Remembering the commentary legend who gave cricket a soul

By Harsh Thakor* 

No name has been more synonymous with the game of cricket than John Arlott. For 34 years, from 1946 to 1980, Arlott was the BBC’s “voice of cricket” as a member of the Test Match Special team. From Lord’s to Lahore, his powerful, soul‑capturing rural accent and deep love for the game made him a uniquely popular figure until his retirement in 1980. Arlott summed up cricket as though he were conversing with a close friend on the boundary edge. A humble and generous man, he was appointed OBE in 1970 and awarded Honorary Life Membership of the MCC upon his retirement. Arguably, Arlott was the finest of all cricket commentators, setting a benchmark for generations to follow.

Beyond commentary, he was a brilliant writer, poet, and lover of wine. In later life, he lived in Alderney in the Channel Islands. John Arlott (Leslie Thomas John Arlott, OBE) died at his home there on December 14, 1991, aged 77.

Few men who devoted their lives to cricket possessed such thorough knowledge of the game. Whether commentating, sketching portraits of Tate or Trueman, or writing match reports for The Guardian, Arlott touched the very soul of cricket. His career was filled with dazzling verbal sketches that entered cricket folklore, such as his description of the youthful Richard Hadlee’s run‑up. When reminiscing about his Hampshire childhood—an era without television, motor cars, or radio—Arlott seemed like a character straight out of a Thomas Hardy novel, with enough personal tragedies to fill several chapters.

Early Life

In his autobiography, Arlott modestly referred to himself as “J.A.” He began school in Basingstoke in 1920, aged six, and quickly discovered the cricket ground nearby. Six years later, he attended his first major match—England vs. Australia at The Oval—where he saw Jack Hobbs and recognised his genius. In 1927, he watched Sussex vs. Lancashire at Eastbourne, and soon devoured every cricket book he could find. Works like Good Days and Australian Summer became part of his very being.  

By 1945, Arlott was a police sergeant in Southampton. His broadcast address to King George VI on VE Day proved a turning point, showcasing his voice and presence.

By sheer luck, Arlott was introduced to influential figures at the BBC, leading to a permanent post. In 1946, he was invited to commentate on India’s tour of England. Though initially met with hostility from colleagues, his broadcasts quickly won public admiration. His voice, like Churchill’s during the war, became a source of comfort and reassurance in peacetime.  

From 1946 until his retirement in 1980, Arlott commentated on every home Test match England played. He toured abroad only three times: South Africa (1948–49), Australia (1954–55), and again in 1977 for the Centenary Test.

Characteristics as a Commentator

Arlott introduced a new style of cricket commentary, blending poetic imagination with impeccable English. His timing was precise, his delivery never monotonous, and his humour gentle. He gave listeners the sense that something was always about to happen, even in dull passages of play. His deep, resonant voice painted vivid pictures, making listeners feel as though the match was unfolding just beyond their window.  

Unlike many modern commentators, Arlott avoided melodrama. His effortless encapsulation of cricketing action was lively, balanced, incisive, and to the point. If he had a flaw, it was his tendency to eulogise players.

Arlott was equally at home with cricket’s literature, history, and artefacts. He admired Neville Cardus, whose influence shaped his own writing. Arlott’s portraits of players—whether Vic Cannings or Fred Trueman—were filled with affection and respect. He gave players the benefit of the doubt, never placing blame.  

He was also a man of principle. During the 1948–49 MCC tour of South Africa, he became a fervent opponent of apartheid. On an immigration form, when asked to state his race, he simply wrote “human.” He later befriended Basil D’Oliveira, helping him find opportunities in England when South Africa barred him from playing due to his race.  

From 1968 to 1980, Arlott served as The Guardian’s chief cricket correspondent. He also contributed extensively to Wisden and The Barclays World of Cricket, cementing his reputation as one of the leading authorities on the game’s history.

Advocate for Players

Arlott’s liberal politics led him to champion the cause of county cricketers. As president of the newly formed Cricketers’ Association in 1968, he fought for fair salaries and better conditions. His moderation during the Packer Affair helped keep the Association neutral, earning him respect across the cricketing world.

Brian Johnston, his long‑time colleague, said:  

“John was a poet. He saw a game of cricket as something more than whether the ball was doing this or that. You could smell bat oil when he spoke and picture the village green with its thatched pub and players in flannels.”  

Ted Dexter, former England chairman of selectors, added:  

“John was the man who could paint word pictures and make you feel you were sitting in the best seat in the ground.”

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*Freelance journalist