Jack Bannister

Reports coming through of the death of Jack Bannister at the age of 85.

Never a star of the world stage or even an international player but he should have a place at the top table if the English domestic game ever has its own Hall of Fame. A stalwart of the county game - he took almost 1,200 wickets for Warwickshire with his quick medium pace during his two decades of service throughout the 1950s and 1960s and was heavily involved during that time with the formation of the Professional Cricketers Association. Thereafter, a respected journalist and commentator. More recently engaged by TalkSport where his calm and sensible friendly tone showed his more excitable younger colleagues how it should be done.

I loved this story which I heard him tell on the radio last summer. Warks were playing at Kent in a 3 day County Championship match (as they were then) and were a bowler down from injury as soon as the hosts went out to bat. Bannister bowled the second over of the innings and continued to do so throughout the morning and afternoon. In those days, a new ball became due after 75 overs. Anyway, Bannister had bowled 37 overs on the reel when his captain Mike (MJK) Smith came over and asked, ''Do you want the new ball now or do want another over to loosen up?''

Excellent story, Guildford!

I didn't know too mucy about Jack Bannister's work for the PCA, but he certainly came across as a calm, authoritative commentator. We're losing a whole generation of undemonstrative, but excellent, commentators. In addition to Bannister, and Tom Graveney, the tennis commentator Gerald Williams also moved upstairs a few days ago.