Isa Guha

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Isa Guha

| female = true

| image = Shibani Dandekar on DLF IPL Extraaa Innings show (5).jpg

| caption = Guha in 2012

| country = England

| fullname = Isa Tara Guha

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|5|21|df=yes}}

| birth_place = High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England

| nickname =

| heightft =

| heightinch =

| heightm =

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm medium

| role = Bowler

| family =

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2001–2011

| testdebutdate = 14 August

| testdebutyear = 2002

| testdebutagainst = India

| testcap = 137

| lasttestdate = 22 January

| lasttestyear = 2011

| lasttestagainst = Australia

| odidebutdate = 10 August

| odidebutyear = 2001

| odidebutagainst = Scotland

| odicap = 94

| lastodidate = 21 October

| lastodiyear = 2011

| lastodiagainst = South Africa

| odishirt = 19

| T20Idebutdate = 5 August

| T20Idebutyear = 2004

| T20Idebutagainst = New Zealand

| T20Icap = 5

| lastT20Idate = 29 October

| lastT20Iyear = 2011

| lastT20Iagainst = South Africa

| club1 = Thames Valley

| year1 = {{nowrap|1998–1999}}

| club2 = Berkshire

| year2 = {{nowrap|2000–2014}}

| columns = 4

| column1 = WTest

| matches1 = 8

| runs1 = 113

| bat avg1 = 16.14

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 31*

| deliveries1 = 1,491

| wickets1 = 29

| bowl avg1 = 18.93

| fivefor1 = 1

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 5/40

| catches/stumpings1 = 3/–

| column2 = WODI

| matches2 = 83

| runs2 = 122

| bat avg2 = 8.71

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 26

| deliveries2 = 3,767

| wickets2 = 101

| bowl avg2 = 23.21

| fivefor2 = 2

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 5/14

| catches/stumpings2 = 26/–

| column3 = WT20I

| matches3 = 22

| runs3 = 39

| bat avg3 = 7.80

| 100s/50s3 = 0/0

| top score3 = 13*

| deliveries3 = 459

| wickets3 = 18

| bowl avg3 = 25.05

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 3/21

| catches/stumpings3 = 4/–

| column4 = WLA

| matches4 = 205

| runs4 = 1,556

| bat avg4 = 14.67

| 100s/50s4 = 0/5

| top score4 = 72*

| deliveries4 = 9,550

| wickets4 = 249

| bowl avg4 = 22.43

| fivefor4 = 2

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 5/14

| catches/stumpings4 = 71/–

| date = 7 March 2021

| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/44/44787/44787.html CricketArchive

}}

Isa Tara Guha (born 21 May 1985) is an English sports television commentator and radio cricket broadcaster, and former England cricketer who played in the 2005 South Africa World Cup and the 2009 Australia World Cup.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/women/content/player/53726.html Isa Guha] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428141324/http://www.espncricinfo.com/women/content/player/53726.html |date=28 April 2012 }} ESPN Cricinfo

As a right-arm medium bowler and right-handed batter, she represented England in 8 Test matches, 83 One Day Internationals and 22 Twenty20 Internationals between 2001 and 2011.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/44/44787/44787.html|title=Isa Guha|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=7 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703094309/http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/44/44787/44787.html|archive-date=3 July 2017}}

Early years and education

Born at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, her parents (Barun Guha and Roma née Deb) emigrated from Calcutta in West Bengal, India to the United Kingdom in the 1970s.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/10/isa-guha-england-womens-cricket|title=Isa Guha: 'England is leading the way in women's cricket'|last=Qureshi|first=Huma|date=2012-10-10|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-03|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} Guha started playing cricket with her older brother when she was about eight and was selected for the Development England side aged 13.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/i-had-the-best-of-both-worlds-isa-guha/article6246227.ece|title=I had the best of both worlds: Isa Guha|last=Kumar|first=K. C. Vijaya|date=2014-07-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-12-03|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728180659/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/i-had-the-best-of-both-worlds-isa-guha/article6246227.ece|url-status=live}}

