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New voices a breath of fresh air in IPL

Former Southern Stars relishing their spell in the IPL spotlight

Turning on the television and hearing other female voices has been one of the biggest thrills for Mel Jones so far in her stint as an Indian Premier League commentator.

The former Commonwealth Bank Southern Star is part of the IPL’s expert commentary team this season, alongside fellow Australian Lisa Sthalekar, former India captain Anjum Chopra and Isa Guha, who played for England.

Quick single: Sthalekar, Jones to break new ground

While appearing on television to an audience of millions would be a daunting task for anyone, Jones and Sthalekar said they were rapt with the feedback they had received so far.

“In some ways (commentating IPL) is very similar to what I’ve done in the past. It’s the same sort of set up but everything revolves around the broadcast, which is just so different to women’s cricket,” Jones said.

“Speaking to the crew and other commentators and people in the street, everyone has been really impressed and pleased that they’ve changed things up and have females on board this year.

“I spoke to Aaron Finch and he was really impressed with the way all the girls are going about things.

“He said it was different hearing a female voice and he didn’t think it would take too long for people to get used to it. Once they get used to it, they’ll just think it’s the usual state for cricket.”

Sthalekar agreed, saying having female voices in the commentary box added something for all viewers.

Image Id: ~/media/C8EFB010FB3945F788609AE3E680CDB8Lisa Sthalekar in the commentary box // BCCI

“I think it adds a different perspective, different jokes in the commentary box and another view of what’s going on in the game,” Sthalekar said.

“(The IPL) are trying to get more women and kids involved in the game and having a female voice might allow it to happen a lot sooner than it might have done in the past.

“The girls all sound great and I’ve been impressed with them. All three of them have been doing it a lot longer than I have, so I’ve been taking notes.”

Jones said she hoped the involvement of female commentators in the IPL would pave the way for opportunities in other competitions, including the KFC T20 Big Bash League and the ICC World T20.

“I don’t know how decisions are made, but sometimes all it takes is for people to see it happening somewhere else and maybe they would have been it as a risk – I don’t at all – but maybe it just takes one company to do it for them to see it and decide to do it themselves.”

Jones said outside of her own work, she was enjoying hearing other female voices when watching matches.

“I’ll be sitting back and watching games in my room and all of a sudden I’m hearing a female voice,” she said.

“It’s still a bit of a shock and surprise for me because you forget the other girls are there.

“It’s great to be able to sit back and listen to them and how they commentate, because I think we’re all quite different in the way in which we go about it and with our banter with the guys.”

Sthalekar and Jones both agree George Bailey has been the pick of the Australians at the tournament to date, while the competition has not yet seen Glenn Maxwell’s best.

“It’s been good to see Nathan Coulter-Nile playing well for Delhi, too,” Jones said.

“Last year they were on the bottom of the ladder and they’ve started off this season, they are now on a bit of a roll and he’s been bowling really well as well.”

Image Id: ~/media/2592265886A34DC897DEDC512C6630C0Lisa Sthalekar chats to JP Duminy // BCCI 

The size and quality of IPL lists, plus restrictions on the number of international players who can be named in an XI (up to four overseas players), can make it difficult for some players to find opportunities.

But Sthalekar said she could see how an IPL stint could still benefit those who didn’t get out on the park.

“I saw Gurinder Sandhu warming up yesterday with the Delhi Daredevils and I had a chat to him about the experience,” she said.

“He said he loves it and while he might not get the opportunity to play, but he is in an environment where he is learning from the best in his team like JP Duminy and Yuvraj Singh.

“So for young players and for domestic Indian players to mix it with players like that, it is only going to improve the standard of cricket worldwide.”

It is still early days for IPL 2015, but Sthalekar and Jones are also in agreement when it comes to who will take out the title – frontrunners Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

“It was just a bit of a gut feel to start with, with Chennai’s amazing line up and their consistency,” Jones said.

“I’m pretty sure it will be either them, Rajasthan Royals or Kolkata.”

Sthalekar said the home-grown talent of Chennai set them ahead of the rest.

“They have some wonderful international players but it’s their home grown talent, all of the Indians in that side who have represented India at some point.

“My money would be on them to take it out, but its early days and it’s a long tournament.”