Michael 'Shrewd' Atherton - Opinion
It is perhaps bewildering that ‘shrewdness’ when analyzing cricket, is bypassed as being too colorless in financially savory times. The heart of Channel 9’s commentary team in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 is a prime example of enthusiasm that manages to stoke the soul. Bill
Lawry’s ability to hoot whenever an electrifying passage of play is being witnessed at Sydney or Melbourne, has earned him many followers. There are other commentators such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Anthony-Holding-c75756 who is as erudite as persuasive, with a fan following ranging from
Bridgetown to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864. Yet one man, who in a short space of time has evolved from being a compact opening batsman, to a ‘ no- nonsense’ commentator, sounds as sweet to the ear as much as his compactness with the bat.
Michael Atherton who was born in Manchester, is one of the most shrewd and impressive analysts of the game today. His versatility is present in the fact that the 44-year-old has served as a journalist, a broadcaster, and as one of the most dogged batsmen
in the history of English cricket. As a player, Atherton combined chutzpah with stubbornness, and he has been at the receiving end of some of the most brutal spells of bowling in Test match history. As a commentator, his views are reflected in his experiences
on the pitch, which invites exciting pre-match and post-match analysis on proceedings, no matter where the game is played. In many ways, Atherton is similar to the veteran, Michael Holding; where the latter’s bowling experiences continue to embrace the commentary
box, now and then.
What Atherton possesses while broadcasting however, is a unique combination of a sharp sense of humor and a more or less, accurate analysis of the game which is being played. Unlike the old commentators of the past such as Chishti Mujahid, Atherton does
not spend time in describing the aesthetic aspect of the game and pays more attention to the technicalities and practicalities on the field which are being witnessed. He is not a known critique, but would put the foot down if absurdity overwhelms him. Perhaps
his rise in the broadcasting profession can be attributed to the fact that he had once served as a journalist for the Sunday Telegraph in May 2008. This experience along with an inimitable and dry sense of humor, has made him a popular voice for die-hard cricket
fans around the world.
Atherton’s commentary was largely unheard off by the subcontinent fans yet that changed dramatically when the recently concluded 2011 Cricket World Cup, took place. His calm yet assertive analysis in high pressure encounters, such as Ireland’s upset over
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in
the Semi Final was one of the highlights of the 2011 edition of the tournament and stoked unparalleled emotions. Yet for Atherton it was more a case of describing how the ball deviated and swung in the air before it cannoned onto Yuvraj’s middle and leg stump.
To listen to impartial analysis live, was truly a gift from the heavens.
Atherton’s contemporaries are long established professionals who have been behind the box for over a decade. Yet his distinct style and sharp mindedness is a unique foil, to the charisma of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Ivon-Gower-c52869 and Michael Holding. A blend of voices and analysts
is exactly what the Sky Sports Commentary team needs. To the delight of those who tune into Sky Sports, Atherton’s shrewdness comes naturally.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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