The title is significant. The paper explores how silence functions in cricket audio. In a sport like cricket, which has long durations of inactivity or low-intensity play, the "silence" or low-level ambient sound becomes a narrative tool. It differentiates cricket from the constant noise of football or basketball commentary.
The journey of cricket audio commentary began in the late 1920s, with pioneers like Howard Marshall transforming the visual spectacle into a compelling listening experience. In the 1930s and 40s, Australian broadcasters even used "synthetic" commentary—simulating live play in a studio based on cable feeds from far-off matches—to keep audiences engaged. cricket commentary audio