New Delhi: Michael Holding, former West Indies speedster turned cricket commentator has announced his retirement from the commentary booth.
Holding, who was also known as the ‘Whispering Death’ because of his silent run-up to the crease before unleashing deliveries, has been a part of Sky Sports’ commentary panel ends his 20-year association with Sky Sports, for whom he last commentated during the recently-concluded Test series between India and England.
Michael Holding has announced his retirement as a cricket commentator.
He will be missed 🙁 pic.twitter.com/GzGfGOlkmq
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 15, 2021
Since last year he has been hinting at his retirement. In April, he had revealed in a podcast that 2021 is going to be his last in front of the mic, “I am not too sure how much further than 2020 I will be going with commentary. I cannot see myself going much further down the road at my age. I am 66 years old now, I am not 36, 46, or 56. If this year gets totally destroyed, I might have to think about 2021 because I can’t just walk away from Sky, a company that has done so much good for me.
Holding, who bid adieu to international cricket in 1987, garnered immense respect worldwide for his famous monologue on racism in sport and society. During a rain delay in a Test match in England where he spoke for more than four minutes about his support of the Black Lives Matter movement in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. He also wrote a book, where he shared his own experiences with racism as well as those experienced by some of the world’s best-known sports stars including Usain Bolt and Naomi Osaka.
Holding represented West Indies in 60 Tests and 102 ODIs and has 249 international wickets under his name at a strike rate of 23.68.
His legendary over in 1980, when he bowled England opener Geoffrey Boycott, is still largely regarded as the best Test over ever bowled. Holding’s soft, and calm voice embracing Test cricket, and his opinions and detailed analysis will be missed by fans worldwide.
