Michael Holding to retire from cricket commentary – reports

Holding, 67, has indicated he ‘cannot see myself going much further down the road at my age’

Michael Holding has written a book called 'Why We Kneel, How We Rise' (PA Wire)

Michael Holding has announced his retirement from commentary, it has been widely reported.

Former West Indies paceman Holding, known as the ‘Whispering Death’, played 60 Tests and 102 one-day internationals, claiming 391 wickets before moving behind the microphone following his retirement from playing in 1987.

Speaking to a radio talk show in Barbados last April, Holding, now 67, had indicated he “cannot see myself going much further down the road at my age”.

Reacting to the news, former England captain Michael Vaughan himself a pundit, wrote on Twitter: “Michael Holding is a legendary bowler .. Commentator.. Campaigner.. but even more so a GREAT guy who will be sorely missed around the Comm boxes.. Happy retirement Mikie.”

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Holding filled a rain delay during England’s first home Test of 2020 with a passionate call to arms against racism.

Earlier this year, Holding’s new book was published ‘Why We Kneel, How We Rise’, a sober, densely-researched account of racial discrimination, partially told through discussions with leading athletes including Usain Bolt, Thierry Henry, Michael Johnson and Naomi Osaka.