Test Match Special

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Test Match Special (known as TMS) is a radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (long wave), Five Live Sports Extra (digital) and the internet to the UK and (where broadcasting rights permit) the rest of the world. TMS provides ball-by-ball coverage of many Test cricket and One Day International matches involving the England cricket team.

1 History of TMS
2 TMS commentators
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] History of TMS

BBC Radio was the first broadcaster to cover every ball of a Test match in 1957. Live cricket had been broadcast since 1927, but it had been thought that Test match cricket was too slow for ball-by-ball commentary to work.

TMS became a fixture on BBC Radio 3 on AM medium wave, and later moved to its present home on Radio 4 long wave (198 LW). At times of cricket matches, the normal BBC Radio 4 schedule continues on its FM frequencies, whilst longwave is taken over by the cricket. This has, in the past, sparked controversy with some Radio 4 listeners not wishing to change frequencies. The shipping forecast is, however, retained - but it may be broadcast late. A special announcer, Andy Rushton, reads the forecast and extra continuity links required. With the advent of digital radio, it can also be heard on Five Live Sports Extra, which has the benefit of not being interrupted by the shipping forecast.

Many spectators who are physically present at Test matches listen to TMS via headphones attached to portable radios, and there is an occasional "dialogue" between the commentators and those present at the ground. Many television viewers watch the action on their TV sets with the sound turned down and with TMS commentary.

The distinctive Calypso-tinged theme music that begins and rounds off the TMS programme at the end of a day's play is instantly recognizable to many cricket fans around the world. It is taken from the track "Soul Limbo" by the American soul band Booker T. & the M.G.'s.

[edit] TMS commentators

The voices of the TMS commentators have become part of the sound of an English summer, and there is a tradition of the commentators being referred to by nicknames (often based on their surname, plus the syllable "-ers"). They have included:

Rex Alston
John Arlott
Trevor Bailey (The Boil)
Graeme Fowler (Foxy)
Bill Frindall (The bearded wonder)
Alan Gibson
Robert Hudson
Brian Johnston (Johnners)
Tony Lewis (ARL)
David Lloyd (Bumble)
Don Mosey (The Alderman)
EW Swanton

Contemporary TMS commentators include:

Jonathan Agnew (Aggers)
Henry Blofeld (Blowers)
Simon Mann
Christopher Martin-Jenkins (CMJ)
Arlo White
Mark Saggers

The long standing pattern of a broadcast is commentary during the over followed by a summary or other comments between overs (usually by retired first-class cricketers). In recent years, this pattern has rather broken down, with comments being made not just between overs but between balls. Summarisers have included:

In addition, visitors from overseas join the TMS team as commentators or summarisers when their country is touring England. These have included:

The TMS team also includes a scorer. The first was Arthur Wrigley, followed in 1966 by Bill Frindall (affectionately known as "the Bearded Wonder"). The producer since 1973 has been Peter Baxter who is also a capable commentator himself.

[edit] Light-hearted style

TMS has always had a distinctively irreverent style. Whilst it takes its role of describing and commenting on the action seriously, there has also been much light relief. Brian Johnston was the master of this style which on occasion could lead to hilarity in the box, most notably on one occasion in August 1991 at The Oval when Agnew referred to Ian Botham's dismissal "hit wicket" as Botham "just couldn't quite get his leg over!" This remark led to the total collapse of both in a fit of giggles (which was followed quickly Johnston's giggle-affected chastening, "Aggers do stop it!") This clip has become a broadcasting classic and is frequently replayed.

Whilst the levity in the commentary box has reduced somewhat since Johnners' passing there is still a recognition that no matter how seriously fans may take their cricket it is, after all, only a game. Po-faced commentary is not TMS's way. Not every listener is happy with Henry Blofeld's continuous references to buses, pigeons and aeroplanes, but most feel that the programme would be the poorer without him for all his eccentricities.

One of TMS's specialities is to keep talking through rain delays. It is taken as a matter of pride that even if play is interrupted for an hour or more (sometimes much more) then the commentators will keep on talking. John Arlott was a master at talking even when nothing much was happening and still keeping listeners entertained. He once spoke uninterrupted for twenty minutes and kept everyone spellbound describing the covers being removed at Lord's.

The TMS box has many visitors during a day's play and these visitors keep returning despite the leg pulls. Mike Gatting's "alleged" fondness for junk food is one of the many running themes - "Better get our lunch before Gatt arrives" is a typical remark. The main butt of practical jokes is Henry Blofeld who fails to spot a "wind up" even if it is staring him in the face.

[edit] Cakes

Brian Johnston started the fad of the public sending cakes to the commentary box. In Brian's day it was chocolate cakes, whereas now fruit cakes seem to be more popular. Indeed, the Queen herself reportedly had a fruit cake baked for the TMS team. She said that it was baked "under close supervision" by her following Jonathan Agnews's light hearted questioning of her as to whether she might have baked it herself. Henry Blofeld is reported to have said that it contained a goodly portion of "Royal brandy". The fondness for cakes has spun off into occasionally hosting the "Tea Person of the Season" competition, in which the TMS team sample teas usually prepared for club cricket matches. Recently, in England's 2006 Second Test against Sri Lanka, Henry "Blowers" Blofeld was sent a Banbury Cake, containing real Indian sultanas, much to the amusement of everyone involved.

[edit] Beards

Beards have become a recurring theme during TMS commentary, under the supervision of Bearders himself - scorer and statistician Bill Frindall. The TMS team receive sporadic missives from Keith Flett, social historian and chairman of the Beard Liberation Front, a group dedicated to the removal of a societal prejudice against the facially folically enhanced or bearded. Flett offers his opinions on the state of beards in the game today and his views are frequently discussed on TMS, particularly by Jonathan Agnew, and most recently with regards to the "splendidly hirsute" Monty Panesar.