Is David Gower the worst cricket commentator

Ian J · 28-06-2008, 12:26 PM

I wince whenever it's his turn in the commentary box as I think that he's dreadful. He speaks in a monotonous drone designed to send you off to sleep and the rubbish that he comes out with is garbled and mangled and his philosophy seems to be "why use a simple word when there is a much more complicated alternative"

Cricket is perceived to be an old man's game and if it is to attract younger viewers the commentators need to be attuned to that and start speaking normally.

Mike Atherton is my favourite commentator as he is intelligent and articulate but speaks plain English mixed in with a sense of humour. I also like David LLoyd as he has no airs and graces and comes out with the most amusing quotes and stories

Sicknote10 · 28-06-2008, 12:43 PM

Not a fan of Gower either, They Think It's All Over was better when he left too

Nasser Hussain and Bumble is my ideal combo, Nas isn't too long retired so still intouch with the game, and Bumble adds the comedy which the younger viewers (myself included) like - he also seems to be respected by all the players when talking to them during 20/20 games

Spligsey · 28-06-2008, 7:45 PM

No he isn't....
Botham is much worse...I call him Mr Hindsight..
The amount of times he has contradicted himself over the years is frightening.
Don't forget, he turned up at Lords for the launch of Alan Stanford's 20/20 mega bucks ceremony wearing a jumper draped over his shoulders!
I agree about Atherton - great commentator.
My all time fav was Navjot Singh Sidhu - some of his comments were hilarious. I am also a fan of Boycs.

IAN P · 28-06-2008, 8:30 PM

Some of the funniest micky takes here.My Australian uncle had these,side splitting is an understatement

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Just-Not.../dp/B00000JB54

Ian J · 29-06-2008, 6:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spligsey

Botham is much worse...I call him Mr Hindsight..

I must agree that Botham is living proof that a great cricketer doesn't make a good pundit and I find his insistance that the "lesser" commentators refer to him as Sir Ian a bit OTT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spligsey

My all time fav was Navjot Singh Sidhu

I haven't heard him for ages - probably due to the fact that he's in prison - but I was very disappointed to read a couple of weeks ago that he wasn't naturally a humerous person but his onscreen personna was completely manufacturered. Still funny though

pibs · 30-06-2008, 2:11 AM

Can't say I was ever thrilled with many of the Sky commentators, though got rid of them over a year ago so maybe its better now. Shame Channel 4/5 lost the cricket as many of them were good and even the Beeb had some greats in their time
The worst commentator on Sky I thought was Hussain. He said to much, didn't like what he said anyway and when on camera.....well enough said.

JohnG · 30-06-2008, 7:52 AM

Yes, agreed, Gower is crap, Atherton and Bumble are probably the best. I haven't had Sky Sports for a while now so don't know who the current commentators are to be honest. Boycott is OK in small doses but the way he says certain words like "deeezizion", "creekeet" and so on really annoy me.

Scholes18 · 30-06-2008, 1:26 PM

Dont mind gower myself but i find bob willis just drains me of the will to live. Verbal mogado that fella.

Most of skys regulars ( especially bumble ) are okay but the best one all told for me is mark nicholas ( CH5 ).

Top bloke

shane515 · 30-06-2008, 7:56 PM

Agree with most here regarding Bumble

but Nick Knight REALLY is bad IMHO, really drone's on about how good he was and how the game was played in his day.......'his day' was only a couple of years ago wasnt it?

Rant over

Shane

PS Come on Kent, 20/20 champs again

Scholes18 · 01-07-2008, 10:16 AM

ps

come on lancashire!!

chabuca · 31-08-2008, 10:23 AM

I am probably very late in replying to this but I've just found the site!
David Gower is appalling and as the 'chairman' of the discussions, is even worse. Nasser and Bumble are great and I also like Athers, in spite of his rather dull voice, at least he talks sense and has a sense of humour.

**Steven** · 31-08-2008, 7:44 PM

Was Gower the peroxide blonde haired person that used to captain on "They think its all over"?

JohnG · 31-08-2008, 8:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

Was Gower the peroxide blonde haired person that used to captain on "They think its all over"?

Yes, he was crap in that as well !

Sicknote10 · 31-08-2008, 8:53 PM

Even Steve Davis was better!

**Steven** · 31-08-2008, 10:11 PM

Steve Davis is intelligent but throws in a sly, subtle dark humour. I am affronted!

Bilbob · 01-09-2008, 5:56 PM

Is Gower as bad as the goons on ITV for the champs league?

Scholes18 · 02-09-2008, 4:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbob

Is Gower as bad as the goons on ITV for the champs league?

Nah.. david pleat's a man that could make bob willis sound like he's about to explode with excitement.

bluestreak56 · 02-09-2008, 10:25 AM

Gower is pretty bad but not half as bad as that oaf mark nicholas !!

Mullet94 · 02-09-2008, 2:16 PM

Worst one is Bob Willis can't stand him at all. I like Holding, Bumble, Athers, Hussain and Botham though. Not sure about Gower he does go on a bit when what he said could of been a lot simpler.

Legendary stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvcnJ...eature=related

jason g · 02-09-2008, 9:11 PM

personally i could never stand listening to boycott.

robfosters · 03-09-2008, 6:24 PM

That video has confirmed to me that Bob Willis and Paul O'Grady are the same person.

As for commentators, they all have their ups and downs, apart from Bumble. I do like the way Athers screams 'GONE!' when the stumps go crashing.