Who is the best channel 9 commentator?

[saintal]

Always preferred listening to the ABC while watching, but the few second delay on the TV coverage has ruined that option the past few summers.

To answer the question..Chappelli.

[GWW]

Kerry Packer has now passed on, surely chaneel 9 can now pension off those commentators from the Packer era? ... or did they sign on for life?

Unfortunately Greig signed on for life. It was his "payment" for signing up for World Series Cricket in the 70's

[Baron Greenback]

I'm actually a big fan of Tony Greig.
I used to think he was pretty biased, but after hearing the likes of Ian Healy over the past few summers, I've readjusted my thinking.
He's normally pretty bang on with his comments.

Can't stand Heals. Slowly warming to Slats. Warney is dumb as toast, but great for a laugh.
Love it when Gilly's in there and would love to see Steve or Mark Waugh on the panel too.
As for Richie, while his comments are few and far between these days, he's normally good for a laugh or two per session.

[GWW]

Anyone ever had any personal interaction with any of the channel 9 commentators?

I haven't myself, but have heard from one or 2 people that have. What i've heard is that Chappelli and Greig not friendly at all, quite rude in fact, whilst Richie and Bill quite engaging.

I also heard a story about Chappell when he played District Cricket for Glenelg in the 1970's. I think he was the Australian captain at the time. He was at the Glenelg cricket club (presumably the Footy clubrooms there?), and had his feet up on one of the tables, may have been after one of his innings. He was asked to remove them by someone (barman or whoever, i'm not sure), but gave the "Do you know who i am" retort.

Person asking him to remove his feet apparently didn't take too kindly to this and said he didn't care who he was.

[NFC]

I can't believe people have voted for and are praising Ian Chappell.

Worst commentator ever.

Always going on about his old stories no one cares about, same monotonous voice, always unsuccessfully trying to tell jokes, the guy needs to go ASAP.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I can't believe people have voted for and are praising Ian Chappell.

Worst commentator ever.

Always going on about his old stories no one cares about, same monotonous voice, always unsuccessfully trying to tell jokes, the guy needs to go ASAP.

Mate, Chappelli has forgotten more about the game than most people ever learn. Do yourself a favour, stop worrying about "old stories" and monotonous voices, and start listening to what he's saying. Of all the people I've talked cricket with over the years, Chappell has no doubt been the most interesting. By "interesting", I mean "thought provoking". Like a Leigh Matthews interview about footy, I always feel I've learnt something after listening to Chappell.

[NFC]

I can't believe people have voted for and are praising Ian Chappell.

Worst commentator ever.

Always going on about his old stories no one cares about, same monotonous voice, always unsuccessfully trying to tell jokes, the guy needs to go ASAP.

Mate, Chappelli has forgotten more about the game than most people ever learn. Do yourself a favour, stop worrying about "old stories" and monotonous voices, and start listening to what he's saying. Of all the people I've talked cricket with over the years, Chappell has no doubt been the most interesting. By "interesting", I mean "thought provoking". Like a Leigh Matthews interview about footy, I always feel I've learnt something after listening to Chappell.

I'd rather listen just about anyone else in the 9 commentary team over this grumpy old man who reverts back to storytelling every over.

[locky801]

I can't believe people have voted for and are praising Ian Chappell.

Worst commentator ever.

Always going on about his old stories no one cares about, same monotonous voice, always unsuccessfully trying to tell jokes, the guy needs to go ASAP.

Mate, Chappelli has forgotten more about the game than most people ever learn. Do yourself a favour, stop worrying about "old stories" and monotonous voices, and start listening to what he's saying. Of all the people I've talked cricket with over the years, Chappell has no doubt been the most interesting. By "interesting", I mean "thought provoking". Like a Leigh Matthews interview about footy, I always feel I've learnt something after listening to Chappell.

I'd rather listen just about anyone else in the 9 commentary team over this grumpy old man who reverts back to storytelling every over.

Well turn the volume down when he is on and listen to the ABC team

[7-Dog]

9 fairly good commentators on just one channel. I'd struggle to find 9 decent footy commentators on 3 channels.

I voted for Warne, but I enjoy listening to most of those guys. I understand Windies aren't hear, but my favourite is Michael Holding.

[dedja]

Kerry Packer has now passed on, surely chaneel 9 can now pension off those commentators from the Packer era? ... or did they sign on for life?

