Test Match Special under fire
- Published: 18 August 2008 10:01
- Author: Chris Curtis
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- Last Updated: 18 August 2008 11:17
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The BBC's Test Match Special (TMS) is under fire following the departure of experienced summariser Mike Selvey and an influx of Radio 5 Live presenters to the on-air team.
Selvey, a former Middlesex and England swing bowler, worked for TMS for more than 20 years, but the fourth Test between England and South Africa was his last.
TMS editor Adam Mountford's most recent BBC blog confirmed Selvey's departure, prompting many respondents to criticise the "5 Liveation" of the programme.
One respondent described Selvey as being "totally underappreciated by the 5 Live crew currently steering the TMS ship towards a large iceberg".
Selvey has also fuelled the debate over the weekend, saying: "Once upon a time, Test Match Special was part of a great tradition of BBC radio. But they are bringing in commentators with little knowledge of the game, especially of the cadences of Test Match cricket."
5 Live presenters including Simon Mann, Arlo White and Mark Pougatch have joined the TMS team in recent season.
Mountford said he was also looking into covering England Lions (B team) matches from next season.
