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JONATHAN AGNEW |
| Jonathan Agnew had a successful first-class career as a fast bowler for Leicestershire taking 666 wickets at an average of 29.25 from 1978 to 1990 & winning three Test caps for England between 1984 & 1985. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988. |
| Since retiring as a player he's become a cricket journalist across a variety of media but most notably on radio as a Test Match Special commentator & as a BBC radio cricket correspondent. |
| Many remember his part in an on-air incident with Brian Johnston which was voted 'the greatest piece of sporting commentary ever' in a BBC Radio 5 Live poll. Jonathan was commentating with Brian Johnston for an England v West Indies Test Match in August 1990 when in a review of the day, Johnston was describing how Ian Botham, while batting, had overbalanced & tried but failed to step over his stumps. Botham was consequently given out hit wicket. Agnew's comment on this action was; "He just couldn't quite get his leg over". The innuendo provoked a lengthy period of laughter & giggling, most notably by Johnston who tried to continue commenting through his giggles. |
| He began to gain experience as a journalist while still playing cricket, taking off-season employment with BBC Radio Leicester as a sports producer. After retiring at a relatively young age at the end of the 1990 season, Jonathan had a stint as cricket correspondent of Today, a short-lived national newspaper, before being appointed the BBC's cricket correspondent in 1991. Although in 1992 he answered an emergency call to an injury strapped Leicestershire & played in the NatWest Trophy semi-final, taking a creditable 1-31 off 12 overs. |
| He joined TMS in 1990 & quickly became a respected figure in the field of cricket commentary, despite a very short international career & as a junior member of the TMS team learning at close quarters from legends such as Brian Johnston, Henry Blofeld & Bill Frindall. However, following Johnston's death in 1994 Agnew became, in effect, the voice of English cricket. As the lead commentator on TMS, Agnew has augmented the programme's reputation for warmth, humanity & above all informality that belies the professionalism of all involved. |
| In 2006, Aggers began to develop a strong broadcasting relationship with Geoffrey Boycott. Their contrasting styles, jocular interplay (though verging on confrontational) & apparent respect for each other's abilities as broadcasters led some, most notably Wisden, to describe the pair as the 'Lennon & McCartney of cricket broadcasting'. |
| Jonathan was named BBC Cricket Correspondent in 1991, Sony Sports Broadcaster of the Year in 1992 & Sports Journalist Broadcaster of the Year in 2010. |
| Jonathan has also lent his commentary prowess to several computer games including the International Cricket Captain & Brian Lara Cricket series. |
| Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire on 4th April 1960 he was educated at Uppingham School & was made an Honorary Doctor of Arts (Hon DArt) by De Montfort University, Leicester in November 2008. Married to Emma he has two daughters & two step-children. |
For more information on Jonathan Agnew, Contact Arena. Tel: 0113-239-2222 |