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John Arlott commentary


I loved his commentary when the Sunday League was on. He'd inevitably be knocking back the claret, because he couldn't really take 40 over cricket seriously, and bizarre asides crept in. I remember one game at one of those grounds adjacent to a railway. Bowler getting to his mark, and Arlott comes in with "And there's a train just arrived at the station. I wonder if it's the 4.15 from Paddington?".
 
To quote Paul Hardcastle (doing John Arlott) "Its a long slow, lazy delivery.............................................................but its the best I can do"
 
Parkside said:
Athers is pretty good.
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Athers and Nass are both fantastic, Gower too. Feel like those three are worthy successors to your Benauds and Arlotts.

The discussion about commentary styles is interesting. I like the dreamy less-is-more style of the older commentators as it makes you feel like you’re there; however I also like the more-info rich style of today as there are lots of interesting things going on, and it’s easier for new fans to learn the sport.
 
Zen Den said:
Athers and Nass are both fantastic, Gower too. Feel like those three are worthy successors to your Benauds and Arlotts.

The discussion about commentary styles is interesting. I like the dreamy less-is-more style of the older commentators as it makes you feel like you’re there; however I also like the more-info rich style of today as there are lots of interesting things going on, and it’s easier for new fans to learn the sport.
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The banter between Athers and Nasser is enjoyable but I'm with @Eggman in finding the term grab extremely irritating.
To be pedantic I'd argue that if you grab it's not a good catch.Nasser is knowledgeable but offers nothing other than that.
 
Parkside said:
The banter between Athers and Nasser is enjoyable but I'm with @Eggman in finding the term grab extremely irritating.
To be pedantic I'd argue that if you grab it's not a good catch.Nasser is knowledgeable but offers nothing other than that.
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Is a catch to slip not a ‘grab’ if you just kinda stick your arm out for a reaction catch?

Knowledge is a pretty good offering! Sometimes I find Nass gets a bit ott when doing the pyjama stuff but generally think he’s great.
 
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Zen Den said:
Is a catch to slip not a ‘grab’ if you just kinda stick your arm out for a reaction catch?

Knowledge is a pretty good offering! Sometimes I find Nass gets a bit ott when doing the pyjama stuff but generally think he’s great.
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in that context yes but generally catches aren't grabs. Each to his own. I dislike the term grab,if you wish to take issue with that,so be it.
Good knowledge is surely an essential for any commentator.
 
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Parkside said:
in that context yes but generally catches aren't grabs. Each to his own. I dislike the term grab,if you wish to take issue with that,so be it.
Good knowledge is surely an essential for any commentator.
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I wouldn’t say I’m taking issue, just don’t personally mind ‘grab’ if it’s a grabby type of catch.

Fair point about knowledge, although I suppose it’s a sliding scale and some impart more knowledge than others.
 
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