Test Match Special

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The Test Match Special team bring you the very best cricket reaction, insight & analysis.

Plus the No Balls podcast with Kate Cross and Alex Hartley brings a fine balance of nonsense and cricket as they welcome some of the biggest names in the sport.

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Daniel Norcross is alongside Ashes-winning bowler Steven Finn and former England Test opener Michael Carberry to discuss the prospect of Stephen Fleming becoming the next England Test head coach.

Finny & Carbs wonder what he needs to fix with England, and Jamie Overton, who played under Fleming at Chennai Super Kings, tells Daniel Norcross about playing under him.

Aatif Nawaz is behind-the-scenes as the BBC TV team descends on Trent Bridge for Trent Rockets against London Spirit, but he's asking them - should Joe Root be the next Test captain?

Hear from Ashes-winning bowler Steven Finn, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane, world cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent, former #1 T20 batter Dawid Malan, and former India international Deep Dasgupta.

Plus, Rahane speaks to Amber Sandhu about his time working for the BBC.

Published 2026-07-24

What is the greatest cricket book?

41 min
Open

2026 is the National Year of Reading and to mark the event the TMS team debate which is the best cricket book of all time?

From the iconic “Beyond a Boundary” by CLR James to Harry Thompson’s “Penguins Stopped play”. From Duncan Hamilton’s biography of Harold Larwood to the groundbreaking autobiography of Marcus Trescothick “Coming Back to me”.

Daniel Norcross is joined by award winning writer Simon Wilde, journalist and vociferous reader Jim Wallace and author and broadcaster Annie Chave who is also a judge for the Cricket Writers' Club Book of the Year. We also hear from Andy Zaltzman, Michael Vaughan, Jonathan Agnew, Jeremy Coney, and Simon Mann on their favourite cricket books

The 2026 National Year of Reading is the biggest campaign in a generation designed to help more people to discover or rediscover the joy of reading with the theme to “Go all in” on passions and interests.

Henry Moeran is at The Oval during The Hundred opener between MI London and SunRisers Leeds chatting to the Test Match Special team their thoughts on Bazball whilst not on TV.

Hear from Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Carlos Brathwaite, Katey Martin, Steven Finn, and even Tymal Mills whilst he's having his makeup done before going on air!

Henry Moeran is joined by former England spinner Phil Tufnell, London Spirit bowler Tymal Mills and Durham coach Ryan Campbell as England continue the hunt for a new head coach and captain, a month before the next Test Series against Pakistan. Whilst the search goes on for the new Test head coach after Brendon McCullum’s sacking last Sunday, McCullum has remained as England’s white-ball coach and has led England to a 2-1 ODI series win against India since his sacking. The panel discuss what England need from their test head coach and who the leading contenders are.

The 2026 edition of The Hundred is set to get underway with significant changes from previous years. The panel are joined by Vikram Banerjee, managing director of The Hundred to go through the new changes and what it means for the tournament. Chair of Glamorgan Mark Rhydderch-Roberts and co-owner of Welsh Fire Sanjay Govil also join the podcast to discuss the business element of the tournament.

TIME CODES: 00:00 Intro 01:00 England’s hunt for a head coach 10:00 Should it be a short-term appointment? 13:45 The search for a captain 20:40 Runners and riders for the coach position 29:20 Ben Stokes and Durham 32:45 A new era for The Hundred and managing director Vikram Banerjee 42:00 Is The Hundred different? 45:46 Mark Rhydderch-Roberts and co-owner of Welsh Fire Sanjay Govil 49:00 The business behind a team 53:34 Tymal and Tuffers ahead of the tournament

Simon Mann is joined by Sir Alastair Cook, the BBC chief commentator Jonathan Agnew and former India wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta to look back at England's ODI series win over India. We hear from captains Harry Brook and Shubman Gill as well as Ben Duckett who made the highest men's ODI individual score at the Home of Cricket in striking 141 off 135 balls as England won by 27 runs.

And during the interval at Lord's, Jonathan spoke with both Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara as the pair paid tribute to the great Sir Garfield Sobers who passed away at the age of 89.

Simon Mann is joined by former England spinner Vic Marks and former India wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta to look back on England's four wicket win over India at Sophia Gardens to level the ODI series at 1-1 with the deciding match to come on Sunday at Lord's. We hear from both captains as well as Joe Root who finished unbeaten on 99.

We also hear from Formula 1 driver Arvid Lindblad who spoke with Elly Oldroyd and shared his passion for cricket, family and what it's like being in such a high octane environment.

Simon Mann is joined by former India wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta and former England spinner Vic Marks to look back at England's six wicket defeat to India in the first One Day International at Edgbaston. They hear from Harry Brook and Shubman Gill as well as discussing the decision to drop Brendon McCullum as the coach of the Test side.

And today was the last Blue for Bob day after five years raising money and awareness for the Bob Willis fund. Jonathan Agnew spoke to Bob’s wife Lauren Clark & his great friend Sir Ian Botham.

Alison Mitchell is alongside England World Cup winners Alex Hartley and Katherine Sciver-Brunt, and Indian commentator & journalist Annesha Ghosh for reaction to England's Test loss to India at Lord's. Hear from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, head coach Charlotte Edwards, retiring England legends Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, and one of India's star bowlers Snee Rana.

Plus, BBC cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt speaks to Brendon McCullum for the first time since he was sacked as the Men's Test head coach.

Published 2026-07-12

Knight bows out at Lord's

38 min
Open

Isa Guha speaks to England's record-appearance-holder Heather Knight as she retires from international cricket.

Alison Mitchell speaks Isa, as well as former team-mates Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Alex Hartley about her legacy as an England great, the impact she's had on, and off, the field, and where her nickname 'Trev' comes from.

Published 2026-07-12

McCullum sacked as Test coach

40 min
Open

Eleanor Oldroyd is alongside Jonathan Agnew, Steven Finn, and Stephan Shemilt for reaction to Brendon McCullum losing his job as England Men's red-ball head coach. They discuss how we got here, and who could take over?

Plus, Alison Mitchell speaks to ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould.

Simon Mann is alongside former England batter Michael Carberry and former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta for reaction to England’s 4-0 thrashing of India in the five match T20 series. Hear from Jos Buttler who scored 131 for England, as well as England captain Harry Brook who hit an unbeaten 95. Plus, India captain Shreyas Iyer reflects on a tough series for the tourists.

Also, Alison Mitchell is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley and Indian cricket journalist Annesha Ghosh, and TMS statistician Phil Long to discuss the second day of the four-day Test between England and India at Lord’s. Amy Jones gives her reaction to a long day for England, despite the wicketkeeper hitting a half-century. India bowler Sneh Rana looks back on a great day for her side.

