When I read this, I was majorly ticked off at the BCCI and the IPL and their interfering ways
4:00AM Friday Mar 13, 2009
By David LeggatThe IPL tentacles have reached New Zealand's television commentary team on the Indian tour.
Former international Craig McMillan is down to be part of the Sky cricket crew for the second test in Napier this month.
However, whether he gets to sit behind the microphone is unclear after Indian officials objected to his presence at the fourth ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday night, given his links to the rival, privately-run Indian Cricket League's Twenty20.
McMillan captained the Royal Bengal Tigers in the ICL. The Indian board, who oversee the Indian Premier League, regard the ICL as something to be scraped off the soles of their shoes.
The commentary team includes former Indian allrounder Ravi Shastri, who has strong links to the IPL, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and broadcast rights holders Sony. A Shastri-McMillan double act would have had IPL wheels in a spin.
McMillan was in Hamilton in a "watch and learn" capacity, said Sky's acting executive producer for cricket, James Cameron. Cameron had given Sony Entertainment Television, who carry Sky's images to the sub-continent, a list of commentators for the tour, including McMillan's name.
Cameron denied McMillan had been pulled from the roster at a late hour on Wednesday due to Indian interference, pointing out he already had six commentators on the job - former internationals Stephen Fleming, Simon Doull, Mark Richardson, Ian Smith, Martin Crowe and Shastri. Sky is in a holding pattern as it awaits developments. Shastri is returning home when the second test is on.
Cameron is reluctant to have his hand forced on who should be allowed to commentate during the series.
"They [Sony] have known all along my intention to use Craig," Cameron said. "I don't believe we should be dictated to. I believe if Sony have an issue then they should be providing their own commentators."
Now, I am not so sure
By JONATHAN MILLMOW - The Dominion PostIndia's influence on world cricket has now extended to the commentary box.
Former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan can't get a word in on Sky TV because of his link to the rebel Indian Cricket League, an organisation the Indian board views as possessing cricket's equivalent of rabies.
Sky has been warned that using "Macca" will upset broadcasting giant Sony Entertainment, which not only paid $1 billion to be the host broadcaster of the Indian Premier League but also holds the rights of all cricket televised out of New Zealand.
McMillan was in Hamilton on Wednesday night for the fourth one-day international but remained at the back of the commentary box.
He referred all comment on the matter to Sky TV's acting executive producer, cricket, James Cameron, who admitted McMillan's situation was a delicate one.
Cameron said McMillan had been pencilled in to commentate on the second test in Napier because Ravi Shastri had to return home for a birthday.
"Ravi mentioned there could be a problem because Craig played in the Indian Cricket League," Cameron said. "I've told Sony that Craig could be in the mix for the second test because I have a hole in the team but I've not heard back from them.
"I don't like the idea of us being told who we can and can't use but ..."
Ironically Shastri is on the board of the IPL.
Cameron said whatever the outcome McMillan had a future with Sky. "Macca is really keen, and at the moment he is with us to get up to speed and there is no doubt he will be in the mix."
(h/t Leela).
PS:- This
video interview with Niranjan Shah
If the BCCI is so principled about the ICL and has issues with Craig McMillan being a part of the Sky commentary team, why is Sachin Tendulkar representing the BCCI in New Zealand?
Raising a piquant situation for the Board of Control for Cricket in India, it has come to light that master batsman Sachin Tendulkar [Images] had played alongside 'rebel' player Dinesh Mongia for Lashings World XI in two matches in England [Images] in June.
If
“Sachin Tendulkar was on vacation in England and he played a few matches for Lashings which are basically unofficial. So the Board has nothing to do with it,” Shah said when queried on whether any action is being contemplated against Tendulkar for playing with Mongia who is part of the ICL league.
then what is the BCCI's locus standi over who is a part of the Sky team of commentators anyways? Does the BCCI have a contract with Sky that allows it to dictate who can commentate?
And being principled, will the BCCI urge Sony to yank the Test match feed as an ICL player is part of commentary team?
And being principled, can we expect the BCCI to compensate Sony on the loss of revenue because of the non transmission of the Test match feed?
