TV star slams Channel Nine for network’s bizarre decision to let Australian sporting legend commentate at Paris Olympics

Australian TV star Tim Bailey has criticised the unusual decision to appoint cricket legend Mark Taylor as commentator for the Paris Olympics, saying it was disrespectful to the athletes.

The former test leader surprised some Channel 9 viewers on Saturday night when he gave his opinion during the women’s 3m synchro plank final, with Bailey being the most enthusiastic.

“Mark Taylor calls the dive. Great cricketer. But a bit disrespectful to the athletes,” Bailey posted on X.

“Tubby probably doesn’t know anything about this sport. He admitted that himself. The (executive producer) who made this decision? Your last.”

Many sports fans agreed with Bailey and shared their opinion.

“Mark Taylor commentating on the diving sounds like something out of the 12th Man,” wrote AAP sports journalist Oliver Caffrey.

“Tubby Taylor announcing diving at the Olympics was not on my bingo card this year,” wrote another.

“How can Tubby Taylor’s choice to comment on synchronized diving pass a board meeting?” responded another.

Australian TV star Tim Bailey (pictured) criticised the decision to let Mark Taylor commentate on diving at the Paris Olympics

The former test captain officiated the women’s synchronized springboard final on Saturday evening

Other fans were happy to hear from the cricket legend.

“I love Tubby Taylor’s insights into synchronized diving,” wrote one fan

‘Mark Taylor calling the #dives on Nine. What a time to be alive! The art of the perfect entry was calling like the art of a perfect cover drive,’ joked another.

Meanwhile, a disastrous final dive by Australia’s Anabelle Smith cost her and her diving partner Maddison Keeney Australia’s first medal at the Paris Olympics.

They dropped from third to fifth place, while on the opening afternoon of the Games in the swimming paradise in Paris it looked like they might even win silver.

The usually reliable duo, who regularly stand on the podium at major championships, made a mess of their final difficult dive: two and a half somersaults with one turn into pike.

A mistake on the final dive cost Australians Maddison Keeney and Anabel Smith their first Australian medal

The 31-year-old Smith, playing her fourth game, blamed herself for a slip on the right side of the board.

“Yeah, pretty brutal. I can’t change it now, so there’s no point dwelling on it,” the Melburnian said, after the tears had dried.

“Really, these things happen. They happen to the best of the best, and unfortunately today was my day. So I can’t let it define me. We’ve done some pretty amazing things in our 10 years.”