‘Surreal’ time in the TMS booth that came about by accident | Vic Marks

In another extract from his new book, Vic Marks explains how his time with TMS started in India and why his favourite commentator was Tony Cozier

Working on Test Match Special has never been my main job and on most days it does not feel like a job at all. I first appeared on the programme in Delhi on 17 December 1984 as an emergency replacement. England were playing the second Test against India and, as ever, I was in the touring party but not in the team. On the fifth day the match was bubbling up nicely. India collapsed dramatically in their second innings, leaving England with a modest victory target of 125 and an unexpected chance to level the series on the final afternoon.

It was at this point that Peter Baxter, the producer of TMS, popped his head into the England dressing room. In those days – and on that tour in particular – it was still possible for a member of the media to be welcomed into the dressing room during a match. I was there alongside our assistant manager, Norman Gifford, who had just filled his pipe in anticipation of the climax of the Test (another thing that would not be possible today). “I need a summariser now,” said Baxter. “Anyone will do.” So I happily volunteered.

Related: Botham, Richards and Garner’s dramatic Somerset exit: the inside story | Vic Marks

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from Cricket | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2XC7M9m
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