A modern-day cricket commentator is more than just a voice; they are storytellers, analysts, former players, and broadcasters who close the gap between the game and the fans. It is now an integral part of the game, providing fans not just ball-by-ball reports on the field, but also advice and analysis behind a mic, personal opinions, and a range of entertainment from the past. They also create buzz in the studio and maintain a relaxed environment. In this article, we dive into the best cricket commentators in the world.
Ranking Factors
There are many cricket commentators in International cricket. Their voices have been a joy to hear for the fans, and the cricketers also enjoy their funny style of commentary. We will rank the best cricket commentators as on their Commentary Skill, Knowledge of the game, and Energy and Entertainment Value.
- Commentary Skill: Commentary requires a lot of communication skills; here, the commentator should not fumble while talking and deliver exact information to the viewers and the fans.
- Knowledge of the game: Some of the cricketers turned commentators have their firsthand experience and deep understanding of the game.
- Energy and Entertainment Value: Commentator’s ability to maintain audience excitement, especially during slower periods of play.
Here are the best commentators in world cricket, who do excellent cricket analysis.
5. Mark Nicholas
Mark Nicholas has been one of the best commentators and has been famous for his voice in the EA Cricket 07, where right ahead of the match, he introduces himself, stating, “Hello, this is Mark Nicholas and with me here is Richie Benaud.” This voice has been familiar to many cricket lovers, and the former English cricketer’s voice caught the attention of everyone in a short time. He did not feature for England but played county cricket for 17 years before shifting into the media as a journalist with The Daily Telegraph and as a TV commentator and anchorman.
4. Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri has been the voice of India in cricket. He turns the most boring cricket match into an exciting one. He is always the live wire during the coin toss of the game. With his husky and amazing voice, he creates a buzz around the atmosphere and on television as well. The former India head coach provided some unforgettable commentary spells that will be cherished for a long period. He was crucial in developing the Star Sports broadcasting views during the initial days of their broadcasting. His famous voice, ‘Dhoni finishes off in style’ during the ICC Men’s World Cup 2011, still reverberates in every Indian’s ears.
3. Harsha Bhogle
Harsha Bhogle, often called the “Voice of Cricket,” is widely regarded as one of the finest and most respected cricket commentators in the world. Despite not having played international cricket, a rarity among top commentators, Harsha’s deep understanding of the game. One of the most impartial voices in the commentary box, Harsha rarely lets national bias cloud his judgment, making him a preferred choice for ICC events like the World Cups and Champions Trophies. The cricket analyst has a huge following on his Twitter, YouTube, and other social media accounts where he shares his cricket insights.
2. Tony Greig
Tony Greig was one of the entertaining and influential commentators of our time in cricket. He has had a successful international playing career for England and then transitioned into broadcasting, providing broadcasting continuity and becoming one of the most well-known and loved voices of cricket commentary. Be it a six, swinging delivery, or an excellent run-out, his amazing reactions made these moments so much more memorable for viewers. His voice was always the anthem of the 90s era of cricket, and most of Sachin Tendulkar’s innings have also been voiced by him, firmly adding an extra dimension to his game.
1. Richie Benaud
Richie Benaud, the name that has been the voice of cricket for more than two decades. He was known for his famous commentary on the history of the game. But many of the fans do not know that the masterful commentator was also a sensational all-rounder. The Aussie had exceptional knowledge of cricket analysis. His understanding of the game with match situations allowed him to provide viewers with rare and valuable insights. Famous lines like “Marvelous” and “What a magnificent delivery!” became part of cricketing folklore. His voice was also used in the EA Cricket games from the beginning till 2007.
