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Michael Holding hints at retirement from commentary in 2021

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Michael Holding Hints at Retirement from Commentary in 2021

One of the most respected voices in world cricket, the 66-year-old Holding has been with the Sky Sports for the past 21 years.

PTI |April 9, 2020, 7:41 PM IST

Fast bowling legend Michael Holding has hinted that he is unlikely to continue commentating beyond 2021 as age is catching up with him.

One of the most respected voices in world cricket, the 66-year-old Holding has been with the Sky Sports for the past 21 years.

"I am not too sure how much further than 2020 I will be going with commentary. I cannot see myself going much further down the road at my age. I am 66 years old now, I am not 36, 46 or 56," the West Indies pace great told the Mason and Guest radio talk show in Barbados.

Holding, who played 60 Test matches for the West Indies, said he might need to think extending his stint by a year if no cricket is held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I told (Sky) that I could not commit to more than a year at a time," said Holding, who started doing cricket commentary in 1991 in the Caribbean.

"If this year gets totally destroyed, I might have to think about 2021 because I can't just walk away from Sky, a company that has done so much good for me," added the former fast bowler, who has been working at Sky for the last 21 years.

Dubbed 'Whispering Death' during his playing days, Holding said he can see "light at the end of tunnel" for West Indies cricket following the emergence of talented players such as Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope.

"Another thing that I am happy with is that youngsters are now looking forward to representing the Windies again, and everybody is now making themselves available again, which is important," he said.

"I see light at the end of the tunnel because I see talent. Once there is talent, there has to be light at the end of the tunnel.

"Those three guys are three of the most talented I have seen in the last three to four years. When I look at cricketers, I look at who can make (it to) other teams around the world, and those three guys can make most other teams."

Link: https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...tirement-from-commentary-in-2021-2571571.html

Comments: Does he have any health issues we don't know about? If not then he has atleast another 10 years left as a commentator, it is not a strenous job. Richie Benaud continued commentary up to his 80's.
 
Brilliant commentator.

Just told him not to do this :)
 
One of the best commentator.

Always spoke his mind without worrying about the consequences. And I like people who speak their mind without worrying about the hate they will get. :inti
 
David Gower and Ian Botham finished in their early 60s. Mickey has been hinting at retirement from the commentary box for several years now. But he's still going in England and South Africa. Did the World Cup too. Holding has never ever commentated in any T20 Cricket. A real purist at heart. Loves his Test Cricket.
 
The first ever Test Championship final would be the best stage to go out at.
 
David Gower and Ian Botham finished in their early 60s. Mickey has been hinting at retirement from the commentary box for several years now. But he's still going in England and South Africa. Did the World Cup too. Holding has never ever commentated in any T20 Cricket. A real purist at heart. Loves his Test Cricket.

Gower and Botham were pushed out rather than retiring. Gower's still involved with the BBC, whether that will include commentating on TMS or not I don't know.
 
Would be a shame to see him leave if am honest, love his passion and insight especially on the bowling during the sky punditry interruptions at the Test matches. It's not a taxing job but as the great Marvin Hagler once said 'It's tough to get out of bed when you've been sleeping in silk pajamas'
 
nooooooooooo. never. one of the greatest commentators of all time. My favourite. Love his accent


what a bowler he was too.

holding, garner, Roberts, Marshall

just remarkable. To think they had Sylvester Clarke, Patrick Patterson, croft, wes on the bench lmao.
 
Gower and Botham were pushed out rather than retiring. Gower's still involved with the BBC, whether that will include commentating on TMS or not I don't know.

He made a guest appearance on BBC in their Cricket Social show for the final SA vs Eng Test Match last day.
Not really involved as such.
 
Holding is quite entertaining as a commentator. I am a big fan of him and it would be sad to see him go.
 
He made a guest appearance on BBC in their Cricket Social show for the final SA vs Eng Test Match last day.
Not really involved as such.

I remember reading something about him doing some sports presenting on Radio 4 or something as well, not sure how permanent is was though.
 
In the absence of live cricket there are many old clips of cricket being watched and replayed. Watching these brief clips it is even more apparent how great commentary can lift, and bad commentary can deaden, particular moments.

