take over full time or perhaps they can draft in Warren Smith from Foxtel who calls well and works as a proper team with his co-commentators.
The Bush
Guest
Ian Healy is the most annoying commentator on Channel 9. I'm shocked that you hold this opinion Spiro. He is over the top, constantly, almost as often as he's wrong. A few games ago I had to turn the volume down, as all he did was talk about the god damn freakin music playing in the stadium. Who cares Ian? No-one. He over sells everything and is far too pro-Aussie. Richie, Bill and Tubby are the only acceptable commentators on the "team". Even Oh-so-horribly-English Mark N is a better commentator than Healy. Brayshaw should be thrown back on the scrap heap as well. I agree though that Channel 9 does do a better job with sport than Seven though...
peeeko
Roar Guru
to me Kerry O'Keefe is the most entertaining commentator however i dont think you will ever see him on Channel 9 as he is not everyones "cup of tea". personally i dont mind the betting odds but hate the memorabilia ads. i dont mind the rest of the team with the exception of Brayshaw and Nicholas
Darwin Stubby
Guest
C9 damages everything it touches across all sports - how anybody can praise them is beyond me
Kersi Meher-Homji
Expert
I personally think that Vinay Verma will make a good cricket commentator on ABC. And that's not because he is my good friend. I criticise him strongly on the Roar when I disagree with his views.
Harry
Guest
Channel 9 commentry team has done a lot of damage to cricket with their wholesale and continuos flogging of any old memorabilia. Its time there was a complete overhaul of their team with most of them pensioned off. Viewers want cricket and scores given regularily not drivel.
Tony
Guest
I agree with you that Ian Healy is excellent, but I disagree that he "is the find of the 2010-2011 season". He has been excellent for several seasons. My biggest gripe with the Nine commentary is that Ian Chappell is fantastic in print and interview, but is a stone bore in the Nine commentary box. But at least I have not heard him drone on about Les Favell this season. The memorabilia, or scamorabilia as I call it, is an irritating intrusion, but not as irritating as the betting intrusions. How Nine are allowed to spruik odds all day every day is beyond me. And how is that "as of January 1 when the new broadcast regulations kick in we will be able shift the cricket to our digital stations when cricket conflicts with News" working out? Nine still dud viewers. If you live in WA you have to endure the one-dayers on three hour delay - that's a three hour delay. An utterly outrageous and unsupportable self-indulgence from Cricket Australia's valuable "broadcast partner".
Lunchtime O'Booze
Guest
I cannot have the commentary from 9 on any more when I'm watching the cricket. Mark Nicholas - a man so oily he leaves a flock of Petrels floundering in his wake wherever he goes - sets the tone, a truly Dickensian glob of toadying sycophancy mixed up with cod-educated verbosity. He was a mediocre cricketer and he's carried that form into the TV world. As an Englishman Healy is clearly too Ocker to appeal to me, though I can see how his tedious pro-Aussie cheerleading appeals to nine's staple audience. Greig is a joke, as is Slater, whilst Taylor's lisping and spluttering when he gets excited often puts me off my tea. Benaud, Chappell and Lawrie are streets ahead of the young fellas. But sadly over on the ABC things aren't much better. Glenn Mitchell - surely the most boring man in Australia - ensures that there is a twenty minute period in every hour where I watch the cricket in complete silence. His boorish pronouncements of opinion as fact (including one gem of a stint during the Melbourne Test when he'd run out of snide things to say about the Barmy Army and literally couldn't think of anything to say about how poor England were in various areas before ending with 'the MCG is three times the size of Lord's' as if this were some kind of triumph) and reliance on statistic after uninteresing statistic make him easily the worst cricket commentator of the lot. Team him up with Damien Fleming - a man who is incapable of finishing a sentence without mentioning himself - with his endless tedious prattling about INXS and Guns n'Roses and you have an instant recipe for feelings of helpless rage and anger. Fox tries the journalist/player interface occasionally. Unfortunately when you have the smarmy Nick McArdle as the journalist engaging in 'banter' with the otherwise excellent Mark Waugh or the catatonic Alan Border then this formula falls short too - though it probaly is the way ahead in the future. So, a dream team of Jim Maxwell as link man with Benaud and Waugh as expert pundits would appear to be thebest exposition of this idea - but it'll never happen. Selah.