The Hampshire burr

One of the greatest disappointments in the contemporary commercialised world of cricket in India is the fall in amount and standards and thereby the following of radio commentary.

Whilst the rise in popularity and quality of TV coverage is to be lauded, the decline of radio cricket commentary is a great pity.

There was a time when, despite TV, radio was the primary mode of commentary in India. English being the main mode of communication in the early years but then ‘bilingual’ i.e. English & Hindi & finally regional language commentaries really took the game not just into the remotest houses but even the kitchens of India.

It was in the 1940’s that Indians first got to hear the Hampshire "burr" of a commentator who was to become a legend in the world of cricket through his commentary – John Arlott.

In 1946, Arlott (born 25.2.14, died 14.12.91) was booked by BBC to provide English commentary on its Eastern Services along with a newsreader Abdul Hamid Sheikh who spoke in Hindustani. Like Sheikh, Arlott was working for BBC’s Eastern Service as a Literary Producer.

Arlott was a multifaceted and multitalented personality. Starting his life as a medical records clerk in a mental hospital, Arlott became a policeman where his poetry, erudition and literary skills came to the notice of one of his seniors. He joined BBC in 1946 first as a freelance Talk Producer & then Literary Producer but his world changed when he was given the opportunity to do cricket commentary of the 1946 India tour of England.

At that time, Rex Alston, Jim Swanton & Arthur Gilligan were the main team and remained so for the 1947 South Africa tour series but the Bradman led 1948 Australian tour of England saw John Arlott join as part of the main team of BBC. There was no turning back. John Arlott was to remain the focal point of BBC’s Test Match Special till Sept 2, 1980 – a period of 34 years. On that day, Arlott’s last words as a BBC commentator were "……and after Trevor Bailey it will be Christopher Martin – Jenkins." No hype, no fuss, just the native Hampshire "burr". But out on the field at Lord’s, play halted a mite as the two England batsmen & the entire Australian team applauded along with the crowd who gave a standing ovation to a much loved voice. It was the finest tribute a commentator could ever get.

The job of a commentator on radio is to transport the listener to the playing field. What is required is the ability to paint a picture, through your words, of the playing field, the weather, the crowd and above all of the play, so that the listener is transported to wherever the action is.

The ability to provide this image was available with John Arlott in ample measure. He was good with words – brilliant, in fact and loved the game and its character, though he hadn’t played it even at the first-class level.

His knowledge and love was reflected even in his writing on cricket through his books on the game (Jack Hobbs, a profile of the master, Biography of Fred Trueman, Maurice Tate, Gone to the Test Match, Gone with the cricketers, Basingstoke Boy, Alletsons’s Innings and above all the anthology "Arlott on cricket") and even a short story (fiction) titled “Ain’t Half a Bloomin’ Game!"

The vividity of his descriptions and the manner he put his words was original & brilliant. Sample this description of Pakistan fast bowler Asif Masood’s peculiar run up – "Groucho Marx chasing a pretty waitress" and the classic "Mann’s inhumanity to Mann" – based on Robert Burnss "Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!" This was said when ‘Tufty’ Mann bowled George Mann. The literary part of John Arlott was clearly seen in this statement.

Other than his love for cricket was his love for wine. He was a connoisseur who wrote a regular wine column for The Guardian. His talent for poetry was no less, several were published. Although, in keeping with his love for cricket, he considers "To John Berry Hobbs on his seventieth birthday" his best.

This multi-talented personality dabbled in British & international politics too. In 1955 & 1959 he contested the British elections as a Liberal candidate and as an opponent of Apartheid in South Africa, he played a major role in getting Basil D’Oliviera from South Africa to England in 1960.

John Arlott is no more. Connoisseurs of Radio commentary miss him just as much as Indian listeners miss quality broadcasts on cricket from India. AIR is slumbering on this front. Perhaps it is time for private players to enter the arena and shake things up.

Who knows one or two of Arlott’s followers may yet give solace to the departed soul!