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| John Arlott | |
|---|---|
| Name | John Arlott |
| Birth date | 25 June 1914 |
| Birth place | Basingstoke, Hampshire, England |
| Death date | 14 December 1991 |
| Death place | Isle of Wight, England |
| Occupation | Cricket commentator, journalist, poet |
| Years active | 1930s–1990s |
John Arlott John Arlott was an English cricket commentator, journalist, poet and wine connoisseur, renowned for his evocative radio commentaries and literary essays. He became a leading voice on BBC radio during tours featuring England cricket team visits to Australia, India, West Indies and other cricketing nations, and his career intersected with figures from Lord's to The Oval and institutions such as Marylebone Cricket Club and Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.
Born in Basingstoke in 1914, Arlott grew up amid the social landscape shaped by World War I and the interwar years, moving into an era influenced by events like the General Strike of 1926 and the cultural milieu of London. He attended schools in Hampshire and pursued interests that connected him to literary circles surrounding figures associated with Bloomsbury Group salons and the publishing world of Faber and Faber. Early encounters with cricket at local grounds linked him to contemporaries from county clubs such as Hampshire County Cricket Club and to the networks of journalists at outlets like The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
Arlott's broadcasting career began with the BBC Home Service and expanded through connections to the Marylebone Cricket Club tours and the global circuits of Test cricket, where he covered series involving teams like Australia national cricket team, West Indies cricket team, and India national cricket team. He became known for his work on programmes broadcast from venues including Lord's, The Oval, and overseas grounds such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Eden Gardens. During famous contests—paralleling moments involving players like Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Dennis Lillee, and administrators from International Cricket Council—Arlott's voice was part of live coverage alongside colleagues linked to BBC Radio 4 and sports desks at organisations like Reuters and Associated Press. His style influenced later commentators associated with networks such as Sky Sports and presenters who worked for Test Match Special.
Beyond commentary, Arlott contributed journalism and essays to periodicals and publications connected with institutions like Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and presses including Penguin Books and Oxford University Press. His prose engaged with contemporaries in cricket writing like HS Altham, Neville Cardus, and critics writing for The Guardian and The Observer. He reviewed publications issued by houses such as Macmillan Publishers and interacted with editors who handled works by authors linked to Virago Press and Chatto & Windus. Arlott's travelogues and profiles intersected with subject matter tied to tours organised by bodies like Marylebone Cricket Club and events such as the Ashes series.
Arlott's broadcasting extended into programmes for the BBC World Service and features that touched on cultural topics found on channels like BBC Radio 4 and networks comparable to Australian Broadcasting Corporation and All India Radio. He produced commentaries and documentaries involving themes connected to Wimbledon Championships spectatorship, wine festivals with links to regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy, and interviews with figures associated with institutions like Royal Opera House and literary festivals at Cheltenham. His media engagements connected him with producers and presenters from organisations including Channel 4 and commercial broadcasters like London Weekend Television.
Arlott published poetry and edited collections alongside poets and editors who worked with presses such as Faber and Faber and Carcanet Press, and he moved in circles that included literary figures associated with The Times Literary Supplement and the poetry scenes of Bath and Brighton. He contributed to anthologies alongside writers linked to movements represented by names such as Ted Hughes, Philip Larkin, and editors of magazines like Poetry London and The Spectator. His literary work received attention from critics at newspapers including The Independent and journals connected to Cambridge University Press.
Arlott's personal convictions saw him engage with causes and organisations linked to civil liberties and humanitarian concerns such as groups allied with Amnesty International and debates surrounding policies influenced by governments in Westminster and international discussions at United Nations forums. He lived on the Isle of Wight later in life and mixed socially with figures from theatrical and cultural institutions including Royal Shakespeare Company actors and musicians affiliated with BBC Symphony Orchestra. His friendships bridged sport and culture, featuring associations with players from Hampshire County Cricket Club and writers published by Jonathan Cape.
Arlott left a legacy preserved in archives held by institutions such as BBC Archives, collections referenced by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, and materials consulted by scholars at British Library and university departments within University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Posthumous recognition included entries in biographical projects and commemorations involving trusts and lecture series connected to organisations like Marylebone Cricket Club and media awards associated with bodies such as Royal Television Society. His influence persists in the traditions of cricket broadcasting practised by commentators on networks like BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and commercial sports channels, and in collections maintained by clubs including Hampshire County Cricket Club and museums like the National Cricket Museum.
Category:English cricket commentators Category:1914 births Category:1991 deaths