The ICC banned the Alternative Comedy Collective. Adam Parore says their's was a victimless crime.
The ICC banned the Alternative Comedy Collective. Adam Parore says their's was a victimless crime.
Former international Kiwi cricketers Stephen Fleming and Adam Parore have stepped into the debate on the cricket governing body's banning of the Alternative Commentary Collective.
Fleming and Parore told The Diary that although they like the off-beat cricket commentary and the comedians behind it, rules are rules.
But they didn'twant to see the boys in beige taken off air - so they will be glad to hear of a compromise which allows the collective to keep broadcasting from their caravan, but not at the grounds.
Adam Parore. File photo / Derek Flynn
"I love those guys, they are outstandingly funny, and they add a great component to the Cricket World Cup," Fleming said yesterday.
"But I appreciate the International Cricket Council's position. The playing arena is sacred. The ICC take that very seriously, and I appreciate they must uphold the integrity of the tournament."
The ACC had their media accreditation to the Cricket World Cup revoked on Monday when the ICC ruled they had breached the rules on entering the playing arena.
Comedian Leigh Hart, part of the collective, went on to Napier's McLean Park on Sunday during a drinks break in the Black Caps match against Afghanistan and spoke briefly to the umpires and a player.
That's a no-no.
As a result, the ACC's tournament broadcasts were axed. However, the ICC yesterday allowed broadcasts to continue off-site.
Stephen Fleming.
The ACC say they were invited on to the drinks trolley by sponsor Gatorade. A statement on the ACC Facebook page said: "Leigh did exactly what was asked of him by the operations officials."
Fleming believes they should have been given a slap on the wrist and returned to their commentary caravan.
"The incident maybe should be treated in isolation and used as an education awareness opportunity this time.
With the quarter-final phase yet to start, and the Cricket World Cup in need of light relief , The Diary is glad the ACC will be returning to the airwaves when the Black Caps play Bangladesh on Friday.
Much to the delight of the readers who voiced their support for our Save the ACC campaign, the boys in beige are back.
Rachel joins fight for old kauri
Most people would agree that the 500-year-old kauri tree in Titirangi should not be felled. But not many articulately expressed their view in the manner of expat Rachel Hunter, who bolted into the debate yesterday with fervour.
"I just heard about the kauri tree 500 years old". Are you f***ing crazy!!! Save that TREE. How dare this even be an issue!!!" the former model tweeted.
Hunter included two upright tree emojis in the post for added emphasis.
Rachel Hunter. Photo / AP
She added: "It is imperative to our amazing next generation tech hippies and to the future of the next generations to have these incredible trees."
New Zealand's next Silicon Valley nerd evidently needs a kauri for inspiration.
David Cunliffe has seemingly found his voice in the fight for the kauri.
A year ago, when he was Labour leader, he fought for native tree rights, pledging more funding to tackle kauri dieback disease.
Rachel Hunter, pictured with a tree in Vancouver, Canada, has tweeted her support for the Titirangi kauri.
This week there's no doubt he likes the media attention. As Labour MP for New Lynn, the kauri is in his hood. But perhaps instead of hugging it, he should don a stack hat and a reflector jacket and winch up the branches quicksmart if he really wants the cameras to roll over his good side. #ClimbWithCunliffe has a catchy hashtag ring to it.
Jessie J must be hoping for a no-sweat stay
British pop star Jessie J - real name Jessica Cornish - jetted in to Auckland yesterday on a 2pm flight from Jakarta ahead of her iHeartRadio concert tonight at Vector Arena.
Jessie J.
The 26-year-old Bang Bang singer will do a five-date tour of Australia, starting in Brisbane on Friday. It is understood she will be staying at the Langham Hotel in Auckland, but we hope she doesn't have to resort to extreme security measures like she did in Indonesia, exiting the hotel through the laundry room. Sweaty business.
