Sports Commentators: Your Pick

[kiteless]

I couldn't initially decide whether to place this in the Sport forum or this one, but given that (I suspect) most of us watch our sport of choice on the TV it made sense to pitch it here.

Also, I could have started a poll but - thinking on it - the list would a) have been endless, and would have b) still attracted the, 'why no x / y / z included' comment.

So, anyway, a conversation with mrs k tonight regarding the 2005 Ashes series got me thinking. Before that series, mrs k had no interest whatsoever in cricket but after watching it, she was converted. Much of it due to C4's coverage, and a larger part - I learn now - due to its commentary which was enthusiastic and informative.

Mark Nicholas - C4 cricket commentator at the time - was and still is excellent, and for me could be the successor to Richie. Which leads me to other sports commentators who have "added value" to their chosen sports over the years:

Murray Walker
Ron Pickering
Sid Waddell
Toby Moody
Keith Heuwen
Peter Alliss
David Coleman
Ted Lowe
Barry Nutley

All of the above, for me, are joined at the hip with regard to their commentary on the sport and it's just not the same when they stand / stood down from the microphone.

Any more for any more?

[mat777]

Charlie Cox, especially when paired with John Watson. He has/they have the ability to liven up even the dullest of motor races

[Simpo Two]

Martin Brundle in F1 makes an excellent sidekick; knowledgeable and witty.

[davepoth]

John Motson?

[HD Adam]

None of the televised sports seem right without the old classics

Peter O'Sullivan - Horse Racing
Harry Carpenter - Boxing
Dan Maskell - Tennis
David Vine - Skiing
Tony Gubba - Skating
David Coleman - Athletics
John Motson - Footy
Bill Mclaren - Rugby
Ted Lowe - Snooker
Murray Walker - F1 (with James Hunt)
Darts - Sid Waddell

Wrestling - Kent Walton

etc etc

[TimJMS]

Yep Sir Peter O'Sullevan for me is the stand out. SNice to know he is still very much 'with it' at 94

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eI7wS8y8hM

[obob]

Football - Martin Tyler and Andy Gray. They were a great combo.
Snooker - Clive Everton
Athletics - Barry Davies or Brendan Foster
Cricket - Richie Benaud, Tony Gregg, David Lloyd
Boxing - Ian Darke

[Eric Mc]

Football - Barry Davies
Athletics - David Coleman
Golf - Peter Allis
Motor Racing - Martin Brundle (I wish Sky had let him commentate)
Snooker - Clive Everton
Horse Racing - Peter O' Sullevan

A couple of Irish commentators I always liked were Michael O'Hehir and Jimmy McGee.

[Simpo Two]

HD Adam said:

Dan Maskell - Tennis

Ah yes, where would summer in the '70s have been without his voice?

I didn't follow tennis but my parents were glued to it so it's very evocative.

[DrTre]

Brian Johnston

[HD Adam]

DrTre said:

Brian Johnston

AC/DC wouldn't be the same without him.



No, wait..............

[DrTre]

Arf!
I did have to check the spelling to make sure I got the right one before I posted..

[iva cosworth]

Sort of on this topic.

Ben Edwards has recieved some criticism of his F1 commentary,not sure why.

I have noticed DC seems to chip in more than before but Ben was fine previously

with the BTCC on ITV4.

Any views on this ?

On topic ,i think Barry Davies seems capable to commentate on a wide variety

of sports.Heard him doing Hockey earlier today.

[ExChrispy Porker]

Jim Neilly - Boxing and Rugby.

[slipstream 1985]

wsb from the mid to late 90s

[TheHeretic]

I can't believe there has been no mention of the greatest, and worst commentator in the world. In fact, it is unbelievable, Jeff!

[iva cosworth]

slipstream 1985 said:

wsb from the mid to late 90s

Who he ?or she ?

[kiteless]

DrTre said:

Brian Johnston

Oh do stop it, Aggers

And re: great cricket commentators, John Arlott. Go to 7:00 in the clip for tributes from Johnson and Botham:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdotKNqeFsU

[kiteless]

iva cosworth said:

slipstream 1985 said:

wsb from the mid to late 90s

Who he ?or she ?

Keith Heuwen & Julian Ryder.

Just brilliant together (do a 'tube search for WSB Hockenheim 1995 & 1996)

[DukeDickson]

TheHeretic said:

I can't believe there has been no mention of the greatest, and worst commentator in the world. In fact, it is unbelievable, Jeff!

Jeff is great, isn't he You're right, there aren't many more entertaining commentators than the man CK.