The other day through work, I met an Indian born obstetrician. An obstetrician who according to him, found an opportunity due to a skills shortage of obstetricians in Australia.
I don’t know how, I don’t know why (maybe it’s due to late night alcohol or the obstetrician’s love for cricket) but for some reason Mark Nicholas came into my head.
A decade ago or thereabouts, iconic host and commentator of Nine’s cricket coverage, Richie Benaud was well into his seventies and was slowing down.
Channel Nine’s solution was to bring in someone that could slowly come in and take over from Benaud. The answer to that solution was to bring in Nicholas, the former Hampshire batsman.
At the time I checked his playing record only to discover that he never played Test cricket for England.
Nicholas played 377 first class matches where he scored 18,262 runs at 34.39. When you look at Nine’s stable of commentators, it was filled with ex-Test captains and a wicketkeeper who when he retired held the world record for most Test dismissals.
So Nicholas was up against individuals in the commentary box that had great pedigrees, while his pedigree was modest when comparing with the other commentators.
In the initial stages, Nicholas was co-hosting with Benaud. But eventually Nicholas made the position his own.
From a personal point of view, I don’t mind listening to Nicholas. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I actually think Nicholas has done a great job right throughout his time at Nine.
He is a polished smooth performer as host, and his commentary style is pretty balanced. It is definitely more balanced than some of the Australian commentators at Nine.
Former opener Michael Slater is the one commentator in my opinion who is very biased and least balanced. His conduct in a recent James Brayshaw segment was unprofessional.
With the passing of Tony Greig, the commentary box does need another perspective from a non-Australian angle and Nicholas provides it.
Even though it’s worked out well for Nine and Nicholas, the question that always remained with this author all this time is, why did Nine go overseas looking for someone to host their cricket coverage?
Is it that difficult to find someone here in Australia to anchor Nine’s cricket broadcast?
Does Australia have a skills shortage in finding an ex-cricketer or someone in the media that is capable to anchor?
You can see where I’m coming from when I mentioned earlier about the Indian-born obstetrician and why Nicholas came into my head.
With Nine getting Nicholas, what it did show was that it wasn’t a requirement to play Test cricket to host the coverage.
If that’s the case, in the future, why not go local, and give Channel Ten’s Mel McLaughlin a chance?
She has done a good job coming from Fox Sports where she hosted the A-League coverage in the last few years.
It is certainly not an easy transition to go from pay TV where the audience at times can be quite low, to free-to-air where the viewing audiences have been close to or over the million mark.
And to go from one sport to another wouldn’t be easy either.
What holds McLaughlin in good stead is that she is adaptable and knowledgeable not just with one sport, but with many sports.
She is more than just a pretty face and she is not a “token woman”.
She may not be as polished performer in front of the camera like Nicholas and she does stumble a bit from time to time, similar to Ten newsreader Sandra Sully.
But then again, McLaughlin wouldn’t be used to anchoring a sports coverage in front of big TV audiences.
If McLaughlin was given the opportunity to replace Nicholas at Nine, I reckon she would do a good job. Although she does need more experience. I would have her as host of the pre game and cricket shows, but not as commentator.
But in general, overall I like to see more and more women involved in sports broadcasting whether it’s hosting or commentating.
There’s always a perception out there that females don’t like sports, but as demonstrated on this site, we do see women commenting and posting articles.
Channel Nine’s cricket coverage sooner or later will need to embrace the fairer sex. We are well into the 21st century.
John Seymour
Guest
I don't think you need to replace Mark Nicholas with Mel. He does a great job and is a pleasure to listen to. It's not an issue that she is a woman it's just that he does a great job and why change?He has played the game and his commentary is based on experience and a solid knowledge of past events. If it ain't broken don't fix it. Sorry Lady but your services are not required!!!
Jack Wright
Guest
Hi There Although I don't know or have even heard of Mel McLaughlin,i would dearly like to not have to listen to Mark Nicholas for another minute with his snivelling comments,as an ex pat pommie of some 43 years I find him obnoxious in his commentary. He seems to be snivelling upto his co-hosts in a manner I find rather bilious.And as for a replacement for the Great man Richie Benaud there is no replacement.So although my reasons are not quite like yours.I say send the POMMIE home
Jeanette
Guest
Do not replace Mark. He is excellent. Mel also does a good job but Mark has the leading edge on this. Leave him there.