Michael Holding is one of the better commentators who adds to the 'moment'. He brings a distinctive voice, once memorably described as "bottled thunder," a determination to hold fast to his principles and an authoritativeness resting on logical argumentation.
 
..and bad commentary can deaden, particular moments. .

This is so true and such a crucial aspect of cricket as entertainment. But I don't think Holding is one of those commentators. He is good as a side-dish who chips in with cricket wisdom but he was never the main course. People like Atherton and Grieg play that part well.
 
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The best thing about great commentators like Holding is that they know what to say it and when to say it in a few words.
 
My favorite holding moment will be his initial reaction to the 2010 spot fixing scandal and his tears for Amir. His interview with Pakpassion was also legendary.
 
My favorite holding moment will be his initial reaction to the 2010 spot fixing scandal and his tears for Amir. His interview with Pakpassion was also legendary.

Came here to write this.

Brilliant commentator and I will always remember him for the tears he shed for Amir.
 
The greatest commentator in the world. Will be a sad day for cricket when he calls it quits.
 
With his short run-up, Jasprit Bumrah makes it extremely difficult for batsmen to measure his pace but the Indian pacer’ body may not hold for long because of that approach, reckons West Indies’ fast bowling great Michael Holding.

Holding, who completed the famous West Indies’ pace quartet along with Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Andy Roberts, said Bumrah’s ability to hit the deck hard with short run up is unique.

“Bumrah hits the deck hard and that creates more problem. And especially with that short run, it is difficult for batsmen to formulate in the their minds the pace at which that ball is coming,” Holding said on the ‘Sony Ten Pit Stop’ show aired on channel’s Facebook page.


“People talk about bowlers who hit the deck hard and bowlers who just skid off the surface. Malcolm Marshal, for instance, great fast bowler, he skidded the ball off the surface, more than hitting the deck.”

It may be an advantage for Bumrah but it also has a drawback, the 68-year-old felt.

“My problem with Bumrah and I mentioned it to him, when last time I saw him in England, is how long that body will hold up with that short run and the amount of effort he has to put into in his bowling, it is a human body. It is not a machine,” said Holding.

Bumrah had to be on sidelines for four months last year due to stress fracture in his lower back and made a return to competitive cricket only in January this year when India competed against Sri Lanka.

Holding said both Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are India’s special fast bowling talent and it’s “not just because of the pace” they generate.

“It is important to have pace, but you have got to have control as well and both of these guys have control. Shami is not very tall, is not extremely quick, but is quick enough. And he has the control and he moves the ball around a bit, the Kingston-born legend observed.

“You don’t find Shami spraying the ball all over the place. When you spray the ball all over the place, batsmen get relief, watching those balls go away. If you are constantly (bowling) in the right areas, attacking these batsmen, it creates more and more pressure and they are more liable to make mistakes. So that is Shami’s real strength,” elaborated Holding, who picked 249 wickets from 60 Tests.

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ation-from-short-run-up-injury-prone-6406972/
 
though a good commentator, Holding is a hypocrite. He blamed Gayle,Pollard for selling out to play league cricket. But he conveniently forgot that he also left Windies to play for World Series Cricket during his time.
In Fire in Babylon, he himself mentioned he was getting 30,000 AUD which was a lot of money for him and he has a shelf life as a player. Not applying same standards to modern players.
 
though a good commentator, Holding is a hypocrite. He blamed Gayle,Pollard for selling out to play league cricket. But he conveniently forgot that he also left Windies to play for World Series Cricket during his time.
In Fire in Babylon, he himself mentioned he was getting 30,000 AUD which was a lot of money for him and he has a shelf life as a player. Not applying same standards to modern players.

Who can forget his unsporting tactics against Brian Close. Close actually won the battle in the end and did not get out to him at all and this was a 45 year old guy against a young guy at his peak.
 
lol what will be say?

talk about india and praise them for views. Perhaps some of the praise directed towards indian players may be true but it's mostly going to be geared towards gaining indian viewership.

