The Cricket Thread 2016

[Monty]

Wish I could have seen him as a player and a captain, but what a terrific commentator. I remember in 2005, when everyone (including me) was leaping about and shrieking with hysterical excitement, how he would maintain that completely unrufflable demeanor and calm voice. My favourite Benaud line: 'McGrath's out for 2 - just 98 short of his century'. He'll be missed alright.

[TopDeck113]

How I wish the current generation of commentators (in all sports) could learn three things from Benaud: (1) commentary is not a forum for personal opinion; (2) hyperbole is a poor substitute for an articulate and accurate description of the actual events unfolding in front of you; and (3) neutrality is everything.

[OzVilla]

How I wish the current generation of commentators (in all sports) could learn three things from Benaud: (1) commentary is not a forum for personal opinion; (2) hyperbole is a poor substitute for an articulate and accurate description of the actual events unfolding in front of you; and (3) neutrality is everything.

Yes, yes and yes. And it's why we'll probably not see his like again.

[LTA]

How I wish the current generation of commentators (in all sports) could learn three things from Benaud: (1) commentary is not a forum for personal opinion; (2) hyperbole is a poor substitute for an articulate and accurate description of the actual events unfolding in front of you; and (3) neutrality is everything.

Super post. Some of the sports I watch have commentators who fall well short on all 3 counts.

[SoccerHQ]

How I wish the current generation of commentators (in all sports) could learn three things from Benaud: (1) commentary is not a forum for personal opinion; (2) hyperbole is a poor substitute for an articulate and accurate description of the actual events unfolding in front of you; and (3) neutrality is everything.

Ah yes the recent pitch invasion in the WBA is a case on this.

Just reading some of the Benaud classic quotes and he described pitch invasions as a "carpet of humanity."

R.I.P.

[manic-road]

Richie Benaud was by far the best cricket commentator of all time, it doesn't seem ten years ago that he hung up his microphone for the last time.

R.I.P. Richie Benaud

[simon ward 50]

John Motson and Murray Walker pay tribute to Richie Benaud

Two voices who define their respective sports, Formula 1's Murray Walker, and football's John Motson, on the art of commentary, and why the late Richie Benaud was so great.

Mr Walker said Benaud's personality "shon through", but he was also "a master of his craft".

BBC football commentator, John Motson, also paid tribute to the former Austrlian cricketer and commentator, saying Benaud will be remembered for his "economy of words" and being one of those who "put BBC sport on the map".

The Australian cricketer and commentator died aged 84 of skin cancer.

This clip is originally from 5 live Daily on Friday 10 April 2015.

Somebody should read the copy before putting it out!

[PaulWinch again]

Benaud was a brilliant commentator who used just the right level of humour.

[paul_e]

This is a huge shame, he was the best commentator in a sport full of very good commentators and for many cricket fans of my age he's the voice of the sport, it was a sad day when he retired and a much sadder one today/yesterday, a great man who will be missed.

[peter w]

Can't stand the IPL but just seen an amazing catch. Southee throws the ball back as he catches it but steps over the boundary and a fielder claims it one-handed. great catch.

[Chris Jameson]

Haven't seen it but this was a bit good!

[paul_e]

Is that the first or the 2nd one?  They did 2 that were almost exactly the same in the space of a couple of weeks, it's clearly something they'd worked on in training.

[Chris Jameson]

It's the second one, the other was the previous season against Worcester.

[paul_e]

It's the second one, the other was the previous season against Worcester.

Oh I thought they were both last summer.

[Villan For Life]

So proper Cricket starts tomorrow with day one of the first test against the Windies. There are a few blokes playing for their  test places but the one most under pressure is Moores. We need to win and win well.

There will be a new guy in situ soon enough to replace Downton and Vaughan, Strauss and Fleming are the favourites. I've no preference from those three but I'm pretty sure that a new guy would look very closely at the coach and his ability.