Adam Gilchrist made his co-hosting television debut this morning for Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports. Along side stalwart Ken Sutcliffe, Gilchrist settled in well and looked very natural.
Gilly has been admired and loved by Australians for his cricketing success and gentlemanly approach to people. This should serve Gilly well as he makes the transition from sportsman to mediaman.
Cricket is the sport that Nine will utilise Gilchrist for but this morning he proved to be an excellent interviewer, commentator displaying a wide array of knowledge.
For a first performance Gilchirst give a huge indication that he has a big future in television. Last week former Australian cricket and Channel Nine commentator Michael Slater co-hosted with Sutcliffe and also performed amicably.
Slater has brought an injection of new blood to Nine’s cricket commentary team which has complimented veterans Tony Greig, Bill Lawry and ‘Cricket God’, Richie Beanud.
What Slater has accomplished in his few years on screen has been well documented and from tomorrow morning, he joins Terry Kennedy on 2KY as the co-host of New South Wales’ only dedicated Sports Breakfast Show, “The Big Sports Breakfast” from 6-9AM.
Co-hosting Wide World of Sports last week was another step in the right direction for Slater’s career but he appeared a little edgy, nervous and stumbled a few times. On the other hand, Gilchrist had an almost smooth ride but both personalities are valuable to Nine’s cricket and sport coverage.
From 2010, Channel Nine will broadcast both the winter and summer Olympic Games. Planning would have surely all ready started and for the likes of Gilchrist and Slater, their on air presence and involvement at these events could become very important to the network
The Olympic Swimming Trials that wrapped up last night were a strong and very proud meet for the sport as they prepare for Beijing. Not only are their new household sporting star names such as Stephanie Rice, Eamon Sullivan to go with Libby Trickett (formerly Lenton), Grant Hacket and Jessicah Schipper but another swimming commentator was also unveiled in Giaan Rooney.
Rooney complimented Nicole Livingstone and Duncan Armstrong as the best interviewers and analysers in the sport, matched by the best caller, Ray Warren.
Armstrong will be heard at the Olympics as he has defected to Seven but expect to hear his voice back on the Nine coverage after Beijing.
When Warren was unable to commentate because of Rugby League commitments on Friday, Fox Sports Mark Braybrook called the race and did a very impressive call.
Braybrook is a former 2UE and 2GB sports presenter who was back-up to Ray Hadley before switching to Fox. His commentary style was not as anninmated or loud as Warren but very impressive when he was calling Eamon Sullivan’s breaking of the 50M world record.
Note, Ray Warren made a comment to Armstrong about the 2012 Olympics in London and indicated he would not be there. Four years is a long time but this may indicate Warren’s intentions to retire.
If so, Braybrook would be valuable to Nine as not only a swimming caller but also as the second Rugby League caller, to Andrew Voss, Warren’s heir apparent.
Wide World of Sports still do the best job in sports coverage in Australia showcased with their Rugby League, Cricket, Swimming and the Wide World of Sports show itself. Despite Seven's sensational Olympics coverage which hits our screens in August, Nine will all ready be planning to do one better from 2010.
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