Alison Mitchell is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, Indian cricket journalist Annesha Ghosh, and Ashes-winning bowler Steven Finn for reaction to an historic day at Lord’s where Sophie Ecclestone became England’s leading wicket-taker as the stadium hosts its first ever Test match.

Hear from Ecclestone, as well as Smriti Mandhana who scored 83 for India on the first day of the Test.

Plus, Alison speaks to some of England’s past greats.

Published 2026-07-07

England inflict record defeat on India

16 min
Open

England beat World Champions India by 125 runs at Trent Bridge to go two up in the T20 series. It’s India’s heaviest T20 defeat. England made 201/5 and then bowled out India for only 76.

Simon Mann is joined by former England bowler Steven Finn and ex India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta. Plus, Henry Moeran speaks with the two captains Harry Brook and Shreyas Iyer.

The 4th T20 is on Thursday with commentary on 5 Sports Extra from 5.15pm.

Head inside the England camp during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. England World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent speaks to batter Sophia Dunkley and wicketkeeper Amy Jones about featuring in Vogue magazine, as well as their funniest cricketing moment and which England legend was once Jones’ landlady?

You can WATCH this episode in full on BBC iPlayer just by searching 'Test Match Special'.

Henry Moeran is joined by England World Cup winner Alex Hartley and South Africa broadcaster Firdose Moonda to reflect on England’s 40 run semi-final win in front of a record crowd at the Oval. We hear from player of the match and England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt plus England spinner Sophie Ecclestone and the South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt. And we discuss how England can beat Australia on Sunday in a final you can hear on BBC Sounds from 3pm.

Published 2026-07-01

The 2017 World Cup winners’ reunion

43 min
Open

Isa Guha gets together some of England’s key figures from their 2017 World Cup victory. Captain Heather Knight, player of the final Anya Shrubsole, player of the tournament Tammy Beaumont, fellow opener Lauren Winfield Hill and Danni Wyatt-Hodge who was part of the squad then and like Knight is in the current team hoping to lift another World Cup trophy at Lord’s this week.

Published 2026-07-01

What next for England's Men?

31 min
Open

Daniel Norcross is alongside former England captain Sir Alastair Cook and former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta to discuss what comes next for England.

Is Harry Brook the answer? Is there another experienced member of the squad who could step up in the meantime? And could a captaincy candidate come from outside the current squad?

Published 2026-06-30

Ben Stokes: the man of the moments

36 min
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Jonathan Agnew is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, and Ashes-winning bowler Steven Finn for a look-back at Ben Stokes' England career.

Hear some of Stokes' iconic moments, and retired captain speaks to Simon Mann. Plus, cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt puts Stokes' career into context.

Published 2026-06-28

Stokes retires from international cricket

42 min
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Simon Mann speaks to out-going England captain Ben Stokes as he announces his retirement from international cricket during the final Test match at Trent Bridge between England and New Zealand.

Hear reaction from former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, as well as Jonathan Agnew and Steven Finn.

Published 2026-06-28

View from the Boundary: Luke Kempner

34 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is joined by comedian, actor, and impressionist Luke Kempner at Trent Bridge. Kempner has just finished a West End run and World tour playing the iconic Master of the House Thenardier in the musical Les Misérables. Kempner tells Aggers how he was introduced to cricket by his TMS loving Nan, he shares the story of his most embarrassing batting experience and of course there are plenty of impressions including Henry Blofeld, Geoff Boycott, Richie Benaud, Jim Maxwell, Jeremy Coney and Aggers himself.

Henry Moeran is joined by World Cup winner Isa Guha, Geoff Lemon and Annesha Ghosh to look back at England's convincing win over New Zealand to power into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. We hear from player of the match Danni Wyatt-Hodge, both captains as well as the England head coach Charlotte Edwards. And Alex Hartley tells Dan Norcross what it's like playing in a World Cup semi-final.

Published 2026-06-26

Duckett century sparks England fightback

52 min
Open

Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan, Ashes-winning bowler Steven Finn and BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to the second day's play between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Hear from Ben Duckett after he scored his seventh Test century at his home ground, and Daryl Mitchell reflects on a difficult day for New Zealand.

Plus, England’s new selector Marcus North speaks to Aggers about how he’s finding his new role working alongside Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and Rob Key.

Also, Andy Zaltzman breaks the day down with a stat attack.

Simon Mann is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, as well as BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to the first day's play between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

Hear from England bowling coach Tim Southee who looks back on a hard day’s work for England’s bowling attack, whilst Devon Conway reflects on an incredible 157 for the Black Caps.

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth and The Daily Telegraph’s Will MacPherson discuss the long term implications of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson’s controversy.

Plus, Andy Zaltzman gives us a stat-attack.

Henry Moeran is joined by World Cup winners Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Isa Guha as England beat West Indies by 38 runs at Lord's to confirm their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. We hear from player of the match Danni Wyatt-Hodge, both captains Charlie Dean and Hayley Matthews, and from Heather Knight.

Plus, BBC cricket correspondent Stephen Shemilt speaks with the England Men's Test captain Ben Stokes ahead of the third test against New Zealand.

Former international umpire Ian Gould joins Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell to answer your questions about the weird and wonderful laws of the game. What happens if the ball strikes a drone or gets stuck in a falling toupee? If you think you’ve won, but celebrate by throwing the ball over the boundary are you penalised? And what’s the ruling if the ball gets stuck up a tree in your garden. Plus, some wonderful memories from Gould’s illustrious career as a top official.

Published 2026-06-21

'Stokes will return as captain' - McCullum

34 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, as well as former New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney at The Oval for reaction to England's defeat to New Zealand, which levels the series 1-1.

Hear from Brendon McCullum and Joe Root after a choatic two weeks for England, plus New Zealand captain Tom Latham and Matt Henry who took 11 wickets in the match.

Henry Moeran is joined by World Cup winners Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Alex Hartley as England beat Scotland by 38 runs in front of a record-breaking crowd at Headingley.

We hear from player of the match Sophia Dunkley and all-rounder Dani Gibson who shared a powerful partnership with Freya Kemp. We also get reaction from both captains plus we hear from an emotional Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon.

Published 2026-06-20

Root resistance but England on the brink

30 min
Open

Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan and BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to the fourth day's play between England and New Zealand at The Oval.

Hear from Josh Tongue, who took two wickets in New Zealand’s second innings, and Henry Nicholls, whose century got New Zealand well on their way to an imposing total.

Plus, Andy Zaltzman gives us a stat-attack.

Published 2026-06-19

Root & Rew rue missed chances

24 min
Open

Simon Mann is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, and Jonathan Agnew for reaction to a tough day for England at The Oval in the third day of the second Test against New Zealand.

