While the players play a key role in the development of any sport with their outstanding feats, it is the voices which take the sport to places. And in cricket if John Arlot, Rex Alston, EW Swanton and Brian Johnston are considered to be the poineers of commentary, it was Chirstopher Martin Jenkins with his lucid style who made an indellible impression, becoming a household name.
The whole world of cricket remembers him today as he left for Heaveny abode on January 1, 2013. When the world celebrates and welcomes the New Year year after year, one cannot stop fondly remembering Christopher Martin Jenkins – the voice of cricket. Known in cricket circles as CMJ, he enthralled millions of cricket lovers for four decades with mellifluous voice and wonderful description of play. And no day passes without talking about this respected voice of cricket, who also wrote many books on cricket during his illustrious career.
`CMJ had great energy – despite commentating all day, doing interviews and close of play summeries he used to concentrate on writing books. He was a firm advocate of the right way the game should be played’ Brian Johnston, who encouraged him to become a commentator mentioned about CMJ in his book.
The famous books he wrote on cricket include `The complete who’s who of cricket (1981), A way of life (1984), Ball by Ball (1990) and his book `world cricketers’ which contain biographies of all notable cricketers provide the readers wonderful referral.
CMJ was also a great ‘impersonator’ as his impersonations would match the standard of any professional mimicry artists.
CMJ’s son Robin Jenkins played for Surrey for quite a few seasons, although his dream of playing for England never came true.
Today, I deem it a great honour to pay rich tributes to my all time favourite commentator, along with popular commentators Seshadri Srinivasan and Prem Kumar, who too inspired me in my career.
PREM KUMAR: The way CMJ used to give commentaries, would in fact enable the listener to see the scene he was describing. A blind man could imagine what he was describing. He was a perfect example of how commentary should be given. We were all inspired by his articulate and distinct way of giving commentary. There would hardly be any dull moment when he was commentating as his commentaries were so pleasant. I have a great respect for CMJ, who I reckon was a commentator of common people. We all miss him, but no day passes without talking about him. He was an institution of the game. My rich tributes to this genius.
SESHADRI SRINIVASAN: Test Match Special! Does CMJ not ring the bell? Christopher Martin Jenkins has been one of my favourtie commentators. He inspired me like he did to many aspiring commentators. He was a great voice of English summer when cricket moves to England for Ashes series or otherwise apart from absorbing county cricket. He could bring the happenings to our drawing rooms with his excellent audio rendering. The greatness of CMJ lies in that he proved that to be a wonderful commentator one need not necessarily be a past or present international player. He excelled in everything he did and gained respect from everyone.
His success was triggered by his deep-rooted love of the game embedded in a strong protective instinct which helped him to become president of the MCC – a rare honour for a journalist commentator.
Recall his contributions to the glorious game of uncertainties as editor of The Cricketer magazine, correspondent for the BBC, the Daily Telegraph and the Times, and 40 years commentating on Test Match Special as also the many books he wrote. Not sure if any one else has contributed more to the coverage of cricket than “Major” Christopher Martin-Jenkins.
We hear that he was always the first to welcome strangers or nervous teenagers on work experience in the commentary box.
A true Gentleman and Doyen, CMJ – you are sorely missed physically but your voice and writings will always be cherished by all as long as cricket is played in whichever form!
By Sudheer Mahavadi, Seshadri Sreenivasan And Prem Kumar – Commentators
