Sports Commentary Final

7/28/2019 Sports Commentary Final

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SPORTS COMMENTARY

A commentary is an explanation. The commentator is answering the questions that he thinks, that must

be there in the minds of the viewers. Since the commentator can only presume the questions in the mind of the

viewers, he must get into the shoes of the viewers and ask himself some questions.

The commentator must have a clear idea of the significance of the game, the profile of the players, the

history of the venue, the statistics of the performance of the teams in their previous outings, the possible

influence of the weather condition on the game, the nature of the pitch/ ground, players likely to be fielded in thefinal eleven, how crucial the toss is going to be. The commentator must anticipate these and other questions and

be ready with credible and convincing comments supported by visuals, statistics and clippings from file pictures.

Besides posing questions and answering it for the audience, a good commentator must do quiet bit of

homework to make his commentary alive and effective. When a team is unknown to the commentator he must

make sure to familiarise with it even before the match. The commentator must make use of sources like team

media guides, press information kits, official year books, newspaper stories and columns, and specialized sports

magazines as part of his preparation. Homework for a good commentary includes learning the names and

profiles of players by heart. The commentator must check the

pronunciation of the players' names with Assistant Managers or team captains. Besides this, good commentators

carry notes containing anecdotes, information cards, binoculars if required and all this come handy during

commentary.

Though the liking of the viewers regarding the style being followed by commentators is very muchsubjective, it is possible to lay down some general principles that constitute a good commentary.

In case of a radio commentary of the game, the commentators must provide the audience with relatively

more information than what it should be for a telecast. In the former case it is more narration that is required

while in the latter it is more of interpretation. But in both cases the score has to be often repeated, and as a must,

before going to a commercial and immediately after a commercial. Good commentators handle the delays,

interruptions and any such unforeseen eventualities well and humorously.

A good commentary is not one that is exaggerated. The viewers and the listeners lose faith fast in a

commentator who exaggerates. Good commentary is one that avoids too much and too little commentary. The

commentator must keep reviewing. He should interpret the body language of the players and capture even minor

fights on the field without sensationalizing them. Accuracy with the statistics and other information is very

important for a good commentary.

Action verbs are very much required to enliven the commentary. Even sports reporters rely very muchon action verbs as they help to convey the idea more powerfully. A good commentator must have a large fund ofaction verbs and he must know to use them effectively, without creating clichs out of them.

Another major spice that makes a commentary attractive is the effective use of background sound.

Cricket often has enthusiastic response from the crowd. The sound of cheering fans can enhance the

commentary. A good commentator with the help of the sound engineer uses the background sounds effectively.Language skills might help a commentator to provide the audience with an entertaining commentary;

but not necessarily a good commentary. In order to provide a good and credible commentary, the commentator

must possess some cricket acumen. This is one of the areas where former players turned out to be commentators

have an edge.

For example, in a game of unpredictability and fluctuating fortunes like cricket, commentators with

experience will be able to perform better as they can better interpret situations. Again cricket is a game where

effective implementation of strategies can turn the tide. In cricket, unlike in football or most other games, thetype of the pitch and the climatic conditions play a major role in the final result of the play.

This is where game acumen becomes a must for the commentator. A commentator who consistently go

wrong in reading a cricket pitch to be a 'fast track' a 'turner' or a 'batsman's paradise', or a commentator who goes

totally wrong in predicting the possible winning target on a pitch before the game, will lose their credibility and

popularity. A commentator with good game acumen will easily interpret for the viewers any change in the

strategy employed by the team like changing in the batting order or an unexpected bowling change by the

captain or even a change of field setting. Game acumen calls for sharp reflexes at the head level.One of the most prevalent and annoying habits of the sports announcers is the over use of clichs and

catch phrases. Each commentator has his time schedule and if he does sufficient homework he can avoid this


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mistake which can irritate and bore the audience and listeners. Usages like 'under pressure' of course, incommand, are on the roll, sensible cricket, terrific shot, is in complete charge, the situation is, good bowling,

clueless etc are examples for some such clichs and catch phases. The commentators while being familiar with

each and every term and terminology of the games must make sure that they don't treat the language so

atrociously as to irritate the educated viewers and listeners.

