Given the various travel concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, many sports commentators are ditching the commentary box and calling the action from the TV as they see it.
And while this is a great way to ensure the commentary is done in a COVID-safe manner, it is not without its perils, as former UK cricketer and commentator Jonathan Agnew [pictured] demonstrated this week.
With his beloved English cricket team currently playing in Sri Lanka, Agnew was forced to call the first test from afar.
Agnew initially called the action as British tweaker Jack Leach took the wicket of Sri Lankan tailender Wanindu Hasaranga.
The confusion ensued when Agnew called (what he thought was) the next delivery.
“It’s like an action replay. Exactly the same,” he said.
Agnew soon realised that he had in fact just watched a replay of the previous wicket – hence the uncanny resemblance.
You can hear the blunder below.
There are definitely perils to commentating off the TV…
🤣🤣🤣
📻 https://t.co/EMlbvqN838
💻 https://t.co/HAB6CjYrnP#bbccricket #SLvsENG pic.twitter.com/2hiBhrNTCH— Test Match Special (@bbctms) January 17, 2021
Laughter from Agnew’s colleagues could be heard in the background, with Agnew labelling his fellow commentators “a cruel lot”.
The gaffe also proved to be a source of entertainment on social media.
https://twitter.com/bjstevec/status/1350746751439953920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1350746751439953920%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxsports.com.au%2Fcricket%2Fcountries%2Fengland%2Fcricket-2021-england-vs-sri-lanka-first-test-jonathan-agnew-bbc-commentary-blunder%2Fnews-story%2F1cb564053a0a96df80e251317a1d121f
Brilliant commentary by aggers on a Sri Lanka wicket! Then he realised it was a replay! Tuffers laughing his socks off! Great stuff guys! Love it!! Made my day!! Still laughing!!
— Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson (@tommoracing) January 17, 2021