Cricket journalist and commentator Martin-Jenkins dies

His friend and co-commentator on the BBC’s Test Match Special, Jonathan Agnew, said on Twitter: “Desperately sad to tell you that CMJ died peacefully this morning”.

Martin-Jenkins, known as CMJ, also worked as a cricket correspondent for the BBC and the Daily Telegraph and The Times during his career.

He became an MBE in 2009 and served as the MCC’s president in 2010 and 2011.

Martin-Jenkins’s son Robin was a professional cricketer for Sussex until his retirement in 2010, making 162 first class appearances for the county.

Born in Peterborough, Martin-Jenkins joined the BBC as part of the TMS team in 1973 having previously had a modest cricketing career that peaked with a 99 for Marlborough at Lord’s.

He worked as the BBC’s cricket correspondent twice, first between 1973 and 1980 and then between 1985 and 1991, while also commentating on the network’s television coverage between 1981 and 1985.

He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2012 shortly after returning from covering England’s tour of the United Arab Emirates for TMS.

Agnew told BBC Radio 5 Live: “With modern media now preferring the views and experiences of former Test cricketers, Christopher’s authority and respect was gained not through a high-profile playing career but a deep-rooted love of the game.

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

“It’s doubtful if anyone has contributed more in a lifetime to the overall coverage of cricket than Christopher Martin-Jenkins.”