We know about the endlessly jaw-dropping greatness of Ben Stokes (a peerage soon, surely), the furious power of a supercharged Stuart Broad and even Joe Root’s increasingly skilful captaincy. But another highlight of the brilliant Test series against West Indies was the presence of Carlos Brathwaite as a Test Match Special summariser and general benign presence.
Always funny, astute, and thoroughly likeable, with the bonus of a magnificent voice, Brathwaite — the man who smashed Stokes for four successive sixes to win the 2016 T20 World Cup — has been a marvel. He even read the shipping forecast, and no greater tribute can there be in British broadcasting.
Funny, astute, and thoroughly likeable, Brathwaite has been a marvel
What’s more, he lives in my home town, Oxford, where his wife works at the John Radcliffe hospital. He has been on anti-racism marches in the city, speaking at one. ‘We just want to stand up and be heard,’ he told the Daily Telegraph. Brathwaite is also a successful businessman in Barbados, where he was born, and in December will head for Harvard to complete a business studies course. ‘Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name!’ roared commentator Ian Bishop as the fourth six flew into the stands in 2016. We do, Carlos, we do. Come back soon — we will be missing you.
And what a tremendous performance these cricketers have laid on over three Tests, with no crowds, and every endeavour greeted by deathly silence. On radio and TV we have the pleasing Lord’s hum; but for the players nothing — except perhaps at the Ageas Bowl the distant thrum of the M27, and at Old Trafford perhaps the clanking of the Altrincham tram, or some post-lunch banter in the queue for Lou Macari’s nearby chippie.
As for high endeavour, Shannon Gabriel’s mastery of the 90mph lifter shooting off a length at the batsman’s throat is just astonishing; and the range of emotions that sweep across his mighty visage — from bafflement to anger to overwhelming sadness as a catch is dropped — equally epic.
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