And he railed against IPL...
Against BCCI
Then came back to IPL as commentator wearing kurta pyjama to earn bucks.
😂
 
I thought he was a pretty decent and neutral commentator until i heard him from a highlights of 2000 Pak test in WI recently. Wasim bowled with unbelievable hostility and picked 10+ wickets in that match and we had some shocking decisions against us including a caught behind of Jimmy Adams which if given Out would have ended the match
 
though a good commentator, Holding is a hypocrite. He blamed Gayle,Pollard for selling out to play league cricket. But he conveniently forgot that he also left Windies to play for World Series Cricket during his time.
In Fire in Babylon, he himself mentioned he was getting 30,000 AUD which was a lot of money for him and he has a shelf life as a player. Not applying same standards to modern players.

You're mistaking his argument. He was asked about this topic on his YouTube channel and he said clearly he does NOT blame the players for featuring in these T20 leagues.

He criticises the administrators for not balancing the formats properly.
 
Without doubt 1 of the greatest commentators in history. I don't always agree with him. But you know he is giving his honest opinion which earns my respect. Would rather hear someone say his honest opinion than hide away from the truth.
 
Goodbye to Hypocrite Specimen A.

Whinged endlessly about T20 leagues before joining the CPL in a high paying capacity. Then continued to whine about the IPL while watching his colleagues like David Lloyd head off to those pastures, then discovered that he had whined too much to be offered a commentary contract himself.

In between whiles, whined some more about today's supposedly flat pitches and that he would just walk off while the actual bowlers of the day like Steyn, McGrath, Anderson take piles of wickets proving that they are better bowlers than him in any era.

Also, LOL at "hinting" at a commentary "retirement" in "2021". When the time comes, just say it's your last series and walk off. What is this? Even a Prime Minister doesn't give this much notice.
 
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Goodbye to Hypocrite Specimen A.

Whinged endlessly about T20 leagues before joining the CPL in a high paying capacity. Then continued to whine about the IPL while watching his colleagues like David Lloyd head off to those pastures, then discovered that he had whined too much to be offered a commentary contract himself.

In between whiles, whined some more about today's supposedly flat pitches and that he would just walk off while the actual bowlers of the day like Steyn, McGrath, Anderson take piles of wickets proving that they are better bowlers than him in any era.

Also, LOL at "hinting" at a commentary "retirement" in "2021". When the time comes, just say it's your last series and walk off. What is this? Even a Prime Minister doesn't give this much notice.

Mikey is a legend and loved by us here in the UK( who pay his wages) and throughout the cricketing World. Who cares if he riled up some Indians. As far as the bowlers you talk about are concerned, they didnt have to compete with Garner, Marshall, Roberts to take wickets and didnt have to play whole county and league seasons, years on end to make a living. Dont delude yourself, he is a much better bowler than any bowler Ind has ever produced.
 
Mikey is a legend and loved by us here in the UK( who pay his wages) and throughout the cricketing World. Who cares if he riled up some Indians. As far as the bowlers you talk about are concerned, they didnt have to compete with Garner, Marshall, Roberts to take wickets and didnt have to play whole county and league seasons, years on end to make a living. Dont delude yourself, he is a much better bowler than any bowler Ind has ever produced.

You don’t have to worry, none of us are that deluded.
 
Mikey is a legend and loved by us here in the UK( who pay his wages) and throughout the cricketing World. Who cares if he riled up some Indians. As far as the bowlers you talk about are concerned, they didnt have to compete with Garner, Marshall, Roberts to take wickets and didnt have to play whole county and league seasons, years on end to make a living. Dont delude yourself, he is a much better bowler than any bowler Ind has ever produced.

You only like him because of his crocodile tears over that 30-averaging Amir. Michael Holding threw a hissy fit during his playing days when the pitches were flat. If he was brought to this day and age, even Sreesanth would outbowl him.

For his sake, he should 'hint' at a commentary role in the 'Caribbean Premier League' in '2022' so the money keeps flowing. If you love him so much, follow him there.
 
He used to be a good commentator until he became driven by Sky Sports political agenda. That was the end of the golden generation of Sky Sports commentary team along with him.
 
He used to be a good commentator until he became driven by Sky Sports political agenda. That was the end of the golden generation of Sky Sports commentary team along with him.

I agree, the Sky commentary team have really gone downhill. The best commentator for me is Siva Ramakrishnan. His insight is second to none and is a far better orator than the likes of Holding, Hussain and Athers.
 
You only like him because of his crocodile tears over that 30-averaging Amir. Michael Holding threw a hissy fit during his playing days when the pitches were flat. If he was brought to this day and age, even Sreesanth would outbowl him.

