Rishi Sunak, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is set to make an appearance on the prestigious Test Match Special (TMS) during the Ashes at Lords. This revelation, according to The Telegraph, follows in the footsteps of former Tory prime ministers, such as Theresa May and David Cameron, who have also been interviewed on the renowned cricket program.
Mr. Sunak, a devoted cricket fan, has always maintained a keen interest in the sport. Even during his tenure at the Treasury, he would keep a cricket bat in his office, practicing various shots while conversing with his aides. In fact, when he had some leisure time after losing the race to be the prime minister to Liz Truss last summer, he attempted to join his local cricket team, only to find out that there may not be a spot available for him.
The interview on Test Match Special has been a long time coming for Mr. Sunak. He came close to appearing on the program when England faced India during the Covid-19 pandemic, but due to social distancing rules, it was deemed too complicated. Now, his much-anticipated interview is scheduled to take place either on Saturday or Sunday, coinciding with the second test match between England and Australia in the ongoing Ashes series.
Test Match Special is broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and has a significant listenership, with estimates suggesting that over a million people tune in. This will provide Mr. Sunak, who has been in office for less than a year, with an opportunity to discuss his personal love for cricket and share memories of watching and playing the sport in his youth.
Last year, Mr. Sunak amusingly recounted his attempt to be selected for the Kirby Sigston cricket team in his Yorkshire constituency after losing to Ms. Truss in the Tory leadership race. According to him, the team informed him that he should not assume he would make the starting XI because they had won their league consecutively for two years. They even suggested that he might have to play for the neighboring village team instead.
Former colleagues from Mr. Sunak’s time as Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he played a vital role in navigating the country’s economy through the challenges of the pandemic, have shared stories about his interest in the Treasury cricket team. He apparently took great pleasure in the team’s victories over Boris Johnson’s Number 10 team. While serving as Chancellor, he occasionally engaged in cricket practice sessions with his brother in London.
Following the tradition of Tory prime ministers appearing on the show, it remains to be seen whether the current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will provide the Test Match Special team with a special cake, as listeners are often encouraged to do. Theresa May brought along brownies during her appearance on the program in 2017 and humorously mentioned how the former TMS presenter, Sir Geoffrey Boycott, ended up with her Tupperware containers.
In conclusion, Rishi Sunak’s upcoming interview on Test Match Special is highly anticipated, presenting an opportunity for him to share his passion for cricket and reflect on his experiences as a fan and player. As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await this engaging conversation, it remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister will continue the tradition of gifting the TMS team with a special treat during his appearance.
