The insightful commentary of Richie Benaud and Tony Cozier is now outdated. Today’s cricket commentary is full of repeated clichés, shallow analysis, harsh criticism, and unnecessary stories. Commentators with their boring narrations make watching cricket on TV dull. They even turn the game into nonsense with their awkward mistakes and extra comments. We really need good commentators to keep the sport exciting.
A good commentator should use their cricket knowledge and language skills to guide viewers and provide in-depth analysis of the game. They should keep the audience interested with clever and calm commentary without over-the-top comments, making the game enjoyable.
Here, we look at 5 of the best cricket commentators in the world.
1. Mark Taylor
With Bill Lawry getting older, tomorrow’s Channel Nine commentary team won’t have many good commentators. Michael Slater and Ian Healy seem more like big fans of the Australian cricket team than commentators. The Nine commentators talk too much about their past careers instead of giving insightful analysis. Their inside jokes aren’t helpful for international viewers.
But there’s one commentator who stands out: Mark Taylor. Affectionately called Tubbs, he smoothly joined the Nine Network commentary team with his dry humor and deep insights into the sport.
He gives balanced and fair opinions, does thorough research before speaking, and isn’t afraid to speak his mind on controversial issues. Taylor is widely seen as one of the most knowledgeable commentators of his time, and he’s likely to lead Channel Nine’s commentary for years to come.
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2. Mike Haysman
Like Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, Mike Haysman didn’t achieve great success as a cricketer. However, unlike Sivaramakrishnan, Haysman is a joy to listen to. His deep knowledge and insights into the game make South African cricket more enjoyable for viewers. Similar to many talented commentators, he doesn’t impose his opinions on the audience.
Haysman has a clear, sharp voice and knows when to get animated and excited during key moments of the game. He strikes a balance by not overanalyzing or getting overly excited, making him one of the most underrated commentators. In simple terms, his commentary is exceptional yet easy to follow.
Haysman is part of the commentary team for all South African matches and has been a regular in global T-20 tournaments, making occasional appearances in the Indian Premier League as well.
3. Michael Holding
Cricket fans worldwide love Michael Holding for his deep Jamaican voice and clear way of speaking. He expertly comments on the game and possesses extensive knowledge, making listeners eager to hear him.
During his playing days, they called Holding “Whispering Death” because of his quietly deadly bowling style. As a Sky Sports commentator for more than 15 years now, he earns respect for calmly sharing informative insights about cricket.
Holding isn’t about flashy language or style. Instead, he focuses on providing thoughtful analysis and isn’t afraid to tackle tough issues others avoid. His approach has made him a standout in cricket commentary.
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4. David Lloyd
This is David Lloyd, affectionately known as “Bumble.” His unique English accent and trademark exclamations have endeared him to cricket fans everywhere. With a background as a player, umpire, and coach, his cricket expertise is unmatched. Whether he’s sharing funny stories or offering insights from various roles in the game, Lloyd always brings lively and well-prepared commentary. His presence on the panel ensures there’s never a dull moment for cricket enthusiasts.
5. Harsha Bhogle
You probably guessed it. It’s obvious. Harsha Bhogle is the main voice of Indian cricket. Many consider him the greatest storyteller of the game ever. He comments from a neutral standpoint. His gentle voice, cleverness, and intelligence make him a top commentator.
While most fans follow cricket for their favorite players or teams, many of us also follow because of Harsha Bhogle, who graduated from IIM Ahmedabad. His deep knowledge, analysis, and logical views on cricket make him stand out among other Indian commentators. His broad intellect and ability to see ahead keep cricket fans glued to their TVs for hours. On top of this, he combines a sharp eye for detail and analytical skills with humor. For example, when describing Pujara’s skills in Test cricket and how he seems out of place in T20 cricket, Harsha made a fitting comparison: “Pujara is like a classical musician in the time of Yo Yo Honey Singh.” He is seen as the top broadcaster in his field because of this quote
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