Rate: Ch.9 commentators

[Richard]

I remember Symonds doing some commentating during the finals of the CB series last year. It was goddamn painful to hear,I hope he doesn't retire young . I will usually keep the cricket on at all times, but I was considering switching off the TV, it was that bad. The actual match was good as well, so that wasn't the problem

Had Langer on during the WACA Test didn't they? (Along with Hayden who missed the game with injury) I only got highlights of that particular stint so haven't got anywhere near enough to make-up any mind on him but that does seem to be a favourite of McGuire's, doesn't it? To try lots of commentators.

 

[BoyBrumby]

the reason why you dont like chappell is the same reason us aussies dont really like him... he's a south australian, there all a bit queer.

Sorry, but that's a genuine lol there. Faaip? T_C? Care to respond?

 

[Richard]

Is Fuller a South Australian? Always presumed he was from NSW.

 

[howardj]

Richie 10/10- The best, the voice and brain of cricket. Isn't on air enough in my opinion. Hope he continues to call until he can no longer do so.

Nothing more sad than a Richie worshipper.

Richie is so stale, out of touch and is obsessed with trying to be quirky, by constantly making quips. It's like for him, it's become all about him. I liked him about 10 years ago when he was naturally witty/quirky, but now he just tries too hard.

 

[Richard]

TBH, the Symonds-be-there-at-the-end-of-the-innings obsession aside, I like Richie as much now as I did 10 years ago.

 

[howardj]

Grieg and Lawry absolutely go through the motions - nothing insightful comes out of their mouths at all. They're there to simply pick up the cash and swan around.

 

[archie mac]

Richie 8/10- Still the best, but I think he should give it away, nothing new to add

Nicholas-6/10- Likes to make the 'big' statement.

Slater-6/10- Annoys me on occassions, but not too bad.

Taylor-6.5/10- Makes the occassional good point

Lawry-7/10- Makes me laugh

Greig- 5/10 His got him, his got him, he is gone, yes he bowled the bouncer, and he has caught him behind, he will have to think about that leaving that shot out, when facing him in the future try using a players name .

Healy-6/10- I don't mind him, can be a little to biased towards the Aussies

O'Donnell- 5/10- Can be a little too light hearted, but does not annoy me too much tbh.

Chappell-8/10-knows his stuff and offers opinions, still the best for mine.

It should be stated that I prefer listening to the radio most of the time

 

[Richard]

A fan of Jim Maxwell are you Sean?

 

[archie mac]

A fan of Jim Maxwell are you Sean?

He can annoy me sometimes, with his "and he smashes that one....for a single", but he is not too bad, I quite enjoyed Aggers when he was out here last season.

The main reason I prefer the Radio is all of the adds they keep plugging and repeating on the Box

 

[Richard]

He can annoy me sometimes, with his "and he smashes that one....for a single"

Haha I love that TBH, like Harsha Bhoghe and his "here's Flintoff to Tendulkar, and he NUDGES IT BEHIND POINT he'll get a single".

Love a radio commentator who keeps you on your toes.

 

[Flem274*]

What are they like as domestic cricket commentators? Loving our boys commentating on the domestic stuff, they get so passionate about their former teams and constantly take the piss out of Mark Richardson during 20/20 games.

 

[NUFAN]

Slightly off topic but I hate the Fox Sports Australian Domestic commentators when they say "he'll be looking for 2, no happy with the single" every ball that goes past the 30 metre circle.

Slats is very impressive, definitely my favourite recently retired commentator.


EDIT - Acutally it's on topic now. Flem, A different station (Fox Sports) commentate on Domestic Cricket.

This includes: Brendan Julian, Allan Border, Mark Waugh, Greg Blewett and more.

 

[Richard]

Is Brendon Julian a less woeful commentator than he was player I presume?

 

[NUFAN]

Is Brendon Julian a less woeful commentator than he was player I presume?

Nah he's a pretty poor commentator also.

I forgot to mention Flemo, who with Greg Blewett are both good.

Mark Waugh is an interesting one, he was my favourite player so I can slightly tolerate some of the BS he says, he does make a few good points though.

