Who is the best channel 9 commentator?

[am Bays]

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.

100% spot on.

I'd venture to say that there is more cricket knowledge in Ian Chappells little finger nail than this entire cricket forum.

Like his captancy his commetary is always three overs ahead of the game.

Yes he sounds flat compared to others, that is because he doesn't have to change his pitch of voice to make what he says sound interesting or relevant to what is actually happening - Lawryand Nicholas take note - just why they would be the first two to be boned if I was in charge of Channel 9.

The other good thing is that he is completey un-biased. I reckon the most amount of praise he ever heaped on a captain was when Mike Gatting attacked Australia in Sydney in 1987, totally made Border change his tactics and the pressure on England was loosened as Border started to defend rather than attack for wicket, which meant they almost got away with a draw.

I reckon his columns on cricinfo are compulsory reading.

[NFC]

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.

100% spot on.

I'd venture to say that there is more cricket knowledge in Ian Chappells little finger nail than this entire cricket forum.
Like his captancy his commetary is always three overs ahead of the game.

Yes he sounds flat compared to others, that is because he doesn't have to change his pitch of voice to make what he says sound interesting or relevant to what is actually happening - Lawryand Nicholas take note - just why they would be the first two to be boned if I was in charge of Channel 9.

The other good thing is that he is completey un-biased. I reckon the most amount of praise he ever heaped on a captain was when Mike Gatting attacked Australia in Sydney in 1987, totally made Border change his tactics and the pressure on England was loosened as Border started to defend rather than attack for wicket, which meant they almost got away with a draw.

I reckon his columns on cricinfo are compulsory reading.

What does this even bring to the table, comments like this?

[NFC]

Ian Chappell needs to go, enough said. You guys might enjoy listening to his irrelevant stories from the 60's, but I don't care for them. That, his annoying voice, his attempts at humour, and his general attitude to everything, is one commentating package that's not worth listening to.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Ian Chappell needs to go, enough said. You guys might enjoy listening to his irrelevant stories from the 60's, but I don't care for them. That, his annoying voice, his attempts at humour, and his general attitude to everything, is one commentating package that's not worth listening to.

Maybe it's you who has to go. Ever thought of that? You're becoming rather annoying yourself, maybe it's your general attitude to everything, or maybe your attempts at humour. What do you think?

[smac]

Ian Chappell needs to go, enough said. You guys might enjoy listening to his irrelevant stories from the 60's, but I don't care for them. That, his annoying voice, his attempts at humour, and his general attitude to everything, is one commentating package that's not worth listening to.

Maybe it's you who has to go. Ever thought of that? You're becoming rather annoying yourself, maybe it's your general attitude to everything, or maybe your attempts at humour. What do you think?

Yes, absolutely right. What future is there in a young audience? More relevance in living in the past and accommodating old farts.

[Rik E Boy]

Ian Chappell needs to go, enough said. You guys might enjoy listening to his irrelevant stories from the 60's, but I don't care for them. That, his annoying voice, his attempts at humour, and his general attitude to everything, is one commentating package that's not worth listening to.

Maybe it's you who has to go. Ever thought of that? You're becoming rather annoying yourself, maybe it's your general attitude to everything, or maybe your attempts at humour. What do you think?

The tribe has spoken.

regards,

REB

[am Bays]

Ian Chappell needs to go, enough said. You guys might enjoy listening to his irrelevant stories from the 60's, but I don't care for them. That, his annoying voice, his attempts at humour, and his general attitude to everything, is one commentating package that's not worth listening to.

I too are ambivalent about his stories from the past, what I look forward to from Chappell when it is his stint on air (and he does this better than any other commentator in the world IMHO) is describe what is happening and what should be happening based on his experience of playing attacking successful cricket. For example, why fielders should be where they are, where a bowler should bowl to get this abtsman out, technical explataiotns on why a catch was dropped, poor shot played etc, what a captain should be doing here to to get a wicket based on this batsmans deficiencies. His technical knowledge on batting and captaincy are 2nd to none IMO.

His stories from the past are more often (but not always) used to provide examples to substantiate his points. The basic principles of successful cricket that applied in 60-70s still apply in now.

The next best, IMO, at this are, Taylor, Benaud and Healy, which is why I think they are the best four on the box. Watching Worls Series classics last niminded me on why I liked Boycott as a commentator too - batting technicians describing the intricacies of the art of cricket.

[FlyingHigh]

Agree with everything there am Bays. Chappelli, Taylor, Benaud (was) for those reasons, except I'd have Warnie as my 4th instead of Healy (his bias annoys me), and I think Slater is improving.

