I know this is naive, but I was really hoping that the furore over the Hobart Test’s Man of the Match award might knock over Channel Nine’s Viewers’ Verdict altogether.
Turning over the Man of the Match award to the masses was a disgraceful piece of commercial piracy, but the other snap polls conducted during a day’s play do not lag far behind on the scale of irritation.
In all the sporting events I have watched in my 20 years on this earth, I have never come across a promotion which is at once so pointless and so infuriating.
It is as if the Newspolls and AC Nielsens, not content with driving politics into a mire of mediocrity and hand-wringing, have come across to cricket to give it a crack too.
I understand that Vodafone want to promote their brand. And I understand that Channel Nine want to help them. However the Viewers’ Verdict is incredibly invasive to the actual game, and gives air time to something which simply does not matter.
Whether or not those who combine ownership of a smart phone with an interest in cricket think Ed Cowan will make a century does not matter one jot.
Whether those people think the Decision Review System should be in place should not matter one jot. I suspect they are not far away from polling as to which product Mark Nicholas should use in his hair.
The public’s response to these questions do not actually make a difference as to whether Cowan will make the century or how many runs Australia will make in their first innings, but the commentators speak about them as if they do.
While a perfectly competitive and interesting test match is going on in front of them, the wags among the Channel Nine team do a running description of how we are thinking.
I missed most of the first day of this test match, but listened to some of the Nine commentary on the radio; about three hours over the course of the day. In that time I heard four viewer’s polls.
I think the most captivating observations came around how many Ed Cowan would score. I think it is fair to say that most people watching the game would be spending only their third or fourth day of knowing who Ed Cowan was. And yet in they all hopped.
One minute it was 98, then it was 92, then it was 102.
Michael Slater blamed Mark Taylor for forcing the numbers down whenever he spoke, then they remarked about how little faith the viewers had, and everybody laughed.
And all the while, nobody spoke about what Ed Cowan was actually doing, out in the middle of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Rather than call the game as it was, the lads insisted on calling the game as small portion of their viewership thought it might be. They have effectively abdicated their prestigious roles as experts on cricket to take up commentating the Viewers’ Verdict.
It’s nauseating, and it seems part of a broader trend for Channel Nine. Richie Benaud’s understated delivery, high on dignity, quality and command, has been replaced by a totally different approach of which I would imagine Mr Benaud does not approve.
Increasingly the great Bill Lawry is forced to say ‘meanwhile, here at the MCG,’ just to get his fellow commentators to actually talk some cricket.
While Benaud, Lawry and Chappell talk about the game, the likes of Healy, Slater and Taylor go on frolics more befitting of a variety show than international sport, this lot will talk about anything except the game.
Quite simply, cricket was fine without the Viewers’ Verdict. Sure, ask the questions, publish the results to the users.
But when the commentators speak less about the game at hand and more about the public response to it, I find myself lunging for the radio, where the ABC’s Kerry O’Keeffe has the unique distinction of being both a genuine expert and genuinely funny.
Stevo
Guest
The poems are the worst sports commentators and unspotz like crowds in any sport in the world! Chanel 9 have ruined the ashes coverage the only commentator that makes any sense is Shane Warne the rest on the BBC coverage are a bunch of one eyed (just like the crowed) anoying mothers! I will not listen to the commentary and as the rest I mute my TV and listen go the ABC eventhough its not sinchronized.
Stevo
Guest
Chanel 9 's coverage of the ashes is discraseful and unaustralian!!! We don't want a bunch of one eyed BBC commentators raving on with only one Aussie on their team. Wake up Chanel 9 or give the free to air coverage to another Chanel where we can have Aussies commentating to aussies. Very disappointing and sad that after 4 decades cricket on Chanel 9 has come down to such a low standard and only pay TV gets the best and the average person gets the drabs!
Brett
Guest
How do you delay the radio to synch with the channel nine broadcast?