Guha attended Wycombe High School, a grammar school for girls,{{cite news |title=Wycombe girl named under 17s Cricketer of the Year |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/5183042.wycombe-girl-named-under-17s-cricketer-of-the-year/ |work=Bucks Free Press |date=28 February 2002 }}
{{cite news |last1=Dunhill |first1=Lawrence |title=Nine decades of pupils attend renunion |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/8266170.nine-decades-of-pupils-attend-renunion-at-wycombe-high-school// |work=Bucks Free Press |date=12 July 2010 |archive-date=10 August 2021 |access-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810205307/https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/8266170.nine-decades-of-pupils-attend-renunion-at-wycombe-high-school// |url-status=live }} before going up to University College London where she read biochemistry and molecular biology (graduating BSc), then neuroscience (MPhil).{{Cite web|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2006/aug/student-cricket-star|title=Student cricket star|last=UCL|date=2006-08-15|website=UCL News|language=en|access-date=2019-12-03|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803213049/https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2006/aug/student-cricket-star|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/blog/grandstand/how-isa-guha-is-changing-perceptions-about-cricket-presenters/|title=How Isa Guha is Changing Perceptions about Cricket Presenters {{!}} Forbes India Blog|website=Forbes India|language=en|access-date=2019-12-03|archive-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010035700/http://www.forbesindia.com/blog/grandstand/how-isa-guha-is-changing-perceptions-about-cricket-presenters/|url-status=live}}

Cricket career

File:Isa Guha 2.jpg

A right arm fast-medium bowler, Guha played minor counties cricket for Berkshire CCC and for Thames Valley CC.

Guha made her Test cricket debut at 17 against India during their tour of England in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/53726.html|title=Isa Guha|website=Cricinfo|access-date=2019-04-04|archive-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104111618/http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/53726.html|url-status=live}} During that tour, Guha played in the 2002 Women's Tri-Series and performed well, taking three wickets in England's loss against New Zealand in the final.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-batting-lets-down-guha-the-super-trouper-185149.html|title=Isa Guha NZ|website=Independent.co.uk|date=20 July 2002|access-date=2020-03-12|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708074122/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/england-batting-lets-down-guha-the-super-trouper-185149.html|url-status=live}} She became the first woman of Indian heritage to represent England at cricket and was subsequently named the 2002 BBC Asian Network Sports Personality of the Year.{{cite news |title=Isa Guha: First Asian in the England cricket team |url=https://www.getbengal.com/details/isa-guha-first-asian-in-the-england-cricket-team |work=Get Bengal |date=19 February 2021 |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910021123/https://www.getbengal.com/details/isa-guha-first-asian-in-the-england-cricket-team |url-status=live }}

Guha's career best Test bowling figures were 5 for 40 in her penultimate Test match against Australia at the Bradman Oval in February 2008, where she took 9 wickets in the match and received the Player of the Match Award{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14124/scorecard/312450/australia-women-vs-england-women-only-test-england-women-tour-of-australia-and-new-zealand-2007-08|title=Full Scorecard of Australia Women vs England Women Only Test 2008 – Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-04-04}} as England retained The Ashes.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/7250100.stm|title=England women win to retain Ashes|date=2008-02-18|access-date=2019-04-04|language=en-GB|archive-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124102504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/7250100.stm|url-status=live}} Her best bowling in 83 ODIs was 5 for 14 against the West Indies later in 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13967/scorecard/351441/england-women-vs-west-indies-women-2nd-odi-west-indies-women-tour-of-england-2008|title=Full Scorecard of England Women vs West Indies Women 2nd ODI 2008 – Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-04-04|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404161710/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13967/scorecard/351441/england-women-vs-west-indies-women-2nd-odi-west-indies-women-tour-of-england-2008|url-status=live}} In the same year, Guha rose to become the number one bowler in the ICC Women's One-Day International rankings.{{cite web |title=Isa Guha ICC ODI Bowling Ranking |url=https://www.relianceiccrankings.com/playerdisplay/womenodi/bowling/10955-isa-guha/?graph=ranking |website=Reliance ICC Rankings |access-date=30 August 2024}}

