This is Calling the Shots, a new documentary podcast telling the story of a century of cricket commentary, brought to you by The Pinch Hitter and hosted by Daniel Norcross and Adam Collins. 

From the radio pioneers Rex Alston, Alan McGilvray and John Arlott through to TV stars of today like Ian Smith, Nasser Hussain and Isa Guha, we’ll look at how broadcasters have become as integral a part of the game as the players, and how the styles and demands of listeners have evolved over the last 100 years.

Over six episodes we’ll explore what makes a great broadcaster on radio and television. Who carved out those original and unwritten rules we all recognise? And how far have today’s broadcasters, technology shifting the rhythms of the modern game, transformed cricket itself?

Calling The Shots is produced in partnership with The Pinch Hitter, a fabulous new initiative from the same people who bring you The Nightwatchman. During this global uncertainty, the exciting new digital magazine will be released once a fortnight, chock-full of contributions from some of the best freelance cricket writers in the world.

Calling The Shots will arrive alongside each edition of The Pinch Hitter, which you can subscribe to at bit.ly/thepinchhitter on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis, with all financial contributions going back into more cricket writing.

Jump straight onto bit.ly/thepinchhitter to get hold of edition one of The Pinch Hitter and tell your friends about the first full-length episode of Calling The Shots.

Thanks to Bad Producer Productions for our intro-montage and to the splendid guests who will be featuring over the the series.