Slater? What’s going on! Personally my top 5 would be Boycott, Ian Chappell, Bill Lawry, Greig and Atherton. It is my opinion that Indian commentators (barring the hilarious Navjot Singh Sidhu) are the worst of the lot.

Perhaps a post about who are the worst in your opinion would be nice Ian.

Nasser Hussain, Ian Healy (bat guitar notwithstanding), Atherton, Holding and Warne - the best in my book, with Simon Hughes just missing out.

I think it’s important to differentiate between the guys who do the actual commentary, and the guys who introduce the show and do comment pieces afterwards.

In terms of commentators I’d want Atherton - he’s very dry and very insightful; CMJ - he’s the voice of creicket on the radio, and he’s enormously knowledgeable; Bumble - for the fun element he can’t be beaten, and cricket commentary should be fun; Gower as front man - surely he’s the heir apparent to Benaud; and Willis for the after play rant. Whilst Bob’s particular brand of whining, moaning, downright boring commentary should be consigned to the scrap heap, his post play monologues (normally decrying the state of the game), delivered straight to camera, are a work of genius. He just needs someone to wind him up, and off he goes. Particularly fun is when he gets on to the topic of bad light.

Oh, and I want Boycott too. Say what you like about him, but he really knows his stuff, and is seldom, if ever wrong. And he’s an opinionated sod too, which is all to the good.

That’s six, Bear… Tut tut.

If you’re having Boycs, then I’ll take Bumble too. His reaction yesterday to Michael Vaughan’s strides slipping down was priceless, especially with Jimmy Adams giggling in the background. Great TV. Besides, he IS 20-20 cricket.

Agree about Willis. He used to be just boring, but now he is angry and very good value.

From a completely different view ( ie. Aussie)-

Jim Maxwell (ABC radio)
Shane Warne
Kerry O’Keefe (ABC) driving Jonathon Agnew mad - they have to be on together
Harsha Bhogle
Michael Holding ( on voice timbre alone!)

I would take John Arlott and Brian Johnston as commentators, and Fred Trueman, Jim Laker and Richie Benaud as analysts/colour guys.

The voice of John Arlott was for years the personification of all that is great about cricket, to be followed by the irrepressible ‘Jonners’.

Fiery Fred, dour Jim and the incomparable Richie provided all there ever was to know about the game and tactics.

None of the current crop of talking heads could get close to these past masters!

Hugh Grant

I never get to see or hear Bob Willis’s rants, unfortunately.

I’ve gone off Boycs and Nicholas. Give me Atherton, Nasser and Bumble (first two playing straight man to the third who can be completely off the wall); from the Australian summer I rather liked Mark Taylor (who really looks like Anthony La Paglia these days — I was surprised no-one brought up the resemblance on the day when Taylor started going on about how much his wife loved Without a Trace); from the Windies tour I’ve come to enjoy the thoughtful Jimmy Adams.

For smooth frontman, I prefer Gower over Nicholas. And Botham, big man, big knight, big reputation, big car and all, does not rate. Though it was very funny after he got his gong and was being teased by Atherton et al about turning up in his secondhand Bentley, that he turned the tables by filming Atherton’s tatty scratched old stationwagon. I thought it was Nass with the reputation for being tight.

I dont get to watch much cricket on TV but enough to appreciate Athers. TMS are a mixed bag. Cant stand Boycott - not that he has nt got something interesting to say but he’s like a dog with a bone and has to have the last word. I really hope Im listening when we hear a clump as he hits the deck when Aggers patience finally gives out. Vic Marks and Mike Selvey are gems. Quite impressed with Sir Viv too. Heart sinks when Blowers and CMJ come on the air. Barry Richards would be my other choice.

Au contraire dear Bear. Marks, Selvey AND Richards are interesting. They initiate new topics to move the general discussion on and usually offer something more than platitudes. They can all offer some insight into the modern day thinking behind the game and contribute anecdotes from their playing days. Selvey especially has a terrific sense of humour and qualifies as a raconteur imho. Now if its platitudes and cliches you go for then I can well understand why you enjoy CMJ’s contributions. Although CMJ has played cricket all his life he strikes me as someone whose knowledge of the game is derived from some 1950s boys adventure book. Indeed I would judge CMJ as the Commentator Who Knows Least About The Game.

Bear I am aware of CMJ cricketing background and yes, I do find his accent slightly irritating (tho Im sure my own Lancastrian tones are far worse), but I just do not find him an engaging commentator. But not only is he dull, I cant stand the way he pussy-foots around foreigners sensibilities in that guilt-ridden way. I know they all do it to some extent - after all they are well-mannered Englishmen - but CMJ lays it on like only a white, middle-class liberal can. Crikey I can almost see him wringing his hands and genuflecting as he apologises for Pakistan or West Indies being crap.

M said…
“Mark Church for BBC Radio London and Surrey Cricket Radio, with partner, archivist/statistician Trevor Jones. These two are unsung gems. Knowledgable, insightful, dry and funny to boot. They provide wonderful commenatry and they engage with listeners very well indeed via email and texts. A brilliant partnership.”

The bloggers curse! Trevor Jones has disappeared from the airwaves and no one is saying a word! Even Kevin Hand and the Rampants’ blog have nary a word.

All I can say is that you in England don’t know what you’re missing out on.

Having grown up in Australia, spent some time in NZ and now living in the UK I can say the ABC radio team is the best - bar none. Some of the three way discussions between Aggers, O’Keefe and Bogle leave you needing a change of underwear. Its the only station that is as good to listen to during a rain interruption as when the game’s on - just to hear these boys go.

As for the TV front men - can’t go past Richie - may he live for ever! - and his clone - Nicholas (I’m sure he’ll inherrit the ‘off white’ when the Great Benaud retires).

Do yourselves a favour England - try tuning into ABC Grandstand next time Aus is playing England (pod cast maybe???) - you’ll be in for a treat!