A commentator has to be an effective interviewer as well, because such skills are demanded of him to

be effective and professional in his profession. Normally the interview that a commentator has to take up is of

three types, namely, pre-match, match and post match interviews. The interviewer must anticipate the questionsthat the viewer is likely to feel. However often these interviews are short and confined to just two or three

routine questions. For example, in cricket, in the pre-match interview done after the toss only the captains are

interviewed. The vital questions asked on the occasion is about the choice of batting or fielding, by the team that

won the toss, details about change of players in the team, and possible winning target on the particular pitch.

The interviews done during the match are more part of the commentary and it doesn't involve the

playing eleven. It comes as a discussion at the commentary box or a guest appearance by somebody prominent

in the game who is asked to comment on the game that is in progress.

The post-match interviews which take place during the presentation ceremony, gives scope to the

commentator for greater creativity in posing questions. Normally the winning captain, the losing captain and the

man of the match are interviewed on the occasion after which the commentator makes a match summery for the

viewers and listeners.

Match related interviews can sometimes be frustrating because the interviewees are preoccupied and tensedbefore the game and exhausted after the game. Due to this the commentators must keep the following points in

mind while interviewing.

1. Assume that the audience is capable of understanding the complex and precise questions about

strategies and techniques.

2. Avoid asking superficial and predictable questions.

3. The commentator interviewing must appear pleasant and shouldn't put down the losing side.

4. The interviewing commentator must work up to controversial and critical questions with care.

5. Sympathize with the losing team and rejoice with the winning team.

6. Allow and prompt the interviewee to speak more.

The duration of a one-dayer is over 7hrs while that of a test is over 35hrs spread in 5days. So if a

commentator has to keep his audience seated to their chair, he must possess a fine sense of humour. Cricket

often throws up tense and pressure filled situations and it is upto the commentator to cool down the heat withoutreducing the excitement. One occasion which gives great scope to exhibit the commentator's sense of humour iswhen, the camera scans the gallery to spot funny situations, placards, banners, dress, actions, and the

commentators can use effective one liners to humarise the shot.

Commentators of the present day are well equipped with a large number of diagrams and computergraphics. The diagrams and tables showing the scoring pattern, the runs scored through the different sides of the

pitch, run rate, strike rate, partnership, career statistics of players, performance of teams in the previous matches,

fall of wickets, bowling statistics, score board, extras conceded, all when attractively presented draws the viewer

and involves him more into the game. These statistics, diagrams and tables provide enough scope for

commentators to add in with their bit of comments on these facts.

There are some ethical principles the commentators ought to abide by. Report, entertain and sell is the

responsibility of the commentator. The commentator must show himself to be credible, he must communicatethe natural enthusiasm he feels, and most importantly, he must avoid partisan commentary and home team bias.

Unfair and sharp comments from commentators have more than once led to violence in the stadium.

In the 1969 Australian tour of India, Venkataraghavan, an Indian player was declared caught out even

though the batsman did not appear to have got a touch. One commentator made a remark, which led to riot and

stampede in the stadium. Many viewers in the gallery, listening to the radio commentary, while watching the

game were found responsible for the violence. The role of the radio commentary in triggering the violence was

hotly debated by the press in the next few days.


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SOME PROMINENT CRICKET COMMENTATORS

Cricket commentary is a fast changing field and the conventional ideas of cricket commentary are

slowly being replaced. Cricket commentary is changing into an art and not just a profession anymore. There are

many Indian and foreign commentators who have made a mark in this field and they have all had their unique

traits that endeared them to the audience. Many commentators of the present day are as big stars as some of the

players themselves. The listeners and viewers long for their commentary almost as passionately as they support

their favourite teams.

Ian Chappel

Ian Chappel was the captain of the Australian team in his younger days, and in the nineties he emerged

as one of the prominent figures in the field of cricket commentary. About Ian Chappel it can be said that seldom

has a man brought such clinical efficiency to the job of a commentator as this rough and tough man. He is a

regular with the channel - 9 team and often on the panel for test matches in India; Many consider him as the best

in the field for his cricket acumen. Having spent time at the crease in most of the cricketing nations, seem to be

very much helping him to analyse the game and predict the possibilities. His no-nonsense approach and

marvelous insight into the game of cricket have brought hours of unalloyed pleasure to the cricket fans all over.

Ian Chappel is very orthodox in his style of commentary, and he can't tolerate anything that would bring

discredit to the gentleman's game. In fact Indians might still be remembering Chappell's spat with Sourav

Ganguly over issues related to cricketing customs, when the latter walked in for the toss on casual wears duringa test between India and Australia in Kolkotta. . Besides being a commentator he writes cricketing columns for

many publications including 'The Times of India.'

