Christopher Martin-Jenkins

Christopher Martin-Jenkins (1945-2013) was one of cricket's most respected journalists and broadcasters, serving as the BBC Test Match Special's cricket correspondent from 1973 to 1991 and as chief cricket correspondent for The Times from 1999 to 2008. Known for his precise and elegant commentary style, Martin-Jenkins authored more than 25 books on cricket including the official history of the game's governing body "The Complete Who's Who of Test Cricketers." He was one of the few cricket correspondents who never played the game professionally yet achieved widespread recognition for his deep knowledge and analysis. He served as President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2010-11 and was appointed MBE in 2009 for his services to cricket journalism. His contributions to cricket literature and broadcasting earned him the nickname "CMJ" throughout the cricketing world. Martin-Jenkins' work was characterized by meticulous research and an encyclopedic memory for cricket statistics and history. His final book, "The Cricketer's War," published shortly before his death, explored the impact of World War II on English cricket.

Readers praise Martin-Jenkins' deep knowledge and precise writing style in his cricket commentary and books. Many highlight his ability to explain complex aspects of cricket to both experts and newcomers without condescension. What readers liked: - Clear, methodical research and fact-checking - Balanced perspective on controversial cricket topics - Personal anecdotes that enhanced historical accounts - Comprehensive player statistics and match details What readers disliked: - Some found his writing style overly formal - Occasional lengthy digressions into minor historical details - Limited coverage of women's cricket in his histories Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.4/5 average across his books Goodreads: 4.2/5 average Notable reader comment from Amazon: "CMJ brings cricket history alive through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, though his formal tone takes some getting used to." Cricinfo forum users frequently cite his "Complete Who's Who of Test Cricketers" as the most reliable reference for cricket statistics from the pre-digital era.

Testing Time: Travels with the England Cricket Team (1974) Account of England's cricket tours to West Indies and India during 1973-74, including match details and behind-the-scenes observations.

The Complete Who's Who of Test Cricketers (1980) Comprehensive reference book containing biographical details of every Test cricketer from 1877 to 1980.

Twenty Years On: Cricket's Years of Change 1963-1983 (1984) Analysis of cricket's evolution over two decades, focusing on administrative changes and playing developments.

Cricket: A Social History (1990) Examination of cricket's role in English society from its early beginnings through the modern era.

The Wisden Book of County Cricket (1981) Detailed history of county cricket championships with statistics and notable matches.

The Cricketer's Companion (1987) Collection of cricket writings, anecdotes, and historical records compiled from various sources.

The Complete Who's Who of England Cricket Internationals (1999) Biographical directory of every cricketer who represented England in international matches.

CMJ: A Cricketing Life (2012) Autobiographical account of Martin-Jenkins' life and career in cricket journalism.

John Arlott wrote cricket commentary and books from the 1940s-1990s with a focus on player profiles and match histories. He shares Martin-Jenkins' attention to technical detail and historical perspective of the game.

Gideon Haigh produces cricket histories and biographies that examine the sport's social and cultural context. His writing style combines deep research and analytical insight similar to Martin-Jenkins' approach.

David Frith specializes in cricket biographical works and detailed accounts of historical tours and matches. His extensive use of primary sources and focus on cricket's golden age parallels Martin-Jenkins' historical interests.

Peter Roebuck wrote about cricket as both a player and journalist, providing insight into the game's technical and tactical elements. His commentary on cricket's evolution mirrors Martin-Jenkins' observations about changes in the sport.

Frank Keating covered cricket among other sports with a focus on the characters and personalities within the game. His writing combines match reporting with biographical elements in a way that reflects Martin-Jenkins' style.