Channel 9 cricket team should cut the showbiz and focus on game, writes Rebecca Wilson

FEW realised until he was struck down with illness just how much Richie Benaud meant to Channel Nine’s cricket coverage, writes Rebecca Wilson.

Richie Benaud and the commentary team at the Sydney Cricket Ground to officially launch Channel NineÕs sizzling summer of cricket.Picture Gregg Porteous

NONE of us realised until he was struck down with illness just how much Richie Benaud meant to the Channel Nine cricket coverage.

Yes, we loved him and the space he occupied at the top of the commentary pile for the network. He was always the calm voice, the one with a few words of wisdom which summed up what the others tried to say in four times the amount of time.

Until the first ball was bowled at the Gabba, Benaud’s absence was more of a melancholic yearning for the past than a genuine gripe about modern-day cricket commentators.

ANDO: RATING THE NINE CALL TEAM

The cricket on Channel Nine, and more lately, the Channel Ten Big Bash production, have become an integral part of the Australian summer. The voices who call it become part of the lounge room landscape for three months of every year.

It is a fine balance for these experts. Too many words leave you longing for a bit of quiet.

Boo’s view of Richie Benaud ...

Hearing bat on ball, or the crowd roar, is just as important as one of them falling over the other one to tell us what a good shot it was.

Benaud became the master of saying very little but meaning a lot. Three balls could pass before he said a single word and then that word would be “marvellous”. And it was bloody marvellous because Benaud set an example for the rest to follow.

The balance Richie brought saw us excuse the garrulous Tubby Taylor or the cliche ridden world of the mediocre commentator. These blokes were his foot soldiers, they sat back in awe of the great man and therefore occupied less air space out of respect for him.

All of that has changed in 2014. While I still love watching and listening to Channel Nine cricket, a big chunk of the current team have descended into commentary competition in an effort to place themselves above the other.

For several of the combinations, that means no silence, no holding back and no quick words.

The worst of these is the infuriating Englishman, Mark Nicholas, who has anointed himself (or been anointed by the powers that be) as Richie’s successor. Nicholas was an OK cricketer who turned himself into a gun for hire commentator across every cricket market in the world.

Mark Nicholas, with Ian Healy, has been anointed as Richie Benaud’s summer. Picture: Richard Dobson

This is a bloke who loves the sound of his own voice and seldom defers to the greatness of those around him because, after all, he is great (just ask him).

When you are sitting next to Shane Warne, one would expect the natural inclination is to listen to what he has to say. Nicholas instead always puts himself in the anchor position, dominating the airwaves with stuff that ranges from dross to dreary.

James Brayshaw, another commentator who loves to destroy a beautiful cricketing moment, has been given the dual anchor role with Nicholas. His contribution so far has been less than grand, dotted by cringeworthy moments.

The result of the new order is that those who have been part of the team for years — Taylor, Ian Healy, Michael Slater, Ian Chappell — find themselves battling to be heard. They are falling over each other to talk, trying to outdo the other with facts, stats and stories.

Those of us lolling about on the couch are rendered exhausted by the clatter.

The exception is Warne who has become a revelation as a commentator. His incredible understanding of modern-day Test match tactics, and his relationships with those inside the Australian dressing room, give us our pass into a world we are seldom invited into by the others.

Michael Clarke will call the third and fourth Tests for Channel Nine alongside Shane Warne, one of the revelations of the commentary team. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Over at Channel Ten, somebody in a position of power has decided that the Big Bash is cool, young and groovy. Instead of watching Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting on the field in their dapper drill pants and navy shirts, they are now placed in a psychedelic studio so badly designed that whoever stuck it there must have been on something weirder than beer.

Those sitting in the acid chamber are forced to fiddle about with a ridiculous circular computer graphic that none of them knows how to use. What was once a trio of knockabouts enjoying the cricket is reduced to a mish-mash of nonsense.

The talented and gorgeous Mel McLaughlin, who was such a perfect fit for the Big Bash, has been relegated to a lesser role, leaving the ship without a captain. It wasn’t broken last year so why fix it?

The producers of these shows are entitled to tweak their products. What the commentators should know is that we are a pretty well educated cricket audience. We are not quite sure why it jars with us but we know when something is amiss.

Mel McLaughlin has impressed as the head of Channel 10s BBL coverage.

Perhaps it is time to cut the showbiz and go back to the cricket. After all, the sound of leather on willow is pretty damned special. Ask Richie.

CHARITABLE SKIPPER

THESE few days are the only time of the year most Australians turn an eye to the yachting world.

When you are watching the boats head to Hobart, salute the Perpetual Loyal skipper, Anthony Bell, who has turned the boat into a floating fundraising machine.

Bell has raised millions of dollars for children’s charities and attracted more publicity to the sport than any professional yachtsman could ever achieve. He has a boatful of sporting greats and professional sailors and each of them has given freely of their time all year to help Bell with his fundraising.

Here’s hoping they win line honours and return for another crack next year.

Anthony Bell with his family. The Loyal foundation held a farewell for Perpetual Loyal at Rose Bay Marina. Picture: Carly Earl

SIX FAREWELL NRL

THE bleeding at NRL headquarters continues with six experienced staffers leaving the organisation last week on the day of the office Christmas Party.

While Dave Smith and his acolytes continue to deny there is any trouble at Moore Park, those who left have expressed their dismay at the way the Smith administration treats staff. Bear in mind each of those who left had immense talent and attracted great respect within the league world.

They will no doubt be replaced by more staff with banking and political backgrounds. Smith believes these are the people who should be running sport.

MY THANKS TO YOU

THIS is my last column before I take a break for a couple of weeks. Thank you to my loyal followers — the eloquent and not so eloquent critics — who offer their opinions every week. Believe it or not, that’s why people like us do the job. See you in 2015.

Originally published as Channel 9 cricket team should cut the showbiz and focus on game, writes Rebecca Wilson