The 5 greatest cricket commentators of all time

Sometimes on-field cricketers go off-field and do magic with their voice. With a sound knowledge of the game combined with experience, these people make watching matches so much more entertaining. Mute and experience a cricket match, for only then will the importance of great commentary shine through. The most successful commentators are the ones who have managed to keep viewers in a light mood, hooked and eager to learn more about the game. The aura of good commentary is so much that people even watch a full test match getting hooked to the commentators’ discussion than for the match itself. Good commentators can even make the most dullest of situations in a cricket match seem lively enough to make the heart skip a beat! Here is presenting the 5 greatest cricket commentators of all time, all special people who have managed to keep viewers entertained throughout the match:

1. Richie Benaud

Perhaps he is one of those who is a bit ahead in the race for the best commentator’s award till date. A leg spin bowler and a lower order aggressive batter, Benaud was instrumental in helping Australia reach its peak again in the late 1950′s. According to Sri Lankan cricket writer Harold de Andrado: “Richie Benaud possibly next to Sir Don Bradman has been one of the greatest cricketing personalities as player, researcher, writer, critic, author, organiser, adviser and student of the game.”

Affectionately called ‘The Bradman of Broadcasting’, Benaud was characterized by his cream jacket and a special way of speaking, which perhaps reflected his keen intellect and knowledge of the sport. Nearly five decades of his commentary and yet none got bored of him. Without trying to overly criticize anyone, he had a style in which he said everything that was needed to be said.

During one particular match, Benaud saw a batsman play and miss an ugly swing ball. He paused, thought for a moment and said “And, that’s not to be confused with a good shot”. A great legend of the game, he is one of those men who is missed greatly not for his playing abilities but for his commentary. Few examples would suffice to demonstrate how well he spoke and articulated:

A cricket ground is a flat piece of earth with some buildings around it.

Captaincy is 90 per cent luck and 10 per cent skill. But don’t try it without that 10 per cent.

The hallmark of a great captain is the ability to win the toss, at the right time.

I was employed as an investigator and my particular team, we were investigating the role of the business community in the genocide and we identified a bunch of leaders of the business community and I investigated two people.

2. Tony Greig

A former English cricketer who too is remembered more for his commentary than for his exploits on the pitch. Frank and to the point, albeit in a humourous way, Tony Greig was a always man to be wary of. They say that a man’s actions are what symbolise him. It could not be true with Greig. His commentary career was mired by controversial talk just like his playing career.

Tony always tried to be frank and outspoken and this attracted controversies aplenty, but listeners loved him for his outspokenness and found him simply too adorable. He always pepped up his talks with humor, disagreements and tons of enthusiasm. Many of his views were so frank that it caught the authorities unawares, but unlike other high profile commentators he always stuck to what he believed in. Here are some of the memorable quotes he said during his commentary career:

“Only ever had a dress on once, mate.”

“This Test is done and dusted.”

3. Geoffrey Boycott

The fourth-highest accumulator of first class centuries in cricket history, Geoffrey Boycott was another man who took the mike job after his on-field career ended. Battling against cancer, he held on to his duty as a commentator and what a success he was! An outspoken guy, Boycott was sought after for his dignified looks, his insightful comments and his wonderful way of speaking, for he had an an aura of about him.

Whenever listeners tuned into his commentary, they were rarely, if at all bored, with his thoughts and views enthralling all. Here are some excerpts of his out-of-the-world commentary:

I think England will win a Test. My concern is Australia will probably win two.

If Trescothick had tried to get me off the field when batting well, I’d have hit him with my bat.

When I was playing the game we never had the benefit of TV or video to analyse our techniques or look at faults, we depended on other cricketers to watch us and then tell us what they thought we were doing wrong.

4. Navjot Singh Sidhu

We may love him for his ‘sidhuisms’ or just plainly hate them, but the truth is nobody can ignore Navjot Singh Sidhu. A former Indian batsman, Sidhu, or ‘Sherry’ as he is lovingly called, took the commentary box by storm in the world of cricket with his innovative ways of commentating. His comparisons, his articulations and his instantaneous responses are a treat for anybody listening to him.

When Sidhu is around, viewers do not watch cricket, but listen to his ‘cricket’. The entire atmosphere becomes lively and that has an effect on those nearby him too, who too seem to be energized with his presence. Attacking and aggressive, just as was his batting style, Sidhu’s commentary sometimes went out of the level of decency, and thus he has had to face some problems. Yet the perfectly mesmerizing voice, the witticisms and quotes of Navjot Singh Sidhu are a delight any day, any time. Here are some of his best ones:

A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef.

A revolutionary idea is usually one with its sleeves rolled up.

After marriage, the other man’s wife looks more beautiful.

Age has been the perfect fire extinguisher for flaming youth.

Anybody can pilot a ship when the sea is calm.

Beware of the naked man who offers you his shirt.

5. Harsha Bhogle

He wasn’t a cricketer playing for the national team like the others in the list here. Yet, his abilities as a commentator stand tall and well above many others to enable him to be considered as one of the best in the business. A man with an engineering and a management degree, Harsha Bhogle was always interested in cricket and though he couldn’t make it big on the cricket field, the mike gave him the perfect opportunity to express his love for the game.

Bhogle’s analysis of the game, his views and understanding are a class apart. Also are his social abilities to be friendly and mingle with anyone who is on stage with him. Nobody feels nervous around him, and in a few instants the threads holding one back from talking freely vanishes when he or she is with Harsha Bhogle. Here are some his best lines

Ind vs NZ (NZ 2002-2003) In the match, Sehwag had escaped many times, and when Sehwag was dropped for the umpteenth time, Bhogle remarked : “It’s been that kind of a day. Today Sehwag can walk blindfolded across a busy highway and not get runover.”

Ind vs Aus 2000 ICC knockout championship, played in Kenya and the debut match for Yuvraj Singh. (yuvi’s debut)Sachin had a great day and was smashing all the bowlers. He then hit a superb off drive off Brett Lee. Bhogle remarked: “This innings by Tendulkar has been a beautiful garden, the last shot being the most beautiful flower in it.”

Remarking on a decision of Billy Bowden to give a LBW, Bhogle said: “The last time Billy gave lbw , Berlin wall was not there , there was peace in Afghanistan…”