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Who’s who in cricket’s press box

ANGUS FRASER, former Test cricketer, outlines the make-up of the cricket press box for The Independent

No international cricket team travels with as many journalists in its wake as England. Here is a who’s who of cricket writers:

John Etheridge – The Sun

The paper’s cricket correspondent for 19 years. When big stories break his experience comes to the fore, relaying the news back to his office with a minimum of fuss. A heavy right boot has turned me in to his occasional chauffeur this summer.

Mike Selvey – The Guardian
There is little fuss about the former Middlesex, Glamorgan and England fast bowler. Quietly goes about his business and writes beautifully. Loves a theory and is great on statistics.

David Hopps – The Guardian
Selvey’s volatile number two. Hopps has a voice and laugh that can be heard above all others. On a Sunday we get graphic detail of his exploits with Thorner CC, for whom he averages 16 this season.

Colin Bateman – Daily Express
The longest serving newspaper cricket correspondent has seen it all before and deals with late stories and deadlines in a calm, quiet and effective way.

Paul Newman – Daily Mail

Relatively new to the job, taking over from the much liked Mike Dickson in 2007. Quiet and diligent, very little escapes him. Close friend of Nasser Hussain, a Daily Mail columnist, and a big Essex fan. Never mind.

Chris Foy – Daily Mail
Not short of confidence and always immaculately turned out. Loves revving up a story.

Charles Sale – Daily Mail
If Charlie is in town cricket is the week’s big show. Sale is a hive of activity, always on the phone persuading people to part with information for his much acclaimed diary. Strong and occasionally bad language erupts from his vicinity.

Glenn Moore – The Independent
The former Independent on Sunday cricket correspondent and current Football Editor enjoys the summer game. It makes a pleasant change from Frank Lampard’s transfer saga.

Stephen Brenkley – The Independent on Sunday
Our combative and industrious Sunday man is always busy, either tapping away at his computer or badgering someone over his latest bugbear. Stephen is making a name for himself on television and radio, where his forthright views and booming voice take centre stage.

Stephen Fay – Independent on Sunday
There is nothing Stephen has not done in journalism and it is why he is one of the most respected figures in the press box. He quietly studies what takes place in the middle before opening his laptop and follows its closure with a glass of claret.

Dean Wilson – Daily Mirror
The youngest member of the pack, by some distance. Dean was a decent cricketer, representing Middlesex U19’s, and he brings that, along with a cynical and embittered mind to the job. He should go far.

Mike Walters – Daily Mirror
The former cricket correspondent is still a regular visitor to Lord’s, entertaining us with his puns and wisdom. Nicknamed MGM for his short, audible bursts on the keypad of his computer.

David Lloyd – Evening Standard
He has the toughest day writing running copy for the different editions of the paper. Finishes in mid afternoon when the rest of us start. Then he can sit back and dream of cycling in the Tour de France.

Derek Pringle – Daily Telegraph
The former Essex and England cricketer left The Independent in 2002 for the Daily Telegraph. Derek is the font of all knowledge and the press corps sommelier. His conversations with the office are very amusing.

Simon Briggs – Daily Telegraph
Nicknamed “Cato” after Inspector Clouseau’s side-kick in the Pink Panther films because of the way Pringle treats him. Briggs is young, ambitious and one of trendier members of the group, often arriving at Lord’s on his bike.

Martin Johnson – Daily Telegraph
This former Independent cricket correspondent is a source of humour, dishing out stick, especially to Pringle, with regularity. On his day his piss-taking brings a tear to the eye.

Michael Atherton – The Times

The most recently appointed daily cricket correspondent, replacing Christopher Martin-Jenkins in 2008. The former England captain splits his time between his seat here and the Sky commentary booth. Writes a column on a Thursday.

Richard Hobson – The Times
Studious and deep he has an impish sense of humour. His persistent questioning has been known to irk the odd interviewee.

Andrew Miller – Cricinfo
A busy man, constantly updating the website with live news stories and commentary.

Myles Hodgson – PA cricket correspondent
The busiest man in the press box. Has to constantly deal with deadlines as he provides copy for a variety of outlets. In a gruff Lancashire way he deals with everything manfully. Heavy fingers mean his turnover of laptops is high.

Ted Corbett – The Hindu and Glasgow’s Sunday Herald
Much respected father like figure who sits at the back of the press box taking in the actions of those around him. Big in India.


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