Isa happy to put a smile on people’s faces

Life inside England’s inner ‘ biosecure’ bubble this summer has been challenging on occasions for Isa Guha but the BBC presenter has relished the opportunity to “bring a smile to people’s faces” in testing times.

Guha has anchored Test cricket’s return to prime-time BBC schedules for the first time this century, with the broadcaster screening highlights of both the behind-closed-doors series against the West Indies and Pakistan.

The stringent protocols put in place to allow cricket to go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic means Guha and her colleagues have – similar to the England players – spent much of the last couple of months away from home.

Marathon stints at the on- site Emirates Old Trafford and Ageas Bowl hotels have been worth the effort for Guha, who’ll present the BBC’S live coverage of today’s second T20 between England and Pakistan.

She said: “I’ve been able to go home a couple of times but in general I’ve been on-site: hotel, room, ground and dining area, that’s been my existence over the last eight or nine weeks.

“It is a different and surreal experience that has been challenging at times but it’s nothing compared to what some people have gone through during the pandemic.

“I think people have appreciated it and we’ve really just tried to get the balance right between keeping the traditionalists happy but also bringing a modern feel to it.

“Given the circumstances of the pandemic, we’ve been able to deliver that as best we can. We’ve had positive feedback. That’s all you can hope for.

“It’s been a difficult time for a lot of people at the moment but everyone has put in to try to offer a distraction to people and to be something positive and bring a smile to people’s faces.”