- Agnew extended his contract as a commentator with the BBC earlier this month
- The broadcaster admitted it was frustrated by the use of gender-neutral terminology
- Agnew expressed disappointment at the terms ‘batsman’ and the ‘Men’s Ashes’
BBC chief cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew has taken a swipe at gender-neutral terminology in the sport, insisting its introduction is ‘sad’.
Agnew announced earlier this month that he will leave his position at the end of the summer.
The broadcaster confirmed the news when he signed a four-year extension to remain as a commentator on Test Match Special.
Agnew, in conversation with the Sunday Timesadmitted his disappointment at the changing vocabulary surrounding the sport following the introduction of gender-neutral terminology.
This includes using ‘batsman’ instead of batsman.
BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew has criticized the use of gender-neutral terminology in cricket
Agnew admitted his frustration over the use of the term ‘batsman’ instead of ‘batsman’
The MCC announced in 2021 that cricketers would be referred to as ‘batters’
“I hate ‘batsman’, I always call a female batsman a ‘batsman’,” said Agnew. “But why can’t a man who plays a man’s game be a ‘batsman’?”
“I just think it’s sad, inclusivity is great, but come on.”
The influential Marylebone Cricket Club announced in 2021 that cricketers would be referred to as ‘batters’.
The MCC said the move was a “natural progression” and that it changed the laws of cricket to make it “inclusive for all”.
It was claimed that the decision followed the wider use of the terms ‘batsman’ and ‘batsman’ since the previous revision of the Laws of the Game.
“The move to ‘batsman’ is a natural progression, in line with the conditions of bowlers and fielders already within the laws,” the MCC said in 2021.
The changes were labeled as “woke” by some fans.
Agnew, who joined the BBC in 1991, also expressed frustration at the Ashes that England and Australia have contested on the men’s side since 1882.
The biennial Test series between the teams was called ‘the Ashes’ after a fake obituary in the England team’s newspaper after Australia won on English soil for the first time.
A Women’s Ashes has been contested since 1998.
Agnew expressed frustration as to why the Ashes should be known as the ‘gentlemen’s ashes’
The women’s Ashes has been contested by English and Australian teams since 1998
“That doesn’t mean the Ashes has to be the ‘men’s Ashes’,” Agnew said.
“People will call me an old fart, I think, it’s an event. It happened.
“It’s not the ‘Men’s Battle for Hastings’, is it?”
The former England international insisted he is a fan of women’s football and said he had a ‘great time’ at the Commonwealth Games tournament in Birmingham.
Agnew will continue as the BBC’s chief commentator until at least 2027 after signing his new deal with the corporation.
At the end of the summer he will skip his other broadcasting obligations and columnist duties.