West Indies great Michael Holding has announced he is hanging up the microphone, and will retire from cricket commentary.<\/p>\n
The 67-year-old, who took 249 Test wickets, has been a regular fixture on broadcasts in Australia and around the world since he stopped playing in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
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"From the very first day I met him, Michael Holding has always been kind, understanding and encouraging to me; even when I messed up," said Holding's countryman, Ian Bishop.<\/p>\n
"I am privileged to call him a friend and mentor. I will celebrate and be thankful the teachings he brought."<\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/strong> Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga retires from all cricket<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Golden goose' a growing threat to Test cricket<\/a><\/p>\n Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who had worked with Holding on Sky Sports broadcasts, said that Holding was "an absolute gentleman".<\/p>\n "The kind of person you'd walk into a war with," Karthik said.<\/p>\n "Spent little time with him,but made plenty of memories. Loved his straight forward nature and his warm laugh"<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/irbishi\/status\/1438169879186657280<\/a>https:\/\/twitter.com\/DineshKarthik\/status\/1438220533800259585<\/a><\/p>\n Arguably Holding's most memorable piece of commentary work came during a rain delay last year, when he produced a five minute monologue about racial inequality that was viewed millions of times.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/SkyCricket\/status\/1280809870766284800<\/a><\/p>\n Holding expanded on these thoughts in conversations with several high-profile athletes in his recently published book, Why We Kneel, How We Rise.<\/em><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Legend rips Cowboys over Taumalolo handling<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Barty camp roasts 'ridiculous' WTA Finals conditions<\/a><\/p>\n "To say I was surprised at the volume of positive feedback I received from around the world after my comments on Sky Sports is an understatement," he said.<\/p>\n "I came to realise I couldn't just stop there; I had to take it forward \u2013 hence the book, as I believe education is the way forward."<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/MichaelVaughan\/status\/1438179528392810505<\/a>https:\/\/twitter.com\/SajSadiqCricket\/status\/1438162294115086339<\/a><\/p>\n