Terry Brooks
Guest
Unfortunately Mel McLaughlin has ridden on the coat tails of many others. She is not overly attractive and was extremely unpopular at her previous employment Fox Sports. She has come to the full stop of all the no talent reporters out there. She has had so many talented people working along side her and has tried to tie the best of them. Poor also ran is Mel
Muralidaran Ramesh Somasunderam
Guest
Mate why do you need an Englishman in an Australian television channel unless you believe the locals are useless. Nicholas is very British and that is good for an English audience, But what we need is an Aussie and a woman as it is equal opportunity to deliver on centre stage so to speak. As I have always mentioned, do not get ride of Nicholas as he is not bad, but try Mel. She has everything what it takes to do an excellent job. Give her a go and if she fails you can hold me responsible. I find her a breath of fresh air and just the right person to do the job excellently. I am sure she would bring a great deal of joy and happiness to many men and women viewing the cricket on channel nine. My advice in conclusion to the management at channel nine is give Mel a go for the coming summer. We will all be laughing with her all the way through.
Dean Jones
Guest
As this is commentary, i.e. cant see the person, would we consider her if she was ugly. With Nicholas, he's a professional former player and has commentated all around the world and gives a world perspective on things. If Mclaughlin was brought in eventually people will get annoyed at her lack of detailed input and unpolished delivery and forget that shes pretty...the whole premise behind this article is stupid but cant be bothered going through it.
Muralidaran Ramesh Somasunderam
Guest
What about Mel McLaughlin. She is beautiful, sexy and very vivacious not to mention sensual. She also has a very good knowledge of the game. After all what will channel nine lose in appointing her as the host of the show. Mark Nicholas can be one of the commentators. I think Slater and Brayshaw should be axed Ponting and Adam Gilchrest can replace both of them.
Jase
Guest
Sexist bullshit. Women can do an awesome job calling sports. It must be hard to reconcile the view half the world is incompetent with real life. I don't envy you the cognitive dissonance...
Starz
Guest
It's jarring to see her involved in coverage of what is, "men's sport". The notion that bringing in women into coverage of a male sport somehow does something for egalitarianism is a joke. The only way there will be any sort of recognition for women in sport is to give each equal coverage, or open the games completely up to the opposing gender. In Cricket, they have decided to have women-only teams. To this end, it should be broadcast. Also, she's got zero experience in playing the actual game, it's not like she's a Ellyse Perry. I give equal disdain to those who have poor experience and are male, like Mark Nicholas (who should stay off the screen) and Brayshaw (who I count down the minutes until he gets out of the box). Like so many women on television, she is hired as she's pleasing to the eyes. That's not saying she's not incompetent- it's saying there are more competent women who look not as traditionally "good" and sport size 8 waists. It is an ugly reflection on the misogyny of television networks in their hiring practices. I.e. why was nobody trying to give Michelle Grattan a talk show or a spot on TV, but Lawrie Oakes' position goes unchallenged? If I made a conscious effort, I could likely find dozens of far more qualified women with far more useful things to say, particually if retired Southern Stars are combed through.
onside
Guest
I prefer to watch cricket with the sound off. Sound up again to confirm an appeal or a wicket. My favourite is the ABC in combination with TV vision. But then again I still don't listen to every ball There's always an exception of course,I loved Kerry O'Keefe. Taylors problem is he talks without saying anything. There's no 'off switch'
World Traveller
Guest
Memo to Channel 9. Try and poach Adam Gilchrist.
World Traveller
Guest
How good was it when Bill Lawry commentated on the 3rd test. So miss him. He is miles and miles ahead of the current bunch of commentating clowns. Have you guys ever heard of silence and letting the atmosphere talk for itself.
World Traveller
Guest
Adam Gilchrist is the best cricket commentator in Australia. The latest Big Bash has proven this. Channel 9 need to get him to tak over the main commentator role. Plus he wouldn't take any crap from any of the so-called lads.
Dizzy Tangles
Guest
I think Ponting is a very good commentator. Speaks a little too fast perhaps, which may make him hard to understand for non native English speakers , but very entertaining. Gilly is good too. Nine should try and get these guys on board.
onside
Guest
M R S, Prejudice no. Pragmatism ,yes.
Muralidaran Ramesh Somasunderam
Guest
onside can become offside by looking at Mel with more objectivity rather than with prejudice.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
As a sign of just how bad things are, Nicholas is about the best thing the Nine team have going for them at present. OK, Chappell for old time's sake. But, Slats, Heals, & Tubby? No. I have to confess I don't know who Mel McLaughlin is.
onside
Guest
I meant Chanel 9. I noticed Mel was no longer on the Fox football panel and had no idea where she had gone until I recently watched a one day cricket match. I was equally unimpressed .Mel's problem is that she lacks conviction on TV in the sporting format. Doesn't matter wether its a discussion panel or 'impromptu' interviewing, she lacks the necessary authority.
onside
Guest
The best thing that happened to Fox Sports football was Mel McLaughlin going to Chanel 10.
jamesb
Guest
Miley Cyrus commentating on cricket would be a wrecking ball.