Geoffrey Boycott given out by Test Match Special
The BBC have confirmed reports that Geoffrey Boycott will no longer be a regular feature of the BBC’s Test Match Special, although he may make occasional appearances. At the same Isa Guha will host the new BBC TV Test highlights programmes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52944158
A twitter exchange between Boycott and TMS underlined that the reason for his absence in 2020 is, sensibly, related to the current epidemic, but that he may still make virtual appearances. Getting him on Zoom may be a challenge though..
Even so it feels right, perhaps particularly now. Cricket is no longer about England’s imperial preference and if cricket is to have an audience in future it wont be one that is fascinated by uncovered pitches and rhubarb as much as this may amuse people of a certain age (like me).
A knighthood was long delayed due to a disputed conviction in a French Court, which whatever the truth behind it, looks very unpleasant even now. But there are much more recent transgressions.
In 2017 Geoffrey Boycott unreservedly apologised for remarks that he made at an event related to the day-night Test at Edgbaston that some would certainly have seen as racist.
Boycott was quoted to the effect that he didn’t see anything wrong with the remark at the time, meant, he said, as a joke. However the Times reported that his apology comes after talks with his lawyers and the BBC. The BBC stated that he would stay with Test Match Special for that series
I suspected at the time that Geoffrey was nearing his last innings as a commentator. We all say unfortunate things of one kind or another from time to time. The problem is Boycott doesn’t seem to understand why it is a problem and that means he is always likely to do it again.
His background around rebel tours to apartheid South Africa is well known as is his recovery from cancer, suggesting a strength of character one would suspect from his steadfast batting.
He knows a lot about a cricket, although there are other views, but the world is moving on. Test Match Special has a range of younger commentators and analysts, female and male now.
The BBC’s cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew deserves full credit for bringing what we might call late period Geoffrey Boycott to the airwaves in ways that informed and entertained but in future we will need to check his Telegraph column for his thoughts.
In some ways (but not others, see above) I personally regret that but taking a broader view one can see why it was going to happen even without COVID-19
For me the departure of Boycott from the airwaves is long overdue.