Reading Cricket Cub

Being a cricket umpire is a tough job, but that does not excuse under-performance. Some cricket umpires are better than others are. The role of the umpire is to enforce the rules and laws of cricket and to ensure that players maintain the spirit of the game. Judging the best umpire goes beyond this; it must include the respect of peers and recognition by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Some of the most prominent umpires in recent cricket history include Harold “Dickie” Bird, David Shepherd, Steve Bucknor and Simon Taufel. What set these umpires apart were their decision-making ability and the respect that they earned from captains and players.

The best cricket umpire must be one who officiated in recent times, where technology was available to scrutinize their decisions. The top umpires mentioned have officiated in high-profile games and after 1995- where TV broadcasters used technology to enhance television coverage and assist the third umpire.

In the old days, assessing an umpire was difficult as there were no replays or even television coverage. In the modern era, there are replays and even decision aids like ‘Hawkeye’ and ‘Snickometer’ that commentators use to assess umpiring decisions. The best umpire would be one whose decisions were generally spot-on, even under the intense scrutiny of modern technology.

Simon Taufel of Australia is the best umpire in modern cricket. He is young, prudent and has the respect and admiration of players and management teams. Taufel began umpiring at international level in Boxing Day Test against in Australia- at the age of 29. When the ICC implemented the elite panel of umpires, Simon was a certain selection. He won the ICC’s Umpire of the Year award for every year between 2002 and 2009.

Even though cricket authorities, commentators and players regard Taufel as the best umpire almost unanimously, he is capable of the odd error. However, he is less likely to make howlers like Sri Lankan umpire Asoka de Silva. Taufel’s mistakes are palpable and usually defensible. Taufel does not court controversy as his compatriot and fellow umpire, Darrell Hair, was inclined to do.

Taufel’s level of fitness is an important attribute that enables him to concentrate for long periods. Born in 1971, Taufel was the youngest elite umpire- making his exponential rise to the top of the umpiring ladder even more remarkable. He may even have officiated in the 2003 and 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup finals if Australia did not earn a berth on those two occasions.

Other umpires like Steve Bucknor and David Shepherd were good, but they made several howlers towards the end of their career- tainting their reputations a bit. Harold Bird last umpired an international match in 1996- when the technology used to scrutinize umpires’ decisions was not as advanced. Simon Taufel officiated in many international matches and still maintained over 97% accuracy with his decisions. He is the best modern umpire by some distance. Given the significant pressure on modern cricket umpires, Simon Taufel may be the best cricket umpire of all time.

Darrell Victor is a freelance writer and cricket enthusiast from the West Indies. For articles on West Indies cricket, read:

Reasons for the decline of West Indies cricket: http://www.helium.com/items/1264594-west-indies-cricket

A West Indian Perspective on Test cricket

http://www.helium.com/items/1258936-test-cricket

When discussing great commentators, Richie Benaud automatically comes to mind. Naturally, there would have been many more great commentators before Richie Benaud, but those were way before my time. Richie Benaud was popular, knowledgeable and pleasant to listen to, but he was not my favourite commentator.

Cricket commentary- whether on radio or television- is an art. A good commentator needs to have certain prerequisites, including good voice, command of language, knowledge of cricket, awareness of history and current events surrounding cricket. The cricket commentators that get my attention have all the basic requirements. What sets them apart is the perspective that they have. My favourite commentators have insightful comments and candour.

To select a favourite, I would reduce my selection pool to four renowned commentators. Tony Greig, Tony Cozier, Geoff Boycott and Michael Holding are the names that pop to my mind immediately. All of these commentators are experienced and have something unique to offer in their commentary. They are not mundane as some of the recently retired players, like Nasser Hussain and Ian Bishop. Some commentators are so parochial and limited in scope that I cannot even consider them good commentators.

Tony Greig

The South African born Englishman is quite an effervescent personality. Even in his playing days, he courted controversy with outlandish remarks. Before a 1976 series against the West Indies, Greig- as captain of England- infamously remarked that he would make the West Indies grovel. He is not as outlandish as a commentator but very straightforward. He is opinionated and knowledgeable in the game of cricket and the politics of the game.

