Channel Ten Commentator Under Scanner For Sharing Tactics During Live Game
Feb 3, 2019 at 1:14 PM
The channel Ten commentator Mark Howard has come under scanner after the television presenter revealed backroom tactics to Brad Hodge, who was fielding at that time.
Howard shared Ben Laughlin’s success against Shane Watson during the chat and said, “Our master statistician Lawrie Colliver tells us Laughlin has got Watson twice in the last eight balls he’s bowled him in this competition.”
Really?” Hodge replied.
“I’ll leave that with you, skipper,” Howard said.
“I’ll bring him on next over then. Let’s get him into the game. Next over bud,” Hodge replied.
While it did not seem to a matter of seriousness to viewers, Cricket Australia has taken objection to this conversation and have stated that this sort of chat shouldn’t happen.
Presentation Mark Howard has been banned from the Big Bash League and Channel Ten have also apologised for the same, “Network Ten apologises to Cricket Australia for comments made during last night’s KFC Big Bash League match. The comments were in no way intended to advise Adelaide Strikers Captain Brad Hodge on game tactics or influence the outcome of the game. Network Ten ensures that all commentators are educated on Cricket Australia’s integrity codes and policies,” said a Network Ten spokesperson.
The conversation between the commentators and the on-field players have been the part and parcel of the modern day T20 leagues but never in the past, this sort of thing have happened.
Though during the World Cup 1999, Hansie Cronje talked with his coach Bob Woolmer but the practice was banned by ICC as according to world’s supreme governing body, it amounts to cheating.