The Daily Telegraph

It’s time to hang up my microphone

After 50 years as the voice of cricket, Henry Blofeld tells Patrick Sawer why it’s time to hang up his microphone

- Henry Blofeld

For decades he has been the voice of cricket, the man whose avuncular tones have heralded the arrival of the Test Match season for everyone who loves the sound of leather on willow. But Henry Blofeld, the long serving commentato­r for BBC Radio 4’s Test Match Special, says his style of commentary – with his frequent perambulat­ions about anything from tea and cakes to pigeons and buses – is now regarded as “out of kilter” with that of his younger colleagues.

Announcing his retirement yesterday, after nearly 50 years in the job, he told The Daily Telegraph it was time for an “old fart” like him to hang up his microphone.

Blowers – as he is known to his fans – said: “I’m sure my style is a bit out of step now. Commentary evolves, like the rest of life. I think the newcomers feel I’m a bit out of kilter with them. They do it their way and when I come and sit down I like to describe things. It’s different.”

In recent years, Blofeld’s plummy tones have stood in contrast with the ‘bloke down the pub’ style of younger colleagues such as Michael Vaughan and Phil Tuffnell.

But in characteri­stically selfdeprec­ating style he said: “It’s the age old thing of people my age saying ‘Things ain’t what they used to be’ and when you start saying that it’s time to go. We’re all getting on.”

Fans complained that Blofeld’s appearance­s on Test Match Special became rarer after 2006 and yesterday he admitted he would have liked to have featured more often.

“From my own selfish point of view it would have been nicer not to have just done it occasional­ly, to have done it without the gaps,” he said. “To have a more consistent team working is an advantage because you get a rhythm for the summer and that’s been broken to a certain extent with lots of new commentato­rs. Because they’ve got a lot of new people to call on they have to use them.”

In a moving statement issued on his own website, Blofeld, 77, said: “All good things come to an end. After nearly 50 years in the Test Match Special commentary box, I have decided the time has come for the last of the old farts to hang up his microphone.

“In all honesty, at the age of almost 78, although I am still rather keener than mustard, I find it harder work than I once did. The one thing I don’t want to do more than anything, is for my incompeten­ce to let TMS down.”

He added: “Listeners will now be relieved to know that their chances of being told the right name of the fielders at third man and fine leg have greatly increased. I hope some will be sad that they will now hear less about the lifestyles of pigeons, seagulls, and helicopter­s although I fear the general feeling will be one of huge relief.”

For all the difference­s in style between himself and some of his fellow commentato­rs Blofeld was compliment­ary of his Test Match Special colleagues, in particular Jonathan Agnew.

His statement continued: “I leave, supremely confident that TMS is in the safest of hands, led by the ageless Aggers. In the end, I think he will come to be seen as the best of the lot.”

He also said he now looked forward to rejoining the ranks of ordinary cricket fans, able to enjoy the game for its own sake without fear of making a blooper on air.

“I shall be able to come to the cricket without worrying about who is lurking down at third man. I shall also be able to have a drink without feeling I am being politicall­y incorrect. And hallelujah to that!” he said.

Blofeld will take the microphone for the final time when England host West Indies on Sept 7, after commentati­ng next month on England’s first two Tests against South Africa.

The world of cricket might easily have been without his voice, had he enjoyed his initial career choice of merchant banking more than he did. But after three “unfulfilli­ng” years in finance during the Sixties, he made the switch to sports journalism.

Blofeld had been a gifted wicket keeper at Eton and played first-class matches for Cambridge University, but had to give up the sport as a result of the injuries he suffered when his bike hit a bus.

He joined Test Match Special in 1972 and his regular use of the phrase “my dear old thing” became an integral part of summer for thousands of listeners.

Blofeld, who has been married three times, had a double heart bypass operation in 1999 after being diagnosed with angina and was given the last rites by his brother-in-law after he nearly died in intensive care following the operation.

In 2003, he was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasti­ng.

The announceme­nt of his imminent departure prompted several of his colleagues and admirers to ask him to reconsider.

Vaughan, who captained England during the Ashes in 2005, said: “No [Blowers] please change your mind… I can’t think of anyone who has bought more joy to the airwaves.”

Blofeld said there’s no danger of him being stuck at home with nothing to do now that he’s leaving the commentary box behind. He has teamed up with bowler Graeme Swann for a two man show, touring the country from September, and he plans to start work on a book of his experience­s on Test Match Special.

Looking back over his career Blofeld picked out one outstandin­g highlight, shared by many cricket fans – England’s third Test win over Australia in 1981.

The series became known as ‘Botham’s Ashes’, as a result of Ian Botham’s incredible performanc­e with both bat and ball.

“My greatest memory?,” he said. “Headingley 1981, that amazing Test against Australia. Botham 149 not out, Willis eight for 43. Always good to beat Australia isn’t it?”

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 ??  ?? My dear old thing: Blofeld chats over tea with Geoffrey Boycott during a Test match in Trent Bridge in 1991, left, and, main picture, catches up with Michael Vaughan in 2014
My dear old thing: Blofeld chats over tea with Geoffrey Boycott during a Test match in Trent Bridge in 1991, left, and, main picture, catches up with Michael Vaughan in 2014
 ??  ?? Botham’s Ashes: Blowers’ favourite moment was Headingley 1981, above
Botham’s Ashes: Blowers’ favourite moment was Headingley 1981, above

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