David Lloyd retires from commentary a month after apologising to Azeem Rafiq over racism row

Former England cricketer and celebrated commentator David Lloyd retired from commentary duties with broadcaster Sky Sports on Tuesday, a month after he apologised to Azeem Rafiq and the Asian neighborhood over racism row at county membership Yorkshire. Lloyd was named in Rafiq’s testimony a couple of tradition of widespread racism within the county crew.

Lloyd, nonetheless, was one of many most-followed commentators, having spent 22 years behind the microphone for Sky Cricket. He joined the commentary crew in 1999 and have become a mainstay there, calling a few of the greatest cricket collection, together with The Ashes.David Lloyd, famously referred to as as “Bumble”, took to social media to submit a heartfelt observe, thanking his followers for the assist through the years for his work behind the microphone.TIME TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER: BUMBLE”After 22 wonderful years with Sky Cricket, I’ve decided the time is now right to pass on the microphone. It’s been an immense privilege to try and bring the sport I love into people’s homes up and down the country,” Lloyd wrote.”There are so many wonderful memories, so many terrific games and incredible performances. I’ve been lucky to travel the world sharing Ashes highs and lows, World Cup wins and losses, heroics and heartaches with you all.”Sharing a commentary field in Australia in 2013 with my broadcasting hero Bill Lawry was an actual spotlight. It has been a fantastic pleasure to work alongside Ian Bishop, Ravi Shastri, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Ian Smith amongst many others.pic.twitter.com/LXhLYdnfmh— David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) December 21, 2021
“With the passing of Bob Willis and after the decision to move on by my good friends David Gower, Ian Botham and more recently Michael Holding, the commentary box feels a little emptier. And so I feel it is time for me to do the same and move on to the next chapter.”I’m finished now with Sweet Caroline however within the phrases of Elton John, ‘I’m nonetheless standing!’ Much love, Bumble.”Lloyd had apologised in November when Azeem Rafiq said the former England cricketer was a “closet racist” after he had made deplorable comments about Asian cricketers last year. Sky Sports promised an investigation into the incident.Lloyd played 9 Tests and 8 ODIs for England between 1973 and 1980, and he coached the team from 1996 to 1999.