Unfortunately Greig signed on for life. It was his "payment" for signing up for World Series Cricket in the 70's

If James Packer can sell his his old man's beloved channel 9, then they can dump Greigy.

[dedja]

9 fairly good commentators on just one channel. I'd struggle to find 9 decent footy commentators on 3 channels.

I voted for Warne, but I enjoy listening to most of those guys. I understand Windies aren't hear, but my favourite is Michael Holding.

Where oh where is R&B?

[Adelaide Hawk]

Anyone ever had any personal interaction with any of the channel 9 commentators?

Had a fair bit to do with Ian Chappell years ago, and met Tony Greig during the World Series Cricket days so I can't comment on how they are now. Sadly, I've never met Benaud or Lawry, I have a feeling they'd be good company.

I can't imagine Chappelli has changed much over the years, perhaps mellowed a little. Ian is very forthright and suffers fools lightly. By this I mean he lacks tolerence of people with nothing to add to a cricket conversation except a whole lot of stats. I have to admit, I'm very much the same in that regard. If you make the conversation interesting, you will see a different Chappell. If you want to chat with Chappell, you have to know your stuff.

A word of warning. If you ever see him enjoying a meal and want a chat or an autograph, do youself a favour and wait until he finishes his meal and leaves the table. The one thing he hates possibly more than anything else is being interupted while he's eating.

I can imagine the story about the feet on the table would be true. The one weakness I saw in Ian was once he decided upon something, nothing could change his mind, and he would never like being told anything he was doing was wrong. On the positive side, if Chappelli rated you, he would fight to the ends of the earth for you. This is what made him such a great captain, he was a natural leader of men. One time we were drinking in the bar at the Sheraton Hotel in Perth and Ian decided it was time to eat. He never asked anyone to go with him, he just stood up and said, "I'm going for something to eat", and walked off. All but 2 players got up and followed him out of the room.

Tony Greig has always been an interesting character to me. I heard so many stories about his arrogance, and complaints from his World Series team mates about him chartering private helicopters to games whilst the others had to catch a bus, etc. The only time I met Tony he was extremely cordial, he smiled and shook me by the hand. We only spoke for about 3-4 minutes but he seemed perfectly okay to me. Perhaps I caught him on a good day

[7-Dog]

9 fairly good commentators on just one channel. I'd struggle to find 9 decent footy commentators on 3 channels.

I voted for Warne, but I enjoy listening to most of those guys. I understand Windies aren't hear, but my favourite is Michael Holding.

Where oh where is R&B?

I here you

[cripple]

Have been driving around the scrub the past two days listening to the ABC commentary and they smash what you get from channel 9. That said, slats would be my favourite to listen to whilst ian healy has no idea and can barely speak properly.

[dedja]

9 fairly good commentators on just one channel. I'd struggle to find 9 decent footy commentators on 3 channels.

I voted for Warne, but I enjoy listening to most of those guys. I understand Windies aren't hear, but my favourite is Michael Holding.

Where oh where is R&B?

I here you

LOL, agree about Mikey though ...

[7-Dog]

I assume Holding is only on when the Windies are here , but Greig is always on?

[dedja]

Yep, Mikey is based in Engerland ...

[smithy]

I can't believe people have voted for and are praising Ian Chappell.

Worst commentator ever.

Always going on about his old stories no one cares about, same monotonous voice, always unsuccessfully trying to tell jokes, the guy needs to go ASAP.

Ever heard Bob Willis on SKY ?

[Interceptor]

I can't believe people have voted for and are praising Ian Chappell.

Worst commentator ever.

Always going on about his old stories no one cares about, same monotonous voice, always unsuccessfully trying to tell jokes, the guy needs to go ASAP.

Ever heard Bob Willis on SKY ?

Try Willis and Botham together -sound like they're commentating a funeral.

Chappelli may have his faults (and Billy Birmingham takes the piss out of him brilliantly), but his insight and knowledge is superb.

[CK]

Someone mentioned Greg Matthews as a commentator. Having watched his international career from before it began (ie. still just at state level), and having read his horridly written biography by Roland Fishman, I never imagined he would make a commentator. The times I've heard him, though, I've been very pleasantly surprised. Has a very good insight into the game and reads play very well, and can be quite eloquent when given the opportunity. I would guess there may be "personality" reasons that would contribute toward him not being on free-to-air more regularly, though.