Football Leagues
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World Series Cricket In 1976, Kerry Packer made a $500,000, five-year bid for the exclusive rights to televise international cricket played in Australia. The Australian Cricket Board fobbed him off and sold the rights to the ABC for considerably less money. Justifiably, Packer was furious that he had not even been given the right to negotiate. Meanwhile, the Australian players were becoming increasingly strident in their complaints about low salaries, especially as their time commitment increased. However in response to the player's grievances, the ACB secretary, Alan Barnes, remarked: ``They are not professionals... they were invited to play and if they don't like the conditions there are 500,000 other cricketers in Australia who would love to take their places.' Packer envisaged that a new competition could satisfy both his television interests and the monetary requirements of the players. He subsequently signed 50 of the world's leading players as his partners in crime for World Series Cricket. Not surprisingly, the defections caused a tumult to which Packer defiantly declared: `"Cricket is going to get revolutionised whether (the establishment) like it or not. There is nothing they can do to stop me. Not a goddamn thing.'' World Series Cricket featured players in coloured uniforms, white balls, batting and fielding restrictions, day/night games under lights, motorcycle helmets, body armour and best of all, the fans got a result before leaving the ground. The cricket purists were outraged and in England, the concept was criticised as a "Stupid pyjama game". The television coverage was also revolutionised. In one giant leap, Australian TV cricket broadcasting went from mediocre, one camera, once-in-a-while coverage to full-on, multi-camera, microphones-in-the-stumps, multi-replay and super-slowmo. Meanwhile, the ACB team was devastated by the absence of the best players and crowds fell. The ACB was forced to the bargaining table and a compromise was reached. Packer got the television rights, and has never relinquished them. The Channel 9 commentary team Cricket is such a slow game that a rationalist would presume it could only appeal to a Jamaican on valium. What kind of sport has footage of batsmen 'gardening', fielders polishing a ball, stops for lunch and again for a cup of tea? Yet one can lie on the couch, all day, watching this slowest of sports and still feel like one's day has been productive. For this, thanks must be given to Kerry Packer's greatest gift to cricket, the Channel 9 commentary team. Not only does each commentator have their own individual character, together they make a whole that is more than the sum of the individual parts. As a team, they make cricket seem not so much like a game, but a journey of enlightenment. Ritchie Benaud- The guru Benaud doesn't offer opinions about what the players should be doing, rather he offers a primary school teacher's comment when the cricketing basics have been strayed from: "I always thought cricket is a simple game, catches win matches." Alternatively, he may express his bemusement in regards to why there has been a skill error: "I'm sure there is a rational explanation. I just haven't seen it yet." Benaud's style sometimes offends the players. For example, in the 1993 summer New Zealand player Mark Greatbatch dropped every thing that came his way. But in the last test he held one at first slip, pointed up to the commentary box and screamed: “Stick that up your fucking arse!” Benaud's response: “Just reminding us he’s dropped a few already this year.” Another feature of Benaud's commentary is his expression of emotion through word selection rather than tone of voice. Rather than jump out of his seat to show his appreciation for skill, he will instead remained composed and use words like 'magnificent' and 'brilliant.' Like his simplistic comments, his command over his emotions reinforces his aura as the great master. Bill Lawry - nose for excitement Lawry has a nose for excitement and something is always happening when he is in the commentary box. He loves expressions like "it's a big one!" and "it'll go all the way!" Lawry provides the excited ying to Benaud's composed yang. Ian Chappel - The strategic thinker Chappel is the opinionated strategist who is always saying what he thinks a captain should be doing or what a player is doing wrong. Although he has the type of personality unsuitable for a relaxing barbie, as a commentator Chappel's dogma makes it seem like there is a higher purpose to laying on a couch all day watching cricket. Chappel isn't everyone's cup of tea and perhaps soon may be discovering he has a favourite chair and a nice tartan blanket. Ian Healy - Mr Mellow Healy rarely says anything intelligent which is understandable considering he is a Queenslander. Healy's strength is the mellow commentary which is perfect for the hot days on the couch when pondering Chappel's logic is too much like hard work. As well as calming viewers, Healy is also a soothing influence on his fellow commentators. The likes of Chappel are intense individuals who are prone to work themselves up over an umpiring decision or team selection. Healy realigns his fellow commentator's focus with wise advice such as "minor issue" and "let it go." Tony Greig - Oz's hairyback pom. Greig is the team's shit-stirrer. He was born in South Africa but due to sporting sanctions, he captained England and now lives in Australia. With a foot in so many camps, it is easy to understand why he is more than willing to argue with his fellow commentators. Although Greig has some of the condescending composure of Benaud, the excitement of Lawry and the strategic thinking of Chappel, he is clearly his own man. Out of all the commentators, he is the most prone to take the piss in his commentary. Michael Holding - Cameo Michael Holding provides the Caribbean insights to accompany the touring West Indian teams, and indeed the high standard of his commentary is befitting a Brian Lara in full flight. In his slow, relaxed West Indian accent, Holding conveys almost a kind of Benauesque wisdom: "I'm sure he doesn't like that. I've yet to meet anyone who likes being hit in the face with a cricket ball."
Taylor is the team's weak link, neither holding his own as an individual nor contributing to the team as a whole. Taylor tries to provide the strategic thinking of Chappel but fails to cut the mustard. Whereas Chappel's insights are given authority due to 70s style mustache, Taylor contradicts himself or just speaks garbage. To compensate for his shortcomings, Taylor tries to convey an aura of assertiveness which only succeeds in making him appear lacking in objectivity. Worst of all, Taylor has an irritating voice that sounds nasal and agitated. Of course such problems with his delivery could be overlooked if he had credibility. But, as the only Australian captain ever to lead his side to missing the finals of World Series Cricket, Joe the Cameraman has more credibility on the one day game than Taylor. Just as he was in the one day team, in the commentary box Taylor is well out of his depth.
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Invention of Australian sports Cricket
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Mark
Taylor - the weak link
