CRICKET: Henry “Blowers” Blofeld signs up for Ilminster CC

CRICKET enthusiasts will be bowled over by news of a planned fundraising event next year being organised by Ilminster Cricket Club.

Legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld, who has only recently retired from a long and distinguished career in the Test Match Special radio commentary box, will be at the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, where he will give anecdotes galore and amusing stories of his life and work.

More details will be announced in the future about ticket arrangements.

Henry Blofeld had been a regular commentator for Test Match Special since 1972 up until his retirement earlier this month and an England match with the West Indies at Lord’s on September 9, 2017.

PHOTO - TOP: Legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld.

He played first-class matches for Cambridge University in the 1950s and after a few years in banking, he moved into sports journalism in the 1960s.

Blofeld – nicknamed Blowers by fellow commentator Brian Johnston – described Test Match Special as the “greatest possible fun” and his highlight was England’s third Test win over Australia in 1981 at Headingley inspired by a magnificent 149 not out from Ian Botham and Bob Willis’ 8-43.

He became a big favourite with Test Match Special listeners because of his “Old Etonian very English gentleman” style of commentary and his regular use of the phrase “my dear old thing” – while his analysis of food served during breaks in play became legendary.

All money raised from the Evening with Henry Blofeld at the Warehouse Theatre next year will go towards the ongoing refurbishment of Ilminster Cricket Club’s headquarters at the recreation ground in Canal Way – Ricer’s Shed – named after club stalwart Tony Rice, who died last year.

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