In these strange, sport-deprived, socially distant times, those who make a living covering cricket have had to find other ways of occupying their time.

While some have opted for simulated sporting fixtures, including Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange, who is staging a virtual version of England’s cancelled Test series in Sri Lanka, BBC London commentator Mark Church has taken a different approach, commentating ‘live’ on some of the most memorable events in English cricket history.

[caption id=”attachment_140327″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Mark Church’s mum likes Kevin Pietersen’s batting, but not his hair[/caption]

Classic Ashes moments from the last 30 years have been Churchy’s bread and butter, and he shows no signs of slowing, with him racing into double digits for moments revisited, having begun his project just days ago. It’s perfect escapism, a reminder of simpler times and an example of the fun you can have with little more than a YouTube search and a well-placed camera.

Still, while listening to the Surrey die-hard’s dulcet tones is always a pleasure, it’s his obliging family, acting as the analysts, who steal the show. Daughter Isabelle’s knack for a well-timed yawn will resonate with children everywhere, and mum gets the best lines. Take her analysis of a certain skunk-haired tyro’s Ashes-sealing 158 at The Oval: “Oh Mark, what a player Kevin Pietersen is, but if ever, ever, ever you come home with hair like that, I won’t let you through my front door, a hundred or not.”

Even KP himself saw the funny side.

 

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Kevin Pietersen