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Michael Holding's insensitive comment today

I don't find it offensive and I personally believe in complete freedom of speech but this only shows how classless individuals like Mikey are. :)
 
Unfortunately:

Michael Holding joins CPL

CPL – BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – West Indies fast bowling legend Michael Holding has thrown his weight behind the forthcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on the basis that it can help develop the next generation of cricketing talent in the region, and has agreed to be the Ambassador for the CPL Development Programme.

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/05/07/michael-holding-joins-cpl/
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This after his antics with the rebel Kerry Packer league "in his day".

Hypocrisy. Specimen A.
 
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I also think it wasn't that hard to be a fast bowler in Holding's day. Every now and then he pipes up about the supposed sorry state of pitches today, showcasing this mentality.

Just imagine if the likes of McGrath, Steyn or even Anderson were like that. These three would most likely succeed in the 80s playing just one format, Holding most likely would have quit test cricket and played for a franchise given a time turner. It would have been too difficult.
 
Hitman said:
It's probably his dislike for IPL and the BCCI which makes him dislike Indian cricket overall.
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Which is surprising because I hear that Holding was one of the first ones to ditch West Indies and queue up for the Kerry Packer league dollars. This is the very definition of hypocrisy.
 
Man, if only I could have a free reign with the ball on a dodgy pitch versus a guy not even wearing a helmet....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w-f5pfBgpNE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

...Whispering Death? Cute, but no cookie.

I think a lot of us on this forum are of an age group who tend to take things as gospel, but as the old saying goes, the camera never lies. Holding is massively overrated and was lucky to be playing in the decade he did.
 
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Varun said:
I think a lot of us on this forum are of an age group who tend to take things as gospel, but as the old saying goes, the camera never lies. Holding is massively overrated and was lucky to be playing in the decade he did.
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Conversely, batsmen who did well in the 1970s and 1980s should be celebrated more than fast bowlers who were just playing with the equivalent of computer cheat codes.

Like Gavaskar. Who is also a more amiable presence in the comm box any day than an IPL contract-less Holding.
 
Moh@n said:
Which is surprising because I hear that Holding was one of the first ones to ditch West Indies and queue up for the Kerry Packer league dollars. This is the very definition of hypocrisy.
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Whatever one may say about Holding and his childish comments, I think we should cut the likes of him some slack in the Kerry Packer saga.
The fact of the matter is that cricketers were pathetically paid in those days. Most professional cricketers back then had to work day jobs to make ends meet. They could not afford to make cricket a full time profession, like their present day contemporaries are able to do. When Packer came along and offered good cricketers a full time job playing their favourite game and good money for doing it, most of them would not have been able to resist the temptation.

After all, national honor and patriotism aren't enough to fill one's stomach or provide for one's family.

The South Africa rebel tours were also popular for the same reason. The apartheid government paid the rebels very well.
 
gani999 said:
Whatever one may say about Holding and his childish comments, I think we should cut the likes of him some slack in the Kerry Packer saga.
The fact of the matter is that cricketers were pathetically paid in those days. Most professional cricketers back then had to work day jobs to make ends meet. They could not afford to make cricket a full time profession, like their present day contemporaries are able to do. When Packer came along and offered good cricketers a full time job playing their favourite game and good money for doing it, most of them would not have been able to resist the temptation.

After all, national honor and patriotism aren't enough to fill one's stomach or provide for one's family.

The South Africa rebel tours were also popular for the same reason. The apartheid government paid the rebels very well.
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Doesn't the same apply to the West Indian cricketers of today? I'd wager that they are the least well paid of all the 8 major boards (even Bangladesh players would be above them) and there is really not much patriotism involved in representing a stitched together entity like that, yet Holding wastes no opportunity to have a go at Pollard and the like.

Then he signs up in some capacity to the CPL and doesn't seem to do much for improving West Indian cricket - Test or ODI while collecting paychecks from Sky every summer.

This guy comes off as.....unappetizing.
 
Varun said:
Conversely, batsmen who did well in the 1970s and 1980s should be celebrated more than fast bowlers who were just playing with the equivalent of computer cheat codes.

