After a three-day break, the Big Bash League resumes tonight with Brisbane Heat hosting Sydney Thunder at The Gabba. That match will be shown on Fox Sports 503 due to Fox Cricket’s test coverage.
SMH reporting that Guha and McGrath are out of the Test as someone in the BBC crew tested positive for the virus.
Fox doing longer commentary stints of up to 45 minutes during the first session.
Isa Guha is back on air for the second session.
Story has been updated to state Guha was given the all-clear after she returned a negative test and was not deemed a close contact of the BBC personnel that tested positive.
A technical member of the Fox team has tested positive too this afternoon.
i dare say studio calling will return for the rest of the summer after this mess…
Ohh please no. After the terrible first test, having the commentators back at the ground is so much better ajd adds a sense of authenticity.
Can’t see this being necessary in NSW & VIC for the Melbourne/Sydney tests which are both relatively relaxed on Covid rules (compared to SA & QLD). Can see studio calling being at least partially utilised for Hobart however unfortunately.
What’s the alternative? What we’ve seen today is the system working - contacts were isolated and tested and the broadcasters have been able to continue their coverage (albeit from a remote location)
What happened to all Fox Cricket’s magazine shows they promised?
Cricket Tragic, Night Watchman, Come in Spinner, Crash the Bash, Cricket 360, Stumps
The Night Watchmen was essential viewing the first two Fox Cricket summers. I hope it returns as it wasn’t on last summer either.
I’ve heard James Rochford previously say they prefer a live studio audience and won’t bother if they can’t. Which is also why they haven’t done their full Friday night NRL show the last 2 years either. But surely studio audiences are now possible at least in Sydney and Melbourne (although omicron has thrown a spanner in the works).
Yeah even if they need a bigger studio to be spaced out?
Corbin Middlemas commentating tonight. I’m not too familiar with his work but he’s very good.
His name appeared as “Corbin Middlemass” on the graphics though so hopefully they fix that up.
He’s on ABC and calls a variety of sports, he’s quite good.
He’s an ABC grandstand commentator for Footy and Cricket (if I remember correctly)
Yes correct.
Rare to have two ABC commentators working on rival commercial broadcasters at the same cricket match: Corbin for Fox Cricket and Alister Nicholson for Seven.
Corbin is also fresh from calling WNBL on ABC TV along with his regular work on ABC radio including hosting Summer Grandstand. Very versatile presenter and commentator.