HE has been in our loungerooms for the past 35 years but legendary cricket commentator Bill Lawry is about to pull up stumps.
Lawry, 75, has told friends he will retire from Channel 9's commentary team after the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka.
In what will be an emotional farewell, the January 3-7 game at the SCG will be Lawry's final Test.
Much loved by every Australian cricket fan, Lawry's retirement will be met with enormous sadness.
The former Australian Test opener has been battling ongoing health issues in recent years.
With sparring partner Tony Greig also ill and Richie Benaud winding back his on-air commitments, the Channel 9 commentary stable is quickly changing shape.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:10 am
by Media Park
Canary yellow? Tony. That's australian gold my friend and don't you f'n forget it!
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:42 am
by Phantom Gossiper
Should retire the entire Channel 9 commentary team - they make my ears bleed!
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:15 am
by MightyEagles
yes got him, pi55 off your out, stick that up your a55 Tony Grieg. Get him up here, I want to boof him, he's a victorian.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:58 am
by Brodlach
I think I am one of the few that have always enjoyed his commentary and in fact all the channel 9 commentators.
Having grown up with his commentary it is going to strange not to hear him. All the best to Bill
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:34 am
by valleys07
Brodlach wrote:I think I am one of the few that have always enjoyed his commentary and in fact all the channel 9 commentators.
Having grown up with his commentary it is going to strange not to hear him. All the best to Bill
Your not alone Brodlach.
Im not particularly fond of the new team (i can tolerate it though) but the old days of bill, tony, richie etc.....ill miss them all for sure.
The cricket wont be the same without those 3 in the box*
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:39 am
by Mr Beefy
Bring back big Maxy!!
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:37 pm
by GWW
I agree about Max, he was quality. I didn't mind Rod Marsh or Keith Stackpole either.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:04 pm
by Pup
Brodlach wrote:I think I am one of the few that have always enjoyed his commentary and in fact all the channel 9 commentators.
Having grown up with his commentary it is going to strange not to hear him. All the best to Bill
I like Bill, will be sad to see him go,
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:07 pm
by GWW
I don't mind Bill at all, either.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:23 pm
by Gozu
On ABC News Breakfast this morning the co-hosts & sports guy were talking about the possibility of the ABC losing Kerry O'Keeffe to Channel 9. I hope they were joking.
If he joins Nine's commentary team I'll stop watching.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:26 pm
by stampy
bills always been good for a laugh, shits me to tears how people bag nearly every commentator, whether it be radio or tv, be it footy cricket or whatever,
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:26 pm
by heater31
Gozu wrote:On ABC News Breakfast this morning the co-hosts & sports guy were talking about the possibility of the ABC losing Kerry O'Keeffe to Channel 9. I hope they were joking.
If he joins Nine's commentary team I'll stop watching.
Skull is best suited to radio. Had me in stitches on a couple of occasions yesterday and his humour wouldn't work on TV IMO.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:29 pm
by Brodlach
heater31 wrote:
Gozu wrote:On ABC News Breakfast this morning the co-hosts & sports guy were talking about the possibility of the ABC losing Kerry O'Keeffe to Channel 9. I hope they were joking.
If he joins Nine's commentary team I'll stop watching.
Skull is best suited to radio. Had me in stitches on a couple of occasions yesterday and his humour wouldn't work on TV IMO.
Agree, great on radio but wouldnt have the same effect on TV..
Reckon Ponting will join the team next year.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:32 pm
by Rik E Boy
Don't get all the love for Bill and especially Grieg even though he is ill (wouldn't wish that shit on anyone).
Always liked Richie though and Stacky was a good commentator. I also like Tony Crozier the West Indian bloke and Henry Blofield I think it was went all right as well.
Out of the newer commentators I hate Ian Healy with a passion and Nicholas is dreadful. Would much prefer to hear Warne as his grasp of the game is second to none but he's a bit too busy in the workshop these days. Taylor and Slats not bad but I reckon they need to do better than the 'Slats 90's' bit they've got going now.
Don't mind the FOX boys with Julian,Blewett, Junior and AB. Nine should throw some money at one or two of them.
regards,
REB
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:36 pm
by JK
Rik E Boy wrote:Don't get all the love for Bill and especially Grieg even though he is ill (wouldn't wish that shit on anyone).
