There exists in the annuls of broadcasting many timeless moments. None more than in the commentary of cricket.
I have listened (and watched whilst listening) to many cricket matches over the years. Some moments are treasured.
I have listened (and watched whilst listening) to many cricket matches over the years. Some moments are treasured.
It is difficult to express the joy that cricket can bring. Radio tries hard to bring it to the listener but sometimes it falls over itself. The moment when I.T.Botham tried to get out of the way of an errant ball and knocked his wicket, springs to Mind.
Brian Johnston was a regular broadcaster on radio until his untimely death. Johnathan Agnew is still with us; He and Brian can take the responsibility for the Botham moment. He (Botham) had tried hard to avoid a ball and twisted himself round and in the process managed to knock his wicket and the bails fell. Johnathan Agnew described the scene and said, in all innocence, that Botham had failed to get his leg over.
Brian Johnston was a regular broadcaster on radio until his untimely death. Johnathan Agnew is still with us; He and Brian can take the responsibility for the Botham moment. He (Botham) had tried hard to avoid a ball and twisted himself round and in the process managed to knock his wicket and the bails fell. Johnathan Agnew described the scene and said, in all innocence, that Botham had failed to get his leg over.
Any further commentry was lost as the duo dissolved into laughter that continued for a considerable time.
He was right of course. But the implication was there… And it remains a splendid moment in broadcasting
All these moments have to be heard, simple blogs do Not do them justice. They are in the category of – I guess you had to be there…
And so it was with the effortless moment when the simple act of describing who was doing what, fell to the hapless broadcaster (Brian Johnston again, bless him) for the immortal moment when one Peter Willey was batting for England in a Test Match against the West Indies in 1979.
They (West Indies) had a particularly fine bowler named Michael Holding who terrorised England with his accuracy. He had taken a few wickets already and he ran in to bowl with Peter at the wicket ready to take him on…
One of those ‘Moments' happened as the run-up began –
Brian Johnston described the action. He was accurate in his description.
He uttered the immortal line…
"The bowler's Holding the batsmen's Willey".
He was right of course. But the implication was there… And it remains a splendid moment in broadcasting
All these moments have to be heard, simple blogs do Not do them justice. They are in the category of – I guess you had to be there…
And so it was with the effortless moment when the simple act of describing who was doing what, fell to the hapless broadcaster (Brian Johnston again, bless him) for the immortal moment when one Peter Willey was batting for England in a Test Match against the West Indies in 1979.
They (West Indies) had a particularly fine bowler named Michael Holding who terrorised England with his accuracy. He had taken a few wickets already and he ran in to bowl with Peter at the wicket ready to take him on…
One of those ‘Moments' happened as the run-up began –
Brian Johnston described the action. He was accurate in his description.
He uttered the immortal line…
"The bowler's Holding the batsmen's Willey".
1 comment:
Nicely written, it made me want to look up cricket on google, since to tell you the truth I have never really learned much about it being from baseball country.
It certainly has a more interesting color and character than a baseball commentary.
Post a Comment