An appreciation of Test Match Special

BBC Radio’s beloved Test Match Special has won the Sports Journalists’ Association award for best radio programme this year. Martin Johnson pens an appreciation for the show in Test Match Extra, and argues that cricket is one of the few sports which is more enriching to listen to on the radio than watch on the television.

TMS constantly delights its small army of listeners with its seamless blend of expert analysis and coffee morning banter, even for those who’ve never seen a game of cricket, and who wouldn’t quite know whether a reference to the man at mid off being a little too square was a reference to his fielding position or his dress sense.