Barry Richards

Barry Richards, is another prominent foreign cricket commentator of the present day. A late entrant to

the scene, this former South African batsman has surprised many with his astute reading of the game of cricket.

With thick base voice and a comparatively more familiar accent for the Indian audience, he takes time to make

his comments and doesn't carry much excitement in the way he pitches the comments. However his suggestions

on air have often been lapped up by players watching in the dressing rooms and implemented with telling effect.

Even the players of the caliber of Sachin Tendulakar and Brain Lara have reportedly sought advice and received

valuable tips from Barry Richards.

Michael Holding

Michael Holding, currently a popular commentator was a key member of the West Indian pace battery

during the golden years of West Indian cricket. Known as 'Rolls Royce' in his heydays among the dreaded West

Indian speed quartet, Michael Holding is smooth as silk behind the microphones too. After recurring back

problems caused a premature end to his career in 1986-87, Michael took up the mike and is amongst the mostloved commentators now. His forthright views and understated sense of humour has made Holding a favourite

with the Indian audience too. A man of principles, Holding quit commentating briefly to protest the West Indian

Cricket Board's decision to recall Carl Hooper to lead the national side.

Geoffrey Boycott

Geoffrey Boycott is perhaps the foreign commentator who needs least introduction. Some describe Geoffrey

Boycott, as the Sidhu of England. However our admiration for Geoffrey Boycott increases still when weconsider that Boycott was commentating even while Sidhu was playing active cricket. More popular in India,

than in his home country, Boycott is described as the man from Yorkshire with an Indian heart due to his

affinity to Indian cricket. Always known as a thinking cricketer, he imparted a touch of the comic to

commentary long before Sidhu and his 'isms' came on the scene. In fact it is no exaggeration to state that it was

Geoffrey Boycott, who was primarily responsible for a re-thinking in the commentary style, of cricket. While

most of the commentators up to his time and even many of his contemporaries were happy with the explanation

of technicalities and strategies Boycott in his refined Yorkshire accent added the elements of humour, andexcitement which prompted even ordinary viewer to tune to his commentary. His open praise and often-caustic


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criticism make Boycott a hot favourite with fans as do the repeated reference to his Mum and how she wouldhave played. However this great commentator is out of action right now on health reasons.

Sunil Gavasker

Sunil Gavasker was arguably the first former Indian player to take up the job of commentating as a full

time profession. Born and brought up in the metropolitan city of Mumbai, his English was a comparatively

refined one. Having established a name for himself before taking up to commentary, helped him to woo the

audience to listen to his comments and analysis. Starting off immediately after the 1987 Reliance World Cup,Gavaskar soon became a regular for all India matches. Combining astute leadership qualifies with his well -

known batting prowess, Gavasker has come to be recognised as one of the best in the business. However, his

clipped manner of speech and a virtual absence of emotions make Gavaskar as predictable at the mike as when

he was on the crease.

Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri, the tall Mumbai all - rounder surprised many by hanging up his boots in his early 30's

when there was still much cricket left in him, to take up an assignment with World Tel as a commentator.

Having quit the game in 1994, he quickly made a name for himself with the mike through his uncanny ability to

judge match situations. Cricket writers and co-commentators have marveled at shastri's ability to read the then

Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin's mind off the field. Ravi Shastri is perhaps the best in the business

when it comes to cricket acumen. His ability to read the character of the pitch and the prediction of the possiblewinning target ona particular pitch are often highly accurate. His sonorous voice and screen presence have made

Shastri a true all rounder with world networks, now adding him to their list of neutral commentators. Ravi

Shastri, with his refined English and balanced emotions is one of the best in conducting the pre-match and post

match interviews as well as the presentation ceremony.

Sanjay Manjaraker

Another cricket commentator of notable reputation is Sanjay Manjaraker. He too is hailed from Mumbai. One

could say that Rahul Dravid was indirectly responsible for getting this compact batsman off the field and to the

microphone. For, Dravid replaced an injured Manjarekar in the 1995 Lord's test, scored 95 runs and virtually

shut the door on Manjrekar, forcing a premature retirement. Manjrekar with his soft, unexcitable voice and sense

of humour is though still a babe of the commentator's pack, has carved a niche for himself with his precise

comments and camera friendly face. A regular with some of the global television networks, Sanjay Manjekar isalso hampered by his penchant to keep emotions under wraps.

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Sports Commentary Final