Legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld will retire from his role on BBC Radio 4's Test Match Special in September.

Hailing from Hoveton in Norfolk, 'Blowers' has worked on TMS for 45 years.

His final match will be the conclusion of the Test series between England and the West Indies, which starts on September 7 at Lord's.

'All good things come to an end,' he said.

'The time has come for the last of the old farts to hang up his microphone.

Eastern Daily Press: 'Blowers' has commentated on Test Match Special for 45 years. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.'Blowers' has commentated on Test Match Special for 45 years. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire. (Image: PA Wire)

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'I leave supremely confident that TMS is in the safest of hands, led by the timeless Aggers. I think he will come to be seen as the best.'

Blofeld is famed for his distinctive voice and a loveable habit of analysing almost anything that catches his eye, including playful pigeons on the pitch and drunken fans.

Eastern Daily Press: Blofeld was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2003. Picture: John Stillwell /PA Wire.Blofeld was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2003. Picture: John Stillwell /PA Wire. (Image: PA Wire)

A keen player himself during his youth, Blowers played 16 first-class matches for Cambridge during the late-1950s, but moved into the field of sports journalism in the following decade.

In 1972 he joined the Test Match Special team, where he has been a permanent fixture ever since and voiced many of the great test series and tournaments of recent years.

When asked about his highlight in the commentary box, Blofeld brings up England's win against Australia in the third test of the Ashes in 1981, which eventually became known as 'Botham's Ashes' for his standout performances.

'Headingley 1981, that amazing Test against Australia. Botham 149 not out, Willis eight for 43. Always good to beat Australia isn't it?'

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But the 77-year-old, who is still very much involved with local cricketing communities, still has a few more matches in the locker.

'Happily, I shall be commentating next month on the first two Tests against South Africa, and then for the last one of the summer against the West Indies at Lord's.

'You haven't heard my final 'My Dear Old Thing' quite yet.'

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