Matt Fisher looks back on the day which also brought him his first half-century for England. Plus, we hear from Durham chief executive Tim Bostock who was "bemused" about doubts around England Test captain Ben Stokes' "state of mind".

Also, Henry Moeran looks ahead to England's clash with Scotland in the Women's T20 World Cup on Saturday at Headingley.

Simon Mann is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, and BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to the second day's play between England and New Zealand at The Oval.

Hear from Emilio Gay, who scored a second half-century for England, and New Zealand's century-hitter Glenn Phillips.

Plus, what's it like being the parent of an England debutant? Aggers speaks to Stafford, the father of Jordan Cox.

Published 2026-06-17

A Baker's couple on day one at The Oval

25 min
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Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan and chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to the first day's plat at The Oval between England and New Zealand.

Hear from the wicket-taking debutant Sonny Baker, as well as New Zealand's Tom Blundell who scored a half-century for the Black Caps.

Published 2026-06-17

Will Ben Stokes captain England again?

33 min
Open

Cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, and the BBC’s chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew to discuss what the future holds for England’s Test side and Ben Stokes as the aftermath of Stokes and Atkinson’s curfew-breaking evening rumbles on.

Henry Moeran is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley and TMS commentator Daniel Norcorss dig into the huge amount of uncertainty surrounding England Men’s Test squad. Hear from Cricket Correspondent Stephhan Shemilt who speaks to England’s stand-in skipper Joe Root.

Katherine Sciver-Brunt and former Ireland head coach Ed Joyce joins Alex and Henry to discuss England’s win over Ireland to keep their winning record in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. Hear from both captains, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Gabby Lewis, plus player of the match Sophie Ecclestone.

We head INSIDE the England camp during the Women’s T20 World Cup with England stars Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith joining Amber Sandhu.

The bowlers are currently ranked as the number one and number three in the world. Bell and Smith discuss what they do between matches to keep calm, what it’ll mean to have their friends and family watching from the stands at a home World Cup, and is ’The Shard’ really Bell’s nickname?!

Test Match Special speaks exclusively to England’s T20 squad during the World Cup, getting to know the personalities behind the players. We get the inside track on how the team deals with the pressures of being an international cricketer playing in a home tournament

During the tournament we’ve got specials with Heather Knight, Issy Wong, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, and Lauren Filer - as well as Bell and Smith.

Alison Mitchell is alongside former England World Cup winners Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Alex Hartley for reaction to Danni Wyatt-Hodge's stunning century which gave England the perfect start to their World Cup campaign.

Hear from Wyatt-Hodge, as well as both captains Nat Sciver-Brunt and Chamari Athapaththu, and Freya Kemp who took four wickets.

The chief executive of the ICC Sanjog Gupta tells Matt Henry of his hopes for the tournament, and Ebony Rainford-Brent goes inside the England World Cup camp to speak to Heather Knight & Issy Wong - which you can WATCH, in full, on the BBC Sport YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer.

Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan and Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to the third day's play at Lord's where England are in a dominant position against New Zealand.

Plus, Simon speaks to Vaughan, Ashes winning bowler Steven Finn, and former New Zealand wicketkeeper Katey Martin about India's teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as he gets called up to the international squad for the first time.

Published 2026-06-05

Wickets galore but Gay stands tall

26 min
Open

Simon Mann is alongside the BBC's Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew, former England captain Michael Vaughan and TMS stats guru Andy Zaltzman to review the second day of the First Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s. A day where 17 wickets fell and Emilio Gay scored a half century.

Hear from Gay and New Zealand bowler Nathan Smith who took six wickets on a frantic day.

Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan, Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew, and former New Zealand allrounder Jeremy Coney for reaction to sixteen wickets falling on a frantic first day of the Test at Lord's.

Hear from England bowler Ollie Robinson and New Zealand bowler Will O'Rourke.

Plus, Aggers speaks to the former England captains who have led the team in a Test match at Lord's, as the venue hosts its 150th Test. Hear from Sir Ian Botham, Alec Stewart, Mike Gatting and Graham Gooch.

Published 2026-06-01

England’s Summer preview

54 min
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Mark Chapman is joined by three men who all played for England, former captain Sir Alastair Cook, former batter Mark Ramprakash and former fast bowler Steven Finn. Not many England coaches survive a thrashing by Australia. But Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes will continue to lead the side starting with that 1st Test against New Zealand on Thursday at Lord’s.

There’ll be at least one man making his debut at Lord’s on Thursday - Durham batter Emilio Gay is expected to open after a piling on the runs during the opening block of the County Championship. Ollie Robinson is also back in the squad for the first time since being dropped after the tour of India in 2024.

England’s Test summer begins where rain and grey skies are forecast. The panel get a look into the opposition and are joined by New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry.

On Tuesday, it’s England women’s last match before the T20 World Cup which starts next week. They face India at Taunton with the series level at one all. All rounder Dani Gibson joins Test Match Special. TIME CODES

00:00 Intro 00:50 Brendon McCullum 03:50 McCullum given a second chance 08:30 Mark celebrating Arsenal’s Premier League title 09:30 How England should approach the New Zealand test 17:00 Emilio Gay 22:00 The challenges of making your England debut as an opener 26:10 Making debuts 28:12 The recall of Ollie Robinson 29:53 New Zealand bowler Matt Henry joins the pod 37:30 Are New Zealand underestimated? 40:30 England Women’s final game before the World Cup 40:50 Dani Gibson joins the pod 48:50 The 15-year-old MVP in the Indian Premier League

Mark Chapman is alongside former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, former England fast bowler Steven Finn and the BBC’s cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt as they talk to Josh Tongue about his England career and discuss England's new National Selector.

We also hear from England Women's Head Coach Charlotte Edwards in build up to the T20 World Cup and talk to Durham Coach Dani Hazell who won the competition in 2017.

Timecodes: 1:30 Reflecting on the Ashes: Does Josh Tongue want to lead England attack? 08:00 England's self inflicted defeats 15:50 Process behind finding new National Selector 30:00 Does the new Selector need to be English? 34:50 Support for Zak Crawley: 37:45 Women's T20 World Cup 38:30 Charlotte Edwards speaking to Henry Moeran: 41:00 Durham Coach Dani Hazell: 45:00 Does success of other England Women's National teams add to T20 Pressure?:

Kevin Howells presents the best of the conversations around this week's County Championship results.

He talks to England's record run-scorer Joe Root following Yorkshire's huge win over Surrey, and Liam Dawson looks back at his red-ball career. Kevin also speaks to Nottinghamshire's Director of Cricket Mick Newell, Yorkshire Head Coach Anthony McGrath, and Mail on Sunday's Richard Gibson.

