The Ashes roadshow rolls into Old Trafford this week and while it will stoke memories of the late Shane Warne’s ball of the century, pundit Isa Guha holds more poignant recollections of the inspirational leg-spinner.
Warne announced himself to the world with a wickedly spinning leg-break to bowl England’s Mike Gatting in Manchester during the 1993 Ashes series and never looked back, finishing with 708 Test scalps and a trophy-laden CV before he was equally mesmerising in the commentary box.
Many tales will be shared about Warne – who died in March 2022 -during the fourth Ashes Test, which begins on Wednesday, but former England bowler Guha has reflected on the role the Australian had in installing belief in herself that she belonged in a male-dominated environment.
Guha, the first woman of South Asian origin to represent England, continued to be a trailblazer after retirement by working for ITV as co-presenter of its Indian Premier League coverage in 2012 before she turned her arm to commentary with Triple M radio team in Australia in 2016.
Work with Fox, Sky Sports and BBC has followed with Guha widely viewed as a role model in the broadcasting world, but it was Warne’s backing early on that played a key role.
“Shane was big for my commentary because I didn’t believe I could commentate. I knew I could present but he was massive for me believing in myself as a commentator,” Guha told the PA news agency.
“I started working at Triple M, then at Sky with Shane, then Fox and the way he would ask me questions about cricket, that made a huge difference.
“Not that I wasn’t respected by other male broadcasters and I always had support from others, but for some reason when I felt I had Shane’s respect, I felt I had everyone else’s. That was massive for me.
“Shane had always felt out of reach for me. I never imagined I would even have a conversation with him because I was so blown away by that 2005 series.
- 2005 Ashes winner
- 2008 Ashes winner
- 2009 T20 World Cup winner
- 2009 ODI World Cup winner
“Then I got the opportunity to work with him, become his friend and he was so good to me and my husband. He was such a huge influence on my commentary and my broadcasting.”
Guha and Warne would regularly talk cricket strategy and the 38-year-old can draw parallels between the Australian and England captain Ben Stokes, aiming this week to level the Ashes series at 2-2 with victory at Old Trafford.
World Cup-winner Guha added: “I loved talking cricket with Shane and he was a badger. He loved the game.
“I liked the way he used to gamble and the way he would create magic around him to take wickets.
“It was his aura, his personality and a bit like I see now with Ben actually in the decisions he takes on the field. Sometimes it looks like it is off the cuff but actually there is thought behind it.”
This thrill-a-minute Ashes has occurred against the backdrop of cricket’s struggle to rid the game of discrimination, after a report last month confirmed the sport was entrenched with racism, sexism and elitism.
The long-awaited Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report contained 44 recommendations that the England and Wales Cricket Board will look to bring in, with its chair Richard Thompson pledging to use this moment to “reset” cricket.
Guha, whose parents immigrated to the UK from Calcutta, was not shocked by the ICEC findings, but feels only acceptance and collaboration will bring about change.
She said: “No, it didn’t come as a surprise to me. I think a lot of the issues cricket faces, society faces. It is a reflection of society and it is really important to uncover these things so people can see them in the cold light of day.
“Acceptance is really important. Denial will be a block for progress and once we can get past that, then that is where the real work will begin and action will be taken so we can create a better future for our sport.
We have some amazing leaders in our game, who I think will be really important to help guide us through this but collaboration, everyone working together, will be absolutely essential— Isa Guha on cricket's discrimination problem
“There is a lot of really powerful, amazing initiatives out there doing some positive work and taking action.
“We have some amazing leaders in our game, who I think will be really important to help guide us through this but collaboration, everyone working together, will be absolutely essential.”
While Guha was not always aware of her significance in being an Asian women part of a successful England team in the early 2000s, she knows what her presence as a broadcaster could do for the next generation.
She is not just content with being a role model though and last year launched Take Her Lead, which on Sunday gave young children the chance to play at the Ageas Bowl during the innings break of the second ODI between England and Australia.
“It is going well and we’re focused on mentoring,” Sage ambassador Guha reflected with the non-for-profit organisation set up in memory of her late mother Roma.
“It was born on the back of me wanting to do something in my mum’s honour.
“There were probably times when I might have left the game if it wasn’t for her backing and support. She was very encouraging and she was a teacher, so she used to encourage young people and help them build confidence.
“So, that is what we are trying to do, we are trying to ensure women and girls have the best possible experience in cricket.
“We are working with regional players on the pathway, we’ve set up a forward drive network for women and girls who are working or volunteering in cricket and on the back of the ICEC, we are reaching out to clubs to say we can help you support your women and girls programmes.
“Only I guess in the last few years have I understood the importance of representation and visibility and understanding my role with the platform I have to use my voice.
“It is amazing how far the journey has come and where women’s cricket is at but there is also still a way to go to achieve true equality.”
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