As soon as I saw the opening of the coverage on Saturday night I felt a sense of the game being spoiled by the Sky commentary team. Sure enough it was.
I am not a big fan of the Sky commentary teams in any of the sports. There should be no place for parochialism or nationalism. I love a commentator who is passionate about the sport he covers but the viewer should not be able to tell who a commentator supports.
Aren't the commentators there to commentate, objectively and informatively? I want to know about the stuff I don't understand, how a play unfolds, where the gaps were. Maybe the screen graphics should be changed to 'Supporters' or 'Stater of the Bleeding Obvious' rather than commentators. I see the term 'expert commentator' is less used. No one, John Drake and Ian Smith do come close, truly provides expert commentary.
The only ones in this part of the world who do provide an objective assessment are Ray Warren and co. I really enjoy the passion, knowledge,energy and impartiality they give to a coverage.
While NZ is predominantly made up of Kiwis [go figure!!!] these commentators need to remember and realise there are many of us who are proud, passionate Aussies, Poms or other. Like Richie Benaud acknowledges, he is a guest in our lounge rooms and acts accordingly. Oh for the day when we can choose what commentary we want to listen to. Sky is as interactive as I am after a big night out.
