This is Calling the Shots, a six-part documentary podcast telling the story of a century of cricket commentary. Welcome to episode three, where Daniel Norcross and Adam Collins take you on a helter-skelter journey through the second half of the 20th Century as we pick up the story in the 1950s with the launch of the most successful and enduring brand radio sport has ever produced: Test Match Special.

To help us tell that story, we have three guests. 

Jonathan Agnew. the BBC's Cricket correspondent and voice of TMS for the last 29 years;

Vic Marks, former England spinner, the cricket correspondent for The Guardian and a summariser on the programme since 1984; and

Peter Baxter, who steered the ship with distinction between 1973 and 2009.

Calling the Shots is produced in partnership with The Pinch Hitter, a fabulous new initiative from the same people who bring you The Nightwatchman. The digital mag comes out once a fortnight, chock-full of contributions from some of the best freelance writers in the world. It is being made on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis, with all financial contributions going back into commissioning more brilliant cricket writing. Subscribe at thenightwatchman.net.

Thanks to Jay Mueller at Bad Producer Productions for making this show possible. Calling the Shots is another proud member of the Bad Producer family. For more of their shows, jump on badproducerproductions.com.

And thank you to our partners. To subscribe to the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, visit www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe. The excellent 2020 edition is on sale now (including in audiobook!) at www.wisdenalmanack.com/2020.

Why not buy a new bat? Visit our friends Bear Cricket and daydream of the next season, whenever it comes. Our listeners get 10% off with the code CALLINGTHESHOTS at checkout - BearCricket.co.uk

To learn more about the Lord’s Taverners vital work in the community, visit www.lordstaverners.org.