Guha was an integral part of the England team which won the 2009 World Cup, later citing this as her playing career highlight.{{cite web|url=http://www.alloutcricket.com/blogs/interviews-blogs/a-drink-with-isa-guha|title=A Drink With… Isa Guha|first=Phil|last=Walker|work=All Out Cricket|date=23 Oct 2012|access-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231117/http://www.alloutcricket.com/blogs/interviews-blogs/a-drink-with-isa-guha|archive-date=12 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}

Guha announced her retirement from international cricket on 9 March 2012, stating she would continue to play county cricket for Berkshire.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/women/content/story/556814.html Isa Guha retires from international cricket] ESPN Cricinfo, 9 March 2012{{Cite news|date=2012-03-09|title=England's Isa Guha retires from international cricket|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/17314311|access-date=2019-04-04|archive-date=24 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124153836/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/17314311|url-status=live}}

Guha with Lynsey Askew shared the world record batting partnership for the ninth wicket in WODIs of 73 runs from 2007 until 2024.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/276224.html|title=12th Match: England Women v New Zealand Women at Chennai, Mar 3, 2007 {{!}} Cricket Scorecard {{!}}|publisher=ESPN|work=Cricinfo|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=18 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418003054/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/276224.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283613.html|title=Records {{!}} Women's One-Day Internationals {{!}} Partnership records {{!}} Highest partnerships by wicket {{!}}|publisher=ESPN|work=Cricinfo|access-date=17 April 2017|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003224508/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283613.html|url-status=live}}

Media work

Guha writes a column for the BBC Sport website[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17042459 Isa Guha column: 'I've picked a winner with the Black Keys'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218132218/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17042459 |date=18 February 2012 }} BBC Sport, 15 February 2012 and is a Test Match Special commentator.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006s96|title=BBC Radio 4 – Test Match Special, The 2019 Men's World Cup Final|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-03|archive-date=1 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801111500/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006s96|url-status=live}} She joined ITV Sport in April 2012 as a co-presenter of ITV4's coverage of the Indian Premier League.[http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/indianpremierleagueitv4/default.html Indian Premier League cricket returns to ITV4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508232000/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/indianpremierleagueitv4/default.html |date=8 May 2012 }} ITV Press Centre, 21 March 2012[http://www.itv.com/indianpremierleague/extras/indian-premier-league-returns-to-itv4-and-itvcom-73654/ The Indian Premier League returns to ITV4 and ITV.com] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130127043055/http://www.itv.com/indianpremierleague/extras/indian-premier-league-returns-to-itv4-and-itvcom-73654/ |date=27 January 2013 }} ITV.com, 30 March 2012[http://www.totalsportpromotions.com/pdfs/TSP_Isa_Guha.pdf ITV Snap up England's Women Cricket Star Isa Guha to present IPL coverage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522215101/http://www.totalsportpromotions.com/pdfs/TSP_Isa_Guha.pdf |date=22 May 2012 }} Total Sport Promotions, 15 April 2011

