Archives

by Richard Dwight

It's not always that one comes across a widely travelled, versatile accomplished media man, as the reputed Christopher Martin - Jenkins, a doyen amongst cricket writers, a competent commentator and as well an author of fifteen books, on the subject he loves most, cricket.

The game itself took hold of Jenkins, and his passion for it, was very much in evidence at quite an early age in his school Marlborough - where playing for it from 1961 to 63 ended up as captain, to score 99 runs in the big match against Rugby played on neutral grounds, 'Lords'.

Jenkins just did not seem to let cricket go, for whilst reading for honours in history at Cambridge (1965/67) where he obtained a second upper he also continued to persevere with the game. And with a touch of nostalgia mentions, that he failed to get a Cambridge blue for cricket. But however, warms up with delight, to add that he received a blue for a court game, rugby fives.

Even though Jenkins was unable to be actively involved in the game as a cricketer, playing at the international level - He did however realise his ambition of keeping abreast with it, as writer and commentator, which came about thus. His cricket colleague at Cambridge, Jack Davies the off spinner, who had the distinction of getting Bradman out for a duck, was the head of the Appointments Board that helps students to get jobs. Davies was a friend of Jimmy Swanton the Editorial Director of the magazine, 'Cricketer'. At the subsequent interview Jenkins had with Swanton, his having played 2nd XI cricket for Surrey as well, stood him in good stead to be appointed as the Assistant Editor of 'Cricketer.' With his educational background, expertise and knowledge, and the ability to throw his voice with clear diction, held the post of BBC Correspondent from 1970 - 1980, and reverted back to be the Editor of the "Cricketer.

Jenkins' far sighted, forthright attitude in his writings too, found his services in the cause of cricket being interspersed with the BBC, Cricketer, London 'Telegraph' and the Times, to which he is currently attached as chief correspondent.

Cricket took Jenkins to many a country, where all experience has been an arch through which gleams, that untravelled world, whose margins fade as he moves on. He has been lucky to visit many a beautiful country and meet nice people, the best on both counts according to him being New Zealand.

Jenkins picks Garfield Sobers' last test century as the best he had seen and stresses that it was enthralling to witness the Windies play, especially when they were right on top at their peak. Recalling to mind as well, the rare privilege and experience he had in sharing the commentary box with Brian Johnston and John Arlott.

Technology he asserts has changed the way of those who write about cricket, for now they come to reflect on what people see on T.V. On the question of umpiring here, he was quite emphatic, that the standard undoubtedly could have been better. A local umpire he said must stand in with a neutral and, was averse to two neutral umpires doing duty. Commenting on the two sides, Sri Lanka and England, he was of the view that Sri Lanka has a fine set of young cricketers, who have been taught well and could progress further if they exercise patience and not be impetuous while batting. England, he felt was on the mend, on the way up under captain Nasser Hussain and were remedying things a bit by encouraging school cricket and spending money on it.

As an itinerant in the name of cricket he says he is fortunate in having an understanding and supportive wife Judy, happily married for the past thirty years, with two sons and a daughter. His mother was a doctor and the father the chairman of the Ellerman Shipping line and, struck a note of relevance to add that one of the ships bore the name 'City of Colombo,' and has a portrait of it steaming into the Colombo harbour in his study. Incidentally his second son Robin came along with the Sussex U 19 side to Sri Lanka three years ago, the eldest son James is a barrister and the daughter Lucy a nurse.

It is said that words and persuasions are the indispensable tools of a journalist's trade- when they fail, a fearful panic sets in, fed by a sickening sense of inadequacy. But to Christopher Martin - Jenkins who enjoys and loves what he is doing, cricket - words come easy.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager