• Former Test captain calls it diving in Paris
• Fired Channel Ten star attacked him on social media
• Taylor responded in the best possible way to claims he was ‘disrespectful’

Australian Test cricket legend Mark Taylor has gone toe-to-toe with some of the world’s most fearsome bowlers in his time. Now he has expertly shrugged off the harsh criticism of his commentary on the diving events at the Paris Olympics.

Taylor surprised many by joining Channel Nine’s commentary team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

He is part of the studio commentary team that has remained in Australia and commentates on diving competitions involving Australians, along with former Olympic diver Sam Fricker.

That led to former Network Ten star Bailey, who was sacked by the broadcaster in 2020, sending a stern message to Taylor.

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

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

Taylor was heard on radio station 2DAY FM after the rude remark. When asked if it bothered him, he replied: ‘Not really.’

“I don’t follow social media that closely. I knew when I said I was going to do this that there would be people – naysayers – you know you’re going to get that,” he explained.

“What I don’t accept is my daughter coming home from teaching her class and saying, ‘Someone said it’s disrespectful to the athletes.’ I don’t accept that.

“I’ve been there, I met all the athletes about a month ago. I went to the pool and watched them dive. They were all excited that I put my hand up to do it.

‘And Sam Fricker is the expert, not me, I’m not a diver. I’m there to do a job, which is to give you the scores, which is a bit like cricket.

“I’m trying my best, it’s not disrespectful – it’s complete nonsense.”

Taylor also faced criticism from the public, with his Wikipedia page being edited several times, including being listed as an “Olympic diving expert” and a “diving blanket.”

‘Agreed Tubby is not the one to comment on diving. Very poor reporting indeed,’ someone posted.

“He’s no Daryl Eastlake,” added another.

While there were several viewers who agreed with Bailey, Taylor also had many supporters.

Former Olympic hockey player and AFLW star turned TV presenter and analyst Georgie Parker strongly criticised Bailey’s comments.

“A commentator is very different from an expert/specialist in the field of special commentary,” she posted.

‘Sam Fricker is the expert. No different than a main caller in a football game, where the expert adds the insight.’

One follower was quick to point out that Bailey had a long career as a television weatherman, despite never having completed a degree in the field.

“You weren’t a meteorologist, but you talked about the weather for years. Pot kettle black,” they posted.

Others pointed out that Taylor is not the first cricketer to commentate on Olympic diving.

‘This is similar to London 2012 when a former cricketer Michael Slater announced the diving events. Michael Murphy was a diving expert in the 2012 #Olympics,’ someone posted.

Some felt Bailey should have shown more respect to Taylor, who hit 19 Test centuries and 40 fifties and took 157 slip catches in a glittering career.

‘I agree with you, Tim, and to some extent it’s a little bit disrespectful to a cricketing legend like Mark Taylor.’