Sky finally the limit as legends make way for new voices
IT IS good knight from him and good night from him as Sir Ian Botham and David Gower bring down the curtain on their Sky Sports commentary careers at the Oval.
The duo have been a part of the English cricket landscape for more than 40 years, first as the finest players of their generation, then as the accompanying soundtrack to English successes and failures all over the world. But after 25 years behind the microphone in the case of Sir Beefy, and hour after hour of live presenting and commentary in the case of Gower, the time has come to move on. “It has been a great ride for 25 years,” said Botham. “And I really feel like I did it at the best time as the company and our coverage was growing into what it has become.
“When I joined, the men in charge, John Gayleard and Vic Wakeling, told me they wanted to bring the game alive and into people’s living rooms. We’ve tried to make people feel as close to the action as possible and tell them what it is actually like out there in the heat of battle, and I think we have done that. It has been great fun and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I can’t thank Sky enough for keeping me close to the game I love.”
Botham will stay involved as chairman of his beloved Durham, and will be in demand as a public speaker, but he can also focus on his other passion, Botham Wines. He said: “I’ll still be watching when I can and I’ll pop up at the odd game, especially in Australia where my wine business takes me. I have seen and commentated on so many great moments and Test cricket remains the flagship for me. All good things come to an end and I can watch the game as a fan now.” As players, Botham was instinctive and forthright while Gower was laid-back and stylish, and their TV personalities continued that trend.
But those at the top at Sky feel it is time to freshen things up, bringing in new faces such as Rob Key to work with established names such as David Lloyd and Ian Ward.
And judging by his recent comments over ‘implied ageism’ it is a move that has frustrated Gower.
It comes with the territory though for executive producer Bryan Henderson who said: “They have done so much for Sky Cricket in over two decades of service.We thank them for all their efforts and wish them well going forward.”