A cornucopia of tv sport
As I tucked into my Weetabix with The Times sport supplement I anticipated a wonderful array of sport on the television: the Olympics, the England v India Test, the Lions Test, the US PGA at St Jude and, although I was not disappointed, I feel obliged in true Rust tradition to criticise the coverage.
I started with the Bleddisloe Cup between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, a much more fluid match than the later one with the Lions, and it might have been closer if it had not been till the 81st minute before the Wallabies converted.
The Olympics next.
My real beef with the BBC is that the presenters are more cheerleaders and flag wavers for British medalling whilst – for me – the Olympics is about watching the best in the world in sports I do not normally follow.
When I think of The Olympians I have most admired not one is British: Emil Zatopek, Herb Elliot and Peter Snell, Kip Keino, Al Oerter, Sergei Bubka, Dick Fosbury, The US “Dream Team” of basketball, Carl Lewis.
Thus when Dan Walker is in a orgasmic state of ecstasy cheering on Tom Lewis I actually don’t want him to win as I know there will be endless interviews, repetitions, exaggerated claims of greatness etc.
The Test match commentary, which provided the best sport in the day, is more measured.
I cannot imagine in any other sport I would listen to TMS whilst taking a long walk.
I shall certainly miss Jonathan Agnew – when he hangs up the mike – for his wit, incisive commentary and the gentle ribbing of his co-commentators.
I would only add one comment to the thoughts of Sandra on Lions v Boks.
I too could not anticipate this encounter with the same degree of enthusiasm for the other events.
Great sport is about continuity but there were endless delays as the TMO pored over decisions.
At one point the referee must have said seven times that there was no clear evidence of a knock on. He had made his mind up but it took ages for play to resume.
The problem is less rugby’s but the pressure that both coaches – but especially the South African Erasmus – put on the TMO so they were duty bound to get it right.
As I laid out the tv sports programme to my missus she reminded me that her mother was coming round for dinner.
She wanted to watch the BBC prom on Hollywood musicals scheduled for 6.30 pm.
I thought she would miss 10 minutes if the game went 10 minutes over but at 7.00pm it had still not ended.
I also found an enthralling final hour commentated on the radio had competition: my mother-in-law and wife belting out Some Enchanted Evening.
I then watched The Hundred, where Kevin Pietersen held court in the commentary box, and finished with the USPGA at St Jude when I was reminded by text that Pargie’s pick Harris English was leading after 3 rounds.
