“I decided the time is right to pass the microphone on. It has been an immense privilege to try to bring the sport I love into people’s homes. To those who follow, appreciate that microphone. Inform and entertain so that the next generation can fall in love. of this wonderful game ”
David Lloyd has retired from Sky Sports
David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd has announced his retirement from Sky Sports after 22 years with the company.
Former England player and coach Lloyd, 74, became a mainstay of Sky Sports’ cricket coverage after joining the team in 1999, commenting on iconic moments like Stuart Broad’s 8-15 in the 2015 Ashes Test. at Trent Bridge when England beat Australia by 60 on the first morning.
Bumble was the voice of T20 cricket on Sky following the format’s introduction in 2003 and also in the comments, alongside Ian Bishop, when Carlos Brathwaite’s four straight sixes versus Ben Stokes led the West Indies to an impressive victory at the last envelope against England in 2016. Final of the World Cup T20.
Lloyd last month apologized to former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq after he was accused of making racist comments.
Rafiq, speaking to the DCMS committee, accused Lloyd of attempting to smear him and suppress his accusations of racism against his former Yorkshire County Cricket Club employers.
Sky confirmed that it would investigate the comments attributed to Lloyd.
Speaking about his retirement, Bumble said: “After 22 wonderful years with Sky Cricket, I have decided that it is time to pass the microphone. It has been an immense privilege to try to bring the sport that I love to homes and across the country.
“There are so many wonderful memories, so many great games and incredible performances. I have been fortunate to travel the world sharing Ashes ups and downs, World Cup wins and losses, heroics and heartaches with all of you.
“Sharing a comment box in Australia in 2013 with my broadcasting hero Bill Lawry was a real highlight. It has been a great pleasure working alongside Ian Bishop, Ravi Shastri, Shane Warne, Shaun Pollock and Ian Smith, among many others. .
“With the passing of Bob Willis and following the decision of my good friends David Gower, Ian Botham and most recently Michael Holding to move on, the comment box feels a bit emptier. And so I feel like it’s time to move on. let me do the same and go to the next chapter.
“I leave the Sky box in immensely capable hands led by my friends Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Ian Ward and Rob Key. Those who follow appreciate that microphone. They inform and entertain so that the next generation will fall in love with this wonderful game. .
“I’m done with Sweet Caroline, but in Elton John’s words,” I’m still standing! “With much love, Bumble.”
Lloyd played nine Trials and eight one-day internationals for England between 1973 and 1980, reaching a hundred in each format, including an undefeated 214 in just his second Test, against India at Edgbaston in July 1974.
Bumble played all of his domestic cricket for his native Lancashire and went on to coach Red Rose County in 1993 before taking over as England’s head coach in 1996.
Lloyd ran England until 1999 and later joined Sky Sports, where his humor and insight drew viewers for more than two decades.
A response from Sky Sports Cricket read: “David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd has been a star in the Sky Cricket comment box for over two decades, with an extraordinary ability to inform and entertain in equal measure.
“Bumble also played a huge role in helping Sky launch Twenty20, bringing cricket to new audiences in 2003, a format that has changed the sport forever.
“Perhaps his best moment came during Ashes’ test match at Trent Bridge in 2015, calling out Stuart Broad’s incredible performance with perfection.
“A year later, he was in the headlines during an incredible T20 World Cup final, but handed the microphone to Ian Bishop when it became clear that the West Indies were going to win.
“He is well loved and respected by his fellow commentators and the production team who appreciate the time spent working with him. Thank you Bumble for your service.”
Speaking last month about his apology to Rafiq, Lloyd said: “In October 2020, I had a private message exchange with a third party involved in cricket, on various topics.
“In these messages, I was referring to the allegations about Azeem Rafiq that I had heard within the game. I also made some comments about the Asian cricket community.
“I deeply regret my actions and sincerely apologize to Azeem and the Asian cricket community for doing this and for any offense caused.”
