5 cricket commentators who have entertained and informed

Cricket commentary is a vital part of the game. It helps to explain the nuances of the sport to those who are not familiar with it, and it can also add excitement and drama to a match. Over the years, there have been many great cricket commentators, but there are a few who stand out as the best of the best. We have chosen 5 cricket commentators who have left the indelible impression on us and gave a significant voice to the gentleman’s game.

In this article, we will take a look at five of the greatest cricket commentators of all time. We will discuss their unique skills and talents, and we will also look at some of their most memorable commentary moments.

The 5 cricket commentators we will be discussing are:

Mike Haysman

Let’s start the list of 5 cricket commentators with Mike Haysman. Haysman has worked for a variety of broadcasters, including the BBC, Sky Sports, and SuperSport. Haysman is known for his clear, succinct and swift commentary style and his voice adds just extra weight to every word he says. He is also a gifted storyteller, hosting a cricket related show Extra Cover on SuperSport.

Haysman particularly commentates in series that take place in South Africa or related to South African team. He has lived in South Africa for many years, and he has a deep understanding of the country’s cricket culture. Currently, he lives in Los Angeles and joins the commentry box whenever work calls.

In addition to his commentary work, Haysman played for Australia U-19 in 1978-79 season. In English county championship, he played for Leicestershire and scored over 1400 runs at an average of 70.

Mark Nicholas

Mark Nicholas is a former English cricketer and current cricket commentator. He has been commentating on cricket since the early 1990s, and has worked for a variety of broadcasters, including the BBC, Sky Sports, and Channel 9.

Nicholas is known for his enthusiastic and engaging commentary style. He is known for his commentary box chemistry with Shane Warne. Nicholas has a serene voice that brings life to even dull moments of cricket.

Nicholas’ grandfather Fred Nicholas was also a first class cricketer. He represented Hampshire in more than 700 matches, and he has a deep understanding of the country’s cricket culture.

Nicholas was approached by Channel 5 to cover England cricket highlights from 2006. He served as anchorman and commentator for the Nine Network coverage of the 2013–14 Ashes series. He was part of the world feed commentary team for the 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 Cricket World Cups. He presented highlights coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

In addition to his commentary work, Nicholas is a fantastic writer. He has worked for The Daily Telegraph as well written an autobiography named My Love Affair with Cricket. He was also co-author of Shane Warne’s memoir No Spin.

Mark Taylor 

Mark Taylor is a former Australian cricketer and captain and current cricket commentator. He has been commentating on cricket since 1999, and has worked for the Nine Network in Australia.

Taylor is known for his dry sense of humor and his insightful analysis of the game. He speaks subtly in long sentences and talks mostly about what is in actuality going on a cricket field.

Taylor captained Australia from 1994 to 1999, and represented Australia in more than 200 matches. He is a wonderful talker who always brings the points that are hidden to general perception.

Mark Taylor was a highly successful Australian cricketer who played 104 Test matches and scored 7,525 runs. He began his career as a schoolboy in Wagga Wagga and went on to represent New South Wales and Australia. He was a reliable opening batsman who was also an excellent fielder. Taylor was appointed captain of Australia in 1994 and led the team to a number of victories.

Ian Smith

Ian Smith is a former New Zealand cricketer and current cricket commentator. He has been commentating on cricket since 1992, and has worked for a variety of broadcasters, including Sky Sports, SuperSport, and the BBC.

Smith is known for his distinctive voice and his passionate commentary style. He is an exuberant commentator and many of us know him for him one liners remark that are penchant of his commentry style.

Smith is called the voice of the Eden park. He has played for New Zealand for over a decade, and worked in banking sector before trying his hands in broadcasting arena.

Smith has a distinctive voice that is instantly recognizable. He is able to use his voice to create a sense of excitement and drama during a cricket match. The 2019 Cricket World Cup final, when he called the English win, “By the barest of margins, the barest of all margin.”

In April 2020, Smith was honored with the Bert Sutcliffe Medal, the highest recognition given by New Zealand Cricket, in acknowledgment of his remarkable contributions to the sport. Fast forward to January 2023, Smith bid farewell to Sky Sport, concluding a remarkable 23-year tenure with the organization. Interestingly, his son, Jarrod Smith, has made a name for himself as a talented association football player, representing the New Zealand national team on various occasions.

Michael Atherton

Mike Atherton is a former England cricketer and current cricket commentator and journalist. He has been commentating on cricket since 2001, and has worked for a variety of broadcasters, including the BBC, Sky Sports, and Channel 9.

Atherton is known for his analytical commentary style and his ability to dissect batting and bowling techniques. His deep understanding and ability to quickly read the game seperates him out from other commentators. He is currently doing commentry in Ashes 2023 series.

Between 2002 and 2005, he was part of the Channel 4 commentary team for Test cricket coverage in England and also worked with BBC Radio and Talksport for Test matches outside England. Later, he joined Sky Sports commentary team in 2005 after they acquired the rights to broadcast live Test cricket in England.

Atherton commentates on various cricket formats and domestic matches, and he often hosts post-match ceremonies and interviews with players. He authored two books, “Opening Up” in 2002 and “Gambling: A Story of Triumph and Disaster” in 2006.

In 2010, he won the prestigious Sports Journalist of the Year award at the British Press Awards for his exceptional writing, which delved into diverse subjects beyond cricket. His straightforward and wittily humorous cricket views have earned him widespread recognition. Additionally, he was a commentator during the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Atherton is a master of dissecting batting and bowling techniques. He is able to explain the game in a way that is both entertaining and informative, and he is always able to find the right words to describe what is happening on the field.

Atherton has a deep understanding of the English cricket scene, both from a technical and strategic perspective. He is able to draw on his own playing experience to provide valuable insights into the game, and he is always up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.

Honorable Mention: Richie Benaud

Any list with 5 cricket commentators who have been a great ambassador of the game will be incomplete without this name. Richie Benaud was an Australian cricketer and commentator. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricket commentators of all time. Benaud’s commentary was known for its wit, its insight, and its ability to explain the game in a way that was both entertaining and informative.

He was also a master of describing the atmosphere of a cricket match, and he was able to create a sense of excitement and drama that kept audiences engaged. He had a remarkable voice that empowered the representation of cricket in commentry box.

Benaud’s commentary career spanned over 50 years, and he covered some of the most famous cricket matches in history. He was a regular commentator for the BBC, and he also worked for Channel Nine in Australia. He was also the host of the popular cricket show, “Ashes Cricket.” The 1983 Cricket World Cup, when he called India’s victory over West Indies as “the greatest upset in the history of cricket”.

These are just 5 cricket commentators of the many greats who have graced the airwaves over the years. Each of these commentators has their own unique style and approach, but they all share a passion for the game and a desire to share their knowledge with others.