Boycott made the call ahead of next month’s home series against the West Indies, which will mark the resumption of international cricket. “I would like to thank BBC for a wonderful 14 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and just love cricket with passion. I also wish to thank all those that have said how much they have enjoyed my commentary. For those that haven’t, too bad,” Boycott wrote on Twitter.

“My contract with BBC finished end of last summer. I would love to continue but need to be realistic and honest with myself. COVID-19 has made the decision for both of us.” Boycott said his age and a quadruple heart by-pass surgery were also behind his decision.

The England-West Indies series will be played in a highly protected bio-secure environment to combat the coronavirus threat. “Recently, I had a quadruple heart by-pass. At 79, I am at the wrong age to be commentating in a bio-secure area trapped all day in confined spaces with the same people even if some of those commentators are my friends,” added Boycott.