03-08-2023, 12:44 AM
Former Love Island contestant - turned BBC reporter for the Hundred Chris Hughes has received quite some criticism for saying to a female cricketer in a live interview “You’re a little Barbie yourself aren’t you”. It has been reported that the BBC have spoken to Hughes about his comment. Obviously it was, at best, a rather insensitive comment.
There is a second layer of the online criticism aimed towards that a former Love Island contestant should not be a part of cricket coverage. I can partly agree with that, though it is obvious the likes of Hughes are there to try and appeal to a new audience for cricket (the apparent M.O. of the entire The Hundred), and if they are knowledgeable and enthusiastic this should be encouraged. But, despite Hughes coming across as knowledgeable in his appearances on the ITV Racing coverage, his use of the now outdated term "bastman" (the gender neutral "batter" replaced it in the law book a few years ago) might indicate that Hughes falls below the desired threshold.
wisden.com
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There is a second layer of the online criticism aimed towards that a former Love Island contestant should not be a part of cricket coverage. I can partly agree with that, though it is obvious the likes of Hughes are there to try and appeal to a new audience for cricket (the apparent M.O. of the entire The Hundred), and if they are knowledgeable and enthusiastic this should be encouraged. But, despite Hughes coming across as knowledgeable in his appearances on the ITV Racing coverage, his use of the now outdated term "bastman" (the gender neutral "batter" replaced it in the law book a few years ago) might indicate that Hughes falls below the desired threshold.
wisden.com
twitter.com
twitter.com