E W Swanton: Imbalance of English summer (26 October 1998)

26 October 1998

E W Swanton: Imbalance of English summer

By E W Swanton

AND so to a future wherein the national summer sport will no longer be seen, after more than half-a-century, on the national corporation's networks; when the rulers of the English game have committed themselves to an unparalleled programme of international cricket each English summer; and when money and player-power tend more and more to rule the game.

There was an MCC president, a former county captain with deep cricket roots, who used to sigh that every change within his time had been for the worse.

Without going quite so far as that, one recalls egregious follies perpetrated by would-be reformers aimed at "brightening" the game. It is hard to believe that England kindly smoothed the path to victory of the 1948 Australians by the availability of a new ball in English cricket every 55 overs.

Fifty-five! (the number is now 80). Later on in county matches they actually banned the follow-on. One could continue.

Let me not be misunderstood. I am far from condemning out of hand the England and Wales Cricket Board's momentous switch to Channel 4 or all the other nostrums put up by sundry sources. However, there is a downside to most decisions made or projected demanding of more attention than they have received. There are, alas, too many writers making their living from the game with no true love for it who rubbish the status quo, yet venture nothing in the way of constructive criticism.

Having shared with the late Brian Johnston the privilege and responsibility of introducing the early years of cricket on television, the switch from the BBC and the future presentation on TV is naturally close to my heart. Equally significant topically, however, is the news that from the year 2000 the ECB have agreed not only to host the increased number of seven home Tests each summer, but to stage 10 one-day internationals in a triangular mid-season tournament.

And whence are coming the cricketers from whom the England selectors are choosing for this plethora of international cricket? From the counties, of course, whose championship will be diminished by the reduction to three weekends free from Tests, internationals and cup finals out of the 14 available in the heart of the summer, plus six at the beginning and end. This would be several fewer if the regional idea is adopted. This possible divisional early-season affair, advanced by some good judges, would bring face to face most of the best players, but in a bloodless battle wherein only individual performance mattered. With results immaterial it would be cricket in a vacuum.

The chief executive of the ECB, Tim Lamb, admits frankly that the increase in international cricket, which further imbalances the English summer, was the factor that added many millions to the Sky-Channel 4 contract as from the millennium.

He points to the fact that all the extra money will be poured back into the counties, both through their development boards and especially for the benefit of those grounds such as those of Hampshire, Durham and Somerset where big projects are underway. There will also be the expensive up-grading of a seventh Test ground. Cardiff? Chester-le-Street? Canterbury? Several have their merits.

AS TO Sky's coverage of the triangular one-day tournament stretching over a month in June and July, with each country playing the other two concerned three times each, the news is that three of the England matches will be played day-night under lights. Lamb underlines the attraction of these games to those coming from work and also to schoolchildren and undergraduates.

Of the 17,000 spectators at Edgbaston for an evening Axa match - three times the average gate - a quarter said they had not seen a county match before. Who can do other than applaud this day-night development bringing new audiences - provided they are not exposed to an overdose of cheap gimmicks?

Reverting to the championship, the England captain, on the eve of his departure to Australia, saw fit to say he wanted not only less cricket but the counties reduced to 12. The ECB chief executive naturally emphasised that there was no suggestion afoot to reduce the numbers and added emphatically that the ECB management had no plan to decrease the amount of championship cricket. That was a welcome statement, for there are lesser voices singing a different tune. So let me reiterate: the only way for an ambitious young cricketer to develop and exhibit his technique and temperament alike is in the stern, competitive atmosphere of the championship. Lessen his opportunities there and standards can only recede.

THERE can be few close followers who received the news of BBC TV's complete elimination from the cricket scene in favour of a commercial channel without surprise and shock. To most, I suspect, especially of the older generation, it will be a matter for regret. The average viewer surely felt that the BBC, with its tried and trusted commentators, did the job pretty well. In the favourable post-war climate the BBC undoubtedly played a major part in the great broadening of national interest in cricket, at first chiefly on sound radio but progressively also on TV.

From 1946 onwards Johnston and I perhaps complemented each other on TV reasonably well, I the technical, tactical half, he supplying the more jokey element. At Headingley once I had the mike when a man came into view for a few seconds with a lavatory seat around his neck. I, poor dimwit, could not think of the mot juste: Brian, frustrated, would have made a meal of it.

Memory of those early TV days remains fresh. Three cameras we had to play with as against today's 20 or so: No recording, no zoom lens, of course. Cramped space, summaries in the rain - very popular with the viewers they were. Don't repeat what they can see for themselves. Identify when in doubt. Always remember you are talking not to the wide world but to one person at a time - the golden rule for all broadcasters.

Gradually as TV gained in popularity, cricket's claim to air-time became better accepted, the defining moments being, in the summer of 1953: First and foremost the Coronation and then, two months later, England at the sixth attempt, covering all but 20 years, winning back the Ashes at the Oval. Happily we were on air at the glorious moment when the immortal pair, Hutton and Compton, knocked off the runs. Of the 130-odd home Tests before my retirement I broadcast 50 on TV, many on both channels.

When Peter West, Denis Compton and Richie Benaud came on to TV I performed more on what from 1957 became Test Match Special. It's an old story how in 1970 the BBC, without a word and to his fury, dropped Johnston from TV work, thus unwittingly allowing him to establish on TMS a legendary reputation which culminated in that memorable Thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey.

LET US switch now to Channel 4, which takes over Test cricket following the BBC's final coverage of the World Cup. Whichever production company they choose come in at a highly critical time when advanced camera techniques, illustrated on the screen and visible to players and crowd, threaten the umpires' authority. No commercial deal is more important than protecting the position of the umpire at all levels. In international and first-class cricket the status and security of the umpires is the prime duty of the ICC and ECB.

This brings me to the crucial role of the commentator. The viewer needs - and the game needs - former cricketers of high reputation whose knowledge and judgment are beyond dispute. Tony Lewis, for so long BBC's senior presenter, has retired to assume the presidency of MCC. Richie Benaud has built over more than 30 years a unique standing while David Gower combines a winning personality with the authority of a great player. Nothing would do so much to reconcile BBC followers as to recruit these two famous figures to Channel 4.

If Channel 4 can win younger viewers to cricket as they hope, that's fine; but if they try to portray the tense, drawn-out drama of a five-day Test as essentially "thrilling and exciting" (to quote their chief executive's unfortunate opening comment) they will drive viewers to retain the picture, cut off the sound and turn for comment to BBC's Test Match Special.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)