WIMBLEDON fortnight has brought the best and worst of the BBC's burgeoning broadcasting line-up. How have the top team shaped up this year behind the microphone?
SUE BARKERThe Beeb's Wimbledon anchorwoman is at her most comfor
table in the green and pleasant surroundings of SW19, where she was a semi-finalist in 1977, the year of Ginny – and it shows. Her flirtatious rallies with Boris Becker have been a staple of this year's coverage as the German smoothly mows the grass of Ally McCoist, usually the man responsible for Barker's girly giggles on A Question of Sport.
Verdict: smash
JOHN INVERDALEBe it rugby, boxing, athletics, football and now tennis – Inverdale is the BBC's ultimate utility man. Charged with the main highlights show, Today at Wimbledon, his deliveries rarely miss the mark and he also maintains the happy knack of keeping studio guests and interviewees at ease.
Verdict: solid serve
TIM HENMANAfter the glowing praise for Barker and Inverdale comes a grimace, as it is time to dissect the novice game of TV Tim. After retiring from his heroic attempts to win Wimbledon, Henman is back by popular demand (in Middle England anyway) to reinvent himself as a tennis pundit. Tim Nice But Grim has put in plenty of effort to come across as cool, calm and collected, only to be let down dismally by his Man at C&A get-up. A serious wardrobe malfunction left him looking like a fidgety schoolboy going for a job interview in a grey monotone suit and a tie that his mammy might have knotted for him. Trinny & Susannah would have had a field day.
Verdict: unforced error
JOHN McENROEThe governor of the team and worth every darn cent of his fee. McEnroe does for the BBC's Wimbledon fortnight what Michael Johnson does for its athletics coverage – cuts through all the bull and tells it like he is.
Verdict: ace
BORIS BECKERBecker is the cheeky chappie of the team. His incisive analysis is up there with McEnroe's, and the respect he was afforded during a brilliant career has been extended to the broadcasting arena.
Verdict: cheeky lob
JOHN LLOYDCommentator and analyst Lloyd is a mainstay of the BBC team and has again lived up to his role as Mr Consistent.
Verdict: Hawkeye
GREG RUSEDSKIWhile he offered some good, practical advice and analysis on Andy Murray's progress, it is hard to take the man seriously after so recently seeing him stumbling around in sequins on Strictly Come Dancing. Maybe veteran presenter Bruce Forsyth can be hired next year . . .
Verdict: foot fault
ANDREW CASTLEDitches the smarm he needs to sustain him alongside Fiona Phillips on the GMTV sofa and seems to thrive in this environment. Still a screaming Henmaniac though.
Verdict: maximum topspin
TRACY AUSTINAnother fine addition to the team, the Californian is full of worthwhile opinion, although she appears a bit young to be dressing like a worthy from the Women's Institute. Another job for Trinny & Susannah?
Verdict: dinky dropshot
VIRGINIA WADE The very essence of Wimbledon, Ginny still evokes memories of that famous Silver Jubilee-winning year. Still a flagbearer for the Beeb.
Verdict: royaltyThe full article contains 543 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
