Cricket expert delivers delightful tea-time treat in Kenilworth

“I HEAR you like driving,” remarked John Arlott when he first met Test Match Special scorer Bill Frindall. “Well I like drinking,” he continued, “we’re going to get on well!”

And so, one of the best known, longstanding relationships of TMS was established. Former TMS producer, Peter Baxter, the organising maestro behind TMS for 34 years, describes Arlott’s cricket commentaries as an “art form” - most memorably, his infamous description of the Test Match streaker.

Many more instantly recognisable anecdotes, supported by remarkable recordings, littered a delightful tea-time discussion, part of the Kenilworth Festival at the town cricket club’s splendid new pavilion on Sunday.

Baxter’s tenure introduced the world-wide cricket-loving fraternity to most of the greats of the commentary box. Brian Johnston, Howard Marshall, Henry Blofeld, Christopher Martin-Jenkins and, current anchor man, Johnathon Agnew, have made big contributions to the programme over many years. It is hard to believe 20 years has sped by since the Brian Johnston ‘legover’ commentary.

Recent additions to the team include Phil Tufnell “not as stupid as he would have you believe” and Michael Vaughan. Both join an established listening club whose membership criterion is a love of the game. As Brian Johnston once remarked, “it’s been a lot of fun”. And so was Sunday afternoon.

Clive Peacock