Former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor has turned some heads after popping up commentating the diving at the Paris Olympics.

After 104 Test matches for his country, no one is questioning Taylor’s sporting nous, but does he have the expertise to commentate on a sport as technical as diving?

We take a look at why Mark Taylor is commentating the diving at the 2024 Paris Olympics:

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Why is Mark Taylor commentating the diving?

After many years in the Channel Nine cricket commentary box alongside the likes of Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig, it was somewhat of a surprise to hear the familiar voice of “Tubby” accompanying the Olympic diving.

Some viewers took to social media with criticism of the broadcaster over the decision to place Taylor into the role, prompting a response from the 59-year-old in which he revealed he’d put his hand up to take the role.

“The thing I don’t accept, I had my daughter come home from teaching her class and someone had said [to her], ‘It’s disrespectful to the athletes,'” Taylor said on 2Day FM radio.

“I don’t accept that because I’ve been out and met all the athletes about a month ago.

“I went out to the pool and watched them dive and they were all delighted that I put my hand up to do it.”

Taylor also pointed out that he was the host and caller on the broadcast, while top diver Sam Fricker was alongside him giving viewers the expert comments and insight.

“Sam Fricker, he’s the expert, not me. I’m not a diver,” Taylor added. 

“I’m there to do my job which is to give the audience the scores, which is a bit like cricket.

“So, it’s not disrespectful. That’s absolute rubbish.”

How to watch the Olympic diving in Australia on TV

The Nine Network has the full broadcast rights in Australia for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Events are set to be shown on free-to-air television via Channel 9 and 9Gem, with both channels to provide 24-hour hosted coverage. 

This includes the opening and closing ceremonies of the games on 26th July and 11th August respectively.

How to live stream the Olympic diving in Australia

There are two streaming options for the Olympics, with 9Now available to all Australians for free and providing round the clock coverage of every event at the games, having a channel dedicated to each sport.

Users simply need to create an account using their email, and no financial information is required.

Stan Sport is also providing wall-to-wall coverage of the Olympics in Paris, streaming all events in 4K, whilst also having two daily shows.

STREAM: Every event from Paris 2024 ad-free, live and on demand with 4K.

All of the events will be able to be streamed live and on-demand.