[yagibear]

"doesn't require complete concentration" is key. Many people new to watching cricket expect continuous stimulation, which it is not. It is more a meditative repetitive cycle of spaced intense activity. And it's amazing how many jobs you can get done in 30second ad breaks between overs.

People who compare cricket to baseball ("baseball on valium" as Robin Williams said) generally miss the variety that is made possible by bouncing the ball off the pitch, which greatly enriches the sport.

[flashman]

When watching cricket on television, the commentary team is crucial. One of the greatest commentary teams of modern times is generally acknowledged to have consisted of Richie Benaud, Tony Greig, Ian Chappell, and Bill Lawry. From Benaud's understated command of the game's history and personalities, to Lawry's excitable tone and banter with Greig, these four men anchored decades of cricket coverage and may have done more than anyone else to dispel the myth of its tedium.

[windowsworkstoo]

Yes, and unfortunately now we have a mob of idiots in the Channel 9 Commentary box. ABC Grandstand radio all the way....

[dwd]

I would take Agnew, Blofeld and co. any day over the Ch.9 commentary. Cake anyone?

If you go to the game it's more about the drinking and general atmosphere. Not many sporting events can match Boxing Day at the G.

[carpo]

When I was young, our concentration would always lapse. We would watch the first hour or so, then start itching to play, so we'd run outside and have our own game of cricket in the backyard. Mum would yell if a wicket was taken, and we'd rush back to the lounge room to watch the replay. Good times!