Like Gavaskar. Who is also a more amiable presence in the comm box any day than an IPL contract-less Holding.
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Lets be honest Holding is twice the commentator that the likes of gavaskar etc are who basically parrott lines, give little insight and tow what bcci want them to rather than having an opinion

Holding doesnt overtalk, has a great voice for the screen and when he speaks he has something useful to say adding value to the picture

He may have been wrong here but to criticise his commentating skills is stupid
 
Madplayer said:
A poor comment by him. Wonder if IPL is the only reason why he dislikes Indian cricket?
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My two cents:
He is a bowler, who understand how important is bowling to keep cricket the sports we love and it’s soul intact. And frankly Cricket under the hand of BCCI and India is developing in a very one dimensional manner. Lot of responsibility goes to people at high ups as to how Cricket is evolving. Personally I don’t like either how Cricket has evolved in last decade and half, I blame India a whole lot for that too!!!
 
He was mocking the Indian team, not the deceased. But it was insensitive considering the situation.
 
One of the best commentators of all time.

Says it how it is - doesn't massage the egos of Boards or players.
 
Zaz said:
Lets be honest Holding is twice the commentator that the likes of gavaskar etc are who basically parrott lines, give little insight and tow what bcci want them to rather than having an opinion

Holding doesnt overtalk, has a great voice for the screen and when he speaks he has something useful to say adding value to the picture

He may have been wrong here but to criticise his commentating skills is stupid
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Holding isnt even half the commentator Gavaskar is. I can understand your love for him though.
 
Varun said:
Man, if only I could have a free reign with the ball on a dodgy pitch versus a guy not even wearing a helmet....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w-f5pfBgpNE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

...Whispering Death? Cute, but no cookie.

I think a lot of us on this forum are of an age group who tend to take things as gospel, but as the old saying goes, the camera never lies. Holding is massively overrated and was lucky to be playing in the decade he did.
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Not just that, he was the one who kicked stumps because a decision didn't go his way and he today he finds Kohli too agressive. When Lara exposed holding 2 years back at MCC talking about how holding bought shame to WI through his rude behavior, his response - I don't care much about Lara or what he says
 
Saj said:
To compare a cheerleader like Gavaskar to a commentating genius like Holding is ridiculous.
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Sorry but Holding is no commentating genius. That will be a Richie Benaud or a Henry Blofeld.

I understand why his opinions may appeal to a section just like Gavaskars dont. So lets agree to disagree here.
 
happydavy said:
Not just that, he was the one who kicked stumps because a decision didn't go his way and he today he finds Kohli too agressive. When Lara exposed holding 2 years back at MCC talking about how holding bought shame to WI through his rude behavior, his response - I don't care much about Lara or what he says
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Holding has a very arrogant player which is ideal for a fast bowler but he is a commentator now. He is witty and can make cool comments but his arrogance is really annoying sometimes.
 
Josh said:
Holding has a very arrogant player which is ideal for a fast bowler but he is a commentator now. He is witty and can make cool comments but his arrogance is really annoying sometimes.
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Never heard a single one of them. Just another try-hard in the mould of Ian Chappell.
 
He's a cheap fella..see this

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jan/25/cricket-england-west-indies-2009-sportinterviews

Few excerpts

"At the time I got involved with Allen Stanford – it was my wife and I who went for dinner with him and his girlfriend – he said he wanted to help West Indies cricket. I thought it was a brilliant idea because we haven't got any money in the Caribbean. And if somebody who has that amount of money is going to get involved, who is going to say no to that?"

Brian Lara ... Brian Lara got away with murder in the West Indies team. And they have never been the same since.
 
What's common between Junaids and Holding? Might be quite a few things eh? Now take that as a compliment.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Sorry but Holding is no commentating genius. That will be a Richie Benaud or a Henry Blofeld.

I understand why his opinions may appeal to a section just like Gavaskars dont. So lets agree to disagree here.
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Holding's commentary is insightful, technically he is brilliant, he is to the point.

Gavaskar is good at sitting in the comm box making strange noises.
 
