IFRAME: [1]https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-PB2GX [2]Skip to main content [3]ABC News Homepage [4]Search Loading (BUTTON) More from ABC More from ABC (BUTTON) Close menu[5]ABC * [6]ABC Home * [7]News * [8]Local & Radio * [9]iview * [10]Everyday * [11]More [12] Editorial Policies Read our editorial guiding principles * [13]Accessibility * [14]Help * [15]Contact Us * [16]About the ABC * [17]Privacy Policy * [18]Terms of Use * [19]© 2022 ABC * * * * * [20]Just In * [21]Watch Live * [22]Coronavirus * [23]Politics * [24]World * [25]Business * [26]Analysis * [27]Sport * [28]Science * [29]Health * [30]Arts * [31]Fact Check * [32]Other [33]News Home[34]ABC News Homepage [35]Sport How ABC commentators fabricated broadcasts during the synthetic cricket era of radio coverage (BUTTON) Share News Ticker Flood warning For the latest flood and weather warnings, search on [36]ABC Emergency [37]Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app [38]Sport How ABC commentators fabricated broadcasts during the synthetic cricket era of radio coverage By Lauren Bordin Posted Sat 31 Dec 2022 at 12:15amSaturday 31 Dec 2022 at 12:15amSat 31 Dec 2022 at 12:15am synthetic cricket The Sydney broadcast team in 1934 covers the cricket from London via a wires system. Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article (BUTTON) abc.net.au/news/synthetic-cricket-episode-of-everlasting-summer/1018189 10 (BUTTON) Copy link (BUTTON) Share The radio murmurs with a commentator running through the placement of the field before describing the bowler steaming in to release a delivery defended for no run. Everything is expressed in intricate detail -- except the whole description is entirely fabricated. With all the vision, instant replays and even decision review system that form part of today's cricket coverage on radio and television, it's hard to believe at one point cricket commentators made up entire overs. A pencil being tapped on the table is the enduring imagery of synthetic cricket, but there was a lot more that went on to bring the broadcasts to life. When shortwave radio wasn't up to direct broadcasts from the United Kingdom in the 1930s, cricket commentators on the ABC had to use some creativity and ingenuity. Charles Moses__PDP000057 Commentator Charles Moses uses a pencil to mimic the sound of the ball hitting the bat. Cables arrived at the end of each over with information, but only detailed the shots where batsmen had made runs. Any dot balls were filled by the commentator with a bit of imagination. But in the 1930s even the regularity of cables couldn't be assured, meaning even more liberties were taken when there was a delay in communication being received. Bernard Kerr was at the beginning of his career during the synthetic tests, before a lengthy career at the ABC. His job was to scribe down the cables sent direct from the London Post Office to the Sydney Post Office. "We had our fun when the cables broke down," he said when reflecting on the synthetic Tests years later. "And of course we had some stories, made up, but nevertheless they were fairly true, such as a batsman having trouble with his glove, and then having trouble with the strap on his pad." That was one way to buy time, but other avenues were needed when the delays were lengthier. "The best way though when the cables broke down was to whip in a few maiden overs," Kerr said. Sound Effects Synthetic cricket__PDP041951 (2) Sound effects were used throughout the broadcast to make it seem like the commentary team were calling live from the ground. With limited information, the cricket broadcasts, complete with synthetic sound effects, left many people vehemently believing they were direct broadcasts from grounds in England. But the ruse was up when sometimes things did go wrong, like when legendary commentator Alan McGilvray received a cable saying 'MC out,' when both Stan McCabe and Ernie McCormick were at the crease. In the moment, McGilvray sent McCabe packing, but when the next cable expanded on the dismissal and said it was McCormick who was in fact out, McGilvray simply apologised. This made it clear to some that the broadcasts were not coming directly from England, but historian Frazer Andrews said this style of commentary fit into what was popular entertainment 90 years ago. "In this period of time, this is when radio dramas were becoming a kind of staple fare. And so people were used to dramatic stories," he said. [39] Everlasting Summer Meet the characters behind the microphone, get insights into the art of commentary, and hear tall tales from the commentary box, as we celebrate 90 years of the cricket on ABC. Read more "And I think it kind of fitted into that, that this was not only a sports commentary, but there was also a kind of drama involved in it as well. That really seemed to take people in." To think players could one day challenge umpiring decisions via a video review system would seem implausible to cricket fans 90 years ago. But Andrews said synthetic cricket was cutting edge for radio listeners. "I guess on one level synthetic, as we would understand it today, implies something that imitates something, but that is artificial. But it also implies something modern," he said. "And you think about at the same time, in the 1930s, the development of things like the first man made textiles, rayons and nylons and things like that. The Bakelite that the radios are made of, that is a synthetic material. It's a plastic. So synthetic means newness. It implies modern and new." This innovation kept Australians updated with how their national side was fairing, even if it there was a little make believe involved. Synthetic Cricket is one of six podcast episodes of the Everlasting Summer series, celebrating 90 years of cricket coverage at the ABC. [40]Listen to the full series here. IFRAME: [41]https://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/embed/newsletter?abcnewsembedwidt h=200&abcnewsembedheight=280 Posted 31 Dec 202231 Dec 2022Sat 31 Dec 2022 at 12:15am Share * [42]Copy link * [43]Facebook * [44]Twitter * (BUTTON) More on: * [45]Cricket * [46]Sport Top Sports Stories * [47]Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin given CPR following on-field cardiac arrest A group of Buffalo Bills NFL players kneel in a circle on the field with heads down during a game after a teammate's injury. * [48]Novak Djokovic makes winning singles return to Australia with Adelaide Open victory A tennis player celebrates hitting a winner * [49]Seven, Foxtel to keep cricket broadcast rights, BBL to be shortened An Australian cricketer kneels on a cricket ground looking up at a TV camera suspended above the grass. * [50]Tennis great Martina Navratilova announces 'double whammy' of throat and breast cancer diagnoses Tennis great Martina Navratilova stands at a microphone clad in purple for an official tournament ceremony. * [51]Brazil bids farewell to 'king' of soccer Pelé with 24-hour wake A boy wears a Pelé jersey standing in front of pieces of material with Pele written on them and number 10. * [52]Alex de Minaur defeats 22-time grand slam champ Nadal in United Cup upset Alex de Minaur serves during his defeat of Rafael Nadal on Monday, January 2, 2023. 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[70]Fitzroy Crossing residents flee to higher ground as 'terrifying' flood inundates central Kimberley floodwaters cover a bridge which looks bent 4. [71]'We didn't stop talking about this trip': Mother and son seriously hurt in helicopter crash were on reunion trip Winnie De Silva lying in a hospital bed. 5. [72]Man drowns trying to save daughter on Mid North Coast beach in NSW Two Ambulance vehicles in front of a beach 6. [73]South Korea fines Tesla for exaggerating driving range of its EVs in cold temperatures a red Tesla Model 3 sedan is charged at a Tesla dealership with the Tesla logo shown on the dealership building in the back Top Stories Fitzroy Crossing residents flee to higher ground as 'terrifying' flood inundates central Kimberley floodwaters cover a bridge which looks bent Kevin McCarthy struggling to secure enough votes to become speaker amid hardline conservative opposition Two older white men in suits whisper to one another in front of an official-looking backdrop. 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