Published 2026-05-13

Robinson returns & Gay gets the nod

44 min
Open

Henry Moeran is alongside World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent & BBC Cricket Correspondent Stephan Shemilt for reaction to England Men's Test squad.

They discuss Ollie Robinson getting recalled to the side, as well as Emilio Gay's possible chance to open the batting for England and the selections of James Rew and Sonny Baker.

Henry Moeran is alongside England World Cup winners Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Alex Hartley as they look ahead to a huge summer of cricket for England's women, with the target of winning the T20 World Cup on home soil.

How has the preparation been? What is the strongest part of Charlotte Edwards' squad? And what are the minimum requirements for this set of players?

Test Match Special will have commentary of every ball of every match of the Women's T20 World Cup across BBC Sounds, 5 Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport app & website.

Published 2026-04-27

The art of spin bowling

47 min
Open

Mark Chapman, Sir Alastair Cook, Jack Leach and, Phil Tufnell discuss the attitude towards spinners in England, how franchise cricket has affected the art of spin and whether England know what they want from their spinner heading into the summer.

How do you become a spinner? Is it down to the player or coach? Jack Leach and Phil Tufnell give insight into how they found themselves becoming spinners and, whether a batters’ attitude changes as you get older and as they get older.

As a spinner, what do you need from your captain? Is it blind faith? Is it protection if you are going for runs? The panel dive into the mind of a spin bowler and how they can adapt their game.

TIME CODES: 00:00 Intro and London Marathon 01:50 County Cricket’s substitute rule 04:03 The art of spin bowling 05:30 Captains and spinners 15:32 The nuance of spin 17:30 How did it start? 25:05 English attitude towards spin 33:26 When were you at your peak? 35:00 What if you started as a spin now? 38:20 The mental side 41:40 What do England want this summer?

Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues his meteorological rise in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals. The batter, who has only just turned 15 stars with the bat yet again for his side, has made two 50+ scores this tournament - but how does he do it? Former England all-rounder Samit Patel and Traitors finalist Faraaz Noor join Amber Sandhu to discuss all the latest headlines from the Indian Premier League. Plus, Patel discusses his time in an England shirt and tells us what his only regret was when playing international cricket.

Published 2026-04-20

Big changes for the England Test team?

53 min
Open

Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Steven Finn and, Matt Prior discuss how England’s Test team is shaping up for the summer, the spots up for grabs and, who is best placed to take them. Less than two months to go until England begin their Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s, by that time it will be nearly five months since Ben Stokes’ side trudged off the SCG having lost the 5th Ashes Test, losing the series 4-1.

Who should remain in the side? What are the main positions up for grabs? And is there someone who has done enough to make the step up?

They also discuss the new rules around replacing players in the County Championship which has proved controversial so far.

TIME CODES 00:00 Intro 06:15 How does selection work? 12:38 Opening batting partnership 16:35 Time for a new opening partnership? 24:37 James Rew and a positional dilemma 27:08 The cricket structure in England 30:31 Jacob Bethell and the Indian Premier League 34:34 Scores in the league 36:17 Favourites in the IPL 36:42 England’s pace bowlers 43:09 Spin bowlers 47:30 County Championship substitutes rule

Published 2026-04-17

The Rise of Haas (from F1: Chequered Flag)

23 min
Open

We’re bringing you something different today which we think you’ll like - an episode from the BBC’s Formula 1 podcast, F1: Chequered Flag.

With the Formula 1 season on an enforced break, the Chequered Flag team pay a visit to the home of Haas F1 with the team currently sitting fourth in the F1 constructors’ standings. So how are F1’s smallest team performing so well? Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin investigate.

They visit the team’s HQ to speak with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu about their success. Plus, just how did Ollie Bearman escape from that huge accident in Japan unharmed and what are the team’s ambitions for the future? Izzy and Harry also answer your F1 hot takes. Could Gianpiero Lambiase become McLaren’s Team Principal in the future, following the announcement of his switch from Red Bull in 2028? And which driver is the most likely to be a reality TV star?

F1 returns next for the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May, with live commentary across the 5 Live network and BBC Sounds. If you enjoy this episode of F1: Chequered Flag, find more by searching ‘F1’ on BBC Sounds, and make sure to subscribe to get the latest episode every week.

10 years ago former England batter James Taylor's life changed forever.

Reflecting on being taken ill 10 years ago, he speaks to Kevin Howells about what he remembers from the day his doctor told him to not "wait for an ambulance, you haven't got enough time". He had just cemented himself in England's Test side and was forced to retire at the age of 26.

Published 2026-04-13

The Art of Captaincy

52 min
Open

Two Ashes winning England captains, Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, join Steve Crossman to discuss the art of captaincy in cricket.

Leading England makes you one of the most recognisable faces in sport, it brings with it all manner of responsibility, scrutiny, joy and despair. But how do you manage different personalities in the dressing room? What marks someone out as a future England captain? What’s it like to be in the spotlight and face scrutiny? How do you cope when it comes to an end?

Plus, Ben Stokes leadership and the likely challenges the current England captain will face in his fifth summer as skipper.

Strategic Timeout is available to WATCH, in full, on the BBC Sport Youtube channel and on BBC iPlayer.

Amber Sandhu, Faraaz Noor and former England international Dawid Malan break down the biggest IPL 2026 talking points. From captaincy debates and pressure moments to high-scoring games and standout performances, the panel explore what’s shaping the tournament so far. With insight from Malan’s IPL experience, the episode dives into the role of captains in T20 cricket, the value of all-rounders in the modern game and whether experience is becoming more important than ever. Plus, the team discuss the Impact Player rule and a wider ball tampering controversy.

Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Raf Nicholson and Kirstie Gordon are joined by England Head Coach Charlotte Edwards to preview a big year for England's women.

Is the domestic game hampering the International team? How important could a home tournament be for the game? Have England's fitness issues been addressed? What's it like being part of The Hundred Auction?

Mark Chapman, Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook and cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt are joined by Managing Director of England Men's Cricket Rob Key, who explains England's review into their 4-1 Ashes defeat. The panel talk through mistakes made in Australia, both in the planning and during the series, and why there won't be wholesale changes as a result.

TIME CODES

00:00 Intro 00:30 The review into English Cricket 02:00 Key management stay 06:00 Managing director Rob Key 08:00 What changes? 13:40 Lessons learnt from the Ashes 16:40 Style of play 22:30 What will look different this summer? 25:52 The connection with County Cricket 30:08 Have management been swayed by the coach? 33:14 Is the setup a clique or cult? 38:40 Opinions on the review 44:27 Should have everyone kept their jobs? 48:23 County Cricket

Published 2026-03-12

History made at Hundred Auction

41 min
Open

We report on a historic two days with the first major sporting auction taking place in the UK as teams were selected for the women’s and men’s Hundred competition.