Pat. Williams
Guest
I now never listen to channel nine's commentary and have the t.v. on mute. I'm nauseated by its total home team bias and stupid remarks. At the end of the first test, there was a Vodafone ring in to decide which out of 3 Australians should be man-of-the-match. There was no Indian mentioned. Yes, India lost, but so did Australia in its last match against N.Z. Guess what? The home side won the award. That sort of parochial favouritism stinks. That's one of the reasons Australian sport is seen as arrogant and non-sportsmanlike. Then in the first test against India, in the first innings Hussey got a poor decision. Was that ever done to death, nevermind the number of times the decision favours him. In the second innings, Hussey was out 4 times, before finally being given out on the 5th occasion. The so called Mr Cricket has an aura and shake of the head that seems to dictate the umpire's decision. I don't see that as being worthy of someone labelled Mr Cricket. Now, in the second test, it's my belief Hussey still has had plenty of luck. Nothing seems to have gone the way of the Indians, but, at least they are humble.
Pat. Williams
Guest
I so despise the commentary team. There's whingeing and bitching if an Australian team member appears to have had a bad decision. Very little was mentioned about Hussey in the second innings of the first test. He was out 4 times before, finally, on the 5th attempt was actually given. I'm blowed if I know how he's referred to as Mr Cricket. He has this aura and shaking of his head which seems to sway the umpire's decision his way. This has been going on for years. All the public hears is what a remarkable cricketer he is and what a good innings he has completed yet again. Don't mention the fact that he rides his luck constantly and only gets good scores because of it. Years ago this would have been labelled cheating. There's no such thing now. Win by whatever means. Certainly India is having a hard time, but let's stop being so parochial. At the end of the first test, there was a Vodaphone vote out of 3 Austrslians as to who should be man-of-the-match. There were no Indians listed. Yes, India lost. That didn't stop an Australian getting the award when it lost recently. This is one of the many reasons other countries become niggled with Australian arrogance and one-sidedness. The current scores may not have been so much in Australia's favour if the Indians had had half the luck the Australians have had.
laurie
Guest
Just heard on the commentry, Mark Nichols I think, reference to the time Steve Waugh took a catch and his momentum forced him to run behind the sightscreen. Brilliant catch, but as an umpire I would have under the laws signalled 6 runs and as tis was the last ball and the Indies only needed I think 4 to win would have won the game. Any comments. I am a badged NSW cricket umpire. Laurie.
Fred Forde
Guest
I was wondering if any one has taken note of the extreme number of dismalls by playing onto the stumps and whether it may be caused by the square edges of the modern bats.
Briano
Guest
All negative comments are a load of rubbish. Be positive. Will Sa. Tendulkar emulate Don Bradman In 1947? Bradman scored his 100th first class century against India in january, 1947. Will he score his against Australia in Jan. 2012??? As a 12 yo boy I saw it.
Bayman
Guest
It's a funny game, cricket. It turned out that 170 would have been enough. As for Channel Nine it has long thrived on the cult of personality. A name over substance. How else can you explain Bert Newton and Eddie McGuire? As for Slater and Healy I cringe whenever they are "on". It's all chit chatty nonsense. It is difficult, listening to Healy, to appreciate that he ever played the game such is the value of his contributions. I've lost count of the number of times one of Chappell, Lawry or Greig has said, "And that's is why you never got to be a captain, Heals!" - or words to that effect. It leads to the question, "Why is he there at all?"
jaybwun
Guest
The biggest problem that I personally have with 9's commentary team is Mark Taylor who obviously feels that a 2 second silence is about 5 times too long. Somebody please convince him to restrict his commentary, and to whoever rosters them ask them to please leave his name off the roster for a couple of decades, I should be with the dearly departed by then
Andrew
Guest
I don't understand the comments below. I am always very impressed with the Channel 9 commentary team. All of the individuals contribute a great deal to the coverage - technically as well as with passion and humour. I think it is very high quality and I for one really appreciate Ch 9's commentary and coverage. Excellent stuff. In terms of advertising - how do the people commenting below expect Channel 9 to cover their costs and make a profit? Those who think the ABC is "free" obviously don't pay tax. Time to grow-up those people and stop being such nanny statists. Finally, why oh why did India not accept the opportunity to go to the video umpire. Hussy has been out 3 times now in one innings. I'm English and of course would love to see India win but I do also feel for Australia - even the result if it goes their way - as they will know that f the correct decisions had been made - we will never know who would have really won. A hollow victory i'm afraid - and unless India change their tune - their defeats and their victories, and those of their opponents, will always be in doubt
Titus
Guest
They might have thought it was the Big Bash.
