From Richie Benaud to Tony Grieg - Five of the most loved commentators of all time

ByNawang Chugh, SportsCafe Editor

09/17/2016

If you think that cricket is just a game of batsmen and bowlers, then you might be wrong as you are missing one of the most important parts of the game–commentary.

Imagine watching a cricket game on the television without the commentators, how would it be like? The timing of the commentators according to the live scene going on adds to the excitement and without their punch of words, things will not be the same.

Today, let us showcase you the 5 most loved commentators of all time who actually created or are still creating a different atmosphere in our living rooms.

5. Harsha Bhogle

Harsha Bhogle is currently out of his most loved job, yet he has built his unique image through words on the field of cricket. He is known for his sarcastic comments that sometimes make people laugh and sometimes it even motivates them. His presence in the commentary box is enough to gain your attention towards cricket.

Once MSD was on a long toss-losing streak after which Harsha said, “MS Dhoni has yet again called for heads to the coin which has two tails.”

On one occasion, Geoffrey Boycott pointed out that Sachin Tendulkar’s name is not on the Lord’s Honours Board, to which the sarcastic Harsha replied, “So whose loss is it, Sachin’s or the Honours Boards?”

Sometimes, he can be a bit cheeky too. In one Test match, when Michael Clarke was caught at first slip, he was still waiting for the umpire to raise his finger. Harsha Bhogle immediately said, “I think he is waiting for tomorrow’s newspaper to declare him out.”

Despite not having played cricket at the highest level, he still has all the knowledge about the game and this is what makes him one of the best commentators of all time.

4. Tony Cozier

The West Indies is not only renowned for their fast bowlers, but also for the great ‘Tony Cozier.’ The legend was special for the world cricket as he used to make people fall in love with his voice over the radio. His knowledge about the game, perfection in style, and a magical voice was enough to describe him as one of the greatest commentators of all time. The great Cozier once revived the moment of the final between India and West Indies in the 1983 Word Cup. Have a look:

“I did not see live on television, the greatest moment in the history of Indian sport. But, I listened, on the white and blue Nelco transistor at our home in Wayanad.”

On West Indies' first-ever series victory against England in England, the legend said, “I was only 10 that time but beating England in England- especially at Lord’s, the home of the establishment- made us feel we could do anything.”

3. Geoffrey Boycott

England, the inventor of the sport, has also given birth to one of the most respectable cricketers and commentators of all time. Geoffrey Boycott would surely have become the first-ever England batsman to score over 10,000 runs if he had not taken retirement after 108 tests. He was not only a great batsman but a commendable commentator too. Let’s have a glance at some of his quotes:

Boycott gave an advice on how to play Shane Warne. His words can make you laugh. He said, “My tactic would be to take a quick single and observe him from the other end.”

While looking at James Anderson constantly swinging deliveries, he said, “Anderson has a gift from the god: he could swing an orange.”

2. Tony Grieg

Excitement, power, fun, and enjoyment are the four words that completely describe Tony Grieg’s commentary. The man was known to give the commentary a new shape which the cricket lovers absolutely adored. His voice remains an integral part of some of the greatest moments in cricket, and with his commentary, he made those moments more memorable. Here are some of them:

“The little man has hit the big fella for six! He is half his size!” - This was the famous match in 1998 when Tendulkar hit Tom Moody for a straight six. Sachin’s desert storm in Sharjah completely amuses the commentator.

When Ajay Jadeja hit a six against Waqar Younis during 1996 World Cup quarter-final, Tony was on song as he said, “That’s a great shot. What a little beauty! That’s gone miles over the top of mid-wicket.”

1. Richie Benaud

Undoubtedly, the finest commentator in cricket so far, Richie Benaud was also known as the ‘Bradman of the microphone.’ His ability to come up with something new every time according to the situation of the game was liked by millions of viewers. Though he is no more now, his commentary will always be admired in the cricketing history.

“Gatting has absolutely no idea what has happened to it ...he still doesn’t know!” - Richie made this statement when Shane Warne bowled the bowl of the century in 1993.

Once when Glenn McGrath was out for 2 runs, he said, “And Glenn McGrath dismissed for two, just 98 runs short of his century.”

Commentators play a huge role in creating the excitement surrounding a game. We should be thankful to all who give us the everlasting memories from the box because, without them, cricket would not have been as successful as it is now.

From Richie Benaud to Tony Grieg - Five of the most loved commentators of all time

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