Probably depends whether it is a Test or One-dayer or 20/20. Taylor trying to hype things up on the shorter forms annoys me because it it not natural and you know he is so much better just talking about cricket. Bill Lawry on the other hand is good during the Tests, but his natural enthusiasm and excitement comes into it's own during the one-dayers.

[Q.]

I too are ambivalent about his stories from the past, what I look forward to from Chappell when it is his stint on air (and he does this better than any other commentator in the world IMHO) is describe what is happening and what should be happening based on his experience of playing attacking successful cricket. For example, why fielders should be where they are, where a bowler should bowl to get this abtsman out, technical explataiotns on why a catch was dropped, poor shot played etc, what a captain should be doing here to to get a wicket based on this batsmans deficiencies. His technical knowledge on batting and captaincy are 2nd to none IMO.

Bingo, but it's for this reason I voted for Tubby Taylor. I rate Chappell's insight and knowledge, but Taylor was a bit of a childhood hero and has a modern-day 'relevance' to me.

Everything you've described above is what I want to hear in commentating.

[Lightning McQueen]

One thing's for sure, everyone seems to agree that Heals a bit of a knob. I think his continual bagging of Gilly early on in his commentating days has permanently etched in viewers heads.

[Phantom Gossiper]

I like Mark Nicholas..

I HATE MICHAEL SLATER!!!!! seems like he is captain obvious, just repeats himself or others and rarely says anything interesting or insightfull!
Not to mention for 3 years he reminded everyone about T20 being the "rock n roll" version of the game and then telling everyone "you can still play normal cricket shots"

[am Bays]

One thing's for sure, everyone seems to agree that Heals a bit of a knob. I think his continual bagging of Gilly early on in his commentating days has permanently etched in viewers heads.

Nup not I as you can see from my post above, but then I'm a 'keeper so I've always rated healy and I'm sticking with the brotherhood.

FWIW I can recall Healy praising Gilchrist glovework fourth test in at Melbourne in '99.

And Flying High yep I agree I should've included Warne in my favourite five commentators. Taylor grates me when he "ups" the voice to create the atmosphere. You don't need to do it Tubby, leave that to the prats like Nicholas, Lawry and a lesser extent Greig.

[Pag]

Healy is terrible, and one the two occasions I've met Mark Nicholas he's acted like the pompous idiot he sounds like on TV.

Benaud, Warne, Taylor, and Lawry for me.

[daysofourlives]

I like Mark Nicholas..

I HATE MICHAEL SLATER!!!!! seems like he is captain obvious, just repeats himself or others and rarely says anything interesting or insightfull!
Not to mention for 3 years he reminded everyone about T20 being the "rock n roll" version of the game and then telling everyone "you can still play normal cricket shots"

x2

[prowling panther]

I actually like Micheal Slater, he seems to me to have a more modern slant on things and I enjoy listening to his voice, its doesnt grate on my nerves.

Shane Warne is also very good, sometimes i have not picked up on his voice and then i think who is this bloke?, he sounds like he knows a bit about cricket.

Healey is a typical Qld'er, thinks he knows everything about the game, some of his comments are spot on, others are absolute BS.

Chappelli was a very good player and Captain, his knowledge is more than most others would hope to know. I often think he is past his use by date

The Phantom has a secret dislike for anyone that never played for Victoria and cant see past anyone who did, unbiased commentary is what we want to hear.

Tubby had his chance at Captaining Australia, he shouldn't be telling our current Captain over the TV how the job should be done. Maybe he will go easy on Clarke as Clarke is from NSW, tell me if I am wrong after this next test.

Mark Nicholas is alright as an anchorman, just let him introduce the srart and conclude the end of a days play and leave it at that.

When I'm not watching the cricket and listening on the ABC, then Flemming comes across as a person who tells you what is happening without domineering his thoughts on you.

So It's

Slater No1

Warne No2

Chappelli No 3

And I left Greig and Ritchie out altogether.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Listening to channel 9 at the moment, Ian Healy has now jumped Slater in my pecking order of worst commentator!

Talks rubbish and just his voice in general irratates me!!

[pmackk]

Listening to channel 9 at the moment, Ian Healy has now jumped Slater in my pecking order of worst commentator!

Talks rubbish and just his voice in general irratates me!!

I agree with that.

[overloaded]

who said swap with the fox sports commentators?

now they are c grade.

[Pup]

Listening to channel 9 at the moment, Ian Healy has now jumped Slater in my pecking order of worst commentator!

Talks rubbish and just his voice in general irratates me!!

Yep bias tool who talks a lot of rubbish.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

I find Mark Nicholas to be the best, knows his audience and caters to it well, without being to one sided, some of the other channel 9 commentators are terribly biased at times.