Sport, by its very nature, is a partisan affair.
Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch, required reading for any sports fan, reassures us that the transformation from upstanding member of society into fanatic irrational mob is a common occurrence – that we are not alone.
Even those that watch sport simply for its aesthetic pleasure are hard pressed not to find themselves at some point cheering inertly, and often overtly, for one side or another.
The Big Bash League, only in its sixth season, is still in its infancy. Yet the passion of its fans, and the devotion to their chosen team, is remarkable.
The Furnace, aka the WACA, is a daunting cauldron of hostility to any travelling team. The army of supporters is so vocal and bright that you leave believing that the future can’t be anything but orange.
Even those cities housing two teams, with nothing outwardly distinctive to separate them aside from tenuous geographical links, have developed surprisingly large and partisan followings; confuse a Melbourne Renegade for a Star at your peril.
Such an enthusiastic audience is integral to the growth of any sport, and it only follows that its coverage, through commentary and the written press, should reflect that. All journalists, after all, are keen followers of the game, and it would be artificial to suggest that they cannot support one side over another.
Support, however, comes in varying degrees, and partisanship can easily escalate towards vested interests.
It’s difficult now to find a cricket commentator without another job, or role, in another organisation within the game – be it on the governing body’s board of directors, as a national selector, player agent, on the books of the same sports agency, coach, mentor etc. etc. The list is a long one.
This is in part due to the nature of the beast – variable pay rates dominated by short-term seasonal contracts, jumping from continent to continent with different institutions and media outlets. Most pundits in today’s volatile job market simply get what they can – I know I do.
The best operators are in high demand – these Renaissance men and women are often past pros and leaders on the field of play, which increases their appeal.
Not only will famous names draw an audience in themselves, but their unique knowledge and insight of the game convey an angle unseen by most – by no means a recipe for assured success, but an attractive asset nevertheless. Overlap is inevitable as quality of deliverance is sought by all. And this works, to an extent.
We may now simply be so accustomed to conflicted interests we no longer consider them a cause for concern – the plight of the modern day Mithridates, perhaps. There is however, as with all things, a line – and recent form suggests that we have crossed it.
Graeme Swann’s description of Channel Nine as “the Australian propaganda machine”, uttered during BT Sport’s coverage of the Australia versus Pakistan Test series, ruffled no feathers, as it was a truth simply stated.
That a self-proclaimed independent news outlet consistently fails to publish anything which might shed a bad light on its funding source is now also widely accepted. We are used to Marks Taylor and Waugh commentating on teams in which they have a managing stake, as a Cricket Australia director and Sydney Thunder Governor, respectively.
Players, who may be participating in the very game being covered, are now a regular occurrence in the commentary box for their expert opinions, but their presence is usually fleeting, often accompanied by an opposing player, coach or administrator for balance.
For that’s what media coverage is – a fine balancing act in order to convey an informed, yet interesting, picture.
Andrew Symonds calling an entire Brisbane Heat game unapologetically wearing the team’s cap pushed the bar a little further.
Kevin Pietersen at least refrains from wearing any Stars attire while commentating, and his role as a wandering, and refreshingly frank, mercenary with little allegiance to anyone or anything may give him further leeway still.
It’s not only Australia either, of course – English coverage has had its own share of sticky situations (remember Andrew Strauss’ colourful description of Pietersen not so long ago?), and India and the BCCI’s influence is a snake pit perhaps left untouched.
The turning point arguably comes, however, when the atmosphere gets uncomfortable and professional duties visibly muddied.
This it did with the introduction of the current Australian coach, Darren Lehmann, into the BBL commentary box. The persistent, and unwittingly ironic, description of both he and Waugh as the “brains trust” aside, Lehmann soon found himself speaking live on air about and to players he had recently dropped, often on controversial premises.
Geoff Lemon, The Guardian and Roar journalist with past form when it comes to perceptive commentary critique, opined that Lehmann commentating on a partnership of Peter Nevill and Callum Ferguson, recently dropped from the Australian side, was “not awkward at all”. We writhed in our seats.
A few days later, a Network Ten commentator, while live on air, passed on tactical information into the on-field earpiece of Adelaide Strikers captain Brad Hodge.
Hodge did what any sensible captain would do, and used it to his advantage. While the mistake may have been an innocent one, the power of the backer was clearly visible – the covering network wanted great entertainment, and the commentators, albeit opportunistically, were a means to achieve it.
It’s difficult for the individuals involved as opportunities are few and far between, and it takes a strong individual to turn down offers on a point of principal – certainly a better person than me. Instead, it is the place for administrators, networks and regulators to create a better framework, with guidelines, even rules, for those it employs.
To continue as we are now is to rob the viewer, the listener, the ‘consumer’ of the full picture of what unfolds on the field below, not a skewed version either funded by another or so clouded we are left wondering whether two sides are competing at all.
