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Rob Houwing’s ‘Tops on the Telly’ column
For a long time, Daryll Cullinan has been pretty close to top of the pile – based on prolific studio and booth appearances -- as a SuperSport cricket pundit.
So it came as a bit of a surprise when I did not hear his voice at all during their coverage of the first Test between South Africa and India at Centurion.
He is also not on the roster for the second match at Kingsmead: I checked with the Randburg outfit, and the English-language team in Durban will be (in no special order) Ravi Shastri, Robin Jackman, Kepler Wessels, Pommie Mbangwa, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and HD Ackerman.
Personally, I rate Cullinan highly as an expert behind the mike: he is knowledgeable, no-nonsense and independent.
In that respect there is something just a little “Australian” about his TV manner, in that he tends not to pull punches or issue humdrum platitudes.
He is at least as good as, and also better than, some of the names listed above.
It is also no secret, of course, that he is a strong-willed and not always convivial personality who has had flashpoints, shall we say, with a few bosses during his illustrious career in cricket.
Cullinan has had a prior break from SuperSport activity in 2008, when Cricket South Africa controversially withdrew his accreditation as a TV commentator because of his coaching involvement in the rebel Indian Cricket League.
Daryll is not a “yes man” but it has also been shown in the past that, dealt with sensibly and shrewdly, his strengths tend to notably outweigh his weaknesses either as a cricketer or critic.
I cannot get it confirmed from SuperSport that there has been any parting of ways; maybe he is simply having a hiatus.
But I would also have expected him to be at his customary post at such a peak time of the season, wouldn’t you?
His personal website still said this week: “He is presently an international commentator with SuperSport.”
Warts and all, I rather hope DJ Cullinan resurfaces in the “box”, but am keen to hear what readers of this column think ...
Rob’s awesome foursome:
1. Australia v England, 4th Ashes cricket Test
Melbourne, from Sunday 01:30, SS2
From a neutral’s perspective, the topsy-turvy nature of the series so far (it’s 1-1 after three contests) is a very pleasing scenario indeed. So Boxing Day at the MCG, with its 90 000 jam-packed souls, is suddenly even more “red letter” than it would normally be. While I still suspect England remain a tad better-equipped on a one-to-eleven basis, I also fancy that the psychological tide has just shifted Aussie way after events in Perth. Certainly a recession-curbed travelling Barmy Army might find themselves nastily drowned out in the decibel stakes by a renewed surge of home patriotism, which will be worth both runs and wickets to the Oz cause. Yep, I’m leaning toward a tight Baggy Greens win – though the urn, of course, would stay tantalisingly up for grabs under those circumstances.
2. South Africa v India, second cricket Test
Durban, from Sunday 10:00, SS2, SHD & SABC3
What a shame that issues around the weather unfailingly haunt Kingsmead for the near-annual Test there in this popular holiday slot. If it isn’t the likelihood of rain then it’s at least fears of the light-meter coming out around 15:00 or so if it’s cloudy. But fickle elements, of course, can also play their part in ensuring “result” pitch conditions – the venue hasn’t had a draw since 2004/05 when the Proteas somehow got off the hook against England with AB de Villiers and the unlikely Makhaya Ntini stubbornly defending the crease in failing light. After the Centurion crushing of the Indians, you have to tip South Africa to wrap up the series, don’t you?
3. Manchester United v Sunderland, English Premiership soccer
Manchester, Sunday 17:00, SS3, SH2 & Maximo
Most years, this wouldn’t necessarily go down as an especially attractive fixture: it would be considered something close to a “routine three-pointer” for the Red Devils. But this time it’s different; Sunderland lie a lofty sixth on the table and are proving hard nuts to crack. They were one of few teams to make it onto the park last weekend during the big freeze (will that remain a factor on Boxing Day?) and cashed in by pipping another surprise package, Bolton, 1-0. Still, I’d suggest United will get home by a two-goal margin and consolidate their lead ...
4. Arsenal v Chelsea, English Premiership soccer
London, Monday 22:00, SS3, SH2 & Maximo
Second entertains fourth: and a spicy derby into the bargain. That’s got to be a good enough reason to sit up for this Monday-nighter. Both teams should be reasonably fresh after a snow-induced break last weekend and ready to hurl the old kitchen sink. Mind you, neither enters the contest off a win – the Gunners were edged 1-0 at Old Trafford last time they played in the “Prem” and the Blues, in oddly rocky form generally, were held by Tottenham. I’m going to stick my neck out and recommend a home win, though the other way around is hardly out of the question.