For his sake, he should 'hint' at a commentary role in the 'Caribbean Premier League' in '2022' so the money keeps flowing. If you love him so much, follow him there.

I agree. Sreesanth is a better bowler generally and has more cajones. If he didn't get banned, he would definitely have finished as India's greatest ever. Potentially could have made it to the top 10 ATG list of fast bowlers.
 
:)) The vitriol from Indian PPers towards Holding is quite startling. Not every commentator needs to have their heads firmly lodged between the cheeks of BCCI's backside like Ravi, Sunny, Harsh and Sanjay.
 
Michael Holding threw a hissy fit during his playing days when the pitches were flat.

Averaged 22 from 6 Tests in Asia. Widely acknowledged amongst his peers as one of the greatest fast bowlers out of the Caribbean.

I'm sure he'll be crying into his pillow because Varun thinks he's a hypocrite *gasp*.
 
Averaged 22 from 6 Tests in Asia. Widely acknowledged amongst his peers as one of the greatest fast bowlers out of the Caribbean.

I'm sure he'll be crying into his pillow because Varun thinks he's a hypocrite *gasp*.

If I offered some dough, he'll do it.

Won't be a change of persona from the same Whispering Death who ran off to Kerry Packer or signed up to be Ambassador - no less - of the Caribbean Premier League in spite of the numerous proclamations against such acts before and after.
 
He is a good commentator but at the same time, always found him a bitter guy on certain things.

It's nothing to do with Indian here but he just seems like a hypocrite who feels everything in his era was best and does not have much respect for modern era cricketers. In contrast, Ian Bishop is miles better.
 
If I offered some dough, he'll do it.

Won't be a change of persona from the same Whispering Death who ran off to Kerry Packer or signed up to be Ambassador - no less - of the Caribbean Premier League in spite of the numerous proclamations against such acts before and after.
Look I've listened to Holding's rants about T20 cricket and I don't agree with him blasting the format that's literally the lifesupport for the other, loss making forms of the game.

However I've never heard him condemning players for pursuing the T20 route to make a living. However he's criticised administrators for failing to properly balance the formats and allowing leagues to cut into the international calendar. He's always made that distinction unless I'm wrong and you can find a statement to the contrary.

As for being a CPL consultant, why shouldn't he support cricket in his native Caribbean ? Now if he took up an IPL or PSL role then by all means accuse him of hypocrisy.

The point is, we need commentators who bring different thoughts and ideas to the table not reading off the same script their boards supply. And that's why Holding is respected, agree or disagree with him he speaks from the heart. That's why he's banned from commentating in the Caribbean by his own WICB !
 
Look I've listened to Holding's rants about T20 cricket and I don't agree with him blasting the format that's literally the lifesupport for the other, loss making forms of the game.

However I've never heard him condemning players for pursuing the T20 route to make a living. However he's criticised administrators for failing to properly balance the formats and allowing leagues to cut into the international calendar. He's always made that distinction unless I'm wrong and you can find a statement to the contrary.

As for being a CPL consultant, why shouldn't he support cricket in his native Caribbean ? Now if he took up an IPL or PSL role then by all means accuse him of hypocrisy.

The point is, we need commentators who bring different thoughts and ideas to the table not reading off the same script their boards supply. And that's why Holding is respected, agree or disagree with him he speaks from the heart. That's why he's banned from commentating in the Caribbean by his own WICB !

Completely agree with your post here. Holding is articulate (graceful with his delivery), succinct (has a good economy of words), honest, velvet like in delivery and actually adds value with his observations. It also helps that he's an impressive man, which accentuates his commentary presence.

Some may complain about his 'bitterness' but how his honest he is part of why he's liked. There's very little pretence about him, so you know that what you're hearing is how the man truly feels. And it's not honesty for the sake of attention but rather because he's being himself.

The Bishop comparison is interesting. I'd day that Ian Bishop is absolutely one of the best, especially in terms of tactical insight, likeability and adding gravitas to 'moments' ("Carlos Braithwaite, CARLOS BRAITHWAITE!!"), but he doesn't have Holding's velvet-like consistency. It's slim margins, mind, not to detract from Bishop, whose in the top three.

