Sounds of the Summer

A celebration of vintage cricket commentary with Jonathan Agnew, Henry Blofeld and other familiar voices from summers gone by.
Sounds Of The Summer is a tribute to the great commentators who have graced the airwaves over the years, focusing on much-loved names including John Arlott, Brian Johnston, Richie Benaud and Christopher Martin-Jenkins, as well as notable summarisers such as Trevor Bailey and Fred Trueman.

[@brumsgrub8633]

Wish I could put into words how much TMS means to me, the thing is, we all know but can't put it into words. Such a special thing, so many happy days listening

[@billybank2012]

this is pure platinum ... an era totally unmatched .. cmj, johnners sorely missed ...

[@CheshireDave]

It's truly the sound of my summer. Heaven only knows how many hours I've spent listening to Aggers, CMJ, Blowers, Geoffrey and so many more, all of them enjoyable even when England were getting a hammering! I'd sneak a radio into my bed when meant to be sleeping ready for school and tune in to the broadcasts from down under hoping to wake up to England 300-2 at the close of play...though sadly it rarely panned out like that! Here's to many more years of Test Match Special. Thank you.

[@NeverMindMarshall]

As a young teenage lover of cricket I can't think of anything better on a summers day than sitting in the garden and listening to a days tms. Hopefully the rest of my generation are as absorbed by the cheerful banter, stories they tell and blowers wonderful voice as I am. And as a relative young and new listener this was great to listen to the origins of the programme

[@Sreeprayag]

Wonderful experience. A rewind to the golden days. Thanks a million Hats off to TMS. Million thanks to Fred too

[@AyubPatel123]

If ever there was a description of what incapsulates true Englishness is it is a sunkissed summers day in England listening to the golden voices of messers Arlott, Johnston, Blowers et al. This is my England & I am the son of an Indian immigrant & despair when for many England & Englishness is about being white, pubs, racism & somehow always proclaiming the wonders of British imperialism.

[@EASYTIGER10]

Listening to Blowers talking to Johners sounds more like cricket than the actual game...

[@peterkehoe1984]

Richie Benaud was and always forever will be the greatest commentator that ever lived.

[@robertcummins4165]

I think you are right He was a real gem of a man

[@fayazkhan1729]

How can I forget the English summers of 1981 /82. The England tours by Aus, India and Pak ... it was the monsoons in India raining heavily and the match would start at 2pm India time on SW1 and later after 7pm would shift to a more dimming and crackling SW2 broadcast station. I had to strain my ears literally touching the Phillips broadband radio to listen to Johnston and Bloefield saying “ in comes Kapil dev from the nursery end and bowls to Randall who goes back and plays it down towards cover Yashpal shaarma moves in from extra cover picks it up no run

[@conormcgahon4290]

This is the greatest thing I have ever heard

[@richardthompson1673]

Oh how I miss blowers wonderful descriptive words, when he spoke it felt like you were sat in the stands. You knew where every fielder was stood, where every pigeon was strutting, where every crane was erected and every bus that passed. It's not the same without old blowers.

[@peterturley1331]

"my dear old thing"🏏

[@stevostevo1209]

Hearing this again in lockdown is a treat. One issue though. Some years ago I recall Brian Johnston being asked about the origin of The Boil as a nickname for Trevor Bailey. He said at the time that Trevor played football in the East end. He was often encouraged by the supporters to 'come on Boiley' due to the cockney accent.

[@jayarammahanta8585]

listening cricket commentary of henry blofold taught me the art of speaking English

[@collinslfc]

Blofeld*

[@davidhoward8270]

Lovely to hear. Puts in perspective efforts of the apalling and amatuerish efforts of the BBC at covering test cricket in the current era (2020).

[@wycliffefahie607]

I was 13 years old in 1973 when West Indies toured England and I had only listened to radio commentary in the West Indies up to that time. I woke up before 6.00 am Eastern Caribbean time for the first test and heard John Arlott for the first time and was hooked. " Snow is bowling about the fastest he's ever enjoyed and he looks extremely hostile. He moves in and bowls to Fredericks and Fredericks cuts (roar from the crowd) and it will be four runs." Gave me chills.

[@Virinchi54]

“The Boil” a nickname for Trevor Bailey actually originated in Switzerland during his visit there with a football team when his name was announced as “Boiley.”

[@paulmeaden5731]

Richie benaud, Brian johnstone, cmj, Henry Blofield, Jonathan agnew, Tony greig. All wonderful to listen to. Great memories

[@timwright1417]

Johnners and CMJ both sorely missed.

