Kerry Packer loved sport. He also loved the media and he knew a thing or two about it. He combined those two loves which now has a huge bearing on how sport is presented, especially in Australia.
Since the 1970s, sport on TV has continued to develop and progress. Players are now spoken to while playing. Interviews are held straight after an innings and the ‘viewer experience’ has become more insightful and more entertaining – the networks hope – helping get eyeballs on screens.
On Day 3 in the Perth Test, Australian captain Tim Paine was heard on the stump microphone talking to Indian opener Murali Vijay, on whether or not he likes Virat Kohli.
Should the viewer be hearing what the player is saying?
Let’s explore the arguments for the stump microphones first. Certainly it’s one way to keep the players’ behaviour to where it should be. If viewers hear a player say something that raises eyebrows, or worse, then it’s no longer a ‘he says, she says’ case, it is clear cut. Certainly this a good thing.
There has always been a mystery about ‘who is a good sledger?’, or wonder what they are saying. Hearing the players gives you that insight, and possibly a laugh along the way.
There is a case against the microphones along side the stumps being turned up. The comments from Tim Paine to Murali Vijay, suggesting Virat Kohli was ‘unlikeable’, was insulting. It has the potential to create a division between two teams.
Where as that comment could have gone straight over Vijay’s head or he may not have bothered with it in the past, in which the comment itself just disappears into the cricket atmosphere, now that isn’t the case.
It would be hard for Virat to greet Paine with a warm greeting at the toss in Melbourne knowing what Paine had said.
One can’t help but be concerned that broadcasters are going into dangerous waters, because sooner or later, something is going to be said ‘in the heat of the moment’ that shouldn’t have gone to air. The players aren’t expected to know when the microphones are on and not, and shouldn’t have to spend six hours aware that they are commentating whilst playing.
Tim Paine of Australia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Also the argument that if it keeps the players in line, then it’s a good thing, tends to ignore the fact we are dealing with adults and professionals – not children who may need discipline and guidance.
The viewer gets a more in-depth experience than ever before. But in doing so, some of the mystery has been taken away.
There needs to be a lot of responsibility from the broadcaster so the player is protected. Otherwise, one day, it may go wrong, and to solely blame the player for it, would be quite unfair.
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
Spectators can comment too and maybe do a bit of their own sledging. That's why the mikes and speakers need to be spread wide.
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
There’s nothing mindless about the yapping. Test cricket is as much a test of a players mental strength as it is of their cricketing ability.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Yep, replace it with having a couple of players mic'ed up for comments during play. Far more interesting. They can always replay an interesting stump mic comment after the fact if they want to.
Cricket Buffet
Roar Guru
Hard to have a beer with someone who is getting stuck into you i'd imagine! ;)
Cricket Buffet
Roar Guru
There is a lot of mindless yapping ive got to say for test cricket...
Cricket Buffet
Roar Guru
Thanks for the feedback Kopa... tend to agree with a lot of it.
1st&10
Guest
I cannot stand the microphone on the players, asked to expose team tactics etc. Then topped off with the usual comments The commentators are below average at best. They keep talking when not required. The great Richie once said, “it’s not about continually talking, it’s knowing when to keep quiet” Had disgraced coach Lehmann commentating when his son was batting (conflict of interest). What is the disgraced cheat doing in the commentary box anyway ?
Rellum
Roar Guru
"In the BBL players and spectators engage in the entertainment" How are spectators engaged in the entertainment, by having the speakers cranked up? How is that engaging them? That is just more passive listening.
Paul
Roar Guru
"The comments from Tim Paine to Murali Vijay, suggesting Virat Kohli was ‘unlikeable’, was insulting." Haven't you answered your own question with this comment? You've taken offence to a comment Kohli apparently brushed aside, which implies mics should be banned. If you didn't hear this, you wouldn't be offended. My question about this issue is, where does the broadcaster start and stop with the mics, cameras, etc? I'll bet 9 & 7 would love to have cameras in the dressing rooms, for example and at what point is the line drawn so player privacy is respected, both on and off the field. I've watched Test cricket for 40 years and have never understood the need for mics. They add little if anything to the spectacle and on the rare occasion they rate a mention, it's usually because someone has said something out of line, in which case we get lots of articles like this. Unlike others, cricket is NOT an entertainment, it is a sport. If you want that type of things go to a Rolling Stones concert.
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
I can't agree. One reason Test cricket is losing its appeal and BBL is flourishing, is that Test cricket does not engage the spectators. Are they just supposed to pay their money and watch only? In the BBL players and spectators engage in the entertainment, and let's face it, cricket is in the entertainment business. I'd have more mikes and speakers around the ground so the spectators can engage their ears and mouths and not be expected to just sit there like dummies. And it would create one more job - the official who turns the mikes off when the bowler reaches the top of his mark.
Captain Cranky
Guest
"It would be hard for Virat to greet Paine with a warm greeting at the toss in Melbourne knowing what Paine had said." Oh, poor innocent widdle Virat. Gimme a break.
Don
Roar Rookie
The rare pithy remark that you find isn't worth the repetitive and inane yapping from the wicket keepers we have to tolerate as watchers. Seriously, no one should have to listen to that faux excitement and barracking for their bowlers. And the yells of ooooohhhhh! as if the ball could have claimed a wicket, when in reality, the ball I just watched landed short and wide of off stump, moved off the wicket even wider and was not even remotely played at by the batsman and really should have been called a wide. And in this Test series, both sides should be embarrassed by the rubbish yapping around batsmen.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Good for cricket? Absolutely. Should it be available for people? No. I never understood why the thing that should be available only for umpires are getting used for entertainment. No technology on field should be used solely for outsider's entertainment. Let the players play within line, let umpires be judge on field. Let the spectators should only watch the game & take pleasure from contest.
Kdog
Guest
Short answer, no.