Siva Ramakrishnan has been mentioned. I have admittedly not heard much of him, as I dont watch a lot of India's games or the IPL. From the few times I've heard him, he does add value, but in terms of oral delivery he's decent. However, if we're grading on a scale , he doesn't necessarily have the best voice. There's absolutely nothing wrong with his delivery, I'd say it's good, but certainly not the best.

Lastly, some (But not all) Indian posters on here seem to not like Holding too much. I think it's well established during Dhoni's time that BCCI appointed Indian commentators (and other foreign commentators in India) needed to be more like cheer leaders. The Harsha Bhogle-Amitabh Bachan-Dhoni episode comes to mind, where Dhoni apparently wasn't very happy with Harsha praising the opposing team's players and liked Bachan's tweet expressing as such. I think, if a commentator has to hold back, based on what the local cricket board expects, the quality will invariably suffer.


Perhaps Holding' s more abrasive style doesn't agree with our fellow Indian fans tastes, having had years of the BCCI instructed style commentary.

Just thinking aloud.
 
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Always knew Indian posters werent fond of Holding but didnt realize the dislike was this much.

Michael Holding was one of the greatest world has seen in both his bowling as well as in the comm box and to be honest nothing can change that.
 
I will take a Bishop, Ian Smith and Nasser Hussain any day over this bitter old man who has very little respect for anything which is not of his liking. He can register his protest and move along. Instead he keeps harping on and on and on and on. Guy doesn't have the guts to openly praise West Indies cricket even when thry are going through a good passage of play against England and we are talking about how he calls a spade a spade.
 
Always knew Indian posters werent fond of Holding but didnt realize the dislike was this much.

Michael Holding was one of the greatest world has seen in both his bowling as well as in the comm box and to be honest nothing can change that.

We always played the game as gentlemen. When Michael Holding decided to cross the line and bowl beamers and non stop barrage of bouncers at Indian tail enders, that is the day cricket lost its innocence. For this reason, Indian fans can never forget or forgive Michael Holding.

A great cricketer nonetheless, but a tainted cricketer for his actions which were not in the spirit of the game.
 
Will never forgive Holding for his unsporting tactics against Brian Close and the loser at his peak could still not dismiss the 45 year old man who went on to score 50 plus. Holding should hang his head in shame, sharam se doob ke mar jana chahiye
 
:)) The vitriol from Indian PPers towards Holding is quite startling. Not every commentator needs to have their heads firmly lodged between the cheeks of BCCI's backside like Ravi, Sunny, Harsh and Sanjay.

Not sure why you think holding should be immune from criticism. Indian commentators get a lot of flak from the fans. Holding is far too stubborn a commentator and he was called out by athers of all people .
 
Always knew Indian posters werent fond of Holding but didnt realize the dislike was this much.

Michael Holding was one of the greatest world has seen in both his bowling as well as in the comm box and to be honest nothing can change that.

It's perfectly ok to acknowledge holding for his accomplishments and call him out for his **. Not sure why ******* need to defend their hero at all costs. Dont remember him being so popular on here when he called ajmal a chucker back in 2011
 
Not sure why you think holding should be immune from criticism. Indian commentators get a lot of flak from the fans. Holding is far too <B>stubborn a commentator</B> and he was called out by athers of all people .

This. For a commentator, he is quite stubborn with whatever opinion he has. You gotta be more friendly and more universal with your point of view which he ain't.
 
Would be a great day for cricket.

Holding is an overrated moaner with a chip on his shoulder.
 
His biggest problem is that he disliked IPL - then the hoards descended on him.
 
His biggest problem is that he disliked IPL - then the hoards descended on him.

How would like an alternative view of this exact same thing.

He disliked IPL - Then the hoards decided to back him no matter what drivel he dishes out stubbornly.
 
Would be a great day for cricket.

Holding is an overrated moaner with a chip on his shoulder.

He goes on and on and on and on about things he likes. He literally tries to shove it down people's throats trying to guilt modern cricket lovers by romanticizing Test Cricket nonstop. Fine we understand he prefers Tests and he has established it enough. Now can we please stop trying to look down up on people who like to live in the present and not in his glory days of 70s and 80s.
 
Always knew Indian posters werent fond of Holding but didnt realize the dislike was this much.

