Network Ten’s coverage of the Big Bash League has been lauded by most – if not by all – of those who have critiqued the network’s broadcast of the game’s shortest format.
Now deep into the second season of being televised free-to-air, Ten have introduced a couple of fun, flashy gizmos to help (or at least try to) explain the game to a wider audience.
In theory, they serve a purpose.
However in practice, things do not always go to plan.
In last night’s Sixers versus the Strikers clash, Damien Fleming introduced Brit David Lloyd to ‘Live Field’ – a graphic doing it’s very best to confuse even the hardiest of cricket lovers in Bumble.
I fret to consider what new viewers, perhaps those still trying to pick up the basics of the game, were thinking.Perhaps it is Fleming himself who woke up this morning thinking “Did that really happen?”
I will wave some judgement over Flem though, because it would appear that setting a digital field is by no means an easy task.
Cast your mind back to when the late great Tony Greig had an absolute shocker during the 2010/11 Ashes series.
We’re still trying to work out what that guy was doing behind the other fellah, Rich.
Sometimes though, there is no technology to blame – yes, broadcasters make howlers much alike those often made by the sport’s participants themselves.
Gerard Healy of Fox Footy knows all about that.
He had a day to forget when getting his wires crossed, and if you didn’t know any better you could have been forgiven for thinking he was commissioning for the Suns to play out of Alexandria Bay beach.
Saying too much, or just simply saying the wrong thing happens to the very best of us. Just thank your lucky stars that not all of us have gone through this on live television, though.
Have you spotted any tech shockers, or heard a naughty slip of the tongue? Share the very best in the comments below.
PS: The less said about Gus the Goose, the better.
dan ced
Guest
That was gold, but I thought Bailey was one of the more interesting additions to the on field mic. I liked his captain-talk, strategy, etc.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Like I heard on the ABC radio commentary about an hour ago; 'Theres no room for margin'.
Don Freo
Guest
We only get Free To Air cricket because of sponsors. Put up with it. I'll bet Ponting, Gilly and co (and the Ch9 mob) would prefer to not have to do it too. It is a necessary distraction.
Marcus
Guest
The channel nine team has slipped to being a joke. It was once the standout, but not anymore. The channel 10 team is good, they are vibrant and good to listen to. They just need to stop plugging sponsors when replays etc come out. It's just a desperate cash call. And as if anyone is going to use these companies because they sponsor a replay or graphic.
Don Freo
Guest
One of my faves too...but, for Brian Johnston, that would not have been accidental. He was a gem.
mds1970
Roar Guru
One of my favourites was a Test in England. England's Peter Willey was on strike, and West Indian Michael Holding was on his long run-up. Eccentric commentator Brian Johnston described the action: "The bowler's Holding the batsman's Willey"
Tatah
Guest
That's pure gold.
Don Freo
Guest
Not sure of your point. It sounds like a criticism but...I can't see it. I understand the drivers of Volvos at Bathurst actually wear loafers while they race.
Johnno
Guest
Don Freo, yep setting the trends lol, being greedy landlords to Newtown hipsters ripping em with high rents lol. And yep setting the trends, thinking normal people wear boat shoes and lofas lol,and drive volvos lol.
Johnno
Guest
Don't know about that. Gen-Y were important, it's all about me generation. Now get back in your baby boomer old corner.
Don Freo
Guest
Gen Y is a minority audience.
Johnno
Guest
Same with Gordon Bray, he's a rugby institution to Baby Boomers but a old has been or not known to Gen-Y.
Bondy
Guest
Johnny Gilmore swallowed a moth calling the dogs at Maitland one night classic radio, would've been brilliant tv .
Johnno
Guest
Don Freo, as you say "if you don't like Bumble you have no soul, the guys an institution". How would Gen-Y know that, maybe in the 70's he was, it's like saying Ian Chappell is an institution, as if Gen'Y know that. They more likely think James Brayshaw is an institution haveing grown up with him on the footy show now hearing him on 9, or think Gilly and punter are insititutions to Gen-Y or the Spice Girls or Oasis or Cold Play or One Direction or Simon Cowell,but not Bumble or David Gower lol. Gen-Y sports fans who knows nothing about cricket, will still be able to identify with James Brayshaw,KFC buckets,lol and bling, and Gilly and Punter, and disco bails, but not Baby boomer old-geezer Bumble from the north of England, with a funny old pommy accent.
Don Freo
Guest
C'mon, Johnno...we Baby Boomers are still setting the trends in every field of life and when we finally all die out, the world won't know what to do. If you don't like us, leave our music alone. Almost every rap song has some 70s back melody sung by some little pop princess who still thinks we're cool. If you don't like Bumble, you have no soul. The guy is an institution. Maybe the only good thing to come out of England.
Billy
Guest
If they had Gen-Y commentating they'd be sitting there staring at their phones complaining there wasn't enough celebrities in the crowd.
kipper
Roar Rookie
People at work wondering why I'm laughing so loud !!! classic
kevin dustby
Guest
maybe older people like listening to him - they watch cricket as well
Johnno
Guest
Why did they recruit David Llyod to the big bash. Bumble or whatever they call him is aged 67, a cricketer from the 70's, never played T20 and an older generation, hardly the right choice to comentate for the Big Bash. He looked old and out of date and touch, and his humour was so Baby Boomers older, and not Gen-Y. The whole thing was painfully akward. Big Bash is a Gen-Y show, not has been cricketers from the 70's who are old Baby Boomers. Send him to woodstock but not the big bash, he's too old. The other 2 were laughing him, you could feel the sniggers about his age.
GD66
Guest
Yep, Mark Waugh's relaxed but knowledgeable style is great accompaniment to the matches, and in spite of the machine-gun delivery, Ponting's knowledge of the attributes of each and every player, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has been a real eye-opener, and reflects how hard he must have worked at captaincy. Gilchrist, after a strained start, is now relaxing into the host role quite comfortably. Fleming, on the other hand, I could easily do without. The attempted humour invariably misses the mark, the tiresome (and frequent) AFL references have no relevance, and for a while there it seemed he must have been contractually obligated to be at every match. Thankfully that is now abating, but he certainly has a distorted view on his contribution to the game, and the broadcasts...