Jonathan Agnew
Jonathan Agnew had a successful first-class career as a fast bowler for Leicestershire, taking 666 wickets at an average of 29.25 (1978-1990) and winning three Test caps for England (1984/85). He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988
Since retiring as a player he has become a cricket journalist across a variety of media, but most notably on radio, as a Test Match Special commentator and as a BBC radio cricket correspondent.
Many remember his part in an on-air incident with Brian Johnston which has been voted "the greatest piece of sporting commentary ever" in a BBC poll. Jonathan was commentating with Brian Johnston for an England v West Indies Test Match in August 1991 when they produced a piece of commentary which has been voted by listeners to BBC Radio 5 Live as the "greatest piece of sporting commentary ever".
In a review of the day, Johnston was describing how Ian Botham, while batting, had overbalanced and tried, but failed, to step over his stumps. Botham was consequently given out hit wicket. Agnew's comment on this action was: "He just couldn't quite get his leg over." The innuendo provoked a lengthy period of laughter and giggling, most notably by Johnston, who tried to continue commentating through his giggles and included the line "Aggers, for goodness' sake, do stop it" between convulsions of mirth.
He began to gain experience as a journalist while still playing cricket, taking off-season employment with BBC Radio Leicester as a sports producer. After retiring at a relatively young age at the end of the 1990 season, he had a stint as cricket correspondent of Today, a short-lived national newspaper, before being appointed the BBC's cricket correspondent in 1991, though in 1992 he answered an emergency call to an injury-strapped Leicestershire and played in the Natwest Trophy semi-final, taking a creditable 1-31 off 12 overs.
He joined TMS in 1990 and quickly became a respected figure in the field of cricket commentary, despite a very short international career and as a junior member of the TMS team, learning at close quarters from legends such as Brian Johnston, Henry Blofeld and Bill Frindall. However, following Johnston's death in 1994, Agnew became, in effect, the voice of English cricket. As the lead commentator on TMS, Agnew has augmented the programme's reputation for warmth, humanity and, above all, informality that belies the professionalism of all involved.
In 2006,Aggers began to develop a strong broadcasting relationship with Geoffrey Boycott. Their contrasting styles, jocular (though verging on confrontational) interplay and apparent respect for each other's abilities as broadcasters led some, most notably Wisden, to describe the pair as the "Lennon and McCartney of cricket broadcasting".
He was named BBC Cricket Correspondent 1991, Sony Sports Broadcaster of the Year 1992 and Sports Journalists Broadcaster of the Year 2010
Jonathan has also lent his commentary prowess to several computer games, including the International Cricket Captain and Brian Lara Cricket series.
Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire on 4 April, 1960 he was educated at Uppingham School and he was made an Honorary Doctor of Arts (Hon DArt) by De Montfort University, Leicester in November 2008. Married to Emma he has two daughters and two step-children.
Since retiring as a player he has become a cricket journalist across a variety of media, but most notably on radio, as a Test Match Special commentator and as a BBC radio cricket correspondent.
Many remember his part in an on-air incident with Brian Johnston which has been voted "the greatest piece of sporting commentary ever" in a BBC poll. Jonathan was commentating with Brian Johnston for an England v West Indies Test Match in August 1991 when they produced a piece of commentary which has been voted by listeners to BBC Radio 5 Live as the "greatest piece of sporting commentary ever".
In a review of the day, Johnston was describing how Ian Botham, while batting, had overbalanced and tried, but failed, to step over his stumps. Botham was consequently given out hit wicket. Agnew's comment on this action was: "He just couldn't quite get his leg over." The innuendo provoked a lengthy period of laughter and giggling, most notably by Johnston, who tried to continue commentating through his giggles and included the line "Aggers, for goodness' sake, do stop it" between convulsions of mirth.
He began to gain experience as a journalist while still playing cricket, taking off-season employment with BBC Radio Leicester as a sports producer. After retiring at a relatively young age at the end of the 1990 season, he had a stint as cricket correspondent of Today, a short-lived national newspaper, before being appointed the BBC's cricket correspondent in 1991, though in 1992 he answered an emergency call to an injury-strapped Leicestershire and played in the Natwest Trophy semi-final, taking a creditable 1-31 off 12 overs.
He joined TMS in 1990 and quickly became a respected figure in the field of cricket commentary, despite a very short international career and as a junior member of the TMS team, learning at close quarters from legends such as Brian Johnston, Henry Blofeld and Bill Frindall. However, following Johnston's death in 1994, Agnew became, in effect, the voice of English cricket. As the lead commentator on TMS, Agnew has augmented the programme's reputation for warmth, humanity and, above all, informality that belies the professionalism of all involved.
In 2006,Aggers began to develop a strong broadcasting relationship with Geoffrey Boycott. Their contrasting styles, jocular (though verging on confrontational) interplay and apparent respect for each other's abilities as broadcasters led some, most notably Wisden, to describe the pair as the "Lennon and McCartney of cricket broadcasting".
He was named BBC Cricket Correspondent 1991, Sony Sports Broadcaster of the Year 1992 and Sports Journalists Broadcaster of the Year 2010
Jonathan has also lent his commentary prowess to several computer games, including the International Cricket Captain and Brian Lara Cricket series.
Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire on 4 April, 1960 he was educated at Uppingham School and he was made an Honorary Doctor of Arts (Hon DArt) by De Montfort University, Leicester in November 2008. Married to Emma he has two daughters and two step-children.
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