Michael Holding was one of the greatest world has seen in both his bowling as well as in the comm box and to be honest nothing can change that.

Let's not go overboard. He was to bowling in the 1980s what Aaron Finch is to batting today.

Craft some dodgy pitches, make batsmen leave their helmet and pads at home and make them play with matchsticks, turn off the technology, and have only one active format of the game and I guarantee each of us will have a copy of the Whispering Death in our garage.
 
How would like an alternative view of this exact same thing.

He disliked IPL - Then the hoards decided to back him no matter what drivel he dishes out stubbornly.

IPL is not cricket for the hoards.

Mikey is talking about cricket as a whole and says how he feels about it without worrying about an IPL contract.
 
IPL is not cricket for the hoards.

Mikey is talking about cricket as a whole and says how he feels about it without worrying about an IPL contract.

You can have your opinion and present it. I can have my opinion and present it. What's with trying to be holier than thou saying disliking IPL bought the hoards. Most of our tribe plain and simple don't like him. You like him. Simple.
 
He goes on and on and on and on about things he likes. He literally tries to shove it down people's throats trying to guilt modern cricket lovers by romanticizing Test Cricket nonstop. Fine we understand he prefers Tests and he has established it enough. Now can we please stop trying to look down up on people who like to live in the present and not in his glory days of 70s and 80s.

He also talks about loyalty to cricket boards but had no problem playing mercenary for Kerry Packer.
 
You can have your opinion and present it. I can have my opinion and present it. What's with trying to be holier than thou saying disliking IPL bought the hoards. Most of our tribe plain and simple don't like him. You like him. Simple.

Not being holier than thou but I feel IPL is a plague on cricket so what Holding says about it is fine with me and the sort of comments in this thread about a legend like Holding are tasteless as they come but we will allow them for sake of freedom of speech.
 
He goes on and on and on and on about things he likes. He literally tries to shove it down people's throats trying to guilt modern cricket lovers by romanticizing Test Cricket nonstop. Fine we understand he prefers Tests and he has established it enough. Now can we please stop trying to look down up on people who like to live in the present and not in his glory days of 70s and 80s.

Why shouldnt he look down on people who like hit and miss cricket. If you like T20, that is your right but Mikey is respected by anyone of any note. He doesn't need a certificate from losers.
 
Always knew Indian posters werent fond of Holding but didnt realize the dislike was this much.

Michael Holding was one of the greatest world has seen in both his bowling as well as in the comm box and to be honest nothing can change that.

He dissed their beloved IPL. Can you think of anything more pathetic than see these losers hate someone because he gave an honest opinion.
 
Not being holier than thou but I feel IPL is a plague on cricket so what Holding says about it is fine with me and the sort of comments in this thread about a legend like Holding are tasteless as they come but we will allow them for sake of freedom of speech.

IPL has destroyed Windies cricket, its taken their international window. Why would you not hate it?
 
:)) The vitriol from Indian PPers towards Holding is quite startling. Not every commentator needs to have their heads firmly lodged between the cheeks of BCCI's backside like Ravi, Sunny, Harsh and Sanjay.

For an Ind, proclaiming love for the rubbish that is IPL has become an article of faith, anyone that speaks against it must be terrible at their job.
 
Let's not go overboard. He was to bowling in the 1980s what Aaron Finch is to batting today.

Craft some dodgy pitches, make batsmen leave their helmet and pads at home and make them play with matchsticks, turn off the technology, and have only one active format of the game and I guarantee each of us will have a copy of the Whispering Death in our garage.

Average of 23 with ball in hand in tests, 21 in ODIs and more than 20 years with top broadcasters around the world in commentary.

Aaron Finch? Has played 5 tests and averages 27 with bat.

I dont think there is any point in downplaying his skills with the ball and his commentary just because his certain views were not very well received.

I personally love listening to his commentary and him being able to commentate for more than two decades manifests that many others do as well. Ofcourse not everyone can like a certain style or views in commentary.
 
It's perfectly ok to acknowledge holding for his accomplishments and call him out for his **. Not sure why ******* need to defend their hero at all costs. Dont remember him being so popular on here when he called ajmal a chucker back in 2011

Ofcourse nobody is perfect but I was only talking about the posts with just criticism and no appreciation for what the man has achieved in more than 3-4 decades of association with cricket in one way or another. So much dislike for few comments a guy has made in over two decades in commentary box is bit too much in my opinion.
 
