Cricket Commentators Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dean Jones

Dean Jones played for Australia in the 1980's and 90's and was renowned for his batting skills. Post-retirement, he gained fame as a commentator and worked with channels like ESPN, NEO Sports and Ten Sports. In August 2006, while commentating on Ten Sports in the Pakistan-South Africa series, he referred to South African batsman Hashim Amla as a terrorist, causing an uproar.

He was sacked immediately by Ten Sports. Subsequently, he joined the management board of the rebel Indian Cricket League and also worked as a commentator for the ICL.

Answer: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu was known as the "strokeless wonder", when he first played cricket but towards the end of his career was known as "Sixer Siddhu" for his huge six hitting abilities; he is remembered for his brutal assault on Shane Warne in the 1997 series. He became famous as a commentator for his one-liners known as "Sidhuisms". He was known for his verbal battles with Boycott and Tony Greig in the commentary box. He worked with ESPN before he was sacked, for uttering an obscenity on-air. He later worked with other channels like Ten Sports and MAX. He is a member of the Indian Parliament.

Some of his famous "Siddhuisms" are:
'Mr.Boycott, the last time you celebrated your birthday, the candles cost more than the cake'.
'There is as much grass on the pitch as there is hair on Sir Geoffrey's head'.
'Pitches are like husbands, they keep slowing down'.
'If my aunt were a woman, she would be my uncle'.
'Wickets are like wives, you never know which way they will turn'.
'Statistics are like miniskirts, what they reveal is tantalizing, but what they hide is crucial'.
'There is always light at the end of the tunnel my friend, but beware, it may be that of an oncoming train'.

Answer: Rameez Raja

Rameez Raja was captain of the Pakistan cricket team from 1995-96. From 2003-04, he served as CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He is a well-known face in cricket broadcasts having worked with Sky, Ten Sports, NEO Sports and SET Max. He has been in the commentary team in almost all the ICC cricket tournaments in the 2000's.

In 2008, he was the preferred choice to be the Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council, but surprisingly, he refused to appear before the interview panel.

Answer: Donna Symonds

Donna Symonds is a cricket commentator from Barbados in the West Indies. A practicing lawyer, she has been part of the radio and TV cricket commentary teams in the West Indies. She has worked with BBC and SET Max. Mandira Bedi has been a cricket anchor for MAX and Kris Naidoo for SABC. Sonali Chander is a news anchor.

Answer: Harsha Bhogle

Harsha Bhogle is the anchor for ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket channels. He is a chemical engineer and a graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management. But he is well-known as a cricket anchor and commentator. He started his commentating career for All India Radio at the age of 19.

He is well known in Australia for commentating on ABC for India's Australia tours, along with Kerry O'Keefe. He is working as an advisor for the Mumbai Indian team in the IPL 2008 tournament. Charu Sharma is another anchor who has not played cricket, but he generally doesn't do commentary and Tony Cozier is the most popular commentator (but not an anchor) from the West Indies who also has not played first class cricket.

Answer: Mark Nicholas

Mark Nicholas never played for England, although he did captain England "A", but he was a successful captain for the county side of Hampshire. He has been a well-known commentator having worked with Sky, Channel 4, Five, MAX and Channel Nine. Despite being an Englishman, he has been well received in Australia while working for Channel Nine.

Not only has he worked as a commentator, he is now the anchor for Nine and has been projected as successor to Richie Benaud. He generally comperes the annual ICC cricket awards function.

Answer: Tony Greig

Tony Greig played for England and was captain of the English cricket team from 1975-77. He was born in South Africa and his Australian connection came from his association with the Packer series. He was worked extensively with Kerry Packer's Channel Nine as commentator. He was also worked with Ten Sports, SET Max and is on the board of the rebel Indian cricket league.

Answer: Robin Jackman

Robin Jackman played in the 1970's and 80's for Surrey and for England. He was known for his South African links and was denied a visa by the Guyanese Government and as result the England-West Indies test scheduled was cancelled. Subsequent to his retirement, he has been a well known commentator, who has worked extensively for SABC in South Africa.

He also worked for Ten Sports and for SET MAX in the IPL 2008 tournament.

Answer: Ian Bishop

Ian Bishop was a fast bowler, who played for the West Indies in the 1990's. He excelled in the bowling department by taking 100 wickets in just 21 tests. But unfortunately, his career came to an end because of recurring back injuries. He later on became a popular commentator travelling worldwide.

He is much liked for his excellent presentation skills. He has worked for SABC, Sky, ESPN, MAX and other channels.

Answer: Henry Blofeld

Henry Blofeld played first class cricket in the 1950's and 60's. Since 1972, he was been a commentator having worked with ITV, BSkyB and BBC. He is known for his comments on the spectators and on other non-cricketing matters. He was very popular in India for commenting about ladies' earrings. Nicknamed 'Blowers', he generally addresses others with the endearment "My dear old thing".

In fact, his autobiography is entitled "My Dear Old Thing - Talking Cricket".