15 comments:
np Homer :)
I can understand the BCCI's stand on banning the ICL. But this in my opinion is ridiculous, what next preventing them from being within a certain perimeter of the grounds or imposing restraining orders that will not allow them to communicate with anyone part of the official club?
They do realize that by kicking up such an immature fuss that all they are doing is drawing sympathy and attention to the ICL... that they want to be forgotten, right?
I hope you are ticked off with Sony instead.
Achettup/Ben,
Lets understand the contours of the story
* McMillan was in the Sky box in a "watch and learn" capacity.
* McMillan was not pulled out of the commentary roster for the ODI.
* The only person quoted to have any objection on McMillan's presence in the Napier Test is Ravi Shastri. And we dont know in what context that quote was made.
* Sky had released the list of commentators to Sony before the series began. And ""I've told Sony that Craig could be in the mix for the second test because I have a hole in the team but I've not heard back from them."
So, how is this even a story.. Or if it is, it is premised on a remark - "Ravi mentioned there could be a problem because Craig played in the Indian Cricket League,", the context of which is not known.
So, who is kicking up a fuss? And for what reason?
This is a non story unless Sony comes back and makes public its objection to McMillan's presence. Which it has not, so far.
So, is it a devious scheme to ensure McMillan stays on the commentary panel by kicking up a storm up front and thus forcing Sony's hand?
Cheers,
Very fair, Homer. Don't trust the press!
You're quite right Homer. It's a beat up.
Cheers Ben :)
Never have, Jonathan. After all, there are three sides to every story :)
Cheers,
BCCI are just being plain stupid. And I can see Ravi Shastri's invisible hand here sucking up to Modi - just gaining brownie points with Modi. it sucks.
I'm not sure I agree Homer. Why would Cameron have to speak to the press if this was a non-issue, since Sony hadn't objected to the commentator list that was provided. There was no mention of a threat to McMillan until after he was in the commentary box for the 4th ODI, so obviously something must have happened to have made things escalate to these levels.
Also note that the first paragraph mentions officials, rather than official, indicating there might be something more going on than Shastri's comment. In any case, given his position as IPL governing council member, Shastri should be pretty careful about making comments that people will jump on, and I think this was one which was calculated. Why would Sony give a damn about an ICL player commentating, its not like they have a war with the ICL, is it? I think its pretty clear that behind closed doors, there are certainly things going on that are pretty ugly. Crucket has just written a post on this too.
I honestly don't put it past the BCCI to try and stop McMillan from commentating, they apparently did stop Astle, McMillan and Tuffey from acting in the movie Victory. That involves their earnings off the field. It is none of the BCCI's concern. That to me is just plain nonsense and stupidity... You know how Lalit Modi keeps getting case after case registered against him, only for them to be indefinitely stayed by the courts... thats probably the only reason the BCCI hasn't been sued out of its pants and you have to wonder how useful the very judicial system in the country is when Goondas at every level get away with any and everything.
Because thats all the BCCI are when they act this way.
Raj,
BCCI being the desi version of Don Quixote ?
Cheers :),
Achettup,
The BCCI is hell bent on scoring an own goal - more power to them.
As to what happened behind closed doors to precipitate this, time shall tell.
Cheers,
achettup, you dont tell me! They stopped these guys from participating in a movie? This takes the cake, the topping, the icing and the lining :-).
I am already yearning for the 'golden days' of Dalmia!
Homer,
Does it mean thar anybody associated with ICL can not write a newspaper column also. Will BCCCI ban any ICL player from coming to the playground and watch the match as a spectator? BCCCI is being ridiculous in its attitude bordering on moral policing as is the wont of taliban or extreme right wingers from India
someone's dad,
The whole thing was a non story until Niranjan Shah decided to chine in with his pearls of wisdom.
Which then begs the question, why are only the players gagged from talking? How about extending the same courtesy to the officials?
The BCCI is picking fights it has no chance of winning.. Which then calls into question the collective wisdom at the BCCI headquarters.
Cheers,
Post a Comment