It’s foolish to try to discredit Holding as a cricketer. He was a phenomenal bowler, one of the very best ever.

The thing that gets on my nerve is his hypocrisy. He hates players neglecting national duty, preferring to play in league cricket instead. Yet he himself had no problem in neglecting national duty preferring to play in that Kerry Packer circus.
 
Why shouldnt he look down on people who like hit and miss cricket. If you like T20, that is your right but Mikey is respected by anyone of any note. He doesn't need a certificate from losers.

Losers are the one's who like to suck up to condescending old men just because they are successful in life. I will have the least of respect for anybody who can not respect the choice of others and can respectfully register his opinion. The broken old record keeps on yapping.
 
Not being holier than thou but I feel IPL is a plague on cricket so what Holding says about it is fine with me and the sort of comments in this thread about a legend like Holding are tasteless as they come but we will allow them for sake of freedom of speech.

Holding is not reincarnation of God and he is not immune to comments. We are watching him dish out drivel on a paid sports channel and have every right to review the content we are paying for. Commenting him doesn't make it descending of hoards.
 
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Don't really have an issue with Indian posters complaining about Holding, their opinion is laughably wrong but they are free to state it.

Holding has been consistent in his views about the T20 format, it's got nothing to do with Indian cricket. If Indian fans are confused about conflating national pride and foreign policy with the BCCI's corporate strategy, that's on them totally.
 
Why shouldnt he look down on people who like hit and miss cricket. If you like T20, that is your right but Mikey is respected by anyone of any note. He doesn't need a certificate from losers.

You might say it is his honest opinion, it could just as easily be his self-interest. He makes a living commentating on test cricket for the english folk, that's where his bread is buttered. His Sky colleagues shared his same opinion but have abandoned these 'principles' after realising audience/money is what matters, not some noble pretense of test cricket piety.

On a related note .. this discussion reminds me of what KP tweeted a year ago hehe ..

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SKY’s commentators now cashing in on the <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IPL</a>. <br>The same ones that played a major part in ending my England career. <br>Hilarious how the IPL isn’t viewed as a tournament for mercenaries who only care about cash...! <br>&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56904;&#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56904;</p>— Kevin Pietersen&#55358;&#56719; (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/988098476260159488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
You might say it is his honest opinion, it could just as easily be his self-interest. He makes a living commentating on test cricket for the english folk, that's where his bread is buttered. His Sky colleagues shared his same opinion but have abandoned these 'principles' after realising audience/money is what matters, not some noble pretense of test cricket piety.

On a related note .. this discussion reminds me of what KP tweeted a year ago hehe ..

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SKY’s commentators now cashing in on the <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IPL</a>. <br>The same ones that played a major part in ending my England career. <br>Hilarious how the IPL isn’t viewed as a tournament for mercenaries who only care about cash...! <br>��������</p>— Kevin Pietersen�� (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/988098476260159488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sky panel used to be very chilled out and good to listen to.

Ever since IPL occured, these guys totally lost their marbles and started talking utter trash.

Pakistanis are free to stick with colonial masters who have time again tried their best to hurt Pakistan/and their cricketers image/character. Not us Indians, we have a lot of pride in what we represent and who we are and we did see through Sky panels cringeworthy hypocrisy.

These are the same people who played Packers and later even sold English cricket to Standford lol who is now in jail for fraud :))

Get out of here. You don't talk trash about Indian cricket and walk away silently.
 
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You might say it is his honest opinion, it could just as easily be his self-interest. He makes a living commentating on test cricket for the english folk, that's where his bread is buttered. His Sky colleagues shared his same opinion but have abandoned these 'principles' after realising audience/money is what matters, not some noble pretense of test cricket piety.

On a related note .. this discussion reminds me of what KP tweeted a year ago hehe ..

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SKY’s commentators now cashing in on the <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IPL</a>. <br>The same ones that played a major part in ending my England career. <br>Hilarious how the IPL isn’t viewed as a tournament for mercenaries who only care about cash...! <br>��������</p>— Kevin Pietersen�� (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/988098476260159488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Indians are desperate to attack anyone that says anything bad IPL cricket but let's face it, it's a crock of ****. And not everyone likes it, and they should speak up like Mikey did.
 
