Boycott named as best commentator

Agnew and Boycott, the 'Lennon and McCartney' of commentators

Test Match Special's Geoffrey Boycott has been named as Britain's favourite cricket commentator.

The outspoken Yorkshireman beat TMS colleague Jonathan Agnew in a poll of readers carried out by the Wisden Cricketer magazine.

Former England Test batsman Boycott has earned his reputation for unequivocal and uncompromising views.

The magazine described Boycott and Agnew as the "Lennon and McCartney of cricket broadcasting".

It added: "This success for radio seems to reflect a general feeling that TMS is enjoying a higher profile in the absence of a free-to-air TV broadcaster" added the magazine.

Boycott was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002, but made a complete recovery to return to the commentary box.

He polled first among 57% of readers.

Agnew was second, while Sky's David Lloyd, "propelled by his sheer enthusiasm, jumps five places to third," according to the magazine.

Michael Atherton, dubbed "the most natural successor to Richie Benaud" placed fourth, with Sky's Michael Holding fifth, largely by virtue of a "voice of pure honey".