Legendary commentator and former English captain Geoffrey Boycott has been omitted by the BBC from the group of commentators for the upcoming tours of West Indies and Pakistan.
Boycott had become a key voice in the BBC’s Test Match Special commentary over the years and will leave the broadcaster after almost 15 years of service.
The BBC cited, according to the Guardian, the reason for Boycott’s omission was due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the strict protocols that will have to be followed, even by the commentators.
ECB given the go-ahead by UK government
The 79-year-old Boycott, however, looked to be angered by the omission, hitting back at a Twitter response on the BBC’s announcement of the commentators list that read: ‘White, male, straight, Tory and knows about cricket. Surprised he lasted this long at the BBC.’
Boycott, who has often in the past found himself in trouble for controversial statements on air, replied by tweeting: ‘Absolutely right.’
He has since removed the tweet and instead noted he recently had to undergo quadruple heart-bypass surgery, which could prove risky should he commentate in the proposed bio-secure environment to be created by English cricket for players, staff and commentators involved.
1/2 I would like to thank @bbctms @BBCSport for a wonderful 14 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and just love cricket with a passion. I also wish to thank all those that have said how much they have enjoyed my commentary and for those that haven’t- too bad.
— Sir Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) June 5, 2020
Boycott also thanked the BBC for the opportunity to be on air for so many years but stated that he needs to be ‘realistic’ about his health and that the decision was primarily enforced by the coronavirus.
3/5 Recently I had a quadruple heart by-pass and at 79 am the wrong age to be commentating in a bio secure area trapped all day in confined spaces with the same people- even if some of those commentators I regard as friends and others I admire.
— Sir Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) June 5, 2020
The West Indies are set to depart for the UK next week on a privately chartered aircraft before travelling to Manchester where they will stay and practise at the Old Trafford training facility for three weeks in a bio-bubble.
ECB confirms dates for West Indies tour
They will then move to Southampton for the first of three Test matches against England, starting on 8 July.
