Test Match Special - The Next 50 Years
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 : TV & Radio
Test Match Special celebrated it's 50th anniversary
last year. During that time it's distinguished commentary team has been a blend of talented radio people and ex-Test match players.
Obviously people have to come and go. Mike Selvey who played 3 Tests for England and took 772 first-class wickets, was recently let-go after 24 years with the team. This led to a debate about a 'laddish' culture invading TMS, to which Adam Mountford the program's producer replied with a reasoned defence of the changes.
Selvey is being replaced by a rolling rota of younger ex-Test players such as Tuffers, Shaun Pollock, Gooch, and Alec Stewart. This is no bad thing. TMS still has Aggers, Fraser, the irrepressible Marks, and Boycs to add experience and gravitas to balance out the newbies. At this point lets remember that Aggers joined the team at the tender age of 31 and that even the youngest of the new blood, Matthew Hoggard is the same age.
The inclusion of 5 Live commentators such as Mark Pougatch is also a natural progression. At some stage, let's hope later rather than sooner, Blowers and CMJ will hang up their mics or take up residence in the great commentary box in the sky. Let's also hope the new blood lives up to the high standards already set. Here's looking forward to the next 50 years.
Test Match Special - 50 Not Out: The Official History of a National Sporting Treasure is available from Amazon.
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