Holding gets best pundit nod from Sports Journalist Association

Following his emotional plea for the end to institutionalised racism throughout society, former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding, now commentator, has won the Sports Journalist Association (SJA) Award for Best Pundit in 2020 at the SJA Awards.

The Sports Pundit award, which is decided by an SJA Members' vote, was given to the former West Indian pacer for his powerful testimony about racial injustice in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, on Sky Cricket's coverage of England against West Indies in July 2020.

Holding, who shed a tear on air during his broadcast, said he was grateful for the achievement and said the subject matter which led to his initial nomination and subsequent win has been deeply rooted in him for some time.

People don't understand

"It is something that has been in me and my head for many, many years.

"People don't understand what it is like to go through life and always thinking that people think less of you than what you think of yourself.

"It can be a little bit tiring and when I got that opportunity it just came spilling out, Holding told Sky Sports," he said.

Holding, who played 60 Test matches for the West Indies, says he would be hanging up the mic after this season. The man dubbed the 'Whispering Death' during his playing days started doing cricket commentary in 1991 in the Caribbean, where he worked for Trans World International before moving on to Sky Sports, where he has been for the last 21 years.

The Sky Cricket team, where Holding works alongside former England captains Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain, also won the SJA Award for best Television/Digital Live Event Coverage for the England vs West Indies: Black Lives Matter coverage.