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The Battle of the Commentators

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
Can I have two votes here?


For: Chappell and against: Lawry


Chappell, though at times grumpy and repetitive, has much more knowledge of the game and its intricacies than Lawry. Lawry is grumpy and repetitive as well, with the added touch of extreme bias towards Australia. Just can't stand the man and his stupid commentary.
 

Lillian Thomson

Hall of Fame Member
And, with that, my general opinion of this forum's posters plummets to Hadean depths. Feather-brained philistines, the lot of 'em.
Some of us voted for Arlott. In defence of those that didn't you really have to be at least middle-aged and brought up in Britain to appreciate how brilliant Arlott was. In his hey day they would often do full sessions on TV and Radio completely solo. It's much easier today with three or four at a time bouncing ideas and comments off each other.
 

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
And, with that, my general opinion of this forum's posters plummets to Hadean depths. Feather-brained philistines, the lot of 'em.
I am sure Arlott was very good, having heard and read about him so much, and he perhaps was much better than Geoff Boycott, but how can anyone say that Boycott is not a good commentator is basically beyond me....

To me, him and Chappell are among the best guys in the world when it comes to reading a game and coming up with ideas and reasons for those ideas. He may/may not have been likeable as a player but as a commentator, to me, amongst the ones I have heard, he towers above most of them, if not all.......
 

Manee

Cricketer Of The Year
This is a tough one for me, I like both of them tbh. Chappelli's frank comments are usually insightful and he gives his opinion well instead of simply stating what happened last ball but:

For: Lawry

Have only heard him commentate a few times but he really brings excitment to the role and you need that during a 2 an over test match innings when a wicket is taken.
 

neville cardus

International Debutant
Some of us voted for Arlott.
Which is why I referred to a "general" opinion.

In defence of those that didn't you really have to be at least middle-aged and brought up in Britain to appreciate how brilliant Arlott was.
What annoys me is that most of the posters who voted for Sir Geoffrey probably haven't ever heard (or even made the effort to hear) Arlott in action. Boycs, unfairly, got most of his votes by default.
 
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neville cardus

International Debutant
I am sure Arlott was very good, having heard and read about him so much, and he perhaps was much better than Geoff Boycott, but how can anyone say that Boycott is not a good commentator is basically beyond me....
Why is it beyond you? I think it perfectly conceivable that some should find Boycs's gruff, arrogant style annoying.
 

biased indian

International Coach
Kerry O'Keeffe vs Jonathan Agnew 12 - 8

Tony Cozier vs Jeremy Coney 12 - 7

Richie Benaud vs David Lloyd 15 - 12

Tony Greig vs Ravi Shastri 11 - 9

Nasser Hussain vs Michael Holding 17-16

Pommie Mbangwa vs David Gower 4 - 15

John Arlott vs Geoff Boycott 9 - 14

Bill Lawry vs Ian Chappell 5 - 8
 
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The_Bunny

State Regular
Kerry O'Keeffe vs Jonathan Agnew

Tony Cozier vs Jeremy Coney

Richie Benaud vs David Lloyd

Tony Greig vs Ravi Shastri

Nasser Hussain vs Michael Holding

Pommie Mbangwa vs David Gower

John Arlott vs Geoff Boycott

Bill Lawry vs Ian Chappell
Tough on Arlot Loyd and Holding.

Some tough battles coming up though it seems.
 

HeathDavisSpeed

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Kerry O'Keeffe vs Jonathan Agnew 12 - 8

Tony Cozier vs Jeremy Coney 12 - 7

Richie Benaud vs David Lloyd 15 - 12

Tony Greig vs Ravi Shastri 11 - 9

Nasser Hussain vs Michael Holding 17-16

Pommie Mbangwa vs David Gower 4 - 15

John Arlott vs Geoff Boycott 9 - 14

Bill Lawry vs Ian Chappell 5 - 8
Great analysis there, Biased Indian. Fantastic.

This gives the Quarter Finals draw as:

1. O'Keeffe vs Cozier
2. Benaud vs Greig
3. Hussain vs Gower
4. Boycott vs Chappell
 

burr

State Vice-Captain
only two i voted for got through, and one i of those i don't even l like :D bit of an uninspiring top 8 id have to say.
 

HeathDavisSpeed

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Quarter Finals: Battle One

Kerry O'Keeffe vs Tony Cozier

The Form Guide: O'Keeffe's had a tough route to the quarters. His first round opponent, Simon Hughes scored heavily with his in depth analysis whilst second round opponent Agnew scored well with his easygoing attitude. The fact that O'Keeffe saw both opponents off shows you the skill of the man. Cozier had an even tougher, and controversial first round draw; knocking out the favourite Alan McGilvray in sudden death extra time. Round two saw him ease to a surprisingly easy victory against Jeremy Coney. Cozier's fear for the Quarters is that the Antipodean vote will go straight to O'Keeffe, as much for the controversial defeat of McGilvray as for the skills of O'Keeffe.

The Competitors

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



Tony Cozier

Playing Career: None to speak of. He played club cricket in Barbados and played Hockey for their National Team.
Commentating Pedigree: He has been a cricket writer and a voice synonymous with West Indian cricket since 1958. He debuted in radio commentary during the West Indies vs Australia series in 1965. He has since been a regular on the BBC's test match special team and in the commentary box for Sky Sports.
Other: * Author of the definitive history of West Indian cricket

 

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