Mark Nicholas - Pre-Match.

[didak04]

Never has there been a commentator that is so over the top and as full of shit as Mark Nicholas.

It's an absolute joke that he plays such a prominent role in the commentary line-up.

 

[BarneyBent]

Mark Nicholas would be fine as just a normal member of the commentary team. He's articulate, and he does know a bit. But as others have already pointed out, he can just go over the top, and is not great when interviewing players, that sort of thing. Give that role to somebody else.

Bring in Warnie full time, ASAP. Tell him to sell his home in the UK, **** off all coaching positions, and pay him a bucketload to host the Nine broadcasts. Either that, or **** them all off and hire Billy Birmingham to do it!

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Never has there been a commentator that is so over the top and as full of shit as Mark Nicholas.

It's an absolute joke that he plays such a prominent role in the commentary line-up.

Typical Pom! Seriusly, he would be on the most dough, so they must be trying to make him earn every dollar of it.

 

[Ill Chicken]

Its quite annoying that every time there is a T20 they're still trying to sell it, like they're still actually trying to convince themselves T20's are worth while, especially the guys that have never played one. Warne is just as bad as everyone else and should be the last person getting the chair.

 

[estibador]

Although it's got to be said, Langer puts everyone on Nine to shame. I have no idea how he got a gig commentating on Grandstand, all he does is talk up his mates and reminisce about the good old days.

That's standard operating procedure for any cricket commentator though.

At least these days when Taylor, Slater and Healy start reminiscing I can actually remember the times they are talking about. Though I must admit when I was a kid there was a certain romance hearing Richie telling stories about the mysterious old days of cricket that I could only imagine.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Alan McGilvray never played test cricket yet is renowned as one of the best ever.

It was widely regarded McGilvray was good enough to play Test Cricket but Stan McCabe kept him out of the team as they were similar types, it's just Stan was a little better. Bradman always said McGillvray was unlucky not to have played Tests. He captained NSW, and retired prematurely (around 26) to concentrate on his broadcasting role.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

It was widely regarded McGilvray was good enough to play Test Cricket but Stan McCabe kept him out of the team as they were similar types, it's just Stan was a little better. Bradman always said McGillvray was unlucky not to have played Tests. He captained NSW, and retired prematurely (around 26) to concentrate on his broadcasting role.

Skill level is irrelevant to the argument - commentators talk about their experience of test cricket - if he never had it - doesn't matter what skill level he had.

McGilvray's experience of test cricket is no different to Jamie Siddons or Mark Nicholas.

Anyway - back on point - i think that whilst paying the sport at an elite level is an advantage - not having it doesn't stop you from being a good commentator.

 

[crudbucket]

Richie Benaud "My mantra is: put your brain into gear and if you can add to what's on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up."
QUOTE]

So why hasn't Richie pointed this out to Tony Greig once in the last 30 years ?

 

[Marstermind]

What frustrates me about Nine's commentary is the lack of depth in anything they say. There are hundreds of interesting issues going on in cricket at any given time yet no one at Nine seems to want to discuss any of them intelligently. Rather, too much time is spent describing things we can already see, interpreting graphics or replays we don't need to see or flogging some dodgy memorabilia or lousy sit-com coming soon to Nine.

What we don't get is any true analysis of the game beyond what is happening in the game at that given moment. When issues do come up they are either fairly tame ones or are rounded off fairly quickly, often with a toeing the company line, "Ain't cricket great" attitude. "'Is the 50 over game in trouble? Nah, the 1/4 full crowd who showed up today to watch this match run it's predictable course all had fun. Now can the West Indies score 22 consecutive fours to win this match? How exciting. And coming soon to Nine is 40 episodes a week of Two and a Half Men....."

I remember Tony Greig once saying that he had to bear in mind that some people are new to the game and need some simple commentary to make it accessible. But what about most of us who aren't idiots and like thoughtful, intelligent, passionate and considered conversation about a game game with a deep culture?

Now if you don't mind I have to call to reserve my personally signed limited edition of 65765, Adam Voges print for $1894