Commentators in cricket are worth nothing because hand on heart I don't find any information while hearing them which I am not aware of. I find this forum to be more informed than commentators. I would really like to know from folks here, one or 2 pieces of critical information or intelligence or analysis that you picked up from commentators in the last 2-3 years that you couldn't have thought of yourself?
 
Have lived and spent plenty of of time with old school people in Caribbean. They say it as they see it, you’ll never hear them toeing the line if their masters, like Gavaskar.

Don’t ever disrespect the likes of Viv, Holding and anyone from the greatest Team to ever played cricket.

Some of the Indians are just ridiculous.
 
slipcatch said:
Have lived and spent plenty of of time with old school people in Caribbean. They say it as they see it, you’ll never hear them toeing the line if their masters, like Gavaskar.

Don’t ever disrespect the likes of Viv, Holding and anyone from the greatest Team to ever played cricket.

Some of the Indians are just ridiculous.
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LoL you should actually watch Viv commentate in India vs WI series somrtimes ... and the way he tries to get a gig in IPL and you will realize that reality is different when $$$ is involved.
 
No surprise that Holding showed his lack of class again, and that some of the usual suspects are defending him.
 
Holding is a great bowler and a good commentator but sometime he shows his dislike very blatantly. He could be little discreet with his hatred. Even in SA he wasn't that happy that India were doing well in the final Test.
 
Holding once he gets an ipl contract ... he will make gavaskar look like an bcci critic
 
Saj said:
Holding's commentary is insightful, technically he is brilliant, he is to the point.

Gavaskar is good at sitting in the comm box making strange noises.
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Don't think he is, you are confusing his analysis with his commentary, he is good at analyzing bowling but not a good comm, his personal bias means he most of the time spends his commentary time justifying his views rather than just narrating the game.
 
Saj said:
One of the best commentators of all time.

Says it how it is - doesn't massage the egos of Boards or players.
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Only a classless individual will mock, that too infentionally, a sombre occassion as wearing black armbands by a visiting team as a mark of respect to a former PM and ex-captain. He can riticize us a team as much as he wishes but that should not mean poking fun at the expense of someone's death.

I do hope such attitude fires up the team further and they respond with their prformance.
 
Everything has a time and place. You can say right but if timing is wrong, it comes as distasteful. As in this case.

Mocking something/someone with relating to deceased is a sad perspective.
 
I mean, what he said isn't appropriate but some people are seriously overreacting. He wasn't making fun of the ex-indian captain. It was more of an emphasis on India's dire state in the series, which they seem to be rectifying to some extent.
 
mp812rediff said:
Holding once he gets an ipl contract ... he will make gavaskar look like an bcci critic
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He would have got one if he had carried on as normal after the initial refusal (if such happened).

With him carrying on like it's a bunch of extra sour grapes, he looks to have permanently ruined his chances.

But many a gloomy summer in the British isles await - Sky are not getting rid of him anytime soon, even if the others in the box have a taste of the IPL every now and then. I'm sure his listeners simply cannot wait for his next account on how he prepared for his series vs New Zealand in the evil 1970s, and why the cricketers of today should be proud to be half as good as his truly.
 
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Saj said:
To compare a cheerleader like Gavaskar to a commentating genius like Holding is ridiculous.
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Calling Holding a commentating genius is ridiculous. Good voice but also dull and repetitive with ZERO insight.
 
Sangakkara has been unsurprisingly good. Enjoyed listening to him as opposed to the aussie clowns during the IPL, and he has been a class act here once again.
 
People have been fired from their jobs for less. Holding should consider himself lucky that he didn't get into a pickle with this comment.

The people who are defending Holding - I understand you don't have much love for your neighbours but don't stoop so low that you start siding with a man who jokes about the recently deceased.
 
Saj said:
Holding's commentary is insightful, technically he is brilliant, he is to the point.

Gavaskar is good at sitting in the comm box making strange noises.
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Gavaskar's technical analysis of Kohli's stance on commentary, where he pointed out that Kohli's wide stance mean his bat is being placed between his two legs. Hence his head was falling over and he was getting out chasing the wide delivery. This was 2014 England tour. Kohli changed his stance in Australia.

