Profiles

For the best part of a decade David Ince's dulcet tones have rung around Trent Bridge. His job might seem simple but if he doesn't get it right there'll be plenty of people staring in his direction.

Setting the tone

Short and sweet, that's David Ince's motto.

"The important bit of the role is not to intrude on the cricket. It's my job to let the spectators know who is batting, who is coming in, changes in bowling.

"The other side of the coin is asking people to move their cars."

Away from the pack

David started working at Trent Bridge in 1997. In those days he was a steward working in front of the pavilion. But within a couple of years he'd been asked to step up to the microphone.

Although a great honour he was sad to leave his colleagues down below.

"It was difficult when I moved because I'd got so used to being down with the spectators. There's always a bit of wit and repartee going on down there that you can enjoy.

"So to be suddenly cut off... was a big difference."

Hitting the wrong note

Nowadays it's just David and a large mixing desk. Normally he just has to worry about opening his microphone fader but for Twenty/20 fixtures he has to call on a colleague for assistance.

The newest form of cricket demands more razzmatazz in the form of music.

Each team has its own theme and there's music when cricketers score a boundary or are dismissed. David can cope with that but struggles when the action stops.

"The main problem is finding music to play when there is no cricket happening, either before the game starts or during the interval.

"You can never please everybody. If you put on the latest pop tunes the members complain and if you put on the classical music then the young people complain."