cdavi267
Roar Rookie
I don't understand why all of the commentators on channel nine go on and on and on and on about what the public thinks. Most of the public would no close to nothing about cricket and the theroretical side of it. I was watching Aus v India this afternoon, and they ask the question, What do Australia need to win the Test? Well how would anyone know what they really needed to win the test match. 66% of the public chose 300, I think not. 22% chose 275. Probably a credible total to achieve and a good enough total to bowl at. Then, out of 25,000 of people, 5% of people chose 225 runs to win the test match. That shows there are Australians out there that are complete cricketing idiots, considering that India have Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest players to ever wave a willow, Rahul Dravid, a monumentally big run scorer and a brillant batsmen, and of course Virender Sehwag, who can score a good century in a couple of hours. Then you have little chip-in knocks by Gautam Gambir, Virat Kholi and other half decent batsmen. So yes, I would have to say that the Viewers Verdict is an abomination to cricket and something that should be closely looked at by all those who may be involed.
Steve War
Guest
Welll put - I agree with most points (although I still thought Warner was MOTM in a bowler's test) I really missed Bill Lawry during the NZ Tests - the voice of common sense, like a favorite old uncle. Imagine the excitement of the final hour of the Hobart Test with Bill in the chair. I'd replace Ian Healy with Ada\m Gilchrist - it worked last time!! Healy's commentary unbearable, he might start to get the idea. This is a companion piece - essential for all that missed it: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/cricket-sells-its-soul-to-sponsors-20111218-1p0qy.html
M_Campbell23
Roar Guru
See, I really like Lawry and Benaud, and Greig and Chappell are just part of the sound of the game to me. Lawry is the best caller in Australia in my view, he really sets up the drama. But it is the new lot, the Healys and Slaters, that get under my skin. They're stuck in the 90s when they were in the side, and their anecdotes are never as funny as they think. They, along with the ads and promotions and distractions have ruined it for me.
Grimmace
Roar Pro
Does anyone like channel 9 cricket commentary at all? I certainly don't, and I don't know anyone who does.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Nine's cricket coverage, otherwise known as the Continuous Commercial, has plumbed hitherto undreamed-of depths this season. Some of the commentators do their best, especially the senior ones, but the hopelessly over-produced, ruthlessly commercial and woefully naive production is against them. Having three commentators on duty at any one time is not a good idea. I happily rely on ABC radio to go with Nine's pictures, seven-second delay and all. I only hear the Nine commentary when Kerry O'Keeffe is behind the ABC microphone. O'Keeffe knows his cricket, but his "humour" (and his habit of giggling girlishly at his own so-called jokes) is an acquired taste I have yet to acquire.
The Grafter
Guest
9 do this with all sport they are involved with. I refuse to listen to anything they have the 'rights' to, and similar to B-A, mute the sound, and on goes the radio. Cricket, swimming, League, Super rugby highlights at midnight, they are woeful, and have a knack of employing 'cheerleaders' who scream their opinions at viewers like a primary school teacher does at naughty school children.
Haradasun
Guest
Why/how can you listen to channel 9 on the radio? Why would anyone choose this over abc? Ch9 commentary is hopeless and nauseating at best. The mini documentary on Clarke before day 1 play really kicked things off in this direction for them as well. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Red Menace
Guest
With my new digital radio (thanks Santa) I can now sync ABC radio commentary with the TV coverage. No more listening to those idiots on 9 ever again. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.