Rank your country's commentary team

[Molehill]

Ponting 10 - without a doubt, the best analyst in the world. When he speaks, it is generally essential listening and rarely gets things wrong. You could argue that he might not be all that suited to ball-by-ball stuff, but he doesn't need to be on 7.

I was just thinking who the best 3 were on Sky and it was pretty straightforward. Atherton, Hussain and Ponting are a million miles ahead of the rest. They are intelligent, articulate, they read the game superbly and they don't get too caught up in the tedious banter rubbish that is so rarely entertaining.

 

[kevinw]

I was just thinking who the best 3 were on Sky and it was pretty straightforward. Atherton, Hussain and Ponting are a million miles ahead of the rest. They are intelligent, articulate, they read the game superbly and they don't get too caught up in the tedious banter rubbish that is so rarely entertaining.

I don't rate Nass as highly as those two. He is insightful, sure, though not quite as sharp - and he engages in the silly Ward-y type stuff now and then.

 

[Molehill]

I don't rate Nass as highly as those two. He is insightful, sure, though not quite as sharp - and he engages in the silly Ward-y type stuff now and then.

I think he's sharper than Athers these days, seems very good at predicting how a wicket is likely to fall. The difference with the banter is those who instigate rather than getting caught up in it. Nasser has clearly earnt some reputation for being a bit tight (I think Bumble or Warne started it) and others have played on it since.

At the other end of the spectrum are the likes of Knight and Swann, no surprise to see them getting IPL gigs (can you keep them please India?).

One I find interesting on radio is Hartley. She can be utterly juvenile (although occasionally in a fairly endearing way) and annoying, but there's also a very sharp cricketing mind in there and she's not afraid to say the truth (as certain English Ladies have found out).