We hear from former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vetorri who’s coaching the newly named Sunrisers Leeds, World Cup winning bowler Anya Shrubsole who is part of the Southern Brave coaching set-up and Australian legend Meg Lanning who is leading another rebranded team the Manchester Superchargers.

And there’s analysis by Stephan Shemilt, Aatif Nawaz and two former Hundred players Steven Finn and Alex Hartley.

Published 2026-03-09

The 2026 T20 World Cup Debrief

44 min
Open

As the dust settles on India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup victories, Henry Moeran is alongside Matt Henry and Prakash Wakankar to discuss everything we can take away from the tournament.

How did India triumph? How can we assess England’s performance? Plus, who dropped the worst catch of the tournament

Henry Moeran is alongside former Ashes winner Steven Finn, former IPL star Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, and commentator Prakash Wakankar for all the reaction from Ahmedabad as India win the Men's T20 World Cup. Hear from player of the match Jasprit Bumrah, as well as Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma. Plus, both captains - Suryakumar Yadav and Mitch Santner.

India won an incredible match in Mumbai by 7 runs to knock England out of the T20 World Cup and set up a date with New Zealand in the final on Sunday. Jacob Bethell scored a brilliant hundred, but England narrowly failed in what would have been a record run chase. We hear from England captain Harry Brook, coach Brendon McCullum, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and player of the match Sanju Samson Plus, there’s analysis from Henry Moeran, former England bowler Steven Finn and former IPL player Abhishek Jhunjhunwala. And with the Women’s T20 World Cup now fewer than 100 days away we hear from England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka we look back at the first ICC World T20 to be held in Asia 14 years ago.

The 2012 tournament took place In Sri Lanka with their team defeated in a extraordinary final by the West Indies who claimed their first title which was celebrated in iconic style.

We look back at the event with Steven Finn who was the leading wicket taker for an England side who went into the competition as defending champions and TMS commentators Henry Moeran and Prakash Wakankar.

Published 2026-02-19

Behind the scenes at a World Cup

40 min
Open

Henry Moeran is joined by former England bowler Steven Finn and BBC journalist Matt Henry to find out what really happens behind the scenes at an ICC World Cup. Finn is the only England bowler to take a hat-trick at a men’s 50 Over World Cup and was also England’s leading wicket taker at the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012. Finn shares stories of life as a player when you may be sharing a breakfast buffet with the opposition before taking them on in a crucial encounter whilst Matt Henry explains what it’s like to cover a World Cup as a journalist.

Published 2026-02-16

Imperfect England get Italian job done

33 min
Open

England managed to get over the line against a spirited Italian team in Kolkata to qualify for the Super 8s. Henry Moeran and Steven Finn review the action from Eden Gardens and we hear from player of the match Will Jacks, Italy Captain Harry Manenti, England captain Harry Brook plus England all-rounder Sam Curran and Italy opener Justin Mosca.

Published 2026-02-15

Kishan goes crazy as India hammer Pakistan

34 min
Open

Daniel Norcross is alongside World Cup winner 2017 Alex Hartley and Aatif Nawaz for reaction to India’s T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan in Colombo. Get the thoughts of both captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha, and player of the match Ishan Kishan who got India off to a flying start by scoring 77 off just 40 balls. Plus, the TMS team in Kolkata looks ahead to England’s final group match against Italy.

An unbeaten 63 from Tom Banton took England to a 5 wicket win against Scotland. Henry Moeran is joined by former England fast bowler Steven Finn and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon to review the game in Kolkata. We hear from Banton plus the two captains as well as Scotland's Michael Jones and England's Liam Dawson. We also look ahead to the massive India v Pakistan game on Sunday.

Published 2026-02-06

The Men’s T20 World Cup Preview

39 min
Open

We have the latest on whether the Pakistan v India game will go ahead or not, we assess the chances of England after their impressive T20 form in Sri Lanka and we ask whether Ireland or Scotland could spring a surprise and reach the Super 8s.   Every ball of the tournament is live on BBC Sounds with action clips and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.

Alex Hartley and Kate Cross speak to Scotland bowler Mark Watt as he and the rest of Scotland's team arrive in India for the Men's T20 World Cup. He talks about the scramble for visas and flights to get over to India, as well as the team's schedule ahead of their tournament opener against the West Indies.

You can hear every ball of every match of the Men's T20 World Cup on BBC Sounds, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport app and website.

Published 2026-01-25

No Balls: A guide to The Hundred (kind of)

38 min
Open

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are actually in the same room recording a podcast! They discuss all the big changes coming to The Hundred in 2026 with huge rebrands, players already being signed, and an auction to look forward to! Plus, they give their thoughts on the salary differences between the men's and women's competition.

Plus, Alex has her say on Alyssa Healy, Kate has a rule change proposal to better cricket, and can Alex become a 'chef influencer' after her recent Instagram revelations?

Published 2026-01-15

No Balls: 50 Shades of Grace Harris

46 min
Open

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley speak to Australia and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Grace Harris. They discuss the scale of fandom around the WPL, opening the batting with India great Smriti Mandhana, and what Australia will miss when Alyssa Healy retires from international duty. Plus, they also play '50 Shades of Grace'.

Australia win the 5th Test at the SCG by 5 wickets to complete their Ashes victory. We hear from England coach Brendon McCullum plus captain Ben Stokes as well as player of the match Travis Head, Player of the series Mitchell Starc and the retiring Usman Khawaja. Plus there's analysis from Simon Mann, Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman

Jacob Bethell joins the pod after his brilliant maiden first class hundred. We get analysis from Michael Vaughan, Jonathan Agnew and Glenn McGrath including a discussion on the future of England coach Brendon McCullum. Beau Webster discusses his 3 wickets as a spinner and Usman Khawaja speaks ahead of his final day of international cricket. Plus we hear from World Cup winning Rugby Player Mike Tindall and World Champion equestrian Zara Tindall

England had the best of the opening day of the 5th and final Ashes Test with Harry Brook unbeaten on 78 and Joe Root on 72. But rain truncated the day with bad light and rain allowing only 45 overs. We hear from Brook plus Simon Mann is joined by Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Jonathan Agnew plus Eleanor Oldroyd talks to Glenn McGrath at the start of the Pink Test.

Published 2026-01-03

Stokes "very eager" to continue as captain

35 min
Open

Eleanor Oldroyd is alongside Jonathan Agnew and Stephan Shemilt to look ahead to the final Ashes Test at the SCG. They discuss what rides on this final Test with the series already gone and the long-term plan for England's red-ball side.