Ken (Sava) Lloyd
Guest
How many Cricket commentators does it take to call a game Alan McGilray on ABC radio did the Test Matches on his own for years,And in the middle of the night if the Test were in England. Channel Nine have Ten commentators , at least, and they have a break every half hour,what a mob of sooks.The Boys On the Ten BBL leave them for dead. Sava
Jacko
Guest
Because the commentry will only suit one set of fans
Julie
Guest
I would also question some networks open hostility to former players. Channel 9 repeatedly uses Shane Warne who is openly hostile to a former Australian captain Steve Waugh, and he's almost as rude to Ricky Ponting. Shane Warne openly boasted about vomiting into his baggy green cap yet remains vindictive and blames Steve Waugh and others for his lack of Australian Captaincy. I don't particularly like or think Mark Taylor was a great captain, but captain he was and he should be respected for that. It's a disgrace.
Dimethoate
Guest
I much prefer commentators be up front with their allegiances than to try unsucessfully to be impatial. The best commentary scenarios occur when there is a balanced discussion.
doogs
Guest
I quite like the Ten commentators. More so than the Nine commentators. However the format of BBL does lend itself to being more fun and less apt for say Test Cricket. My main issue with Mark Waugh is how critical he is of everybody. No matter how difficult a catch. If it is dropped he says "He should have caught that" or a batsman gets out "That was a poor shot". I wish he had a bit more empathy for the players. I understand he was a legend in the field. One of the best fielders going anywhere. But even he would not have reached some of the catches he is bleating on about
Anthony Condon
Guest
This is probably a good time to mention that you can catch the Indian series live ball by ball by bloody ball on White Line Wireless. Geoff Lemon will even be available this time.
qwetzen
Guest
Close. It was another Victorian med, now an ICC ump. And it was a semi.
GD66
Guest
Wow, that's a huge call ! But, somehow, understandable in a way....and Healy is pretty bad.....
Rats
Guest
Great article.. Channel 9 commentary standards have gone down and the bias is clearly to be heard. But when the BBL commentators on Ten are biased, they do it in a very open way. I somehow didnt mind (or didnt get irritated) listening to them... I mean, the commentators actually don't mind being biased on Ten. They know they are being biased. There is no serious tone to it. Its all for fun. The T20 and all that.. I feel we get more annoyed when channel 9 does it. For multiple reasons.. They were great once upon a time. Commentary in Test cricket is very important, because of the format we don't want to hear garbage. Sometimes we watch an entire day's game just for the commentary. So standard there is very important. Nasser Hussain is exceptional. At present, sky sports team is the best.
Kris
Guest
The main problem is test management at both channels 9 & 10 think that ex cricketer's make for a good commentary team. How wrong can they be. They get rid of idiots like brayshaw and replace them with bigger idiots like Clarke and warne . We need more people like the late Richie benaud. The same applies to rugby league. How on earth do people like Beau Ryan and Paul vautin get jobs on TV. Our commentary ranks are very thin
Ben
Roar Guru
Great article! I love the concept of the big bash. But having commentators with conflicts of interest really grinds my gears. I just want to enjoy my cricket with a good analysis of the game. I don't want to listen to egomaniacs be bias towards their own team, because it really takes the professionalism away from the telecast. You literally only need to listen to one game of most of them in the commentary box to know who they're barracking for. ...Leave it for the spectators!
bozo
Guest
Come on. the commentary of BBL is al "up". there is never any critical analysis of what is gong on,. It is all theatre. That is what the audience wants and that is what is provided
JimmyB
Guest
Like the Ch10 team do for the rugby then.
Bee bee
Guest
I agree with your point. May favourite cricket memories are watching the Ashes from England when we were unbeatable. Listening to Boycott's heart break then turn to complete disdain for his own team and eventually bewilderment as to how England could win. Happy times. Far too distant a memory now.
Wilson
Guest
A grey haired middle aged man with a spreading paunch saying "Dre Russ" is not cool.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
And Blowers! I used to love listening to him. He was never keen on doing television commentary only radio.
Simoc
Guest
If "Fatboy" Lehmann is as hopeless coaching as he was in commentary he needs to be replaced prior to India. Symonds was also pretty ordinary but Ponting and Pieterson are outstanding in T20 commentary. Doing test commentary is a lot harder obviously when you're trying to create interest and nothing much is happening. Certainly Michael Clarke is a cut above and I would replace Llehmann with Clarke as coach. He can help with much more relevance than Humpty Dumpty ever has or is capable of.
Stuart McDonald
Guest
Well written, well balanced article that raised an issue that I wasn't aware of in such depth. It has changed for the better my viewing of not only cricket but all forms of sport where commentary is crucial. well done to the author, Isabelle Westbury.
doogs
Guest
Thanks Isabelle. Great article. I am not so worried about bias. There does not seem to be any avoiding it so I guess if there is a commentator we don't like, and they clearly support a team, then we can have a smug smirk when their team loses. I am not sure how long you have been there Isabelle, and your article was one of the best ones, but if you are a bit concerned about bias, then maybe you can have a chat to your colleagues at the Roar. Some of the journos there definitely have their favourites in cricket and rugby league that I know of. I don't mind that. We have to support somebody. But what I do mind is a journo creating conspiracy theories about other teams and devoting several stories to a sportsperson that they don't like, or the Monday sook fest after their team loses. Also if anybody in a sports team or sporting heirarchy retaliates to a poor story, the journos act all indignant as if nobody can criticize them. My words to the Roar journos are these: "If you don't like somebody, then writing a narky article about them won't sway my personal opinion of them".
Ozibatla
Guest
The dream commentary duo...- Kerry Okeefe and Billy Birmingham