During 2007 tour of England Dravid struggled for runs. Gavaskar pointed out that his left toe was opening up as a result he was playing across.

This is Gavaskar's tech analysis of ATG level batsmen.Seems they find his analysis more than just strange voices.

Holding said Sehwag was a mediocre batsman. We all know where that ended up.


Not to mention the fact that Gavaskar's stature as a player dwarves that of Holding by some distance.

Holding is a arrogant man who still thinks this is 1980s and he deserves special treatment, ofcourse he wont get any in India.Thats his problem with Bcci.

As i said we must agree to disagree on this matter.We both are coming from opposite directions here.
 
My initial point regarding Gavaskar was tangential. I wasn't really referring to his commentary - merely just saying that batsmen from the 1970s and 1980s (eg: Gavaskar) should be feted more than bowlers from that era (eg: Mr. Whispering Death) who had EVERYTHING in their favour.

Of course, I like Gavaskar's commentary but others can have their views on him, Holding and other commentators based on their own opinion.
 
There are few things you should not talk about or joke about when you are a public figure. When someone is dead you don't mock the people paying respects to the dead. It is just distasteful. This is not freedom of expression, FOE does not give you a right to hurt someones sentiment.

Poor from Holding and at the bare minimum he should atleast apologize
 
Holding has lost his class a while ago. He also made ridiculous cringe worthy comments against Isha Guha. They were arguing something and then he said 'that's why you are still un married Isha'

I meant WHAT?!
 
AssassinatedDevil said:
I mean, what he said isn't appropriate but some people are seriously overreacting. He wasn't making fun of the ex-indian captain. It was more of an emphasis on India's dire state in the series, which they seem to be rectifying to some extent.
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What ex Indian captain?
 
cricketworm said:
Holding has lost his class a while ago. He also made ridiculous cringe worthy comments against Isha Guha. They were arguing something and then he said 'that's why you are still un married Isha'

I meant WHAT?!
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Poor Ms. Guha should boycott the comm box until it's free of the likes of Harbhajan and Holding.
 
Saj said:
Holding's commentary is insightful, technically he is brilliant, he is to the point.

Gavaskar is good at sitting in the comm box making strange noises.
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Id disagree with him being technical. I like him as he is a good commentator who voices out his opinion but lately he has taken his biases to another level. But he only uses oft repeated clichés about bowling fuller lengths etc. and seems surprisingly ignorant even about some aspects of fast bowling which is supposed to be his forte. Im pretty sure a lot of ppers did not take kindly to his 'analysis' of Shoaib akhtar's action and hyperextension or his comments on Saeed ajmal's action a few years ago and there was not much regard for holding as an analyst. The only reason he is being regarded highly nowadays is because he is having a go at IPL, Indian players, BCCI etc.
 
Holding in general is a poor commentator. Ian Bishop and Fazeer Mohammad are far better West Indians when it comes to the mic.
 
cricketjoshila said:
During 2007 tour of England Dravid struggled for runs. Gavaskar pointed out that his left toe was opening up as a result he was playing across.
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Not a fan of Gavaskar anymore as a commentator as I find him uninteresting except when he's taking on English hypocrisy which he still does. Just the other day he was like, the newspapers here have half a dozen pages dedicated to the Premier League and half a page for Test cricket. This was in the context and a swipe at English pundits taking the high horse about England being the custodians of test cricket.

Yeah but his technical analysis is probably useful for players which is unsurprising, considering his mastery as a technician. I remember long back he pointed out something about why Dravid had started dropping catches in the slips. Dravid's dad who was watching the game then passed this on to Rahul who quickly rectified it and started pouching them like the boss slip fielder he always was.

cricketworm said:
Holding has lost his class a while ago. He also made ridiculous cringe worthy comments against Isha Guha. They were arguing something and then he said 'that's why you are still un married Isha'

I meant WHAT?!
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Holding used to be brilliant with getting LBWs right. But that has been deemed irrelevant ever since we got DRS and ball tracking. Now apart from the occasional funny jibe, he comes across as a bitter old man. Him and David Lloyd have been having a hard time adjusting to Isa's presence in the comm box. Initially, even I was skeptical that she was the token woman presence, but she's very good and better to listen to than Mr deep baritone Holding.
 
