Since being introduced in 2003, the Twenty20 game has not gained favour with many traditional cricket fans and players but that wasn’t the case for the late Queen Elizabeth II, according to legendary bowler Michael Holding, who had lunch with her in 2011.
Holding, 68, retired from his illustrious commentating career at Sky in 2021, after a historic run with West Indies cricket throughout the ’70s and ’80s, where he is still regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
He recently spoke during a question-and-answer session at the Harquail Theatre in Grand Cayman, where he promoted his book “Why We Kneel, How We Rise” to raise awareness about racism, both historical and present-day.
However, during the Q&A event, Holding was asked a variety of questions, including if he had ever met the Queen, to which he responded, “I met the good lady a few times.”
He proceeded to tell a story that had “never been told to the public,” about when he was invited to the Royal Ascot 11 years ago, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle to have lunch with the Queen.
“I had a conversation with her about cricket and I swore I would never say this, but she’s no longer with us and it’s not anything bad,” Holding said. “The BBC tried to drag it out of me once, when I went there to try and promote a previous book.”
He said Queen Elizabeth II said to him, “I hear you don’t like Twenty20,” to which Holding responded, “No ma’am. I am a purist and I think the longer games are like life.”
In response to Holding, the Queen replied, “I don’t mind Twenty20.”
Holding described the late Queen, who also enjoyed watching horse racing, the Wimbledon Championships and football, as “down to earth, relaxed and easygoing”.
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