Aussie Cricket Commentators

[ali888]

Aussie cricket commentators are just as annoying as English ones! They seem to be inventing a new version of English. I'm watching highlights of the second one day international between Aus and WI; Darren Sammy took a great catch and the commentator screamed that 'he's absolutely smoked that'. Methinks it's a case of saying all the right words

Comments

[corbyinoz]

Interesting question re Steve. He runs his own charity - a terrific one, that raises money to help people with unusual diseases/disabilities, the ones that are rare and so the treatment is wildly expensive and people don't qualify for enough financial aid. He's also heavily involved in the girls' orphanage he started in India. But lately he was brought onto the review board to go over Australian cricket and try to sort it out, and his comments have been sought in the media a bit more often. Reading between the lines, I'd say he stepped right back from cricket when he retired, and is now easing back into it.

But he'll never go to Nine. Ian Chappell has a hate on for him. Chappell wanted Warne as captain when Steve was appointed, and somehow he took that personally and thereafter went after Steve whenever he could. I don't think Steve is a bloke who plays the game, you know? No kind of schmoozer.

And just quietly - Warne as captain? Disastrous idea. The man's a dickhead. Yes, brilliant cricketer, but someone who blows hot and cold with teammates and is all about his own ego. Two of the most genuine blokes you'd ever meet are Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist, and neither can stand the man.

[ali888]

He's also heavily involved in the girls' orphanage he started in India.

That's for girls with leprosy or whose parents have leprosy, isn't it? I remember reading that he got involved when touring India back in the 1980s/90s.

Ian Chappell has a hate on for him.

I've never been a fan of any of the Chappell brothers. They ruined Kim Hughes' career and then there was the infamous underarm delivery. Steve would be well advised to stay as far away as possible from them.

[corbyinoz]

Oh, I loathe them. They were the people who invented the Ugly Aussies team of the 70s/early 80s. And yes, they hounded poor Kim Hughes because he didn't take Packer's money.

I must say, I saw Greg Chappell interviewed not long ago, and he seems to have mellowed considerably, was actually doing some pretty decent stuff for folks. But Ian? Pah. Likewise, bah.

I think we share a lot of opinions in common when it comes to cricket!

ETA: the orphanage came about because as you say, when touring he liked to get out and experience the country, rather than staying holed up in the hotel. He encouraged a lot of his teammates to do so, too. Anyway, his Indian host showed him to an orphanage, for boys. Steve was mobbed, it was a great day, etc, and then he said, "Okay, so let's go the the girls' orphanage tomorrow." And there was none. I adore the fact that he saw the need and did something about it. He didn't get it up and running per se, but he helped push for it and supports it, regularly flying over there to visit. Previously, of course, the girls just lived on the street and were swiftly taken for prostitution.

[ali888]

I think we share a lot of opinions in common when it comes to cricket!

I'm taking that as a compliment.

ETA: the orphanage came about because as you say, when touring he liked to get out and experience the country, rather than staying holed up in the hotel. He encouraged a lot of his teammates to do so, too. Anyway, his Indian host showed him to an orphanage, for boys. Steve was mobbed, it was a great day, etc, and then he said, "Okay, so let's go the the girls' orphanage tomorrow." And there was none. I adore the fact that he saw the need and did something about it. He didn't get it up and running per se, but he helped push for it and supports it, regularly flying over there to visit. Previously, of course, the girls just lived on the street and were swiftly taken for prostitution.

He sounds like a really great guy.

[corbyinoz]

I'm taking that as a compliment.

Hmmm, I dunno... I *am* a dickhead. Just ask Cazza!

[ali888]

Okay, I'll definitely ask her!

btw, what did you think of the latest ep of Supernatural. You might have seen from my comments that I was not impressed!