SUNRISE stand-in reporter Mel McLaughlin has gone head-to-head with Natalie Barr over sport in an awkward segment.
It was the battle of which sport is more popular among children; cricket or basketball.
Barr, 49, who has two sons, stood firm on her belief that basketball was the top choice but sports guru McLaughlin wasn’t convinced.
“Basketball. With the new generation coming up, basketball is absolutely more popular with kids,” Barr said during the debate.
“Kids aren’t interested in cricket like they were, like previous generations.”
McLaughlin attempted to stay diplomatic on air. She is expected to be a short-term replacement for Mark Beretta, who is recovering from a waterskiing knee injury.
“OK — cool. At grassroots level it has fantastic numbers they just need to convert it to … sure,” she tried to defuse an adamant Barr.
“Well I think different (cricket) competitions have changed that in the shorter form is back on board.”
But Barr was quick to quip “I disagree.”
“I’m surrounded by kids who love basketball,” she added.
“They play it and they love it.
“They don’t watch cricket either — they don’t care about it.”
McLaughlin said although it was “awesome” that children liked basketball, she thought cricket was still the more popular choice.
“Yeah but they got to go to the games. They’ve got to wear the jerseys and that … OK,” she said.
“You’d be surprised in the summer — the kids get out there (to the cricket).”
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