Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[Making_Splinters]

Cozier was a increasingly rare breed who knew his cricket, not just international cricket. His passion for the West Indies bled through his writing particularly his coverage of the dysfunctional WICB over the last few years. A huge loss to the game.

[GarlicJam]

Might sound like a bit of a strange one, but it occurred to me that Edwards looks much older than her 35 years.

I tested this by sending a picture to two colleagues, and the lowest guess was 47..... highest was 61!!!

If I had been asked, I would have been around the lower number. She does look much older than she is.

[GarlicJam]

Sorry to interrupt discussion on the passing of a great commentator with such mundanity. Hadn't got that far through the thread.

Couple of threads on Cozier's passing...

[Arthur Crabtree]

I can imagine a few publications would have a word about discussing looks on a sportswoman's retirement!

[Arthur Crabtree]

After Benaud, was Cozier the last of that generation of commentators? That were around in the seventies? (Cozier was around before that). I can't think of anyone.

But it is late.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Blofeld.

[sussexpob]

After Benaud, was Cozier the last of that generation of commentators? That were around in the seventies? (Cozier was around before that). I can't think of anyone.

But it is late.

Tony Lewis? Not sure she he started on tms though

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not just TMS.

Lewis is not commentating though. The other one is Bill Lawry, still going.

Jim Maxwell must be close to that era.

More than others, Cozier was still going strong at the end. Blofeld has been struggling for about 15 years. And dare I say it, Benaud was in decline after 2000.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think Lawry just does guest spots now.

[GarlicJam]

Bill is pretty much just at the MCG.

Maxwell is one of the last commentators who hasn't played cricket at a high level. Blofeld, yes, but as mentioned by Arthur, not such a good commentator these days.

Who else?

[sussexpob]

I like Bill Lawry a lot, but I find others in the commentary box can bring him down a bit..... it must be hard to commentate with Slats, Warne and Healy sometimes though.

Hard to think which commentators are left that dont annoy me more than anyone else. I always like Ian Smith, but he has got worse lately.

I actually like Mark Taylor a lot, but again, depends on how much he engages with the morons he is often with. When left to his own devices I find his style enjoyable to listen to.

[GarlicJam]

I've always really disliked Ian Smith. He makes Ian Healy look very non-biased.

Maybe it's something about ex-keepers called Ian?


I remember being surprisingly impressed with Nasser Hussein when I first heard him. Interesting point that you make, Sussex, about fellow commentators degrading a possible decent one - did this happen with Nasser?

Taylor is too much a sycophant for my liking.

[GarlicJam]

What I have always loved about Lawry is his unbridled (and generally unbiased) enthusiasm. He just LOVES good cricket.

Biased about aything Victorian, but he will gladly admit to that.

[sussexpob]

I dont find that with Taylor, not anymore than anyone else. As I said about Cozier before, what set him apart was the absence of bitterness towards players, I think because he never played he never felt the need to disrespect others out of jealousy or comparison. All other commentators have this to be honest, I wouldnt single out Tubs. If anything he suffers from slight bias, and when commentating about England he can get a little combative, but again, think of the others in the box!!!

Ian Healy is the most intolerable commentator ever when Nicholas is discounted (because he wrote the book on terrible punditry). Some of the Indian commentators are terrible, they seem to discuss non existant factors more than others.

I like Nasser, I think he is better than probably anyone for filling gaps in play with a bit of humour, but if anything he slightly fails on the bias.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Harsha Bhosle is a commentator who didn't play (internationals anyway).