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Loading ...I can honestly say that TMS is one of the most captivating programmes on the radio, quite possibly even more entertaining than telly. I rely on the radio when at work and often find myself laughing out loud at the witty observations and comments as well as being reliably informed of every delivery (including that of cake in the afternoon). Long may the Test Match Special continue.
Rediscovering Test Match Special
By Will 2 years ago, mid-August Leave a comment on this post
At work we obviously have to watch every ball, not simply listen to it. And down here in Devon, without Sky for some reason, I’ve just turned on the radio for the past hour which has brought memories back of listening to TMS in my youth. It really is a brilliant way of following a Test. You miss the pictures of course, but somehow feel even closer to the action.
One thing I can’t work out is who the heavy-breather is. It’s not Boycott or Agnew…anyone else hear it?
Here’s Salcombe this afternoon where I’ve been supping pints overlooking the sea
Tags: bbc, commentary, radio, salcombe, test-match-special, tms |
8 Responses to “Rediscovering Test Match Special”
August 19th, 2006 at 6.04 pm
August 19th, 2006 at 7.44 pm
heavy breather: Bill Frindell?
I love TMS for that kind of social, atmospheric aspect of following a test, and when it’s the only option it’s a great service. But to really appreciate the action I think you need to see it on TV. No matter how much they go ‘Ooh!’ when the batsmen plays and misses, it’s not like seeing the ball whip just past the off stump. And even more so for the really visually pleasing stuff - the big sixes and the stumps being sent cartwheeling. And even the body language and expressions of the players.
I’ve been following the summer’s cricket on TMS (no Sky) and I’ve enjoyed it (and it’s easier to do something else at the same time), but the only real way to get the most from a cricket match is to sit in front of a TV watching whole sessions of play. Which is why it’s such a bizarrely quixotic sport, and so badly-suited to a media age. I can listen to the radio and get one kind of partial perspective, and watch the highlights and get another, but mainly cricket works in half-hour or hour periods as the balance between bowler and batsman shifts one way or the other. But the full experience requires sitting in front of the TV during all daylight hours for up to five days a match.
Anyway. TMS is great.
August 19th, 2006 at 9.33 pm
My favourite way to watch Test cricket is live, sat in the Edgbaston pavilion, with a Sky headphone tuned to TMS. Even at the Twenty20 Finals, where I honestly believe Bumble is king, I found myself flicking over to the BBC instead.
Tomorrow, I shall have Sky on the TV. We’ll see how long it takes me to bring TMS up on my laptop to replace the commentary.
August 19th, 2006 at 9.43 pm
I agree, Harry R — even watching highlights on TV doesn’t do the game justice — you have to follow the full session and watch the pressure build, feel the advantage ebb and flow. I’ve got the DVDs of the Ashes but for some reason managed to get on tape most of that marvellous second last day at the OVal when Hayden and Langer had got their big centuries and it looked like the Aussies would get a huge lead, and then with this inspired spell of bowling Hoggard and Flintoff just blew them away — got about eight wickets for about 70 runs. Just magic. And it’s not the same if you just see the wickets. Hoggard gets 4 wickets and Freddie 5, and the crowd noise is just building and building and Boycott is beside himself, just salivating , going on about this wonderful “fast and nasty” English bowling, instructing Hoggard from the microphone to “pitch it up and swing it away” and he does just that…
I’ve never heard TMS — can you get it via inernet?
August 19th, 2006 at 10.09 pm
Yeah you can Kathy - go to the BBC Sport website during play and there’s a link. You’ll need real player I believe. I don’t think they have a WMP alternative on the live stream.
August 20th, 2006 at 7.16 am
For those of us who usually have to spend Test days at work, TMS is vital listening (even if you can only manage twenty minutes in your lunch hour), and an essential part of following cricket in England.
Yesterday I particularly enjoyed the morning rain break chat with Pat Pocock and Martin Bicknell, which included a very unlikely story about Jack Richards stumping someone off Sylvester Clarke and a range of anecdotes from Agnew about the sheer terror which Clarke used to strike into county batting line-ups.
Out at a game today (Devon v Wales) so TMS will be on all day!
August 20th, 2006 at 8.30 am
Nothing can beat live action but if you live abroad (like me) or don’t have Sky (like me) then TMS is a must, and I’ve been a follower for years. I still remember the Masters - Arlott and Johnners. The best thing though, is you can take your radio with you anywhere you go. I had crowds round my scorebox last year when I was following the Ashes and my own League games at the same time. I learned my fielding positions from TMS. I once did a match report in a p*** take of Blowers & Co. and our umpire sent it to them. Fortunately, they laughed!
June 5th, 2007 at 4.31 pm
Does anybody know how to get in contact with Pat Pocock ‘Percy’. I met him during a test match in Lahore, Pakistan in 1972. Thank you. Kathy
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