Tim Gilbert is recognised as one of Australian best all-round sports broadcasters having spent 23 years working with Channel Nine Wide World of Sports covering cricket, rugby league, the Olympics and hosting various sports programs.
Tim is now a sports presenter on Sky News and along with Shane Lee is the co-host on the very popular Afternoon Sport podcast.
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Tim has a deep love for the game of cricket so we appreciate him taking the time to share his passion.
When did you first start developing a love for the game and what is it about cricket that you enjoy most?
Playing cricket in the backyard with my brothers with the bin as stumps, 4 was hitting the house on the bounce, six on the full, automatic wicket over the fence was out and often the tennis ball never came back.
Tell us briefly about your journey in the game, where you’ve played, what clubs and how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I played for school Patrician Brothers Fairfield. I was an outswing bowler and tonker as a batsman. I was playing 4th and 5th grade with the Old Southern Districts Club (now Fairfield) for a couple of years when I was around 15, 16. I played in the Schools First XI and we had quite a bit of success making the old MCS Final....A nail biter at Ryde Oval which we lost. A little bit of trivia I opened the bowling with former Bulldogs Rugby League Player Mitch Newton.
Who has been your favourite Australian captain and if you could add a few words to why?
Mark Taylor I covered his career as a player and worked a lot with him. Great player, captain and most importantly champion bloke.
What was your highest score and who for, where and when?
My Highest score was 62 in under 12's with the old Slazenger Polyarmour bat. But there was a bit of a story to it as I think I was out 3 or 4 times before that, but thankfully I had Brother Richard umpiring at my end.
What were your best bowling figures and who for, where and when?
Pushing the memory but I think it was something like 6 for 26, playing fifth Grade for Southern Districts. The four pierce pill was drifting away beautifully that day at Ireland Bridge Reserve out there near Warwick Farm Race Course.
Which club and or competition do you support?
My children play for Glenorie Cricket Club in Sydney, they are Sydney Thunder fans as well so I tend to roll with them.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
I think covering the World Cup in the Sub Continent in 1996 has to be the highlight and still the real stand out.
As the story goes I was there covering it for Radio but the night before the first game against Kenya in Vizag a few of us were on the King Fishers and the Channel Nine Producer approached me and said Timmy have you done TV before?
I promptly replied no but was keen to explore all options. He went on to say Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell, Tony Greig, Sunny Gavaskar , Ravi Shastri were all caught up in a travel drama and would not reach the ground till 20 minutes in and asked could I do it.
I said yes but was shitting myself but sure enough I led the commentary for the world coverage the following day and I was that nervous I had Maurice Adumbe opening the bowling and he was 12th man so the commentary was not that flash but they saw enough initiative in what I did to give me an entry level job at Wide World of Sports a couple of months later and that began my 23 year journey at Channel 9.
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Ian Botham
Who’s been the batsman you’ve enjoyed watching the most?
Sachin Tendulkar
Who in your opinion has been the best fast bowler?
Glenn McGrath
Who in your opinion has been the best spinner?
Shane Warne
Who in your opinion has been the best wicket keeper?
Ian Healy
Who in your opinion has been the best umpire?
Dickie Bird for everything that came with him.
What’s the most picturesque ground you’ve had the opportunity to watch or play a game of cricket?
Adelaide Oval
If there was one match up, a bowler and batsman going head to head at their peak, who would you choose?
Harold Larwood bowling to Brian Lara
Harold Larwood
What’s your preferred format of the game, Test Cricket, One day games, T20?
Test cricket
What do Cricket Officials need to do over the next 10 or so years to ensure people get to enjoy the game as much as you do?
Keep it entertaining and engage young people because they are the future
Who are the 3 cricketers from any era you’d like to invite to a BBQ?
Ian Botham, Viv Richards, Keith Miller
Who would be your Australian Test cricket captain to follow Tim Paine?
Pat Cummins
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