Revered cricket commentator Jim Maxwell has criticised Shane Warne over his commentary during Fox Sports’ coverage of the Melbourne Renegades semi-final win over the Sydney Sixers.
In one of the best games of the season, Dan Christian’s destructive 31 not out from just 14 balls helped steer the Renegades into the Big Final.
However a controversial moment earlier in the game, which saw umpire Gerard Abood deem a delivery to have been a no ball after Renegades wicketkeeper Sam Harper’s gloves had ventured just past his stumps, left Warne incensed.
“Oh come on, you’re kidding aren’t you?” Warne had said upon viewing replays.
He later told Harper who was on the Fox Sports player mic, “Mate, don’t worry about that decision – it was a ridiculous one from the umpire… watch the game, muppet-ears.”
In a series of tweets Maxwell slammed Warne’s conduct, before adding in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, “That’s where, unfortunately, I think he often sounds like a punter in a pub, not a commentator”.
“I just thought it was totally disrespectful. That’s Warnie. If you look at social media, a lot of people accept the fact that’s how he is and they live with it.”
The broadcasting veteran also accused the leg-spin great of barracking at times for the Melbourne team during the coverage, saying when it appeared the Renegades might lose, Warne had begun discussing the issues with the Big Bash’s finals system which has regularly seen top two teams bundled out before the grand final.
“It got to the point where he was so keen it was outrageous.”
Warne defended his commentary, responding to Maxwell on Twitter.
JohnB
Roar Rookie
Revered is quite some stretch too. Longstanding perhaps.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
If he doesn't know Shane Warne by now he probably never will. Anyway its T20, its chewing gum . Who cares .
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
In what way is Jim Maxwell “iconic” as opposed to quite well known. Just the latest person (an Editor, no less!) to misuse this word. Iconic doesn’t just mean famous either.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No they didn’t. Mark Waugh too? The bloke who was a selector for white ball cricket. As I said, “Where?” To say, “Lots of times…trooly, rooly,” is not overly compelling. Links? Proof? They simply never ever have said that. How do you imagine he knows who Meredith is if he doesn’t follow cricket? You have certainly had one dose of mayo too many.
tom
Guest
Him and Mark Waugh have said it a number of times during the BBL broadcasts. You can choose to believe that if you want, you really think Warnie sits at home and streams shield matches? What's you thought on Warne's ridiculous suggestion to have Meredith replace Starc for the SL series? Or for Pucovski to open in that series despite never even opening for Victoria?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"Openly admits..." Where? This should be good! Come on tom, out with it.
tom
Guest
Lol k. The guy who openly admits to not watching shield cricket and domestic one day cricket has incredible knowledge of up an coming players. Give me a break
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you don't recognize Warne's knowledge of up and coming players, I'd suggest that might be because your awareness of players is at Jim Maxwell level.
tom
Guest
And Warne knows bugger all about players outside of the 7 weeks or BBL and tests he watches. Some of his suggestions for the ODI team and test team lately have been borderline insane. I'd rather listen to Maxwell
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
You need a thicker hide than Warnie's to play park cricket.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No one is saying Warne is nuanced. He’s far from it. However, he does understand the nuances of the game better than most and explains them better than most. Big difference between what I am saying and how you understood it. To accuse anyone of being a ‘goon’ or a ‘sleaze’, by the way, sounds awfully goony and sleazy.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Bit rich coming from Maxwell the BIGGEST, MOST ONE EYED New South Welshmen going around. Out of the two of them one is probably the greatest test bowler we have produced and a pretty decent tactician, the other has eye sight issues and played a bit of park cricket. Stick to calling the ball by ball Maxwell. Know your limits.
Raimond
Roar Guru
I don't care if Warne can be a 'nuanced' or not. He's a goon and a sleaze. Leave him at the pub.
Extra Short Leg
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, Warne has never understood appropriate behavioural boundaries. Would the great Richie Benaud have made the same comment? Warne also seems not to comprehend the statement - silence is golden. Ditto Michael Slater.
G Knight
Guest
"The players’ performances against the worst Sri Lankan team to tour Australia shouldn’t cloud our judgment either." - Warne Granted Sri Lanka played very poorly in Australia, but perhaps they're incredible victory against South Africa suggests our 2-0 victory ovet them shouldn't be dismissed so lightly. Keep in mind SL also batted a full day away against New Zealand without losing a wicket to draw a match, which is no easy feat.
keith hurst
Roar Pro
Here's the problem. Shane Warne is an insightful commentator and at times makes brilliant comments. But Shane is a larrikin and sometimes can't help and show his bias whether for the Renegades, Victoria or Australia. the ABC would try to fit him into the mould a little more, but Fox sees the entertainment value in a vibrant and interesting coverage. For the viewer it means that we have to endure in-jokes that we don't understand and hilarity that goes over our heads. But given some of the boring channel 7 commentary that wee have had to put up this year I want to watch and listen to Shane. Keith Hurst
Paul
Roar Guru
completely agree James. I was just using Maxwell's words. I wonder how anyone can call an umpire pedantic for upholding the Laws of the game? I look at how the Laws of Rugby League are arbitrarily interpreted in the NRL and if the same thing happened in cricket, the game who be complete chaos.
JamesH
Roar Guru
It wasn't even pedantic. The rule stops keepers from shaving a split second off the time it takes to complete a stumping. One day it will be the difference between a batsmen being out or not out in a crucial moment... I don't think the batting team would call it 'pedantic' in that situation.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Jim loves Warney. During the recent test series he was suggesting Warney be the sole selector as befitting his genius. Have Warney, and other test performance snobs, given their views on hopless Sri Lanka pulling off one of the greatest wins of all time?
Paul
Roar Guru
The sad part about this little episode is, Warne can't see he's said anything wrong. He's abused an umpire for making a correct decision - who cares whether someone thought it was pedantic, we see "pedantic" decisions every time a guys given out lbw and the ball would have hit the stumps by a coat of varnish. What would have happened if Warne had made these comments to the umpire's face during his playing days? " get into the spirit of modern day coverage of sport." Somebody from Fox needs to get on this idiots ear and point out umpire abuse is NOT a part of modern day coverage - or just put this clown out to pasture. I for one won't miss his "insightful" comments.