Early during Monday night’s second innings of the Australia-Zimbabwe World Cup clash at Ahmedabad, commentator Ian Chappell made an important point: Australia hadn’t played Zimbabwe in a one-day international level for seven years.
Yes, the last fixture of this kind was way back in 2004. Go and squint at an old calendar if you don’t believe me.
And I suddenly realised two things – both related to each other.
One, I was enjoying watching Zimbabwe! And two, I was yet again miffed by Channel Nine’s feeble attempts at covering a cricket World Cup.
In this age of digital-everything, how Nine can start the telecast (admittedly live) at near-midnight for just the second dig is beyond me. The match itself, according to the CricInfo website, had begun around 8pm (Eastern Standard Time in Australia).
What did we get on Nine according to the TV guide? “Two And A Half Men”, “S**t My Dad Says”, “Underbelly” and “Crime Investigation Australia”.
It wasn’t even a Sunday night with the need for Nine News and 60 Minutes – this was arguably one of the most well-known national sporting teams this country has, at a World Cup, no less, receiving paltry coverage.
I made periodic checks on the internet for the scores before switching on my television, which, incidentally, is HD digital.
Didn’t anyone at Nine HQ consider HD? Stick the World Cup matches featuring Australia (I want all the others but haven’t felt like I want to pay Rupert Murdoch) on either GO or GEM. If not, I so hope ONE.HD gets the 2015 edition.
Back to point one, though, why did I say I liked watching Zimbabwe? Because it’s the World Cup.
The same reason why I’d enjoy South Korea v Bolivia at the FIFA World Cup, or Japan v USA at the rugby equivalent.
I should be allowed a window onto the biggest stages in world sport to see not only the teams networks reckon we want to see, but also the other teams that make such events international in scope.
Why else do you think Olympic volleyball replays at 2.30am on SBS2 were such a hit last time?
The result itself didn’t matter to be honest – as a fan of cricket, it’s great to be part of the World Cup armchair crowd. A shame Nine won’t let us linger longer in those armchairs this time around.
Roger
Guest
I agree with Sam. It is a shame that even the World Cup finals are not telecast live. 11:50 p.m. it starts! Pathetic to say the least and sorry for the younger cricketers in our country. Great sportsmen are formed by watching great teams play and JUST not Australia vs any other country. No wonder our cricket is going down the drain..... All the best Channel Nine!
Sam
Guest
I understand a broadcasting station has it's obligations, but when things like a natural disaster happens etc. their obligations are instantly cancelled for what they expect and figure to be a greater amount of ratings. It is disappointing to have such a big tournament ignored. Being Australia's most widely watched sport (other States preferring AFL, Rugby etc.) when things like the soccer world cup (which is my other favourite sport) is telecasted greatly by SBS and events like the Olympics being covered well also etc. The point is these sports as a nation aren't really followed apart from the big showcases of them and the cricket world cup is a big tournament; popular in this country. It is a big loss to sport and presumedly will only get worse with the road television appears to be going down now!
Rob McLean
Guest
Sadly, South Australian viewers without pay tv were watching this game on a half hour delay.
Benno
Guest
A few points to consider here - as a commercial station I'm sure WIN has a number of commitments and obligations, not the least if which is with those who have just recently endured a seemingly endless summer of pointless cricket which served only to injure a number of key components in our world cup squad! As much as I would prefer to watch the Dutch have a whack at cricket then two and a half men - I'm guessing the majority of the population is the opposite... That's why I have Fox. Nine's coverage of the summer's cricket was fantastic, I don't think they are obligated to cover a world cup, which very few care about, live. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.