The Big Bash League is a part of our lives now – and I’ve accepted that. Just like I’ve begrudgingly accepted that Apple’s domination of consumer electronics – and the world in general – is a part of modern-day life, and that e-cigarettes are a “thing” now.
But it seems that television producers are not content to let the “cricket” speak for itself.
As if we, the public, are not already over-sensitised enough, with all the sixes, “free hits” and dancing cheer-girls (not to mention the KFC “million dollar catch viewer competition”, for which I am speechless: I have no speech) but we must now have unadulterated access to the players’ thoughts in between balls.
Obviously, television producers want to make us feel like we are part of the action. And part of this strategy is to attach microphones to select players – both batsmen and bowlers/fielders – and ask them a series of inane questions throughout the telecast.
This does not make me feel a part of the action. Instead, it makes me lament society, technology and modern-life. Shit, even “life,” per se.
Firstly, from a purely sport-related perspective, it cannot be good for a cricketer to have Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Viv Richards and Mark ‘Howie’ Howard up in your grill during a match.
And these guys, it must be said, are not blessed with Benaud-like timing – be assured that they’ll persist in talking to a player as the bowler is running in, which would likely disturb the cricketer’s concentration while simultaneously annoying the viewer.
But secondly – and most importantly, for mine – do we need, or even want, to know what is going on in the mind of a cricketer?
Can’t we have a little mystery anymore? In this age of explicit and illicit, rampant status updates/tweeting, and Snapchat, sometimes we crave a little mystique.
I don’t want to hear Dave Warner talk us through his shot selection while batting; not just for the fact that it doesn’t interest me in the slightest, but more because I have no desire to see him as a human being, with real human instincts and emotions.
He is there purely for entertainment purposes and should never, ever, under any circumstances, be asked to speak in a public forum – especially one where he is under pressure and has little time to filter his speech.
If Channel 10 is to continue bugging the hell out of the Big Bash players, then the least they could do is make the questions slightly interesting. Newsflash: T20 cricket is ACTUALLY NOT REALLY THAT TACTICAL, so perhaps they could take the liberty to actually get to know the players, rather than just asking them what they think the pitch is doing, which we as viewers can already tell for ourselves.
I’d be far more interested in Dirk Nannes’ Dutch heritage and former life as a professional mogul skier than whether he thinks 140 is a “defendable total on this pitch.”
I’d also actually like to hear Ajantha Mendis’ talk about his active military service as a gunner in the Sri Lanka Artillery – you know, that kind of thing would actually interest me.
If this is the “future” of cricket, then send me back to the 1980s.
Ray Lynch
Guest
I too find the discussions with the players very annoying. Furthermore, I annoys me greatly that the commentators keep on with their silly childish "jokes" and talk about so many stupid things other than the actual cricket match. The cricket is a good event, but it is spoiled by the commentators!
Tom from Perth
Guest
Well said chief.
Jarrod
Guest
I am so glad this article was written. You know, the Big Bash League is actually a pretty good competition. I can sit down, watch it and be entertained. It is a shame the broadcasters think it is so boring they have to resort to mindless interviews with the players. I'm surprised the players put up with it.
Buk
Guest
Right on Stu. Those sorts of comments from those players would be really interesting.
Shmick
Guest
I agree, the lit-up bails add a bit of charm to the coverage.
Shmick
Guest
Faith No More should be played at all cricket matches from now on.
Busty McCracken
Guest
Haha, read this site close to every day for the last year & only made 1 comment. Comment number 2 goes to old mate for the Faith No More comment. Well played!
mactheblack
Guest
The guys - and gals - who support this inane disruption by commentators, have an obvious non-interest in the game. I agree with you Dave - this is currently happening as well in the T20 challenge in SA. If they want to sell T20 we are less interested in the tactics, blink and it's over anyway. It's turning T20 into a mickey-mouse show, most of the miked up guys do not come across well anyway - and it spoils the viewer's entertainment. Technology is taking over so much of the sport on telly that it makes me wanna turn off! The TV moguls still rule the major sports, what with advertising time, kick-off times etc controlled by the money-spinners. At least Test cricket is trying to keep too much technology away; even that is falling foul at times. Good on you India for snubbing all this rubbish!
ozinsa
Guest
I don't believe this to be true. I really think some players are good at slogging and some are not. Ed Cowan and Jordan Silk (by way of example only) are guys whose primary focus is on technique and who aren't particularly attractive to T20 sides. If they spend any time playing the short stuff they may improve their ability to play shots and their fielding but I don't think a guy with a good technique will suddenly lose those skills.
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
LMAO
JGK
Roar Guru
I quite like the bails actually. It adds to the theatre.
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
I think it's ok. This is just a bit of hit 'n' giggle fun for the family. The bit that irks me the most is the flashing bails. That looks so lame...
It is fun and interesting. T20 is all about entertainment and you can't take the cricket too seriously anyway, might as well talk nonsense with a player whilst watching it.
Rugby stu
Guest
I don't think it goes far enough! None of this cricketing nonsense. I want hear more, I want to know Warner's view on reduction of the US reserve's bond buying program and his opinion on 2014 global fiscal outlook. I want to hear Hussey's opinion on how Australia can best structually adjust to low carbon economy and I want to know Shane Warnes opinion on Channel 10s new programming line up and seriously exciting new Reality shows. I want them to get rid of the current bozos with the Charlie Pickering, Tony Jones and larry emdar and that other chick from the morning show. I want hard hitting journalists with mics chasing the bowler as he runs in with a camera crew yelling "why won't you answer the question! What do you have to hide?" We can call it the Q&A Twenty20 project tonight
Grego
Guest
The only commontator I can understand is viv ..the ostraylan commentators are lazy pronouncing their words and too critical of bloody everything . Waugh is a constant boring shite Stirrer and pointing speaks like he's blasted a tonne of amphetamines as for Howie the games are Just not that exciting. More test cricket please.
AlanKC
Guest
I'd simply prefer the commentators to belt up until they actually had something relevant to the game to impart. That's across all forms of the game.
Casey Novak
Roar Rookie
I do agree with you that TV producers are trying to get commentators to be more interactive with the players, and its just not working. However, T20 cricket is very tactical!! Certain players get out to a certain type of bowler or score more through the offside than the onside so by bowling to the weaker side and having smart field settings you are restricting runs.Aaron Finch has a weakness, and thats to bowl very straight to him, so they would bring mid-on and mid-off up and push them wider to draw him into playing straight. All the commentators are doing is pointing out what happening and why, most of the time for the average cricket fan!!
Dave Edwards
Roar Pro
Yeah any of those old-timey blokes would do.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I'd rather they stop the constant barrage of music during the game.
DanMan
Guest
Monk played the keys . . . probably going for Miles?