Veteran cricket commentator retires after 31 years

A retiring commentator said he had been "exceptionally lucky" to cover Essex County Cricket Club's matches for 31 years.

BBC Essex stalwart Dick Davies narrated the Eagles's County Championship victory in 2017 and saw greats such as Sir Alastair Cook and Graham Napier grace the pitch.

He also declined the chance to interview popstar Kylie Minogue in 2001, choosing instead to play a round of golf.

Davies, whose father took him to his first Essex game aged seven, said he would continue supporting the Chelmsford-based side from the stands.

"There's just been so, so many [good memories] that it's difficult to begin to know where to start," he told BBC Essex presenter Ben Fryer.

"I've been exceptionally lucky that I've had a job which I really enjoy, even when Essex have had bad days."

Davies arrived at BBC Essex as a volunteer, answering phone calls on the station's Saturday night sports programme.

He pestered the sports producer, Mark Pougatch, to let him cover cricket after accusing the show of being too football-focused.

"I don't think I took to it easily, but, like nearly everything in life, the more you do it, the more confident you get," Davies said.

The veteran said Zimbabwe's Andy Flower was one of his favourite players to wear the whites of Essex.

It was also a "very great pleasure" to commentate on the side's Natwest Trophy win at Lord's in 1997, Davies recalled.

He laughed about passing up the chance to interview Minogue - who was performing at V Festival in Chelmsford - four years later, only to get "beaten quite heavily" at the round of golf he snubbed her for.

Davies said he would miss the excitement of commentary and thanked people for listening to him.

He added: "The whole spirit of county cricket is just second to none."

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