For a long time, Daryll Cullinan has been pretty close to top of the pile – based on prolific studio and booth appearances -- as a SuperSport cricket pundit.
So it came as a bit of a surprise when I did not hear his voice at all during their coverage of the first Test between South Africa and India at Centurion.
He is also not on the roster for the second match at Kingsmead: I checked with the Randburg outfit, and the English-language team in Durban will be (in no special order) Ravi Shastri, Robin Jackman, Kepler Wessels, Pommie Mbangwa, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and HD Ackerman.
Personally, I rate Cullinan highly as an expert behind the mike: he is knowledgeable, no-nonsense and independent.
In that respect there is something just a little “Australian” about his TV manner, in that he tends not to pull punches or issue humdrum platitudes.
He is at least as good as, and also better than, some of the names listed above.
It is also no secret, of course, that he is a strong-willed and not always convivial personality who has had flashpoints, shall we say, with a few bosses during his illustrious career in cricket.
Cullinan has had a prior break from SuperSport activity in 2008, when Cricket South Africa controversially withdrew his accreditation as a TV commentator because of his coaching involvement in the rebel Indian Cricket League.
Daryll is not a “yes man” but it has also been shown in the past that, dealt with sensibly and shrewdly, his strengths tend to notably outweigh his weaknesses either as a cricketer or critic.
I cannot get it confirmed from SuperSport that there has been any parting of ways; maybe he is simply having a hiatus.
But I would also have expected him to be at his customary post at such a peak time of the season, wouldn’t you?
His personal website still said this week: “He is presently an international commentator with SuperSport.”
Warts and all, I rather hope DJ Cullinan resurfaces in the “box”, but am keen to hear what readers of this column think ...
Rob’s awesome foursome:
1. Australia v England, 4th Ashes cricket Test
Melbourne, from Sunday 01:30, SS2
From a neutral’s perspective, the topsy-turvy nature of the series so far (it’s 1-1 after three contests) is a very pleasing scenario indeed. So Boxing Day at the MCG, with its 90 000 jam-packed souls, is suddenly even more “red letter” than it would normally be. While I still suspect England remain a tad better-equipped on a one-to-eleven basis, I also fancy that the psychological tide has just shifted Aussie way after events in Perth. Certainly a recession-curbed travelling Barmy Army might find themselves nastily drowned out in the decibel stakes by a renewed surge of home patriotism, which will be worth both runs and wickets to the Oz cause. Yep, I’m leaning toward a tight Baggy Greens win – though the urn, of course, would stay tantalisingly up for grabs under those circumstances.
2. South Africa v India, second cricket Test
Durban, from Sunday 10:00, SS2, SHD & SABC3
What a shame that issues around the weather unfailingly haunt Kingsmead for the near-annual Test there in this popular holiday slot. If it isn’t the likelihood of rain then it’s at least fears of the light-meter coming out around 15:00 or so if it’s cloudy. But fickle elements, of course, can also play their part in ensuring “result” pitch conditions – the venue hasn’t had a draw since 2004/05 when the Proteas somehow got off the hook against England with AB de Villiers and the unlikely Makhaya Ntini stubbornly defending the crease in failing light. After the Centurion crushing of the Indians, you have to tip South Africa to wrap up the series, don’t you?
3. Manchester United v Sunderland, English Premiership soccer
Manchester, Sunday 17:00, SS3, SH2 & Maximo
Most years, this wouldn’t necessarily go down as an especially attractive fixture: it would be considered something close to a “routine three-pointer” for the Red Devils. But this time it’s different; Sunderland lie a lofty sixth on the table and are proving hard nuts to crack. They were one of few teams to make it onto the park last weekend during the big freeze (will that remain a factor on Boxing Day?) and cashed in by pipping another surprise package, Bolton, 1-0. Still, I’d suggest United will get home by a two-goal margin and consolidate their lead ...
4. Arsenal v Chelsea, English Premiership soccer
London, Monday 22:00, SS3, SH2 & Maximo
Second entertains fourth: and a spicy derby into the bargain. That’s got to be a good enough reason to sit up for this Monday-nighter. Both teams should be reasonably fresh after a snow-induced break last weekend and ready to hurl the old kitchen sink. Mind you, neither enters the contest off a win – the Gunners were edged 1-0 at Old Trafford last time they played in the “Prem” and the Blues, in oddly rocky form generally, were held by Tottenham. I’m going to stick my neck out and recommend a home win, though the other way around is hardly out of the question.
