Australian Test cricket legend Mark Taylor faced some of the world’s fiercest bowlers in his time, and has now deftly dismissed harsh criticism of his comments in the jumping events at the Paris Olympics.
Taylor surprised many by joining Channel Nine’s commentary team for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He is part of the studio commentary team that remained in Australia and has been commentating on diving events involving Australians alongside former Olympic diver Sam Fricker.
That prompted former Network Ten star Bailey, who was axed by the broadcaster in 2020, to send a saucy message aimed at Taylor.
“Mark Taylor calling the jumps. He’s a wonderful cricketer, but a bit disrespectful to athletes,” Bailey posted on X.
“Tubby (Taylor’s nickname) probably doesn’t know anything about this sport. He’s admitted that. The (executive producer) who made this decision? Your last one.”
Taylor is part of the Channel Nine commentary team that remained in Australia and has been assisting former Olympian Sam Fricker in calling the dives.
While Fricker provides the expert commentary, Taylor has been keeping the audience informed about the scores and what is required for the Australians to win medals (pictured, Australian divers Domonic Bedggood and Cassiel Rousseau compete in Paris).
Tim Bailey, who was a popular weatherman on Network Ten until he was released in 2020, criticised Taylor on social media, saying her comment was “disrespectful”.
Taylor appeared on radio station 2DAY FM after the wild take and when asked if it bothered her, she replied: “Not really.”
“I don’t usually follow social media that closely. When I said I was going to do this, I knew there would be people who would criticize me, but I knew there were going to be people who would criticize me,” she explained.
“What I don’t accept is that my daughter came home after giving her class and said: ‘Someone said that that is disrespectful to athletes.’ I don’t accept that.
‘I was out and about, I met all the athletes about a month ago. I went to the pool and watched them jump in. They were all delighted that I put my hand up to do it.
“And Sam Fricker is the expert, not me, I’m not a diver. I’m there to do a job, which is to give you the results, which is a bit like cricket.
“I’m doing my part, it’s not disrespectful, that’s complete nonsense.”
Taylor has also been criticised in the court of public opinion, and his Wikipedia page has been amended several times, including listing him as an “Olympic diving expert” and “dean of diving”.
“I agree that Tubby is not the one to comment on jumps. The coverage is really very poor,” posted one.
“That’s not Daryl Eastlake,” another added.
While there were several viewers who agreed with Bailey, Taylor also had plenty of supporters.
Taylor has been attacked on social media while his Wikipedia page has also been modified.
Former Hockeyroos star and Olympian Georgie Parker defended Taylor on social media
Former Olympic and AFLW hockey star and current television presenter and analyst Georgie Parker criticised Bailey for her comments.
‘Being a commentator is very different from being a special commentator/expert,’ he posted.
“Sam Fricker is the pundit. It’s the same as a main commentator at a football match, where the pundit gives his opinion.”
One follower was quick to point out that Bailey enjoyed a long career as a television meteorologist, despite never completing a bachelor’s degree in that subject.
“You weren’t a meteorologist, but you talked about the weather for years. What nonsense!” he wrote.
Others pointed out that Taylor is not the first cricketer to commentate on Olympic diving.
“This is similar to what happened at London 2012 when former cricketer Michael Slater was the commentator for the diving events. Michael Murphy was a diving expert at the 2012 Olympics,” one posted.
Some said Bailey should show more respect to Taylor, who scored 19 Test centuries and 40 fifties and collected 157 slips in a glittering career.
‘I agree, Tim, and to some extent I am a little disrespectful to a cricket legend like Mark Taylor.’