I’ve held that view as my own for nigh on 15 years, until two weeks ago when the Hurricanes played Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

In the opening overs of the Hurricanes’ innings, the officiating umpire stopped proceedings for maybe 30 seconds to fix up Brendon McCullum’s head wire so the Heat captain could better converse with the TV commentators.

I’ve no idea the Grandstand columnist’s name, but I bet even he wouldn’t have predicted that umpires would eventually become errand boys for the big wigs of TV.

So I guess it’s time to acknowledge the elephant in the room – the Big Bash isn’t cricket as we’ve always known it.

There’s no leaving length balls outside off stump and there’s no applause for elegant cover drives that unfortunately find a fielder inside the circle.

There’s not even beach balls to keep the crowd entertained during a boring session when the batsmen opt for the chess club approach and only take singles. 

Instead, there’s a constant barrage of entertainment – giant mascots bop their way around the boundary, music plays at any and every opportunity and literal fireworks go off during the innings break.

At times you wonder if you’re experiencing a cricket match or a 4D simulation ride at a theme park.

But thankfully there’s moments that remind you that the cricket your grandparents knew and loved still remains under the surface of an entertainment-heavy exterior.

Like that same night when McCullum opted to put two slips in place for Alex Doolan. 

You’re more likely to see genuine turn from former England spinner Ashley Giles on a green wicket than a batsman nick one to the slips in T20 cricket, and Doolan was so surprised by the field placement he immediately inside-edged onto his stumps.

There was more joy for the purists just hours later when Heat batsman Alex Ross was given out for obstructing the field.

The decision left McCullum hot under the collar – even for a New Zealander playing for the Heat in sunny Brisbane – but for old-school cricket lovers it must have been like a breath of fresh air.

The incident not only gave commentators plenty to talk about, but also gave them the excuse to give Gus the six-measurement goose a bit of a spell and instead take out the old rule book for a quick brush-up on the laws of the game.

On a personal note, Ross’ running line reminded me of my standard tee shot on the golf course and also of a really curvy banana I ate once.

But more than anything, his dismissal showed me that despite all the big scary changes to how cricket looks on TV and as a spectator, the essentials of the game are still there.

You still get just as excited by seeing a big six or a great catch.

And a close finish is just as thrilling – maybe even more than it was before.

And hey, maybe the extra responsibility means things have turned out better for the umpires after all.

Hats off to you, Big Bash.