cricketworm said:
Holding has lost his class a while ago. He also made ridiculous cringe worthy comments against Isha Guha. They were arguing something and then he said 'that's why you are still un married Isha'

I meant WHAT?!
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Did that really happen? I mean how come broadcasters haven't dropped him for such a cheap sexist comment??
 
pillionrider said:
Not a fan of Gavaskar anymore as a commentator as I find him uninteresting except when he's taking on English hypocrisy which he still does. Just the other day he was like, the newspapers here have half a dozen pages dedicated to the Premier League and half a page for Test cricket. This was in the context and a swipe at English pundits taking the high horse about England being the custodians of test cricket.

Yeah but his technical analysis is probably useful for players which is unsurprising, considering his mastery as a technician. I remember long back he pointed out something about why Dravid had started dropping catches in the slips. Dravid's dad who was watching the game then passed this on to Rahul who quickly rectified it and started pouching them like the boss slip fielder he always was.



Holding used to be brilliant with getting LBWs right. But that has been deemed irrelevant ever since we got DRS and ball tracking. Now apart from the occasional funny jibe, he comes across as a bitter old man. Him and David Lloyd have been having a hard time adjusting to Isa's presence in the comm box. Initially, even I was skeptical that she was the token woman presence, but she's very good and better to listen to than Mr deep baritone Holding.
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Seriously you are comparing Isha with Mikey and Bumble.
 
cricketjoshila said:
What did he do now?
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They were debating umpires call in drs and holding was refusing to take on board their views and kept harking back to 'the old days' when benefit of doubt went to the bastman.

Eventually Atherton told Sanga, "Good luck getting him to agree with you, never has a more stubborn man lived."

That sure got Mikey riled up and he started growling about how it's not about winning or losing ....
 
pillionrider said:
They were debating umpires call in drs and holding was refusing to take on board their views and kept harking back to 'the old days' when benefit of doubt went to the bastman.

Eventually Atherton told Sanga, "Good luck getting him to agree with you, never has a more stubborn man lived."

That sure got Mikey riled up and he started growling about how it's not about winning or losing ....
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Glorious, absolutely glorious. :91:

Unfortunately my Sony feed keeps cutting back and forth between Sony and Sky so I must have missed that.
 
Holding is grieving over Buttler's LBW decision... thinks "umpire's call" rule should be changed :)
 
Bewal Express said:
Didnt the BCCI spend nearly 10 years saying the system was unreliable?
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https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-virat-kohli-drs-usage-bcci-257632-2015-06-15

Kohli's predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni had opened up on the possibility of India changing their mind about the DRS if it would assess an appeal independently and not try to "justify" the on-field umpire's call.

https://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-vs-...dmits-refusal-use-drs-hurting-men-blue-663008

India's (read BCCI's) major issue with the DRS is the "umpire's call" aspect. According to Dhoni and the rest of the top brass of Indian cricket, the DRS should be black and white - it is either out or not out. There should be no avenue for the grey areas.
 
Bewal Express said:
Didnt the BCCI spend nearly 10 years saying the system was unreliable?
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Yes and they worked on getting it fixed. Like getting the RTS and also getting a system where the point of impact of the ball was determined by the system and not manually.
 
So Holding now having a go at Ben Stokes about his "intent" remarks and I note the India media is suddenly his best friends :D
 
Michael Holding is not respected in India because of him bowling beamers at Indian tail enders , something the great Malcom would never do.

Holdings holds a life long grudge with Indian cricket because of it coming in the way of him being considered a legend of the game.
 
MenInG said:
So Holding now having a go at Ben Stokes about his "intent" remarks and I note the India media is suddenly his best friends :D
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Or maybe holding has to increase his subscriber and obviously being a hypocrite (as seen in WSC) he is now changing his colour.
 
jeeteshssaxena said:
Or maybe holding has to increase his subscriber and obviously being a hypocrite (as seen in WSC) he is now changing his colour.
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I don't Mikey gives a monkeys what the Inds think, and as for subscribers, he doesn't need them for an income. He is looking to retire soon.
 
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