England captain Ben Stokes tells Aggers he's keen to take Ashes revenge in 2027, whilst Aussie captain Steve Smith says he wants more than what the recent SCG pitches have offered.

Published 2026-01-01

TMS Top 10: Ashes moments

41 min
Open

From Nathan Lyon dropping the ball at Headingley to Shane Warne's 700th Test wicket. From Steve Smith's century on return from his ban to Steve Harmison's first ball wide at the Gabba - what is the ultimate Ashes moment? Isa Guha, Sir Alastair Cook, and Jonathan Agnew debate their top 10 Ashes moments.

Published 2025-12-31

The 2025 TMS Awards

56 min
Open

Andy Zaltzman hosts the, now traditional, TMS Awards looking back at 2025’s best (or worst) cricketing moments. As is tradition, TMS commentators Daniel Norcross and Henry Moeran are on the adjudication panel to help Andy decide who wins ‘favourite wicket of the year’, ‘worst loss of the year’, and the prize everyone wants to go home with: The Noosa Award for commitment to the cricketing cause.

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.

Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.

Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.

Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.

Published 2025-12-13

Remembering 'The Judge', Robin Smith

47 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew speaks to broadcaster Mark Nicholas following the death of his friend and former Hampshire team-mate Robin Smith. 'The Judge', who died on 1st December aged 62, scored more than 4,000 Test runs for England. Plus, we hear an interview from Smith back in 2019 where he spoke about his struggles away from the pitch.

Published 2025-12-11

No Balls: The Finch Who Stole Christmas

43 min
Open

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley catch up with Australia World Cup winning captain Aaron Finch. He gives them his thoughts on England's Ashes hopes down under, as well as trying to build a culture during his time as Australia's white-ball captain and (obviously) what's the biggest animal he could catch? All that, plus how he's settling into life as a pundit since retirement.

Published 2025-12-08

Daily Ashes Quiz: Longest winless runs

2 min
Open

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.

Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.

England finally show some fight, but Australia take two nil Ashes lead.

There’s an astonishing interview with England captain Ben Stokes, we hear from coach Brendon McCullum and there’s reaction from Australia captain Steve Smith and player of the match Mitchell Starc. And there’s analysis by Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath, Michael Vaughan, Phi Tufnell, Simon Mann and Andy Zaltzman,

Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath and Melinda Farrell join Mark Chapman to preview the second Test of the Ashes in Brisbane. Is this now or never for bazball? Can England adapt to the pink ball? How do both sides bowling attacks look? Could England turn to a spinner? Australia have had staggering pink ball success but their only day-night loss came at the Gabba. Plus, Mitchell Starc is just three wickets away from surpassing Wasim Akram as the most successful left-arm quick in the history of the game.

Published 2025-12-01

Daily Ashes Quiz: Fastest scoring team

3 min
Open

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.

Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.

Published 2025-12-01

TMS Top 10: Ashes Characters

38 min
Open

From Stuart Broad to Ben Stokes, Shane Warne to Steve Waugh, Freddie Flintoff to Ian Botham. Who is the ultimate Ashes character? Whose personalities have shone on the pitch in the most high pressure games? Isa Guha, Sir Alastair Cook, and Jonathan Agnew debate their top 10 Ashes characters from players across England and Australia.

Exactly 15 years on from Sir Alastair Cook’s 235 not-out at the Gabba, the BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Cook about one of his best individual series for England, which saw England win the Ashes in Australia in 2010/11. They discuss Cook’s incredible batting throughout the series, including his 235 not-out at The Gabba, the moments he was speaking to Chris Tremlett before the bowler infamously got Mitchell Johnson for a duck, and his time out in the middle with Sir Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott.

Published 2025-11-26

No Balls: Hartley heads down under!

30 min
Open

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley chat all things Ashes after England's dramatic two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth. They wonder whether England's batters should have gone to play in England's tour match in Canberra, plus Crossy remembers her time in Perth on England debut at the WACA.

Published 2025-11-17

The Ashes Preview

96 min
Open

Steve Crossman is joined by Mark Ramprakash, Jack Leach and Durham's Australian coach Ryan Campbell to look ahead to the opening Test of the Ashes series that begins on Friday in Perth. They will also be joined by Australian journalist Geoff Lemon.

They discuss the challenges of touring in Australia, the importance of the opening ball of the series, as well as the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two sides including; the leadership, spinners, pace attacks, and the Aussie top order.

Timecodes: 00:03:43 - expectations of the series 00:12:30 - The importance of the first ball of the Ashes 00:18:12 - Touring Australia and the phoney war 00:23:17 - What should England expect in Perth? 00:33:53 - Ben Stokes 00:45:40 - Australia without Cummins and Hazlewood 00:58:38 - Spinners 01:15:51 - England's pace attack 01:25:20 - Australia's top order 01:30:45 - Joe Root

Chief Cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reports from Lilac Hill on a mixed opening day of England’s Ashes tour. Ben Stokes picked up four wickets in his first competitive bowl since July, but there was an injury concern over Mark Wood. Stephan is joined by George Dobell from the Cricketer and we hear from England vice captain Harry Brook.

Published 2025-11-11

From The Ashes: David Larter

47 min
Open

Former England fast bowler David Larter was part of the England squad to head to the 1962/63 Ashes, the last time the team travelled down to Australia by boat. He speaks to the BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt about his memories of the journey, as well as being made to run round the boat to keep fit, stopping off in Colombo to play a warm-up match, and how he went from being talked about by the Australian press to featuring in a single Ashes Test.

Published 2025-11-05

No Balls: The World Cup debrief!

33 min
Open

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley look back at the 2025 Women's World Cup which saw India win their first ever title. They discuss India’s incredible victories over Australia and South Africa, the unlikely hero in Shafali Verma, and why it feels like the beginning of the end of an era in women’s cricket.

Published 2025-11-04

From The Ashes: Ryan Harris

63 min
Open

The BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Ryan Harris about his explosive Ashes career.

From his own 'ball of the century' dismissing Sir Alastair Cook, being the perfect sidekick to Mitchell Johnson, his injury woes which limited the amount of Tests he played, and whether he'd ever have played for England with his dad being from Leicester.

Published 2025-11-02

Women’s World Cup: GLORY for India

46 min
Open

Henry Moeran is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, TMS regular Prakash Wakankar, commentator Daniel Norcross, and TMS statistician Phil Long in Navi Mumbai for reaction to India winning the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

Hear the thoughts of India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, and losing captain Laura Wolvaardt.

Plus, journalists Firdose Moonda and Zenia D’cunha discuss the wider impact of just how big the World Cup has been in India.

