Channel 9 commentary

Why do they have three on the go at the same time?

Is it so we can be treated to Tony Greig's insightful comments on a more frequent basis, or is it because they have recruited just so many retired players?

Isn't it because Benaud is semi-retired now?

Always seems to be the 3rd co-commentator these days, whenever i've listened anyhow

JKLever wrote:Isn't it because Benaud is semi-retired now?

Always seems to be the 3rd co-commentator these days, whenever i've listened anyhow

Could be: I just hope he has the sense to quit before people start to ask why not.

To dilute the blame for every period of poor commentary. It really is very poor ... I prefer to watch with no sound.

lardbucket wrote:To dilute the blame for every period of poor commentary. It really is very poor ... I prefer to watch with no sound.

Yestrday there was a little spat between Slater and Chappell about bat weights. Please, couldn't that have waited until a drinks interval?

It's painful stuff.

Chappell and Greig going would help though.

Basil wrote:

lardbucket wrote:To dilute the blame for every period of poor commentary. It really is very poor ... I prefer to watch with no sound.

Yestrday there was a little spat between Slater and Chappell about bat weights. Please, couldn't that have waited until a drinks interval?

I heard that too!
Tony Greig was there to defuse it.

please don't yell wrote:It's painful stuff.

Chappell and Greig going would help though.

If it helps, you can have Ian Ward and Paul Allott- no, really please - take them!

Apart from Mark Nicholas, Ian Healy is the weakest link, imo.

I really am surprised that they haven't recruited an Indian voice like Shastri or Gavaskar for this series. Someone with a bit of insight into the Indian team.

It's hard to be enthusiastic about ANY of the team. It's sad, but true, that Ritchie is still the most likely to offer an insight not obvious from vision alone, though not so often now. I sense he is being eased out by the new channel 9 management and that Lawry and Greig are not far behind. Occasionally Chappelli comes out with something worthwhile in commentary, but years of argumentative tosspottery undermine these rare glimpses of the strategic gems and observational skills he learned in his youth. Poor Bill is only tolerable when there isn't any suggestion of a wicket falling, Slater is a certifiable loon, Taylor mostly reminds me of a hiccupping Deliverance yokel, and Greig is a boring old fart who can't even name the batsman correctly half the time. Healy analyses the keeping well but hasn't much else to offer. Nicholas 'well HELLLOOO' is an inconsequential bloated buffoon. And then on the ABC there's Kerry O'Keeffe ...

Henry wrote:Apart from Mark Nicholas, Ian Healy is the weakest link, imo.

I really am surprised that they haven't recruited an Indian voice like Shastri or Gavaskar for this series. Someone with a bit of insight into the Indian team.

insight into the indian team would require a herd of goats, a sharp knife and the delphic oracle in fine form

"And then on the ABC there's Kerry O'Keeffe ..."


confession - I not only enjoy listening to skull (esp when on with Hash Brown) but I also enjoy listening to Roebuck

>>insight into the indian team would require a herd of goats, a sharp knife and the delphic oracle in fine form



Insightful

I thought K O'K was ok, the little i heard of him. Enjoyed winding up Jonathan Agnew and i liked him comparing England's bowling problems to him being out on the pull - its not that they're nervous they're just not good enough was his rough point.

Saying that Roebuck is a complete tw@t.

roebuck is as likable as arjuna, but he is an excellent analyst of the game

All he did when I heard him was talk noncesense and rabbit on about stuff completely unrelated to cricket. And take a few cheap shots at Ian Botham.

Roebuck called Botham's bluff at Somerset and the committee backed Roebuck. So Both packed his bags. As did both Both's mates at that time, Viv and Joel. It has been handbags at twenty paces with that pair eversince.

If it was a cricket match it would have been a win to Roebuck by an innings as a truckload. Unfortunately the way Roebuck keeps mentiuoning it you might think it was the crowning achievement of his life.

In fact, maybe it was. The man wasn't always a clown but he has certainly embraced clownism as a life-defining philosophy lately.

What committee would choose to have Roebuck in their team as opposed to Richards, Garner & Botham? Were they all on crack?

Botham Richards and Garner are impressive names to put on the scoreboard but they were playing like Moe Larry and Curly at the time.

Champion team v team of champions? Despite having those three names on the teamsheet in 85 and 86, the county finished last and second last. After the clean-out they immediately improved to mid-table.

lardbucket wrote: ... I prefer to watch with no sound.

I'd like to be able to watch with no commentary but with the sounds from the middle of the ground. It would be good to hear the snicks or that lovely sound of ball coming off the middle the bat as it races to the boundary. Hopefully in a couple of years I will be able to buy a TV with that feature.

Remember a few years back when Fox digital had the option of turning off the commentary and just having sound effects? I think it was during the Aus v India series in late 2004. Great feature. Bring it back.

05 ashes had it as well.

I've had that during every game I've attended lately. Pity real life doesn't do instant replays . . .

Henry wrote:Remember a few years back when Fox digital had the option of turning off the commentary and just having sound effects? I think it was during the Aus v India series in late 2004. Great feature. Bring it back.

Many years ago, there was astrike by BBC technicians - result, no live commentary. A couple of matches were broadcast - one with background music, and the other with just the live sound effects.

Henry wrote:Apart from Mark Nicholas, Ian Healy is the weakest link, imo.

I really am surprised that they haven't recruited an Indian voice like Shastri or Gavaskar for this series. Someone with a bit of insight into the Indian team.

Isn't one of Slats' personalities a Subi?