Last week I wrote an article which focussed on the decision to oust Pete Siddle for Mitchell Starc in which I very briefly touched on the dynamics, or lack thereof, of the Channel Nine commentary team.
I was very surprised that over 90 per cent of the comments following the piece were attributed to what people thought of this summer’s commentators and who has viewers diving for the mute button every time they appear on screen. Reading the comments got me thinking about how much I dislike the current Channel Nine team and what needs to be changed in order to make it enjoyable to watch once again.
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So what makes up a good commentary team and why is the current group on Channel Nine so painful?
Firstly, it is probably worth looking at what is popular among the viewers. The best commentators for cricket realise that not every second needs to be filled with chatter and having to talk through every shot.
Obviously the master of this was Richie Benaud who was often so understated that he would simply pause and let a well hit four or six speak for itself, rather than trying to over-hype the situation. Benaud’s footballing equivalent Martin Tyler is also a wonderful exponent of knowing when to speak and when to let the action and tension build on its own.
The reason why the banter between Tony Greig, Ian Chappell and Bill Lawry worked is that it was something different and wasn’t a constant. Channel Nine have tried to replace Benaud with as many voices as possible hoping that weight of numbers would help their broadcast but it has driven viewers crazy. Of course it was never going to be easy finding someone to wear the famous bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige but simply throwing a number of ex-players together has not worked.
Mark Nicholas would be a fine presenter to introduce and sign off the day’s play but the problem is we also have to put up with him commentating throughout at least two sessions. His ability to over-hype a shot or delivery is second to none and claiming every second boundary is a “masterclass in batting” or every four-over spell is an “incredible display of bowling” wears thin and begins to grate the viewer.
As previously stated the real issue appears to be Channel Nine looking to replace the safe hands of Benaud and excitement factor of Lawry and Greig with a number of ex-players which hasn’t worked. For all those introduced only Shane Warne delivers any real insight into the game and provides interesting listening when discussing tactics and bowling plans, but even this is mixed in with inane banter with the other commentators. Brett Lee too would be fine if confined to The Cricket Show over the lunch break, which his easy going personality seems perfectly suited to rather than the commentary box.
Of the rest, Mark Taylor and Michael Slater at least make valiant attempts to try and discuss the game while Ian Healy only seems to be able to talk about wicket keeping with any real authority. Whenever they are on the screen together they tend to drown one another out and often seem to go over the top as they feel they have to make the game more exciting.
It is almost like they feel the need to be cheerleaders for the Australian side when often viewers just want a neutral viewpoint with insight like Benaud used to provide. Whether directed to by Channel Nine or not, the constant barracking and endless chat dumbs down the broadcast for seemingly no good reason.
I think the less said about James Brayshaw the better as he seems to infuriate people with his ‘Triple M boys club’ style of commentary more suited to radio. Even with all the bells and whistles Channel Ten have added for their Big Bash coverage Brayshaw would likely be too much for even the shortest form of the game.
Say what you want about the Channel Ten team but at least they know who they are marketing too, with the Big Bash supposed to be short, sharp production with the entertainment provided for viewers and spectators almost as important as the game itself. In that regard having Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting having a bit of friendly banter seems to fit well.
Since Benaud has stood down from the main role to get a nice variety in Test commentary one must switch on to the ABC. Here one can listen to the wonderful Harsha Bhogle and guest cameos with the likes of Ravi Shastri who provide wonderful balance that the Channel Nine coverage lacks.
Imagine how much better the coverage would be listening to Ravi Shastri discuss how well Virat Kohli is batting and getting some insight from a sub-continent viewpoint rather than hearing Brayshaw and Taylor chatting about what Australia must do to get him out and celebrating when he does depart.
Lastly, to have a current player give their thoughts would be very interesting for the viewer. Meg Lanning added really good variety and terrific knowledge of the pitches during the one day series often having just played on them hours earlier. One rare highlight so far as Channel Nine looks to revolutionise its commentary team, it was just a shame they immediately erred in not inviting her to call the Tests.
Alex J
Guest
All I have to say is PLEASE get rid of James Brayshaw!! He brings nothing to the commentary whatsoever!!
