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Legendary commentator, Kerry O’Keeffe announces retirement from commentary career
ABC's celebrated commentator, Kerry O'Keeffe has announced retirement from commentary.
Published: Dec 27, 2013, 11:31 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 27, 2013, 11:31 AM (IST)
Dec 27, 2013
One of the most celebrated commentators of the sport, Kerry O’Keeffe has decided to retire from his commentary career. He has announced that the Sydney New Year’s Ashes Test will be his last in the ABC Grandstand commentary box after 13 summers of entertaining Australian radio audiences.
He made the announcement during the final session of day two of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it for a number of years, a number of weeks really. You know when your time is up and after 13 summers with ABC Grandstand I’m retiring from cricket broadcasting,” O’Keeffe said.
“I’m going nowhere else, not entertaining anything. I’ve just had the best 13 years.
“But I know it’s time and these 13 years have changed my life with ABC Grandstand.
“I thought I’d last one Test. I knew my commentary style was not what the ABC listener was used to. I had a terrific ride and it’s time for somebody else to have a crack.”
O’Keeffe has been a popular member of the ABC commentary team, with audiences enjoying not only his expertise, but his amusing take on the game.
His distinctive laugh has been a signature sound over summers and he has provided some of cricket’s most memorable commentary.
Two of the most memorable broadcast moments include Kerry’s “Frog in a Bank” joke and the Naga chilli eating challenge with guest commentator, Harsha Bhogle.
O’Keeffe’s astute reading of the game and his ability to create a picture of what was happening on the ground have kept audiences coming back to Grandstand’s commentary team year after year.
ABC Grandstand manager, Craig Norenbergs said O’Keeffe will be sorely missed.
“Kerry has been a great asset to our cricket commentary team and has helped deliver the premier cricket radio broadcast in the country,” Norenbergs said.
“He’s been a firm favourite with cricket-loving audiences across Australia and will be missed both by the audience and the ABC Grandstand team.”
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O’Keeffe was a spin bowler, bowling leg breaks in 24 Tests for Australia and two One-Day Internationals between 1971 and 1977.