 

[Clarke Fan]

Watching Gillys Best of the Best, Taylor is hell annoying

"Thats cleared the rope by ooooooo half a metre"
"Ooooo change that to .4"
Next six:
"Thats a big flat six! Went off the ground ooooooooooo 15 metres maybe at the most."
"That sounds superb, it is superb!"
Next six:
"That sounds superb, it is superb!"
Next four
"That looks good once again, it is good!"

lol.

 

[masterblaster]

Ian Chappell - 9/10: Ian Chappell's been my favourite cricket commentator for a long time now. He has experience, he's tactically very intelligent and most of all he has integrity as a cricketer and is probably the most impartial observer in the Channel 9 commentary box. I would just love to sit down with him in a bar, have a drink with him and just talk about cricket and his experiences. I have a lot of respect for Ian Chappell.

Michael Slater - 8/10: Enthusiasm, charisma and energy as well as being fairly impartial and balanced in his viewpoint. Slats provides the youth entertainment in the otherwise ageing Channel 9 commentary team. He can be pretty insightful and is pretty good with his observations. He's pretty entertaining when telling anecdotes relating to teamwork, opening the batting and being part of the Australian team.

Richie Benaud - 7/10: Would've been at a higher rating a long time ago, but to his credit even at his age his wit and delivery is still brilliant. He's kind of getting past it now, but still a wonderful commentator to listen to and just exudes calmness and professionalism.

Mark Taylor - 6/10: Somewhat biased at times in my opinion, but from all accounts seems like a very nice bloke when on commentary. Is not as astute as Chappell or as entertaining as Slater, but he's a well balanced commentator who makes the occasional good point.

Mark Nicholas - 6/10: Decent commentator with good delivery, but seems to get caught up in making really long sentences that don't go anywhere just to show off his language and speaking skills. Does a good job as a host and presenter, on commentary he's okay.

Bill Lawry - 5/10: I find him pretty irritating and biased. His hatred for cautious, workmanlike batting drives me crazy as he always wants non stop aggression in batsmen, even in a test match. Although during a one day match, his excitement at key dismissals or big shots can be entertaining.

Tony Greig - 5/10: Not as bad as he used to be and makes some pretty poor calls. An average commentator

Ian Healy - 1/10: Biased towards the Australian's big time, speaks utter garbage most of the time and clearly grates on the other commentator's nerves. He gets a 1/10 from me due to his knowledge and insight about wicketkeeping. It seems that's all he can really talk about.

 

[Richard]

Sangrah, you find Chappell unbiased?

 

[Majin]

Yeah, I'm a big Slats man. Nasser & he the pick of the new generation for me. Not so sure about the dreaminess of his voice (), but has a lot more charisma than, say, Taylor whose analysis is right up there.

Always give Slater huge credit for being the first to spot Gilly's squash ball in the WC final when commentating for Sky over here and being able to explain exactly what advantage it gave.

Agree with this, Slats is a legend and I love listening to him commentate, gets so carried away by it and really loves it but talks some real good sense when the time is right. And love Nass as well, such a gun commentator and such a contrast from the image we had of him on the field.

 

[Richard]

Can see this being (particularly in the cases of Chappell and MCJ Nicholas) somewhat one of those comically split-opinion cases. The Benaud, Lawry and Greig cases seem to be fairly consensual, and the Healy and Taylor ones easily so.

 

[masterblaster]

Sangrah, you find Chappell unbiased?

Yeah, I think he's pretty good. He offers an Australian captain's viewpoint as much as anybody, but to me it seems he's always interested in good cricket and is always quick to point out the flaws in the Australian side if they have done poorly and alternatively he gives kudos to the opposition if they perform well.

But it's just not about that, I think Chappell sees the game as it is very clearly. A really simple example, is the case of the Adelaide test match. He stated by the end of Day 4 that the match was headed comfortably for a draw. Ian Healy on the other hand says something ridiculous at Day 5 - Tea like 'Brett Lee to get a hattrick and Australia to get 160 odd in 20 overs' to win the match.

I think Chappell's angle in his commentary comes from a tactical and performance point of view and he is quick to criticse Australia as well if their tactics and performance are not up to par.

Just asking Richard, do you think Chappell is biased? Never got that sort of vibe from him to be honest.