In 2016, Guha was a member of the inaugural Triple M radio Test cricket commentary team in Australia.[https://www.triplem.com.au/sport/cricket/news/triple-m-delivers-best-ever-ashes-commentary-team?station=melbourne Triple M Delivers Best Ever Ashes Commentary Team] Triple M Melbourne, 22 September 2017 In 2018, she was a commentator for Sky Sports for the England/Pakistan Test matches,{{Cite web|url=https://www.asian-voice.com/Sport/UK/Isa-Guha-is-%27new-face-of-cricket%27-on-the-BBC|title=Isa Guha is 'new face of cricket' on the BBC...|website=www.asian-voice.com|access-date=9 June 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609065304/https://www.asian-voice.com/Sport/UK/Isa-Guha-is-%27new-face-of-cricket%27-on-the-BBC|url-status=live}} and was named as a commentator for Fox Cricket for their Australian cricket coverage.[https://www.foxtel.com.au/watch/cricket.html#anchor_loop_3 Commentary Team] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921153206/https://www.foxtel.com.au/watch/cricket.html#anchor_loop_3 |date=21 September 2018 }} Foxtel She was also a member of the commentary team at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{cite news |last1=Burley |first1=Oli |title=First-ever Street Child Cricket World Cup held at Lord's |url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/11709152/lords-to-host-first-street-child-cricket-world-cup |access-date=10 September 2024 |work=skysports.com |date=12 May 2019 |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910015619/https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/11709152/lords-to-host-first-street-child-cricket-world-cup |url-status=live }} In 2020 she was the lead presenter of a new BBC TV Test and ODI cricket highlights show.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52920695|title=Cricket on the BBC: Isa Guha to present Test & ODI highlights shows|work=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822123020/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52920695|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Ali|date=2020-06-04|title=Geoffrey Boycott could end TMS career after BBC omit 79-year-old from lineup|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jun/04/geoffrey-boycotts-time-on-bbc-test-match-special-looks-to-be-at-an-end|access-date=2020-08-07|issn=0261-3077}}

In 2023, Guha joined the tennis presenting team for the BBC's coverage of the Wimbledon Championships.{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/tennis/who-is-wimbledon-presenter-isa-guha/|title=Who is Wimbledon presenter Isa Guha?|website=www.radiotimes.com|date=27 June 2023|archive-date=3 July 2023|access-date=3 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703094900/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/tennis/who-is-wimbledon-presenter-isa-guha/|url-status=live}} She presented for the BBC during the Paris Olympics in 2024.{{cite news |title=Olympics: Paris 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2024/31/olympics-paris-2024-4 |access-date=10 September 2024 |work=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910015619/https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2024/31/olympics-paris-2024-4 |url-status=live }}

Charity interests and philanthropy

Isa Guha is an Ambassador (or "Supporter"){{cite web | url=http://www.sportingequals.org.uk/about-us/ambassadors/isa-guha.html | title=Isa Guha | publisher=Sporting Equals | work=Supporters | access-date=21 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002127/http://www.sportingequals.org.uk/about-us/ambassadors/isa-guha.html | archive-date=2 February 2017 | url-status=dead }} for Sporting Equals[http://www.sportingequals.org.uk/ambassadors.php Brand Ambassadors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509012831/http://www.sportingequals.org.uk/ambassadors.php |date=9 May 2012 }} Sporting Equals and the British Asian Trust.

{{cite web|url=http://www.iplschedulelive.com/2016/09/vivo-ipl-2017-schedule.html |title=VIVO IPL 2017 Schedule|access-date=20 February 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218144529/http://www.iplschedulelive.com/2016/09/vivo-ipl-2017-schedule.html |archive-date=18 February 2017 |df=dmy-all }} British Asian Trust, September 2016 In 2023, she launched the Got Your Back initiative in order to support female cricket players.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-28 |title=Guha launches initiative to support women in cricket |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/64781492 |access-date=2023-06-01 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601013812/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/64781492 |url-status=live }}

Personal life

On 16 September 2018, Guha married her long-time boyfriend, British musician Richard Thomas, a member of the band Brother & Bones.{{cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/photo-gallery-these-dreamy-pictures-from-ex-english-cricketer-isa-guha-s-wedding-are-bound-to-make-your-day-2665899|work=Daily News & Analysis|date=21 September 2018|title=These dreamy pictures from ex-English cricketer Isa Guha's wedding are bound to make your day|archive-date=9 July 2019|access-date=9 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709141859/https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/photo-gallery-these-dreamy-pictures-from-ex-english-cricketer-isa-guha-s-wedding-are-bound-to-make-your-day-2665899|url-status=live}}

In 2024, Guha found herself in the middle of a controversy after referring to Indian player Jasprit Bumrah on commentary as the "most valuable primate". She later issued an apology to Bumrah.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9gy7938xeo|title=Commentator Isa Guha sorry for calling cricketer 'primate'|work=BBC News|first=Kelly|last=Ng|date=16 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024|archive-date=16 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216050328/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9gy7938xeo|url-status=live}}