Jim Maxwell

James Edward Maxwell AM (born 28 July 1950) is a sports commentator with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation best known for covering cricket.

Playing career Maxwell played cricket in Sydney at the Cranbrook School and toured with an Australian Old Collegians team in 1972.

Broadcasting and publishing In 1973 Maxwell joined the ABC after two unsuccessful attempts. Initially working as trainee, he later moved on to sports commentary and is best known for his coverage of Australian cricket. He has provided radio commentary for around 340 Test Matches (as at 5th Test, Australia v India Sydney 2025) and numerous One Day Internationals, including seven World Cups.

Since the 1983 World Cup in England, Maxwell has been a frequent member of the BBC's Test Match Special team and first commentated on an overseas Ashes tour in 2001. This became a regular fixture in 2005 and his description of England's dramatic win in the Second Test at Edgbaston that year was both highly memorable and much-admired by colleagues. A sound clip of Maxwell depicting the dismissal of Sir Andrew Strauss by Shane Warne in the first innings of same match was one of five selected to play over the theme music of Test Match Special podcasts during the 2019 Ashes series. In his youth, Maxwell grew up listening to celebrated cricket commentators such as Australian Alan McGilvray and Englishman John Arlott, both of whom he greatly respected. His own unique style – at once inflective and laconic – is built upon the authoritative approach of the former with poetic touches reminiscent of the latter, displaying also a wry sense of humour.

Personal life Maxwell has two sons from his first marriage, Hamish and Oliver, which ended in 2007. He is a keen amateur photographer. On BBC Test Match Special on 25 August 2013 it was announced that Maxwell had proposed to his girlfriend during the fifth Test of the 2013 Ashes. He married Jennifer Kirkby in March 2014. The wedding was held at the SCG.

Since 2009 Maxwell has been the president of the Primary Club of Australia, a cricketing-based charity providing sporting and recreational facilities for people with disabilities. Since 2013 he has also been President of Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club.

In 2016 Maxwell was taken to hospital after becoming ill during a broadcast of the Rio Olympic Games. In a subsequent conversation with BBC Test Match Special cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew, Maxwell stated that his voice is fine but as a result of a stroke, the use of his right hand has become a problem. He has a lifetime interest in horse racing and has been a part owner of various thoroughbreds, including Mr Hurley, Kind Heart, The Big Bomber, Our Mantra, Poldark, Innisbrook and Diana Rocks.