[@wycliffefahie607]

EW Swanton used to summarize the days play. " First, I'll give the scorecard." Made such an impression on me.

[@fredgassit5418]

Thanks for uploading this - absolutely brilliant!!!

[@klausflouride]

This is absolutely wonderful, thankyou so much

[@entryholedia1]

The voice of Brian Johnston resonates across my room even as I play this video .My favorite cricket commentary team never to be ever be even be 0.5% of what they were

[@london19657]

I miss Blowers' Bingo.

[@saltydog947]

I agree with all said here and remember these commentators well. I was at Blower's last game at Lords, and met him briefly at Trent Bridge. Just as good in real life! But please let me make a plea for the future. They have good ones now and even better the lady commentators. I never expected to enjoy their presence so much. They are knowledgeable, have a keen eye for the flow of the game and can match banter with the best of 'em! And one further little point - my aging ears find their voices a tiny bit easier to listen to. Looking forward to the next few Tests when I shal hvae my local radio network to enhance the game experience.

[@martynthomas7486]

Ah, these certainly were the voices of the summer. And often talking for hours during rain delays, which sometimes was even more entertaining than the cricket. I was always a 'mute the TV, listen to the radio' person but sadly these days Sky is a good 10 seconds behind the radio commentary which makes it impossible.

[@inandout61]

Brings happy tears to your eyes🙏🏻

[@garybuller5656]

'The bowlers Holding ,the batsmans' Willey'....luvvly😎

[@martink4398]

Simply Marvelous!!!

[@fodsaks]

Anyone who thinks T.M.S. is just about a cricket match is missing half of the joy.

[@dannywestern831]

I couldn’t agree more 👌🏻

[@CricketEngland]

It’s more than cricket and you can listen to old and new England commentary along with podcasts and documentaries on my “Cricket England” channel - kzbin.info/door/7eBcEfpeSQYEVsvoMAIaJA

[@alexv2926]

loved tms when i was young glad its sg miss cml we loved old films the e was his f

[@coonagh1]

I really love this!!!

[@cliveclerkenville2637]

A sound track of my life.

[@michaelhooper4554]

Henry Blowfell is my favourite

[@TillyOrifice]

Henrible Blobfiddle was definitely my favourite.

[@paulhealey5204]

Never ever loose these voices.. find more

[@shill700]

lose

[@buttbadar3847]

2019 omg big fan London middlesex harrow

[@vikkuedison4555]

Music to ears🙏

[@steveJ1957]

Absolutley BRILLIANT Thanks for uploading ...

[@fredboycott4691]

Steve, Peter only did a one year stint on TMS, in 1958. Most of his cricket work was on TV.

[@MrDunkiep]

Thanks for posting, I missed the podcast.

[@ferrington1969]

Thank you for this - Super

[@shane-irish]

Hope the ashes is on bbc 4 longwave this year im irish i still love bbc cricket commentary

[@fredboycott4691]

Sounds of summer....

[@steveJ1957]

No mention of Peter West :-(

[@steviebarratt3658]

Could anyone spare the time to share the songs and music which made up the first few minutes? Thank you

[@saxoungrammaticus9132]

Thanks for this

[@peterdavidbrennan2580]

Blowers at 25.48 "There's more than one way to kill a cat..." Eh ? To skin a cat,dear boy...

[@Huly241072]

Has anyone noticed that In the big group TMS photo @54:53 how much Vic marks looks like Vladimir Putin? When I first saw it I assumed Putin had done an episode of “view from the boundary”

[@baldwinian74]

Nostalgic.

[@shane-irish]

Ashes tonight 😊😊😊😊

[@DavidMiller-ps5rr]

Of the five in that photo, only one - Henry Blofeld - is still around!

[@dlamiss]

Apart from Tony Lewis who is ALSO still around

[@DavidMiller-ps5rr]

dlamiss OOPS. I thought Tony Lewis had died.

[@dlamiss]

David Miller still alive sir ... seems to have been airbrushed from history as far as commentaries are concerned though

[@DavidMiller-ps5rr]

dlamiss So he is I see. Just turned 76. Will he make it to his last century, do you think?

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

Who's the white-haired chap with his back to us after 32 mins?

[@peterturley1331]

🏏💜😪💔🏏

[@thisiszaphod]

A classic programme and tribute to great commentators, indeed, spoiled by sucking up to John Major. Does anyone else find it distasteful how Barry Johnston seems to have created a business from his father's works and legacy?

[@oliverdesvaux]

This radio mix would never happen now: far too much WHITE PRIVILEGE! (eg listening on my farm) 😂

[@cosmasandrew1536]

Roy Lawrence and Tony cozier