Always liked Richie though and Stacky was a good commentator. I also like Tony Crozier the West Indian bloke and Henry Blofield I think it was went all right as well.
Out of the newer commentators I hate Ian Healy with a passion and Nicholas is dreadful. Would much prefer to hear Warne as his grasp of the game is second to none but he's a bit too busy in the workshop these days. Taylor and Slats not bad but I reckon they need to do better than the 'Slats 90's' bit they've got going now.
Don't mind the FOX boys with Julian,Blewett, Junior and AB. Nine should throw some money at one or two of them.
regards,
REB
Agree with most of that, although never been a fan of Tubby's commentating. Nicholas drives me to drink (doesn't take much I guess). The Fox lads are excellent.
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:37 pm
by Rik E Boy
JK wrote:
Rik E Boy wrote:Don't get all the love for Bill and especially Grieg even though he is ill (wouldn't wish that shit on anyone).
Always liked Richie though and Stacky was a good commentator. I also like Tony Crozier the West Indian bloke and Henry Blofield I think it was went all right as well.
Out of the newer commentators I hate Ian Healy with a passion and Nicholas is dreadful. Would much prefer to hear Warne as his grasp of the game is second to none but he's a bit too busy in the workshop these days. Taylor and Slats not bad but I reckon they need to do better than the 'Slats 90's' bit they've got going now.
Don't mind the FOX boys with Julian,Blewett, Junior and AB. Nine should throw some money at one or two of them.
regards,
REB
Agree with most of that, although never been a fan of Tubby's commentating. Nicholas drives me to drink (doesn't take much I guess). The Fox lads are excellent.
If I was Elvis (um..and alive) I'd have no bullets left in my gun during every one of Ian Healy's shits...I mean shifts.
regards,
REB
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:45 pm
by stampy
Brodlach wrote:
heater31 wrote:
Gozu wrote:On ABC News Breakfast this morning the co-hosts & sports guy were talking about the possibility of the ABC losing Kerry O'Keeffe to Channel 9. I hope they were joking.
If he joins Nine's commentary team I'll stop watching.
Skull is best suited to radio. Had me in stitches on a couple of occasions yesterday and his humour wouldn't work on TV IMO.
Agree, great on radio but wouldnt have the same effect on radio.
Reckon Ponting will join the team next year.
huh? lol
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:51 pm
by Jase
Rik E Boy wrote:
JK wrote:
Rik E Boy wrote:Don't get all the love for Bill and especially Grieg even though he is ill (wouldn't wish that shit on anyone).
Always liked Richie though and Stacky was a good commentator. I also like Tony Crozier the West Indian bloke and Henry Blofield I think it was went all right as well.
Out of the newer commentators I hate Ian Healy with a passion and Nicholas is dreadful. Would much prefer to hear Warne as his grasp of the game is second to none but he's a bit too busy in the workshop these days. Taylor and Slats not bad but I reckon they need to do better than the 'Slats 90's' bit they've got going now.
Don't mind the FOX boys with Julian,Blewett, Junior and AB. Nine should throw some money at one or two of them.
regards,
REB
Agree with most of that, although never been a fan of Tubby's commentating. Nicholas drives me to drink (doesn't take much I guess). The Fox lads are excellent.
If I was Elvis (um..and alive) I'd have no bullets left in my gun during every one of Ian Healy's shits...I mean shifts.
regards,
REB
Ian Healy...
... say no more...
Re: Bill Lawry to retire at end of Sri Lanka series
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:25 pm
by Brodlach
stampy wrote:
Brodlach wrote:
heater31 wrote:
Gozu wrote:On ABC News Breakfast this morning the co-hosts & sports guy were talking about the possibility of the ABC losing Kerry O'Keeffe to Channel 9. I hope they were joking.
If he joins Nine's commentary team I'll stop watching.
Skull is best suited to radio. Had me in stitches on a couple of occasions yesterday and his humour wouldn't work on TV IMO.
Agree, great on radio but wouldnt have the same effect on radio.
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:41 am
I meant TV (edited now)