Rex Alston

Arthur Rex Alston (2 July 1901 – 8 September 1994) was a leading sports commentator for BBC radio on cricket, rugby union, athletics and tennis from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s.

He was originally a billeting officer, but it was soon realised that his voice – a clear, light baritone – was too good for him to remain in an administrative role.

His first international cricket commentary was on the Old Trafford "Victory Test" in 1945, as a deputy for Howard Marshall.

He quickly became an ever-present in a Test match commentary team which included John Arlott and E. W. Swanton, and also was the producer.

By an unfortunate coincidence, Alston had collapsed the previous evening at a dinner, and was a patient at the Westminster Hospital at the time.