The Battle of the Commentators

[neville cardus]

I couldnot either

I thought for one horrifying moment that I'd been banned for calling Steve Waugh a "hard-arse", but then I recalled Richard's spasmodic squeals of "FFS!"

 

[cpr]

No love for the analyst? He's one of the best technical commentators around just now IMHO.

Agreed, seconding Simon Hughes if its not too late.

And cba going back to check, but if Holding hasnt been seconded, thirded and the like, hten call this a vote (99% sure he has, but just making sure)

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Just to use my last seconding vote - Trevor Bailey and Darryl Cullinan.

Secondings are now closed.

The first battle will be up shortly.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Battle One
Kerry O'Keeffe vs Simon Hughes

Kerry O'Keeffe

Playing Career: 24 tests and 2 ODIs for Australia; taking a total of 55 wickets and scoring 660 runs
Commentating Pedigree: Has commentated on the ABC radio network for years, and occassionally makes an appearance on the Nine Network. He has had CDs of his commentary released.
Other: *Regular guest and commentator in the media, such as on the sports panel show “The Fat”
* Chief writer “Inside Edge” cricket magazine
* Level III cricket coach
* Elite coach for NSW Emerging Blues Squad
* Specialist spin bowling coach for AIS Cricket Academy in Adelaide

Simon Hughes

Playing Career: 12 years playing career for Middlesex County Cricket Club, with two years at Durham.
Commentating Pedigree: Best known as 'the Analyst' on the UK's Channel 4; giving detailed monologues on intreguing passages of play, or highlighting technical failings or strengths of individual players. He now assumes the same role for Channel 5's cricket highlights packages.
Other: *Journalist for several UK broadsheets - including the Telegraph and Independent
* Writer of several successful cricket books, including the award winning "A Lot of Hard Yakka"
* William Hill Sports Book of the Year winner for the above book.
* Royal Television Society award for "Best Television Sports Pundit" in 2002

A tough battle to start, so get voting!

PLEASE NOTE: In a bit of a change to the usual voting for battles, I am allowing 'negative votes' to be cast. You are still only allowed one vote, but you can either vote FOR who you want to win (and give that person a vote) or you can vote AGAINST a commentator if you actively want them to lose (thus subtracting a vote from their current score) This is to encourage voting even when you aren't that fond of either commentator.

Happy voting

 

[Mister Wright]

For: Kerry O'Keeffe

 

[grecian]

For. Hughes.

BTW, great idea to have votes against, I can't wait for Boyks and Trueman to come up

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Please note the change as highlighted below

EDIT: VOTE DELETED AS HEATH NEEDS TO HAVE THE DECIDING VOTE IN THE EVENT OF A TIE....

 

[jammay123]

for: hughes

 

[neville cardus]

For The Analyst.

 

[cameeel]

For: Kerry O'Keefe

 

[archie mac]

Like them both, but will have Skull (KO)

 

[BoyBrumby]

I'm not familiar with O'Keefe's work, I'm afraid (suspect this will be the case with most Poms), so it's a default vote for Hughes. I do like him a lot though, almost invariably raised an interesting point in his "analyst" gig @ 4 (shamelessly stolen by Sky as "third man" now, to much lesser effect). Like his books too, but that isn't germane to this.

 

[nightprowler10]

For: Skull

Good idea having -ve points. We should've had that for the battle of the members II.

 

[neville cardus]

I'm not familiar with O'Keefe's work

I am, and I've found him a touch silly and over the top, to be honest.

I'm afraid (suspect this will be the case with most Poms), so it's a default vote for Hughes. I do like him a lot though, almost invariably raised an interesting point in his "analyst" gig @ 4 (shamelessly stolen by Sky as "third man" now, to much lesser effect). Like his books too

I've only read A Lot of Hard Yukka, which easily the finest cricket book of its kind, but I understand that Hughes hasn't quite scaled the heights with any of his subsequent offerings.

 

[sportychic33]

For: O'Keeffe

 

[The_Bunny]

Hughes

 

[pasag]

O'Keeffe is a total gun.

 

[SJS]

Simon Hughes

Cant remember having heard O'keefe frankly.

 

[Raghav]

For O'Keeffe

 

[Mister Wright]

I am, and I've found him a touch silly and over the top, to be honest.

For all of his jokes he actually is very knowledgable on cricket. A very insightful commentator.