The new commentary system isn't in place just yet, but I was thinking of something along the following lines:
- commentary is based on phrases that are stitched together
- each comment will be in the following form:
<over.ball> : <description of ball>. <description of shot>. <description of fielding>. <result>
For the description of the ball, it would be broken up as follows:
<description of ball> = <bowler> delivers a <description of speed/flight> <type of ball> on <line> and <length>. <special phrase to describe e.g. an offie that grips, turns and bounces>.
e.g. J Botha delivers a flighted off break on middle and off. It grips and turns from the rough.
<description of shot> = <batsman> <description of timing> the ball <description of where the ball is going>.
e.g. M. Clarke hammers the ball through the extra-cover region.
<description of fielding> = <fielder> <description of what he's doing>.
e.g. AB de Villiers chases after it and puts in the dive but can't reach it.
<result> = 1/2/3/4/6/no ball, etc.
e.g. FOUR.
Put it all together and this is what a typical comment would look like:
56.2: J Botha delivers a flighted off break on middle and off. It grips and turns from the rough. M. Clarke hammers the ball through the extra-cover region. AB de Villiers chases after it and puts in the dive but can't reach it. FOUR
So, after all that, I'm basically looking to build a long list of these phrases so that the commentary doesn't get boring.
