Talk it Up

In securing its own rebel tour of the airwaves Cricket Australia (CA) has inadvertently taken the game away from Auntie ABC.

Seeing a need to grow the audience and maintain the relevancy of Test Cricket, CA pushed the ball for a quick single in 2013/14 and has since hit plenty of boundaries by expanding coverage of cricket via commercial channels.

There was a time via ABC radio when Norman May, Alan McGilvray, John Arlott, Brian Johnston, Christopher Martin-Jenkins and others – all A-grade men of the airwaves – would put you in the grandstands or in the middle of the SCG or Lords courtesy of their lyrical prose.

This season, ABC Radio’s commentating batting order is looking decidedly shaky. Only Jim Maxwell is left at the crease. He has a team around him but they have a long way to go to cement positions.

Drew Morphett has been dropped and Kerry O’Keeffe has walked – only to return to the top order at 2GB.

Meanwhile, the Fairfax Radio Network is looking to top the rankings with 2UE in Sydney and stations in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth muscling in on what was once the national broadcaster’s turf.

There’s no coloured clothing to be seen but there’s certainly some bright sparks who have switched sides.

Former ABC anchorman Tim Lane is a polished opener on 2UE. He’s made the switch to commercial radio as effortlessly as Warner sends balls skywards. Henry “my dear old thing” ‘Blowers’ Blofeld adds the colourful gravely voice required to bring the game without pictures to life on radio and Ian Chappell has come back from the WSC grave. He’s far more interesting to listen to on the wireless and his outspoken manner stimulates debate.

These heavy hitters, Alpha personalities, have runs on the board after stellar careers in the field. Damien Fleming and 'Mo' Matthews, are other ex ABC commentators who have made the switch to 'UE. Mo, the man with the polarising speech and hairstyle, is the sheik of speak.

‘Deano’ Jones and 'Pigeon' McGrath complete the impressive lineup. A no-nonsense debate about Dhoni’s decision to retire from Test cricket mid series but continue playing one-dayers was just one of many highlights during the second ODI in Melbourne. 

Together 2UE's commentary team all has a rollicking good time. Who wouldn’t when some moments of play are brought to you by Hardys Wines?

The only downside it would seem is the ad breaks at the end of every over, as the Sage Institute scoreboard is drilled home into one’s earls every six balls or so. Cricket purists would argue advertising is something that would be confined to television. Significantly however, the ad breaks seem far more seamless on radio. Well played.

There is plenty of talent to go around in this IPL of chatter. Network Ten is doing a solid job broadcasting the BBL. Although the trio of commentator’s all preened and coiffed on set look more like they’re sitting in a hair salon than commentating on a game. “Howie’s that!”

The absence of real characters who can commentate is telling.

Great players don't necessarily make good commentators and perhaps the ABC – due to extensive cuts to its budget – has been forced to select the B team.

Ed Cowan showed promise behind the microphone during the Sydney test, albeit briefly, and Stuart Clark can talk in much the same way as he made the ball move during his playing days.

These relative newcomers are sure to grow in the job but in the short term, the ABC audience could make the switch to commercialism and might not return south on the dial.  Have you switched allegiance? 

Maybe we’re witnessing a modern-day Kim Hughes moment where Jimmy Maxwell is the last man standing. He's sticking with the ABC establishment as others around him score plenty of runs elsewhere. The commentary game is not the same.

Has the ABC lost the toss, and the series? Or will it rise from the Ashes, dig in like Allan Border and put Auntie back on top?