Sport Today

It seems to me that Sky's regular team of commentators are
collectively getting better, but individually their performance is in
inverse proportion to their ability as cricketers. In descending order
of ability with a microphone:

1. Paul Allot.  (9/10)
Incisive comments, thoughtful and with insight. Not afraid either to
praise or blame.
2. Mark Nicholas.  (8/10)
Genial, with a nice turn of phrase. Tries a little too hard to see the
good in everyone.
3. Bob Willis.  (4/10)
Seems to be permanently disgusted with everything he sees. Another
Fred Truman in the making.
4. Ian Botham  (2/10)
Mumbling, incoherent, cliche-ridden. Clearly bored most of the time.

The excitable Charles Colville seems, thank goodness, to have been
given a more peripheral role. He is much better as an interviewer than
a commentator.

Ian Smith has been a breath of fresh air on the New Zealand leg of the
tour - the only one who has dared to suggest on air that he might have
a sense of humour!

Peter Halliwell

Generally I enjoy the commentary, but contrary to your comment, I still look forward to hear what Willis or Botham say, and I think Nicholas is excellent in his tactical
awareness of the game and his knowledge of the players..surprising since he's the
only member not to have played at Test level..Allot's ok but does keep harping
on about fielding positions esp. when he does'nt agree with them..

Smithy clearly enjoys winding them up and is good for a laugh..but what about more Glen Turner..he's on for about 15 mins then he's off again until the next day?? Here's
a guy that knows the NZ players better than anyone of late and its interesting to
hear about their progression to their present day careers..

...sadly missing the Gower humour tho'..where is he anyway after commentating in
Zimbabwe..?? Thinking its all over?? (So did Eng in Auckland..)

CGM