The first radio commentary was broadcast in 1922 in Australia covering a testimonial match for Charles Bannerman, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The commentator was Lionell Watt. In 1927, BBC attempted its first radio broadcast of a cricket test, for a match between Essex and New Zealand, and the commentator was Plum Warner. However, BBC did not pursue the idea for about 10 years, as it was not considered a success. Reviving the idea, BBC launched its first ball-by-ball commentary on June 24, 1938, for the second test of the Ashes series between Australia and England. All India Radio started commentary in the early 1940s.