I have made similar comments before, but here goes again.



At the England v South Africa cricket match at Centurion near Pretoria, bad
light stopped play Saturday afternoon. (The more sensible reason would have
been the risk to all and sundry by the severe thunderstorms that were
developing rapidly)



The commentators had not understood the early signs of the rapidly growing
cumulus clouds. Anyone with a smattering of knowledge would have realised
how these clouds might rapidly grow into far less friendly cunims.



Remarks were being made such as: "It's not coming our way because there's no
wind". And then: "There's quite a wind suddenly" (the outflow from the
storm). I must admit that didn't hear the usual one today: "At least the
clouds are high" (their understanding being that high clouds are not going
to cause problems - have they have never watched a warm frontal sequence?)



TV spends a fortune on sporting coverage; it is often to a very high
standard. Surely they could afford a few pence to speak to a local
professional weatherman? A video link to the local met office would be even
better and give a forecaster the opportunity to add some sensible words
about how the weather is developing and what the chances of bad light, etc,
might be. At present, a first rate set of commentators let themselves down
by repeatedly making asinine remarks about the weather. Cricket is perhaps
affected by weather more than most sports - light levels, humidity, and so
on; but exactly the same arguments apply to motor racing for example.



I have thought (not too seriously) of setting up "teach-ins" for sports
commentators at a rate of £1000 per day per client.



Jack