Pet hates

[James M]

Yes, Big Brother stopped play! Hollyoaks stopped play! These words could soon become part of a scorecard near you! It's very bad when the only channel with terrestrial rights to broadcast live cricket have their priorities in racing and sleezy kids shows.

[Kirsty Harris]

James

And don't forget bloody horse racing on a saturday afternoon stopped play!

Perhaps if the ECB took a lead from Big Brother..can you imagine 'Cricket Big Brother'.

Watch the England team around the clock!! Oh the joy!!!!Lol!

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Its wierd that millions will watch a bunch of nobodys talk bollocks, sleep and ahem..interfere with themselves but not watch professional sportsmen represent our country.

[Kirsty Harris]

it doesn't help that people often aren't even given the chance to watch it, thanks to the mindless morans at C4!

[James M]

I'll probably find myself watching C4 with the sound off and TMS. Imagine:

rain + Mark Nicholas = zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[sostenurter]

Originally Posted by James M

Exactly, although don't say that they might make it even later (i.e. after 1am). I think it's very bad that we can't see our national side on the TV! I remember when they first got it and it was refreshing/vibrant, but now some of the gimmicks and all that smarminess are wearing a bit thin. The best commentator I heard all summer was Clare Connor cos she had no ties with the players and told it how it is. I can't even watch it on Sky, I'm thinking of getting in the summer because there's so much on. Like you, got to find some time to watch!

I find cricket commentary (actually, sports commentary in general) in general to be quite incestuous - all the commentators are ex-players, there aren't any specialist journalists, and it seems every England captain is guaranteed an afterlife spouting whatever crap they like in the media. I'm not saying some of them don't deserve it - Richie Benaud is obviously great, don't mind Aggers, but the state it's at now, where every England captain walks off the pitch for his last Test and into the commentary box is just wrong...they should have to prove some aptitude at journalism/commentary. And I get the feeling that it inflates their already oversized egos, they all have ridiculous favourites and grudges, all try to retrospectively justify their record with England, and they all seem to start thinking that things were better in their day...in the WI there were SEVEN ex England captains in the commentary box. Surely the worst was Tony Greig - my god, Tony Greig...if we're talking about pet hates...

[Kirsty Harris]

There is some truth to this - for example, I think Boycott and Bothem are dreadful commentators.

[sostenurter]

Originally Posted by Rachael

I generally end up favouring those I have sympathy for... meaning guys who get abuse like Caddick, Ramps, Hussain, Giles, Hoggard and Read... and those who practice under-valued skills (Read with glovework, Atherton with defensive batting, Crawley with batting against spin, Fairbrother with running between the wickets and fielding, Hoggard and Bicknell for their old fashioned swing bowling).

Rachael, if you end up favouring those who get abuse, then judging by the views on this MB (and, indeed, in the media in general), you should be backing Trescothick for all you're worth! I mean, regardless of technique, considering the guy averages above 40 over a reasonably long Test career, he is taking a remarkable amount of stick!

Couldn't stand Rob Key...don't think I am alone in that. Illot used to annoy me as well.

[sostenurter]

Originally Posted by Kirsty Harris

There is some truth to this - for example, I think Boycott and Bothem are dreadful commentators.

Yeah, I just wish they'd retire gracefully and not tarnish the brilliant memories we have of them.

Another ex-player I couldn't stand was Kerry O'Keefe whe he was commentating on the Ashes - didn't anyone tell him how horribly embarrassing he was? I remember when he was commentating on Waugh's century in the Sydney Test, he started trying to rap the Eminem song "Lose Yourself". Hideous.

[James M]

I have to say that I enjoy reading Angus Fraser's views on the game. I think he's a real pro who got all he could out of his career barring injuries. His opinions are important. Whereas someone like Simon Hughes...