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Christopher Martin-Jenkins, TMS commentator, dies aged 67

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Christopher Martin-Jenkins

Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins has died of cancer at the age of 67.

Martin-Jenkins joined the BBC in 1970 and commentated on his first match, a one-day international, in 1972.

In 1973 he succeeded Brian Johnston as the BBC's cricket correspondent, a post he held until 1991, with a break between 1981 and 1984.

He was cricket correspondent of the Daily Telegraph from 1991 to 1999 and of The Times from 1999 to 2008.

He was diagnosed with cancer in January 2012, shortly after returning from commentating duties in the United Arab Emirates.

Martin-Jenkins' Test Match Special colleague and friend, current BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew, was among those who paid tribute to the journalist.

"CMJ, as he was widely known, was one of cricket's most respected writers and broadcasters," said Agnew.

"With modern media now preferring the views and experiences of former Test match cricketers, Christopher's authority and respect was not gained from a high-profile playing career, but a deep-rooted love of the game linked to a strong protective instinct which helped him earn the most coveted position of president of the MCC [Marylebone Cricket Club].

"Listeners to Test Match Special were all too familiar with CMJ's eccentricities - like going to the wrong ground for the start of a Test match. His legendary, chaotic time-keeping was very much part of his charm.

"Considering the years he worked as editor of The Cricketer magazine, and as correspondent for the BBC twice, the Daily Telegraph and the Times, and 40 years commentating on Test Match Special and the many books he wrote, it is doubtful that anyone has contributed more in a lifetime to the overall coverage of cricket than Christopher Martin-Jenkins."

A statement from his family said: "Christopher died peacefully at home this morning after his brave resistance to cancer. The family is extremely proud of all that he did to pass on his love of cricket worldwide with his gift of communicating through the spoken and written word.

"He was above all a much loved husband, brother, father and grandfather."

Former England captain Sir Ian Botham tweeted: "Very sad to hear of the death of the 'Major', Christopher Martin-Jenkins. Our thoughts are with the family. A true Gentleman."

England spinner Graeme Swann called him "a true scholar of cricket."

Test Match Special producer Adam Mountford said: "CMJ was one of the voices of the English summer - a true gentleman who embraced the changes in cricket whilst acting as a guardian of its traditions and values.

"Quite simply he will be remembered as one of the legendary characters of cricket writing and broadcasting. The thoughts of all of us on TMS are with Judy and his family."

ECB chief executive David Collier said Martin-Jenkins was a "cricketing institution" who would be "hugely missed by all cricket fans as well as his many friends and colleagues within the game".

While ECB chairman Giles Clarke added: "It was always a privilege and a pleasure to be in his company and share discussions with him about our great game. He was man of great personal integrity, a true gentleman and our thoughts today are with his family and his close friends."

President of the MCC Mike Griffith said he had known Martin-Jenkins since his schooldays at Marlborough College and they had become good friends.

"CMJ will be sorely missed. As a commentator and journalist he was passionate about upholding the values of the game and always expressed his views with clarity and humour," he said.

"Everyone at MCC shares the sadness now being felt by the cricketing world that his live commentaries will never be heard again."

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth also paid tribute: "RIP CMJ - a warm voice from childhood and beyond."

Martin-Jenkins was a useful schoolboy cricketer for Marlborough and also played for Surrey's second XI.

His journalistic talents were encouraged by the legendary EW Swanton and he joined the Cricketer magazine as his assistant editor.

Martin-Jenkins was appointed an MBE in 2009 and served as the MCC's president in 2010-11.

His son Robin played county cricket for Sussex before retiring in 2010.

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380 comments

  • Comment posted by oldtimer, at 12:40 1 Jan 2013

    What a sad week for cricket,first Tony Greig and now C.M.J. A true gentleman of the microphone he came across as the sort of chap you would like to sit next to for a days cricket.I always felt that his son Robin was unlucky not to be picked for England.As John Major put it referring to Brian Johnson summers will never be the same again,even more so now.My condolences to his family

  • Comment posted by User0099676296, at 12:36 1 Jan 2013

    I know everyone has to move on but CMJ will forever be my abiding memory of getting into Cricket in the mid 1980s. Eloquent, accurate and always sticking to the Cricket rather than other distractions, he was in my opinion the best ever. While most commentary teams now choose from former players, I think they're poorer as a result and the world is poorer as a result of CMJ's death - RIP

  • Comment posted by oldparrot, at 13:08 1 Jan 2013

    For me his voice summoned up the smell of mown grass, summer days, the sound of bat on ball and the ripple of applause from the effects mike as another boundary was added to the score.

  • Comment posted by Bryan Martin, at 13:05 1 Jan 2013

    As a passionate lover of cricket from a very early age CMJ was a massive part of my life, I have spent the best part of thirty years getting up in the middle of the night and when CMJ was on air he had the unique ability to paint a picture in words of what was happening in the middle, to a point where a visual sense wasn`t required when CMJ was commentating. A truly sad day for me personally.