13th Man
Roar Pro
I really like channel 10s commentary, Gilly and Mark Waugh are really funny and Ponting provides really good insight. And then there is VIV RICHARDS, he is the best commentator of the lot, I could listen too him all day. I hope channel 10 hire Warnie and Bill and take over tests, that would be great.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Slater simply has to go. All he seems to do is plug upcoming shows on Nine and drag Mark Taylor down to his level of tash. Brayshaw as well. The Footy Show (both of them) are terrible television, even for what they try to be. Putting that style into cricket commentary is just a complete fail. When Taylor is speaking cricket and not being baited by Slater he can be good. Healy needs to just shut up for most of the stint. If he did no more than 2-3 minutes of speaking, and wasnt paired with a clown, he could be alright. Mark Nicholas and Mark Taylor are really the only introduvced ones that work for mine. Warne could do, but the current culture of the Nine box poisons his commentary as well. Maybe there are simply too many from the same era (basically Taylor's captaincy period, but that is not an excuse to bring back Simon O'Donnell). Nine seem to have decided that to keep the casual viewer they needcommentary antics, and the cricket follower will watch despite the commentary.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
I like dravids and gangulys commentary.heard em in the england series nd liked their unbiased approach which is quite shocking since they are gavaskars compatriots
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
"one must switch on to the ABC. Here one can listen to the wonderful Harsha Bhogle and guest cameos with the likes of Ravi Shastri who provide wonderful balance that the Channel Nine coverage lacks. Imagine how much better the coverage would be listening to Ravi Shastri discuss how well Virat Kohli is batting and getting some insight from a sub-continent viewpoint rather than hearing Brayshaw and Taylor chatting about what Australia must do to get him out and celebrating when he does depart." seriously ravi shastri?????? 1)i'd rather hit my head against a wall than listen to james brayshaw 2))i'd rather listen to james brayshaw than listen to shastris nonsense. and as far as bhogle is concerned i recommend people who have insomnia to listen his commentary.that'd make em sleep
Michael Steel
Roar Pro
It's Tim Lane. ( Jim Maxwell is still at the ABC)
William
Guest
Ten should poach Ellyse Perry from FOX Sports as they seemingly don't have any rights to Australian cricket. With Roz Kelly on board with Ten and Mel McLaughlin. TEN should use Mel/Roz/Ellyse as a Host/Expert Commentator in 2015/16. They would be great commentators considering she commentated on many sports with FOX/TEN, her husband is a cricketer and has plenty of experience in cricket. TEN also should get the rights WBBL and use them 3 above to commentate on the game and have Tim or Stephen commentating alongside them
Simoc
Guest
By mistake I have been listening to NBC news radio, whatever that is, where the lead man is Henry Blofield. They have an excellent team with Glen McGrath particularly good, Ian Chappell insightful as ever and the pests Dean Jones and Greg Matthews always getting in their 2 bobs worth and I think Jim Maxwell commentates as well. They have ads. It is better than the ABC radio team.
Michael Steel
Roar Pro
Yes , the the bunch are bland and I have a theory. The original team was Richie Bill Ian and Tony. Four Captains. With Frank Tyson Keith Stackplole and Max Walker and others such as Geoff Boycott and Fred Trueman all players and they didn't last the distance. Richie Bill Ian and Tony all being captains came across and still come across as captains, without apology.A total belief that as captains they can say anything and that makes them so appealing. Greg Chappell was very good for the short time he was on. Even today Mark Taylor stands out as the best with Warnie. Warnie is beyond being a captain anyway. He's the best player of his generation and was never a captain. ( Look, we all know why?) It's always been noticeable for us older cricket watchers.that Lillee , Marsh , Walters and Thomson weren't commentary fixtures and these four defined an era. ( and Hiughes and Yallop would never get a go) Greg Matthews is great on Fairfax cricket but he's tempted to tell tales out of school. Anyway It's time for Richie to stand aside formally. In doing so promote the cricket with Warnie and Taylor as the leaders of the commentary team. In saying everything I cannot stand ABC radio commentary never had and for 30 years I looked forward to Tony and Bill. Tony and Bill, Bill and Tony, these two were the best. ( Does anyone remember when Tony was sent back to Australia for continually slagging us in England in 1989, Hilarious) But here it is. Bill : Not as good as the time David Hookes hit you for five consecutive fours in the centenary test Tony. hahahahahahahahaha
Rellum
Roar Guru
Meg Lanning was never fully embraced. If you were paying attention you would have noticed any time she was commentating she was part of a four person commentary box, where as when she wasn't there it was back to the usual three. And when she did get the chance to chime in I can't remember to many times where the other guys apart from maybe Heels responded to her comments.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Forgive my ignorance, but who is Brad McNamara? A Channel Nine boss?
DT
Guest
Give Suneer Chowdhary and his orange juice a crack channel 9!
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I can't see this news... http://www.cricket.com.au/news/clarke-joins-wide-world-of-sports-team-for-third-india-test/2014-12-24 ...improving things at all. I wonder what will happen if something inevitable happens, like Watson getting out to a stupid shot, or Haddin failing with the bat again, etc? Will Pup be willing to criticise a team-mate during his commentary stint?
Joel
Roar Rookie
I am sick to death of the Brayshaw and Slater commentary, and rapidly getting tired of hearing more about the KFC the commentators apparently had for lunch then about the game at hand. I would like to see chanel 9 ban the following phrases: "Big Unit" "X factor" "smoked it" I tend to much prefer the channel 10 commentary in the big bash. Mark Waugh is doing an excellent job in commentary, as is Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, and Mel McLaughlin doing the sideline commentary is probably the best female commentator I've heard so far in the cricket. Channel 9 commentary is high school level humour and very difficult to listen to. Thank god they have Bill Lawry back for the boxing day test
Optimus Prime
Guest
Totally agree, they need more international balance in the commentary box. I did see Warnie invite Shastri and Dravid for a chat during a couple of tea breaks, but that's as far as it got so far.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Yes. And last year. And the year before, and the year before that, etc Which proves that the clear dissatisfaction of Roar posters doesn't matter to Ch 9.
Monday's Expert
Guest
Brad McNamara (full name just to see if he still has his Google alert set...) has pretty much buggered up 9's commentary by appointing a full house of "old mates". The commentary box seems to have turned into the equivalent of my shed where, when we get together during a game, a heap of BS is spoken but at least our rubbish isn't inflicted on anyone other than us...
Paul D
Roar Guru
Didn't we just have this discussion yesterday?
Craig Watson
Guest
They used to have the guest commentator abigail. Do not know why they stopped it. They still have one when the Poms tour. Recall Michael Vaughn, the former England captain was a guest comm last time. I like the idea of the guest overseas commentator as part of the Nine call as it brings a different angle and point of view. The lame bunch on the Nine team are nauseating at times and this blokey, waffling about anything other than cricket really grinds me. Pay them less and they might just turn into professionals.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
You can re-run this article next year -- nothing will have changed.