When Ken Barrington’s mother got upset with Brian Johnston

When Brian Johnston received a fan mail from Mrs. Barrington.

Brian Johnston had always received a lot of fan mail thanks to his insights on Test Match Special. One of these carried a significantly different tone. He was criticised severely by a woman who had turned out to be Ken Barrington’s mother.

Johnston’s gaffe had been an unusual one: Barrington, on his way to yet another of his trademark, had offered a chance when he was two. Johnston, while describing the incident, had gone on air with the precise words: “Ken Barrington was dropped when on two.”

Mrs Barrington was not amused: she had not dropped her son when he was two years old!