I have fond memories of Test Cricket played between England and Australia long before the days of television. When test matches began in England during the Australian winter, we tuned in to the radio around 7.15pm to catch the gloomy tones of John Arlott floating through the airwaves with considerable interference, but with typical Arlott clarity and humor. .

Once at a match in Manchester at the famous Trent Bridge Oval during a rain-interrupted session, Arlott had to keep commenting despite the game being abandoned. He just went on and on, telling the story of a schoolmaster in London who gave his students an essay contest. The winner will receive a week’s vacation in Manchester. Runner-up a two-week vacation in Manchester.

But Arlott liked to poke fun at Australian listeners. He used to go on the air saying: “We welcome Australian listeners with the news that England won the toss and sent the Australians to bat. The score is now two to none.”

What a scare! In Australia it is customary to say None for Two, which means that no lands have fallen and two runs have been scored, but in England they say it the other way around. Arlott was a great commentator. It brought cricket to life, even without television.

One-day cricket is a reasonably modern phenomenon. It was designed to bring cricket back to life when audiences across the cricket world started tapping. He achieved more success than one could imagine. In fact, and thankfully, it revitalized Test Cricket.

But the old traditions of Test Cricket still remain. Boxing Day, December 26, in Melbourne for the start of Round Three with a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground. What a roar when England lost a window. Or in Brisbane for the First Test when a regular thunderstorm broke out and sent the players running off the field. And who can forget the famous 1936 Bodyline series that threatened to destroy the game forever?

One day, cricket has changed all the past traditions. Now teams from all over the world compete. Players receive a fortune. However, something is missing from the game. The time has passed. People want to be entertained by action packed cricket. It is a fast moving world we live in. Everything is geared towards high volume and massive participation. Obviously, that’s what advertisers demand.

But sadly missing that signature Arlott brand of jokes.