Several prominent cricket commentators have condemned the Daily Mail for an article published this morning on their website headlined Sir Geoffrey Boycott, 80, says the BBC chose ‘equality over quality’ when it dropped him for a younger multi-racial line-up.

The piece used quotes Boycott had given to the Telegraph over his departure from BBC Test Match Special earlier this summer, but contained the factual inaccuracy that he was “replaced by Isa Guha”, when the former England Women’s seamer has been a part of the TMS team for nearly a decade.

In a note on Twitter, accompanied by the caption “Some thoughts on the Daily Mail article this morn”, Guha wrote: “I tend to ignore these articles and realise that, by reacting, it only fulfils the objectives of the headline; but having been subjected to this over the last few years I just wanted to say a few things.

“I appreciate people have varying opinions on the job I do as a presenter/commentator. However, the idea that I have ‘replaced’ Geoffrey is a bit odd, having worked on international men’s cricket at the BBC for the best part of 10 years. Furthermore, my role is completely different to that of Geoffrey’s. To keep being dragged into this kind of conversation purely because of the colour of my skin and gender is quite frankly tiresome and only serves to create division. I only have sadness that this should be deemed newsworthy over something more positive and inspiring.”

Haven’t read the DM piece, don’t care what it says, as it wouldn’t sway my opinion (and very many others) that you are a very talented broadcaster and brilliant at what you do. Keep shining Isa. Xx

— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) October 21, 2020

The piece in the Mail also referenced “complaints from many listeners over the new line up”, though without specifying where these complaints had been made or by whom. The replies to Guha’s tweet were uniformly supportive of her and her skills as a commentator.
Commentator and broadcaster Gabby Logan tweeted: “Haven’t read the DM piece, don’t care what it says, as it wouldn’t sway my opinion (and very many others) that you are a very talented broadcaster and brilliant at what you do.”

Mel Jones, an Australian broadcaster and World Cup winner, was even more forthright in her criticism of the Mail. “If only a well formed, logical, articulate threads, like this from @_hypocaust, could actually end for good lowbrow, misleading, and downright repugnant reporting and views the world would be a much kinder and happier place,” she tweeted.

If only a well formed, logical, articulate threads, like this from @_hypocaust , could actually end for good lowbrow, misleading, and down right repugnant reporting and views the world would be a much kinder and happier place. https://t.co/QhHzGT8CYg

— Mel Jones (@meljones_33) October 21, 2020

TMS’s Daniel Norcross rallied behind Guha as well.

Isa is among the most versatile, experienced and knowledgeable broadcasters in cricket. Both on TV and radio, red ball or white all around the world. It’s a privilege to work with her. She shouldn’t have to deal with this nonsense. https://t.co/Xt1NuGwyvV

— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) October 21, 2020