Alison Mitchell looks back at how Australia won their first two World Cups. She talks to Sharon Tredrea, who some call the fastest female to ever bowl, and cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson about how Australia won the 1982 World Cup in New Zealand. Plus, she talks to Diana Edulji who captained India when they hosted the 1978 tournament.

Published 2025-10-28

From The Ashes: Michael Vaughan

55 min
Open

The BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Michael Vaughan about the 2002/03 Ashes in Australia, and how that prepared him for the infamous 2005 Ashes series.

Vaughan talks about what was behind his incredible form down under in 02/03, learning from Australia legend Steve Waugh before becoming England captain, and some incredible stories away from pitch during the series.

Published 2025-10-20

From The Ashes: Stuart Broad

54 min
Open

The BBC's Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Stuart Broad about his incredible Ashes career.

Broad looks back from winning The Ashes in 2009, to his 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015, his career's finale at The Oval in 2023, and THAT moment he didn't walk at Trent Bridge in 2013.

Alison Mitchell is alongside Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar to look back at Australia's sixth World Cup title, beating the West Indies in the final in India.

Sthalekar retired on top having announced her decision to step away from the game after the tournament and discusses her sides route to the final.

Published 2025-10-17

How England won the 2017 Women's World Cup

47 min
Open

Henry Moeran is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, 2009 World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent, and TMS statistician Phil Long for a look back at how England won the 2017 Women's World Cup in England. They discuss England's journey to the final, the iconic moment Anya Shrubsole hit a boundary from her first ball to win the semi-final, and THAT glorious day at Lord's where Heather Knight lifted the trophy after England beat India.

Henry Moeran is alongside 2017 England World Cup winner Alex Hartley and BBC Sport cricket writer Ffion Wynne to look back at the 2022 Women's World Cup. They look at Australia's journey to beating England in the final and what other shocks happened during the tournament which took place as the world was still tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published 2025-10-13

No Balls: A truly DEVINE episode

48 min
Open

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley speak to New Zealand's legendary captain Sophie Devine as she plays in her last ODI World Cup before retirement. They discuss the timing of her decision to announce that she was retiring from the 50 over format, what she'll do next, and the state she's leaving the White Ferns ODI squad in. Plus, as is No Balls tradition, she tells Crossy & Al what animal she can catch.

Alex and Kate also discuss England's strong start to the World Cup, after they made it 3 wins from 3 beating Sri Lanka.

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley actually talk cricket as they look ahead to the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

They discuss Alex’s not-so-smooth journey to India, why this World Cup could be the closest ever, and why Australia are still Alex’s pick to win the competition. Plus, how Emma Lamb’s “frightening” form can help England on their way to challenge for the title.

Also, Crossy challenges Alex in ‘How well does Hartley remember her World Cup win?’

Alison Mitchell is alongside former England Ashes batter Dawid Malan and England World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent to discuss the pressure England players are put under when playing in the Ashes down under.

What do Australia do on the pitch to press England, how can England’s less-experienced players cope, and what did Dawid find intimidating during his time batting for England in Australia? Dawid tells all about the media waiting for players as they come off the plane and being grilled by his batting heroes who would interview him after a game.

Published 2025-09-14

Baztalks

27 min
Open

England coach Brendon McCullum joins Daniel Norcross, Chief cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt and former England bowler Steven Finn to review the international summer and look ahead to the winter – including the much anticipated Ashes.

Published 2025-09-01

The 2025 TMS Hundred Awards

39 min
Open

Henry Moeran is alongside Ashes winning bowler Steven Finn, World Cup winner Alex Hartley, and TMS commentator Alison Mitchell to award the unofficial 2025 TMS Hundred Awards.

Which batter hit the best innings of the tournament? Who had the best bowling spell? What is the shot of the competition? And who took the best catch?

Published 2025-08-27

No Balls: Alana King & I

49 min
Open

One of Australia’s finest ever leg-spinners, Alana King, joins Kate Cross & Alex Hartley following her lengthy stint in the UK with Lancashire Thunder and Trent Rockets in The Hundred.

They discuss Alana’s heroes growing up, including Shane Warne & Kristen Beams, as well as choosing between tennis and cricket at a younger age and why she ended up in the back of a police car on the M6 on the way to a match for Lancashire.

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross discuss Crossy's omission from England's World Cup squad for the tournament in India & Sri Lanka next month. Crossy talks about the tough call from head coach Charlotte Edwards, as well as how she's coming to terms with the decision and how she's processed it whilst being in the middle of The Hundred with the Northern Superchargers.

Published 2025-08-20

Introducing... Sonny Baker

35 min
Open

Manchester Originals and Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker is set for an England debut after being called up for the squads to face South Africa and Ireland in September by head coach Brendon McCullum. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Baker discusses learning from Sir Jimmy Anderson at the Originals, his notebook full of analysis of batters he has bowled at, being a “fast-bowling nerd”, and why he’s such a big fan of bone broth.

Published 2025-08-15

No Balls: Ellyse Perry enters the chat

45 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross are joined by legendary Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry. She discusses getting up-to-speed as captain of Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, as well as her journey into cricket - which included the decision to stop playing football for Australia’s women's team. Plus, did she get sent a bill for breaking a car window during a WPL game?

Published 2025-08-11

Who makes your Ashes XI?

19 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is alongside former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, and Test Match Special statistician Andy Zaltzman to discuss who plays for England in the first Ashes Test down under in Perth. Does the top seven pick itself, which bowlers are picked, and which players currently not in England squad could make a late charge for selection?

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley convene in a hotel room the morning after Kate’s winning start in The Hundred with the Northern Superchargers. Should there be substitutes in cricket, what would Alex call a pub if she opened one, and what loud bang what Crossy up in the middle of the night?

How to get in touch: Email - noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk Text - 81111 WhatsApp - 0330 123 1826 Start your message with 'NOBALLS'

Eleanor Oldroyd takes you behind-the-scenes in the making of the iconic collaboration between Test Match Special and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

This peak behind the curtain sheds light on how The 2005 Ashes: Settling the Score came to be, speaking to the Director of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Adam Szabo, who prefers not to remember the result of the 2005 series as an Australian. As well as Scotland under 16s cricketer and now conductor Mark Herron and cellist Steve Callow. Plus, TMS producer Tim Peach gives insight into which pieces of music made it into the documentary and why.

The 2005 Ashes: Settling the Score is available on the Test Match Special feed on BBC Sounds right now.

Published 2025-07-21

Mark Wood: Ask Me Anything

31 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew presents your questions to England bowler Mark Wood in the TMS commentary box at Lord’s. Who is his dream bowling partner? How do you mark your run up? And are the England bowlers in competition about who can bowl the fastest?

