FOR decades he has been the voice of cricket, the man whose avuncular tones have heralded the arrival of the Test Match season for everyone who loves the sound of leather on willow.
But Henry Blofeld, the long serving commentator for BBC Radio 4’s Test Match Special, says his style of commentary – with his perambulations about pigeons, tea and passing buses – is now regarded as “out of kilter” with that of his younger colleagues.

Announcing his retirement yesterday, after nearly 50 years in the job, he told The Daily Telegraph it was time for an “old fart” like him to hang up his microphone.
Blowers – as he is known to his fans – said: “I’m sure my style is a bit out of step now. Commentary evolves, like the rest of life. I think the new comers feel I’m a bit out of kilter with them. They do it their way and when I come and sit down I like to describe things. It’s different.”
In recent years Blofeld’s plummy tones have stood in contrast with the ‘bloke down the pub’ style of younger colleagues such as Michael Vaughan and Phil Tuffnell.
But in characteristically self-deprecating style he said: “It’s the age old thing of people my age saying ‘Things ain’t what they used to be’ and when you start saying that it’s time to go. We’re all getting on.”

Fans complained that Blofeld’s appearances on Test Match Special became rarer after 2006 and yesterday he admitted he would have liked to have featured more frequently.
“From my own selfish point of view it would have been nicer not to have just done it occasionally, to have done it without the gaps,” he said. “To have a more consistent team working is an advantage because you get a rhythm for the summer and that’s been broken to a certain extent with lots of new commentators. Because they’ve got a lot of new people to call on they have to use them.”

In a moving statement issued on his own website Blofeld, now aged 77, said: “All good things come to an end. In all honesty, at the age of almost 78, although I am still rather keener than mustard, I find it harder work than I once did. The one thing I don’t want to do more than anything, is for my incompetence to let TMS down.”
He added: “Listeners will now be relieved to know that their chances of being told the right name of the fielders at third man and fine leg have greatly increased.”

Blofeld also said he now looked forward to rejoining the ranks of ordinary cricket fans, able to enjoy the game for its own sake without fear of making a blooper on air.
“I shall be able to come to the cricket without worrying about who is lurking down at third man. I shall also be able to have a drink without feeling I am being politically incorrect. And hallelujah to that!” he said.
Blofeld will take the microphone for the final time when England host West Indies on 7 September, after commentating next month on England’s first two Tests against South Africa.

(Telegraph)