  • Comment posted by James, at 13:05 1 Jan 2013

    I am very sorry to hear that CMJ has died. He has been part of everything that is great about cricket and the astonishing characters that are inspired by the great game to play it or talk about it.
    A great broadcaster who brought the game alive for so many.
    Condolences to his family who can be justly proud of his legacy to Cricket and Sports journalism, but more importantly being a gentleman.

  • Comment posted by User0301188528, at 18:12 1 Jan 2013

    250.northeastcorner
    2 Minutes ago
    Who?

    Show some respect, ignoramus.

  • Comment posted by RMPTaff, at 13:09 1 Jan 2013

    Losing two mainstay's of cricket commentary in a week is very sad news indeed, both with very contrasting styles.
    Greigy's enthusiastic and forthright style, the total opposite to CMJ's measured and clipped delivery.
    Shame we'll never hear either unique broadcaster(or telecast as Greigy preferred!) in a commentary box again.

    RIP CMJ.

  • Comment posted by anotherbob, at 13:02 1 Jan 2013

    So sad to know I won't hear him again. His voice was a part of my summertime.

  • Comment posted by User0561482653, at 13:53 1 Jan 2013

    The man was absolute class. TMS and cricket was the all the better for CMJ. Im very sad at hearing of his loss today.RIP

  • Comment posted by toe2toe, at 13:08 1 Jan 2013

    A very sad day with CMJ's passing.

    I grew up listening to TMS whilst studying and CMJ's commentary was just perfect - I felt as if I was there. Even at Test matches, I took my radio and listened to his commentary.

    Condolences to his friends and family.

  • Comment posted by Mathna, at 13:17 1 Jan 2013

    Wise, funny, eloquent and lovely bloke. You will be greatly missed.

  • Comment posted by Timsy, at 18:53 1 Jan 2013

    CMJ, the sun will not shine so brightly on us this summer, as we listen in to TMS. Our smiles will not be so wide as we absorb the rich commentary in our places of work. Our celebrations will not be so joyous if we retain the Ashes, because you will not be here to talk us through that happy time. We will miss you. And we will remember you.

  • Comment posted by User0981688559, at 13:05 1 Jan 2013

    What an utter blow. TMS is one of the last bastions of English traditions and one of its most appealing yet reassuring voices has just been lost. RIP CMJ.

  • Comment posted by OLDSOJER, at 13:40 1 Jan 2013

    I was at school with him. All he ever wanted to do was be a cricket commentator and I remember him as a junior boy commentating on 1stXI matches, using a mushroom, normally used for darnig socks, as a pretend microphone. Great man and sadly missed.

  • Comment posted by bigal, at 13:06 1 Jan 2013

    Sad start to the year. CMJ was clearly someone who had an incredible knowledge of and passion for the game and that always shone through in his commentary. His voice was one of the sounds of summer, and his eccentricity always brought a bit of mirth to the TMS box. His colleagues will undoubtedly miss him, but his family more so and our thoughts are with them.

  • Comment posted by User0425447805, at 13:01 1 Jan 2013

    So sad, as others have said a true gentlemen. Spoke to him just once, at Taunton. He was sat behind me; I summoned up the courage to ask him a question, which led to a delightful conversation for about 20 minutes. CM-J loved county cricket just as much as the international game, which can't be said of the newer generation of commentators.

  • Comment posted by Conner De Public, at 18:15 1 Jan 2013

    Sad News for Christophers family & fans.
    He was appointed in the 70s.
    The Beebs Golden era..
    I watched a show about Bill Cotton, head of the BBC in the 1960s-70s.
    The thing that comes across is he just wanted to entertain the public.
    Not brain wash!
    I feel the BBC now has people who are from marketing & the Politically Correct brigade.
    Just there for the pay & pensions.....Heads down.

  • Comment posted by shar281257, at 17:06 1 Jan 2013

    Very sad. Cricket has gone down hill since 20/20 and Sky came on the scene. TMS is an enduring BBC tradition and you will always expect to hear CMJ and Brian Johnson even if they are no longer with us. RIP

  • Comment posted by nilbymouth, at 13:23 1 Jan 2013

    While his services to cricket are outstanding can I commemorate his voice? Possibly too "posh" for our egalitarian times where uninteligible enunciation, strident regional accents and simple poor vocal technique abound, CMJ's resonance, clarity and phrasing were a delight to the ear, regardless of the subject matter. Such a shame these skills are no longer valued by the BBC and other broadcasters.

  • Comment posted by bubbles68, at 02:28 2 Jan 2013

    Please understand this is news, very sad news. There are horrendous news stories hourly in this increasing cesspit of a world but please allow those of us who love cricket to eulogise about a gentleman who meant a great deal to us. CMJ stood for all that was right in the world and maybe much can be learnt from his legacy - let's hope so aye? If not, we will all be going downhill even more rapidly