Now that we have had a number of games to watch and listen we can now evaluate the performance of the Fox commentators.
Mark Howard
Has been a sporting anchor for years and has the necessary humour and professional skill to put the experts at ease.
Brendan Julian
Originally a well-credentialled cricketer from Western Australia Brendan is an essential part of the commentary team combining expertise with a relaxed and friendly manner. Tries to avoid controversy.
Mark Waugh
As a legendary Test cricketer, he combined sublime talent with infuriating lapses of concentration.
But as a commentator, he is unique – often making use of his experience as a selector with his wry and quirky sense of humour. Fox has a winner with his charismatic presence.
Mike Hussey
I loved him as a player. As a commentator not so much. At first, he aggravated with his upbeat high-pitched commentary.
Enthusiasm is great but when it becomes cheerleading it is for me too much. He is toning it down, however, and getting better.
Michael Vaughan
Was also a highly rated English captain who had a fluid and attractive batting style.
As the English expert, his well thought out views add a welcome variety to the Aussie influence.
Not quite as interesting as Mark, but his opinions must be given weight
Kerry O’Keefe
Talk about offbeat – here we have the clown prince.
Kerry was a solid Test cricketer both as a leg-spinner and a late order batsman.
As a commentator, he is nothing like that.
Comparing Jason Sangha to a cross between Joe Root and Virat Kohli was outlandish and yet vintage Kerry.
His laugh or bray is hilarious and often stops normal commentary while everyone recovers.
He is the most interesting cricket commentator I have ever heard and congratulations to Fox for giving him a go.
Isa Guha
Is great to listen to. Her knowledge of Test cricket is equal to her better-known commentators, and her comments are pertinent and well thought out.
She handles interviews and panels equally well and her professionalism shines through at all times.
Allan BorderShane Warne
Fox hit the jackpot with him. Not only hugely knowledgeable about what makes a great cricketer he is often controversial and aggravates present day players.
Witness his forthright but accurate comments on Mitchell Starc.
His first Test performance in Adelaide with his wayward bowling aggravated us all – we only needed Shane to tell it like it is.
In the second Test in Perth we saw a more disciplined and effective bowler. I give Shane a lot of the credit for this.
The other thing about Warne is the clairvoyance he showed telling everybody how Nathan Lyon was going to take the wicket of Pujara- and he did just that.
Warnie, as a commentator, you are already a legend in my eyes.
In all, Fox has killed the Channel Seven commentary team in terms of interesting commentators, characters and general fun of viewing.
Glendon Evarts
Guest
Isha Gua. Now here's a lady that brings dignity to commentary to the Lady's, Or for that reason any Cricket game. A Britisher in Aus. I had concerns but listening to her commentary I was very Plesentaly surprised at what a mature and knowledgeable Cricket Commentator she is. Never spoke to extreme and just a joy to listen to.
Woody
Guest
Shane Warne tells the same thing over and over in 5 minutes,very annoying and then repeats himself in another 15 minutes.that is when i mute sound or turn onto CH 7.
Bev
Guest
Why Isha. Boring and just rambles on and on. Why not our own Mel Jones????
Tony Bridges
Guest
Whilst all the players claim that test cricket is the pinnacle of the game,to me they seem to be doing their best to maximize time wastage and thus slowing the game down and reducing the viewing pleasure. the rules need to be tightened up and they need to be enforced, namely; No 12th man allowed on the ground to provide drinks, exchange gloves, etc except at drinks breaks (in extreme conditions they can allow 2 breaks per session) Time between overs to be limited to say 25 seconds, thus reducing all the unnecessary on field conferences. The rules say the batsman must be ready for the bowler, thus stop batsmen conferring between balls and slowing the game down. Add or subtract a ! run penalty for every breach Remove all other time wasting practices, speed the game up, 90 overs in 6 hours not 6.5 to 7. You can see from the attendances that the cricket public prefer 20/20 to test cricket and it is no wonder why !
Tony
Guest
Unfortunately, Huss is the most boring commentator, stating the bleeding obvious most of the time in a high pitched voice. I now know everything about B Lee’s cricket career as he spends most of the time talking about himself. The rest are terrific.
Greg Hunt
Guest
Shane warne never shuts up ! repeats himself over and over. Mate he is lucky to get any oxygen in to his lungs as he constantly talks. Not a fan of his comment. Have been turning the sound off when warne is on.
Sal
Guest
Can the cricket commentators please indicate which players, by name are fielding at the various positions. eg who is playing at short leg, who are the slips fielders?
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
My first question about the FOX cricket coverage is which company is sponsoring your review and why haven’t you mentioned them at every opportunity? Shane Warne does have some insight to the game, although he jackhammers his points relentlessly. Enough already! Less of Warne in the box and more of Tim Paine behind the stumps please… He is gold!
keith hurst
Roar Pro
Great comment Keith Hurst
keith hurst
Roar Pro
Rubbish! You obviously know nothing about television and how to present a sporting event.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Shane Warne has insight but, as you say, he hammers the same point endlessly. He sounds as repetative as Ian Chappell was/is!
Naroo2
Roar Rookie
Tsk, tsk!
Naroo2
Roar Rookie
My thoughts exactly! Considering no other commentators were branded with statements about their looks. ????
Cricket Buffet
Roar Guru
Excellent article. Very well put. Agree with all of it. Shane Warne get hammer a point endlessly though, but generally gives excellent insights and a bit of humour too. Well done!
Deets
Guest
It is 100% sexist to talk about Isa Guha's looks. Why can't the author just stick to the fact that her commentary is insightful and she's doing a good job -- it's not a modeling competition, and we're not watching the cricket because of the commentary team's looks. Don't understand why women have to deal with this crap.
Deets
Guest
I infinitely prefer this commentary team to Channel 9. After Richie's and Tony's passing, and Bill Lawry not being there every season, the Channel 9 commentary was turning into a farce -- the fact that they hired the idiotic James Brayshaw was an indication of everything that was wrong with it. The additions of Gilchrist and Michael Clarke to Channel 9 didn't help because I felt the fundamental culture was that of an outmoded old boys' club: pale, male and stale. The general attitude towards touring teams was one of condescension and willful ignorance -- it was disgraceful. At least with the Fox commentary team, there is a fundamental culture shift -- touring teams are given more respect (barring the occasional idiotic comment from O'Keeffe and Mark Waugh), they are open to having foreign voices (Harsha Bhogle) and most importantly, with the addition of Isa Guha there is a little bit of gender and ethnic diversity. No one wants to see a white male club. This isn't the 1980s. Cricket is a global, diverse, multicultural game and it deserves a commentary culture that respects that.
keith hurst
Roar Pro
Talk about a weak article, what is your response? My first draft had rating scores, but I considered that my own figures are irrelevant to my comments on them. Choose your own figures. As for being sexist, Isa impressed me not Brendan. I am glad he rocks your boat. Keith Hurst
Max power
Guest
She knows ten times about cricket as you do
Cricket Tragic
Guest
I think he's really good! He is very insightful and knows what he's talking about. I wish he would be instead on Chanel 7's BBL coverage!
PCPrincipal
Guest
What a weak article where is your rating score? its also sexist to mention about Isa Guha's looks. How about mentioning that BJ is a spunk to look at whilst commentating?