Tony Cozier

Cozier has provided cricket commentary for nearly five decades and is referred to as the voice of Caribbean cricket. Although he did not play the game at the highest level, Cozier has been around the game long enough to have an appreciation of its history and issues as well. He provides lucid commentary that is always interesting for the cricket enthusiast. You can usually learn something just by listening to Cozier.

Michael Holding

Tony Cozier is the voice of Caribbean cricket, but Michael Holding must be his deputy. The former West Indies fast-bowler gives no quarter with his commentary. Although he is West Indian, he is capable of giving objective commentary even when the West Indies are playing. He speaks with a soothing Jamaican accent that belies the sharp comments that he makes from time to time.

Geoff Boycott

‘Me grandma can bowl better that that!” or ‘That is lollipop bowling’ were signature comments of Boycott’s. Apart from his cheeky comments, Boycott is regarded as one of the best openers in cricket history. As such, his opinions have considerable authority. Geoff Boycott’s batting was as stodgy as his commentary is abrasive. However, no one can argue that he knows his stuff and can support his abrasive comments and interesting insights. Boycott ’s comment are often lively and engaging- even when the cricket is not.

My favourite commentator is Geoff Boycott because he is the kind of commentator that you love or love to hate. Just as his batting had a character to it, so does his commentary. Whether he is writing or speaking about the game of cricket, Boycott’s dry humour appeals to me. In addition, Boycott’s grandma can give better commentary than several contemporary cricket commentators can!

Darrell Victor

When discussing great commentators, Richie Benaud automatically comes to mind. Naturally, there would have been many more great commentators before Richie Benaud, but those were way before my time. Richie Benaud was popular, knowledgeable and pleasant to listen to, but he was not my favourite commentator.

Cricket commentary- whether on radio or television- is an art. A good commentator needs to have certain prerequisites, including good voice, command of language, knowledge of cricket, awareness of history and current events surrounding cricket. The cricket commentators that get my attention have all the basic requirements. What sets them apart is the perspective that they have. My favourite commentators have insightful comments and candour.

To select a favourite, I would reduce my selection pool to four renowned commentators. Tony Greig, Tony Cozier, Geoff Boycott and Michael Holding are the names that pop to my mind immediately. All of these commentators are experienced and have something unique to offer in their commentary. They are not mundane as some of the recently retired players, like Nasser Hussain and Ian Bishop. Some commentators are so parochial and limited in scope that I cannot even consider them good commentators.

Tony Greig

The South African born Englishman is quite an effervescent personality. Even in his playing days, he courted controversy with outlandish remarks. Before a 1976 series against the West Indies, Greig- as captain of England- infamously remarked that he would make the West Indies grovel. He is not as outlandish as a commentator but very straightforward. He is opinionated and knowledgeable in the game of cricket and the politics of the game.

Tony Cozier

Cozier has provided cricket commentary for nearly five decades and is referred to as the voice of Caribbean cricket. Although he did not play the game at the highest level, Cozier has been around the game long enough to have an appreciation of its history and issues as well. He provides lucid commentary that is always interesting for the cricket enthusiast. You can usually learn something just by listening to Cozier.

Michael Holding

Tony Cozier is the voice of Caribbean cricket, but Michael Holding must be his deputy. The former West Indies fast-bowler gives no quarter with his commentary. Although he is West Indian, he is capable of giving objective commentary even when the West Indies are playing. He speaks with a soothing Jamaican accent that belies the sharp comments that he makes from time to time.

Geoff Boycott

‘Me grandma can bowl better that that!” or ‘That is lollipop bowling’ were signature comments of Boycott’s. Apart from his cheeky comments, Boycott is regarded as one of the best openers in cricket history. As such, his opinions have considerable authority. Geoff Boycott’s batting was as stodgy as his commentary is abrasive. However, no one can argue that he knows his stuff and can support his abrasive comments and interesting insights. Boycott ’s comment are often lively and engaging- even when the cricket is not.

My favourite commentator is Geoff Boycott because he is the kind of commentator that you love or love to hate. Just as his batting had a character to it, so does his commentary. Whether he is writing or speaking about the game of cricket, Boycott’s dry humour appeals to me. In addition, Boycott’s grandma can give better commentary than several contemporary cricket commentators can!

Darrell Victor