Sky panel used to be very chilled out and good to listen to.

Ever since IPL occured, these guys totally lost their marbles and started talking utter trash.

Pakistanis are free to stick with colonial masters who have time again tried their best to hurt Pakistan/and their cricketers image/character. Not us Indians, we have a lot of pride in what we represent and who we are and we did see through Sky panels cringeworthy hypocrisy.

These are the same people who played Packers and later even sold English cricket to Standford lol who is now in jail for fraud :))

Get out of here. You don't talk trash about Indian cricket and walk away silently.

Do they not have a right to say what they think. Just as you have the right to enjoy the hit and miss rubbish, they have a right to say their piece.
 
Holding is not reincarnation of God and he is not immune to comments. We are watching him dish out drivel on a paid sports channel and have every right to review the content we are paying for. Commenting him doesn't make it descending of hoards.

If you don't like his views then you can mute him, put some music on and enjoy the cricket. Don't pretend that his views don't hurt you, the Indians are snow flakes and can't stand anyone that doesn't bow to the BCCI view point. I remember those debates on the DRS and how Indians defended the BCCI policy. What happened, DRS didn't change and the BCCI left their defenders humiliated
 
Do they not have a right to say what they think. Just as you have the right to enjoy the hit and miss rubbish, they have a right to say their piece.

I don't support abusing and most people on PP do not resort to abuse either. All isee very fair criticism of Michael Holding.

I don't see where the problem is.

Pakistanis are overreacting to this to be honest. It's a non issue.

Also this seems to be getting gravitated towards Mikey but people are talking about Sky's analysts overall since IPL.
 
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In what world is IPL bad for Cricket but Stanford T20 is great? We still remember image of English cricket bowing to a crook billionaire at the Home of Cricket The Lords for a few millions.

England if they wished would still be hosting every world event in cricket. BCCI had to muscle their way to bring a tournament to subcontinent in 1987.

They want to have it all. They created the monster that is T20 in the first place. They already had their leagues going when no country even thought of it.

Then they went a step further and even came up with lame marketing stunts like The 100 and T10s.

I'm sorry, in Punjabi there is a saying. Saada kutta kutta, tuhada kutta Tommy?

Krishan kare to raas leela, hum karein to character dheela?

BCCI has created an economy that has helped every cricket board get richer except those who tried to act oversmart at the wrong moment in time only to be getting the stick later.
 
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I don't support abusing and most people on PP do not resort to abuse either. All isee very fair criticism of Michael Holding.

I don't see where the problem is.

Pakistanis are overreacting to this to be honest. It's a non issue.

Also this seems to be getting gravitated towards Mikey but people are talking about Sky's analysts overall since IPL.

The Indians( not all) see themselves as front men of the BCCI, the IPL is just a tournament and some people dont like it. It was the same with DRS when, Ind after defended the a stupid policy which they eventually ditched and made all their fan boys look total tools.
 
In what world is IPL bad for Cricket but Stanford T20 is great? We still remember image of English cricket bowing to a crook billionaire at the Mecca of Cricket The Lords for a few millions.

England if they wished would still be hosting every world event in cricket. BCCI had to muscle their way to bring a tournament to subcontinent in 1987.

They want to have it all. They created the monster that is T20 in the first place. They already had their leagues going when no country even thought of it.

Then they went a step further and even came up with lame marketing stunts like The 100 and T10s.

I'm sorry, in Punjabi there is a saying. Saada kutta kutta, tuhada kutta Tommy?

Krishan kare to raas leela, hum karein to character dheela?

BCCI has created an economy that has helped every cricket board get richer except those who tried to act oversmart at the wrong moment in time only to be getting the stick later.

It has also destroyed Windies cricket by taking away their international Window
 
Here's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth:-

IPL is utterly rubbish.

Non Indian and particularly non asian cricketers who play in the IPL are doing it for the money and play in it inspite of it being in India, not because of it. No cricketer is going to admit to disliking T20 because they get to earn a lot of money for something that remotely resembles cricket.

Anyone who likes it is either an extreme indian nationalist or someone who isn't a true fan of cricket.

Meanwhile, Holding is one of the best commentators going around.

END
 
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