John Arlott
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Leslie Thomas John Arlott (February 25, 1914 - December 14, 1991) (known as John Arlott) was a British sports commentator for Test Match Special.
Arlott was born in Basingstoke. For 34 years, from 1946 to his retirement in 1980, he was the voice of cricket on BBC Radio, and his Hampshire burr has been described as the sound of the summer.
His commentary was famed for its vivid poetic imagery. When Clive Lloyd pulled a ball into the Mound Stand at Lord's in 1975, Arlott described it as "The stroke of a man knocking a thistle top off with a walking stick".
Arlott gave his final, typically understated, commentary during the centenary Test match at Lord's on September 2, 1980, concluding without comment and with the customary phrasing "... and after Trevor Bailey it will be Christopher Martin-Jenkins." The crowd gave Arlott a standing ovation, including the entire Australian team and Geoffrey Boycott, who removed his batting gloves to applaud.
Arlott was a stylish writer, contributing regularly as a journalist and also writing the occasional hymn. He was a Liberal in politics and stood as Liberal candidate for Epping in 1955 and 1959. Arlott played a leading role in bringing Basil D'Oliveira from South Africa (where he was unable to play first-class cricket as he was classed as 'coloured') to Britain in 1960.
Arlott was also a prolific writer on cricket. His numerous works include "Fred" (biography of Fred Trueman), "Jack Hobbs, a profile of 'The Master'", "Maurice Tate", "Gone with the cricketers", "Gone to the Test Match", "Basingstoke Boy" (autobiography), and "Arlott on cricket" (anthology).
External links:
- BBC Test Match Special Legends (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/test_match_special/legends/2939048.stm)
- Radio Academy Hall of Fame (http://www.radioacademy.org/halloffame/arlott_j/)