Cricketing curmudgeons

[vcs]

Bob Willis always seems bored to death while he's commentating.

 

[Flem274*]

Bob Willis was a fantastic grumpy old bastard when he was down here in 2008.

Martin Crowe going the same way. His vow to come out of retirement if Skippy went to England was awesome, and his sheepish backpeddling the next day was even funnier. Also a very accurate descriptor of James Franklin's recent test batting as well.

 

[Xuhaib]

Sarfraz, Miandad and Qadir.

 

[pasag]

Neil Harvey, obv.

 

[fredfertang]

Mike Atherton in his playing days - doesn't fit the description now though

 

[NZ Guy]

Michael Holding is the definition of this, so tired of always hearing him go on about how terrible the modern way is, how T20 will ruin cricket, how bloody good he was, how fast he was and his partners ffs mate I bet you only cranked it to 140kph

 

[Teja.]

Michael Holding is the definition of this, so tired of always hearing him go on about how terrible the modern way is, how T20 will ruin cricket, how bloody good he was, how fast he was and his partners ffs mate I bet you only cranked it to 140kph

Nah, He was lightning fast and he also happens to be the best commentator in the world atm IMO.

 

[NZ Guy]

Nah, He was lightning fast and he also happens to be the best commentator in the world atm IMO.

Highly doubt it they just did not have the professionalism they do now, sure he may have been quick for back then but imo top pace wouldve been about 145-50, wouldve seemed quicker helmetless too

 

[morgieb]

Ian Harvey the most curmudgeonly of former Aussie players, tbh. Honorable mention to Thommo.

Surely Neil Harvey >>>>> all?

 

[Furball]

Michael Holding is the definition of this, so tired of always hearing him go on about how terrible the modern way is, how T20 will ruin cricket, how bloody good he was, how fast he was and his partners ffs mate I bet you only cranked it to 140kph

But Holding's voice is ***y.

 

[NZ Guy]

But Holding's voice is ***y.

valid point

 

[GotSpin]

Although some of the older greats do have a habit of glorifying players that they played with in comparison to current day players, they do have many valid comments regarding the direction and condition of the modern game, and I can't but help agree with their pessimistic views and attitudes unfortunately

 

[Athlai]

Worst call on Holding.

 

[zaremba]

Nah, Holding certainly has a touch of the grumpy old bastard about him. Doesn't mean he's not a good commentator though.

 

[Prince EWS]

Holding tells it like it is. Cricket does have some very obvious problems at the moment; the fact that he points them out when relevant doesn't make him a curmudgeon.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Although some of the older greats do have a habit of glorifying players that they played with in comparison to current day players, they do have many valid comments regarding the direction and condition of the modern game, and I can't but help agree with their pessimistic views and attitudes unfortunately

I definitely think there's a distinction between those commentators and writers who call a spade a spade and don't act as cheerleaders than those who're professional grumps who think everything was better back in the day.

In the former camp I'd put chaps like Chappelli and, of the more recent retirees, Nasser Hussain. Neither are outright curmudgeons, but both are admirably unafraid to call things as they see it. Their brand of world-weary sardonicism acts as a welcome counterpoint to natural enthusiasts like Lawry or Bumble. Nasser's railing about the abysmal Pakistan fielding on the recently concluded tour was one of the highlights of Sky's coverage.

 

[GotSpin]

I definitely think there's a distinction between those commentators and writers who call a spade a spade and don't act as cheerleaders than those who're professional grumps who think everything was better back in the day.

In the former camp I'd put chaps like Chappelli and, of the more recent retirees, Nasser Hussain. Neither are outright curmudgeons, but both are admirably unafraid to call things as they see it. Their brand of world-weary sardonicism acts as a welcome counterpoint to natural enthusiasts like Lawry or Bumble. Nasser's railing about the abysmal Pakistan fielding on the recently concluded tour was one of the highlights of Sky's coverage.

I was just saying that I do agree, to an extent, with the professional grumps. IMO, the game is definitely heading in a worse direction especially considering the current issues and that they aren't necessarily grumpy old men for saying so

 

[BoyBrumby]

I was just saying that I do agree, to an extent, with the professional grumps. IMO, the game is definitely heading in a worse direction especially considering the current issues and that they aren't necessarily grumpy old men for saying so

I for one don't think you need to be a dyed in the wool sourpuss to despair of the sport from time to time; obviously no-one is going to be happy about spot-fixing or ball-tampering.

For me one of the easiest ways to spot a proper curmudgeon is their habit of talking down other players to present themselves in a better light. Like Bedi always doubting the probity of Murali's action or Bradman's niggardly refusal to give Larwood his due.

 

[GotSpin]

I for one don't think you need to be a dyed in the wool sourpuss to despair of the sport from time to time; obviously no-one is going to be happy about spot-fixing or ball-tampering.

For me one of the easiest ways to spot a proper curmudgeon is their habit of talking down other players to present themselves in a better light. Like Bedi always doubting the probity of Murali's action or Bradman's niggardly refusal to give Larwood his due.

tbf I'm sure Bradman disliked Larwood on a personal level so is a bit different

Yeah like I mentioned before, you can tell when they constantly prop up players of their own era that they have a chip on their shoulder, but criticism of the current game is fairly valid IMO and not just an indication of general grumpiness - not just match fixing either

 

[Uppercut]

I was just saying that I do agree, to an extent, with the professional grumps. IMO, the game is definitely heading in a worse direction especially considering the current issues and that they aren't necessarily grumpy old men for saying so

There's a definite distinction between a genuine Grumpus Rumpus and someone who criticises stuff that sucks. Holding's ranting about the Stanford incident was a case of the latter but when Boycott goes nuts at the sheer irresponsibility of someone getting out caught at deep midwicket in the 47th over of an ODI you know he fits snugly into the curmudgeonly camp.