Cricket fans with a long memory may remember the experiment of having actress Kate Fitzpatrick commentate on the cricket. The experiment failed and ever since women have not been sighted anywhere near a Channel Nine cricket commentary position.
Until this season. SBS’ loss is Nine’s gain as Stephanie Brantz, former co-host of Toyota World Sports for SBS has joined Nine as a roving reporter for the Ashes coverage.
Women have been slowly infiltrating the hallowed domain of male sports commentary. Again those blessed with a good memory will remember Debbie Spillane. Regular ABC listeners know well the voice of Simone Thurtell. Former Australian women’s cricket captain Belinda Clarke has done stints in commentating for the ABC. In rugby league, Lana Birchall does ground reports for the Nine’s rugby league coverage. And then there is Rebecca Wilson who most people know via The Fat and now currently does breakfast radio and pens a sports gossip column for the Sunday Telegraph.
Stephanie will do a grand job and frankly any of her comments will be far more pertinent and insightful than anything from the wizened old glories that forever infest Nine’s cricket coverage (Richie excluded).
7 responses so far ↓
Bring Back the Currency Lad's blog // Nov 13, 2006 at 10:47 am
IF they are good enough I have no problem however Belinda Clark is boring.
Send her to Nine.
Give me Roers and Aggers all day
Shaun // Nov 13, 2006 at 8:43 pm
If my memory serves me correct Aggers sometimes pops up on ABC during Ashes series in Australia. Wonder if he’ll get a chance this year or will other commitments keep him elsewhere. But Aggers is good value.
Amanda // Nov 14, 2006 at 6:15 am
Aggers is definately here, he was commentating on the Bath Dodgers v PMs XI match the other day.
Bring Back the Currency Lad's blog // Nov 14, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I just hope they BAN ALL politicians.
they make inane comments on the game.
Ironically the only one who showed any knowledge was Iron Mark
Amanda // Nov 15, 2006 at 11:08 am
I agree BBCLB.
Five // Nov 17, 2006 at 3:57 pm
I agree, but we definitely need more chicks commenting on cricket.
And AFL for that matter. Having Kristy Malthouse as the boundary rider has been great, but I want to see her in the commentary box.
Shane // Nov 20, 2006 at 12:27 pm
I Don’t mind woman in the commentary but Rebecca Wilson should stay of TV for ever.
Admin:Derogatory comment removed.