SAM MORSHEAD: Eloquent but never so flowery as to risk inclusion in Pseud's Corner, passionate about the performance of his native country without being blinkered... it is a pleasure to have Smith as our host
Kiwi commentator Ian Smith
Is there a better TV commentator in world cricket than Ian Smith?
After the loudhaler approach of the Channel Nine team in Australia, and the bombastic mix of self-congratulation and verbal diarrhea that defined large parts of the Ashes on BT Sport, the general tempo and tone of the commentary in New Zealand has been highly therapeutic.
Michael Atherton and David Lloyd have added intelligent insight from a touring perspective, complementing a homegrown line-up which is comfortable in letting the pictures tell their own stories.
Doing away with hyperbole - with the exception of the bizarre moment in Auckland when media employee Mark Richardson popped out the brain fart that was “I hate the media” - the Kiwi voiceovers have been calm, considered and constructive.
And at the heart of it all has been Smith; a gentle-voiced giant of the commentary world.
Able to pick out intricate detail in an instant and methodically explain his point to the viewer, Smith is the absolute antithesis to the macho nonsense that pained so many ears earlier in the winter.
Smith gets the make-up treatment
Eloquent but never so flowery as to risk inclusion in Pseud's Corner, passionate about the performance of his native country without being blinkered as a result and equipped with a repertoire of anecdotes which can perk interest even when the game is limping along at a crawl; Smith’s is the example that all other television commentators should be taught to follow.
Calling a game of cricket is such a subtle art and the Kiwi is blessed with a natural understanding of when to speak, what to say and how crucial it is to at times keep one’s counsel - increasingly rare in the modern game.
Smith is no stranger to English viewers, of course - he has spent the odd summer with Sky and Channel Four in the past - but during this short bolt-on to England’s dismal trip to Australia, a reminder has been served of how enjoyable it is to watch a game of cricket with the 61-year-old as our host.
Rain breaks pass much quicker when the soundtrack includes Smith regaling his audience with the tale of how he first came across Kane Williamson as a teenager in schools cricket or describing the astronomic cost of hiring out Eden Park.
Sky have a tried-and-tested squad in place for their summer coverage but the broadcaster could do much, much worse than look to the former New Zealand wicketkeeper for a full-time role - if he’d be interested.
In today’s T20 world, loudness and largesse have become the voices of the game. Smith offers the antidote to the cliches and the claptrap.
Let’s have more of him, please.
Posted by Cliff Richards on 29/11/2019 at 20:00
I agree entirely. Ian Smith is a terrific commentator - informative, enthusiastic and a joy to listen to. Thank you - your qualities are really appreciated.
Posted by gwedo hanson on 19/10/2019 at 23:35
I can never understand is hate of Australians . He seems to enjoy mocking and belittle them. At times it is extremely offensive . His actions would cause him to lose his job here in North America media , but perhaps we are less lenient on borderline racists .
Posted by Paul Osborne on 15/07/2019 at 17:27
Ian Smith is a brilliant commentator. He was absolute class in the cricket World Cup final. True professional. Love him in both cricket and rugby. He's right up there with the best around
Posted by Paul Kilvington on 06/04/2018 at 18:08
Each to their own. He is not a favourite of mine.For one thing, I find his habit of repeating his words,a la Donald Trump annoying. As for expertise,Smith, Lloyd and Doull spent the last commentary stint of the 2nd Test unaware of the regulations. They didn't realise that,in the last hour,time as well as number of overs remaining comes into it(even though Bairstow could clearly be heard over the stump mic shouting"come on lads, still 17 minutes left"). Fof the subscription fees we now pay,I expect the "experts" to have a modicum of knowledge. Personally,I preferred the BT Sport team for the Ashes to this lot(the brilliant Atherton being the exception)
Posted by Vince Bessell on 04/04/2018 at 07:47
Top work Sam. Ian paints the cleanest of pictures, and at times seems almost lyrical. He educates and provokes thought, allowing the listener to interpret the action in their own way. The gentleness and pace of delivery, missing since dear John Arlott was given out, makes for the perfect accompaniment to the 5 day game. Keep singing Smithy, us poms love it.
Posted by David Lees on 04/04/2018 at 03:27
I’ve been out in NZ for both these tests and have been listening to Radio Sport Waddle & Coney have been exceptional, rare quality that’s been missing on TMS in recent years
Posted by Tux on 04/04/2018 at 03:00
He is outstanding in a world dominanted by ordinary boorish ex players. The channel 9 Aussie cheerleaders are the absolute opposite of what good commentary is about. The demands of tabloid style comments is what TV stations seem to gravitate to. Unfortunately Smith is also an outstanding rugby commentator so his skills are absorbed in this part of the world all year round. Glad you enjoyed his skills because we have thought he is top class for many years, and he's a humble bloke which just makes it better.
Posted by Colin b on 03/04/2018 at 15:27
He's outstanding would love him to come over here but I think he does rugby in new Zealand as well. He as good as that woman on there is bad, she is no Alison Mitchell that's for sure
Posted by Tony Hutton on 03/04/2018 at 11:22
Excellent article. Just when I thought the art of cricket commentary on both radio and TV was dead. Cliche and claptrap sums it up nicely.
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