Cricket commentators' unfiltered moments on the mic

Cricket commentary is a very important job that brings all the live action to the viewers. They are the game’s storytellers who provide the most thrilling bits of narrations, each in their unique way. They contribute towards making the game’s historic moments even more memorable. Commentators are often very diligent about what they speak on the mic and try to avoid speaking anything controversial or unsavory. However, there have been instances when the men behind the mic, forget the microphone is still on after they have put it down. This has led to many interesting discussions, rants, and comments happening. Here are some interesting banter between commentators: 1. Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds’ expletive-laden rant on Marnus Labuschagne During the BBL 10 tournament, late great Australian legends Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds were caught ripping into current Australia star Marnus Labuschagne in an all-time hot mic moment. The duo was part of the Fox Sports commentary team for the Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers’ clash. Seemingly, they were off-air on Fox Sports, but Kayo Sports' live stream was still on. And it captured them ranting about Marnus Labuschagne using expletives. They were discussing the third Test between Australia and India at the SCG. “I reckon you’d give Marnus another bowl too,” Warne said. “Do something (inaudible) to his ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) f***ing pills,” Symonds said about Labuschagne’s batting antics. “Yeah, f***, Jesus it’s annoying. No! Just f***ing bat properly, sook,” Warne said. “You’d have to give him the hog pile. Mate, if you keep that s*** up we’re going to squash your guts out your arse,” Symonds added. 2. Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting make an ‘honorary Englishman’ jibe at Dinesh Karthik Not exactly an off-mic conversation, but an interesting exchange of words between India’s Dinesh Karthik and Australia’s Ricky Ponting. The incident happened on day 4 of the 5th Ashes Test as Karthik took a veiled dig at Ponting. For the unversed, Ponting was run out by Broad in a hotly contested 5th Test of the 2009 Ashes series in England. After Broad announced his retirement ahead of the 5th Test in the 2023 Ashes, Karthik tried to tease Ponting with the famous run-out and the Australian legend gave it back. "The two Australian commentators here are going gaga over how well Australia is going. Here is a moment though, that happened a few Ashes ago. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey had put on a partnership of 127 before this happened. What happened after that, I think it is best Ricky explains. They lost the Test and the Ashes post that," Karthik said referring to Australia's strong start in their chase of 384. Ponting hit back stating that Karthik favoring England has gotten him another year’s contract and Mark Taylor called him an honorary Englishman. "Gee have a bit of that, there you go. Dinesh Karthik's become an honorary Englishman overnight hasn't he?" Taylor said. "Just making sure he has a contract next year, isn't he? Locking himself in the Sky box. Good work DK," Ponting added. Dinesh Karthik at it again 😂 Took on @RickyPonting this time 🔥MUST WATCH!#Ashes #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/FCq2XhuXjl — Elon Muska (Parody) (@ThatWalaGuy) July 30, 2023 3. Dean Jones calls Hashim Amla a not-so-good word Late Australian cricketer Dean Jones found himself in hot water after he called South African cricketer Hashim Amla an unsavoury word while commentating during a Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Colombo. According to a statement issued by Cricket South Africa (CSA), viewers had heard Jones say, “The terrorist has got another wicket” when Amla took the catch that dismissed Kumar Sangakkara. Amla is a devout Muslim who wears a beard for religious reasons. This led to Dean Jones being fired by broadcasters Ten Sports and was asked to fly home from Sri Lanka. Later, Jones admitted he made a huge mistake and said that his gaffe was a "stupid, ridiculous off-the-wall comment" that wasn't meant to go to air. He also apologized to Hashim Amla. 4. Andrew Strauss uses a four-word expression for Kevin Pietersen Andrew Strauss became famous for his rivalry with his teammate and fellow South African Kevin Pietersen both during their playing days and after retirement as well. Both didn’t see eye to eye, especially after Pietersen made unsavoury about the England team and Strauss to South Africans via text messages. This ended Pietersen’s career for England in 2015. Interestingly, during the 2014 MCC and the Rest of the World to celebrate the bicentenary of Lord's Cricket Ground, Strauss was heard calling Pietersen “C**t” when talking to fellow Sky Sports commentator Nick Knight in a commercial break. Strauss didn’t know that the comm mic was on and his expletive for Pietersen was heard on air. Fox Sports in Australia was simulcasting Sky’s coverage but did not cut to commercials, so viewers heard Strauss’ faux pas loud and clear. 5. Nasser Hussain calls Indian fielders donkeys During a T20I between England and India, Nasser Hussain’s big mouth put him in trouble. He reacted by calling Indian fielders donkeys when keeper Parthiv Patel dropped a catch during the fourth over of England's innings. Sitting in the commentary box, he said: "I would say the difference between the two sides is the fielding. England are all-round a good fielding side. I do believe that India has few...3 or 4 very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still." This led to Ravi Shastri urging BCCI to file an official complaint to the ECB. It drew sharp reactions in India, although Hussain felt that people should have taken it in good humor. Nasser apologized and then made the same comment during the 2012 Test tour of India.

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Cricket commentators' unfiltered moments on the mic

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3. Dean Jones calls Hashim Amla a not-so-good word

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