Published 2025-07-18

Simon Jones: The 2005 Ashes and me

27 min
Open

Simon Jones remembers England’s 2005 Ashes glory, in what could be the most iconic and influential summer in English cricketing history.

Watch How To Win The Ashes on BBC iPlayer right now. The documentary takes a deep dive into one of sport’s fiercest rivalries. Cricket legends from both sides of 2005’s bitter rivalry, including Simon Jones, Andrew Strauss, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, bring to life the on-field heroics that captured the nation, and ended 20 years of Ashes hurt for England.

Alison Mitchell speaks to former India women's captain Mithali Raj about how much women's cricket has evolved in India. Raj tells us about her journey into the sport, how the media coverage of women's cricket has changed and hosting the upcoming ODI World Cup. She also shares her thoughts on what needs to be done to ensure the women's game continues to thrive in India and the impact cricket could have in the Olympics.

Plus former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent and former IPL player Abhishek Jhunjhunwala tell us about the significance of the Women’s Premier League, contracts and the opportunities for female cricketers in India.

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross gauge the mood in the England camp ahead of their ODI series against India. They look at the England team being in transition as Charlotte Edwards’ side look to bounce back from the T20 series defeat. Crossy discusses the increasing media scrutiny in the women’s game and they also react to THAT West Indies innings which saw them bowled out for 27 against Australia. Plus, have you put crisps on a sandwich?

Published 2025-07-13

No Balls: The Grade Cricketer come to play

43 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross are joined by Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, who you will know better as The Grade Cricketer.

The globally known podcasters join Alex & Crossy to discuss the Women's Ashes, how the podcast came to be, and the differences between grade cricket in Australia and club cricket in England.

Plus, do people actually know their names?

Published 2025-07-11

Joe Root - the World’s greatest catcher

19 min
Open

Stephan Shemilt speaks to Joe Root after he becomes the record catch-taker in Test cricket, surpassing Rahul Dravid’s 710 catches. He discusses his methods in the slip cordon, what’s mentally required to stay switched on for long periods, and what the slip cordon talk about during a long day out in the field.

Published 2025-07-08

View from the Boundary – Paul Sinha

33 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew takes a View from the Boundary with comedian and professional quizzer Paul Sinha. Best known as the “Sinnerman” from TV quiz programme “The Chase”, Sinha shares his love of cricket including memories of watching India win the 1983 World Cup Final and his own batting performances as a medical student.

Published 2025-07-07

Shubman Gill, The Prince

32 min
Open

We profile India’s new test captain Shubman Gill who could become one of cricket’s superstars. Simon Mann is joined by Cheteshwar Pujara, Deep DasGupta, Michael Vaughan, Prakash Wakankar and Andy Zaltzman. They ask if Gill could be the player to follow in the footsteps of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

Published 2025-07-06

The King of Spain and I – Ashley Giles

34 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew talks to former Warwickshire and England spinner Ashley Giles about his life and career. Giles has been an England player, coach, selector and managing director and has experienced highs and lows in all those roles. They talk the iconic 2005 Ashes series and some of the challenges he’s faced with his mental health.

Published 2025-07-05

TMS meets superfan Ravi

34 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew welcomes TMS superfan Ravi into the TMS commentary box. Ravi is visually impaired and plays as part of the Lord’s Taverners supers 1s competition. In two days across England’s Tests against India at Headingley and Edgbaston, Ravi meets Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Phil Tufnell and Ebony Rainford-Brent. Plus, his favourite player Yashasvi Jaiswal visits him.

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross look back at Smriti Mandhana’s heroics as India beat England in the first T20 of the series at Trent Bridge.

They also discuss their not-so straightforward day at Rock for Ruth and Alex rates which TMS commentators she would take to Glastonbury.

Send us your questions: Email - noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk Instagram - noballstcp

Simon Mann is joined by author and cricket journalist Tim Wigmore, BBC sport writer Tim Abraham and lead commentator Jonathan Agnew to reflect on how Test Cricket has evolved and what the future could look like. They debate the calendar, competition of other formats and the influence that India have on the game. Plus the team assess the financial situation on the viability of the game.

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross speak to Richmond Cricket Club chairman Chris Goldie after THAT viral innings which saw his side bowled all out for two. Exclusively to No Balls, he reveals all that went on during the game, the circumstances behind the result, and the media attention the club received after it.

Plus, they discuss Crossy reaching 100 ODI wickets in her 100th England appearance - becoming the second fastest England woman to do so. And, does Kate still have her appendix?

Email us at: noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk

Published 2025-06-10

Temba Bavuma: Breaking Barriers

27 min
Open

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma opens up to Alison Mitchell ahead of South Africa’s World Test Championship final against Australia. They talk about his position as captain and role model, especially as the first black African to score a Test century for South Africa, but also talk about how they take inspiration from the Springboks, his desire to play more Test cricket, his relationship with his coach, his advocacy for stem cell research, and what it’ll be like working with Stuart Broad ahead of the final…

Published 2025-06-09

An evening with the Aussies

21 min
Open

Alison Mitchell speaks to Australia captain Pat Cummins, wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and bowler Beau Webster from the Australian High Commission in London.

In front of a live audience they discuss the mood in the squad ahead of the World Test Championship final, the younger players joining the squad, and returning to Lord's for the first time since the 2023 Ashes series when Carey infamously stumped Jonny Bairstow.

Published 2025-06-04

The team of the year with no fixtures

29 min
Open

BBC Cricket reporter Henry Moeran hears how the Scotland Women’s cricket team went from being their nations team of the year and their historic first World Cup appearance, to not having a single fixture in their calendar.

In December 2024, a month after playing in their first ever World Cup, Scotland’s women had just been named their nations sporting team of the year. Six months later, they have no International fixtures and have not played at home since 2022. Henry Moeran is joined by TMS commentator Daniel Norcross to assess what could be done to help Scotland and hears from the Director of Performance at Cricket Scotland, Steve Snell. Snell tells us how the lack of fixtures impacts the team and his message to the governing body.

Plus Scotland players Abtaha Maqsood and Sarah Bryce share their concerns of what could happen to Scottish cricket if the situation is not resolved.

Stephan Shemilt has been speaking to some of the people who have known Nat Sciver-Brunt the longest to determine if they always knew she was captaincy material.

Stephan speaks to former Middlesex captain turned commentator Isabelle Westbury who attended the same school as Nat Sciver-Brunt in the Netherlands and she shares her first thoughts on the all-rounder. Stephan is also joined by national selector Lydia Greenway who played alongside Sciver-Brunt for England and her former coach Mark Robinson who moved her up the batting order.

Plus we go behind the scenes and speak to Nat Sciver-Brunt's wife and England legend Katherine, who shares her memories of playing and living with the new England captain.

Published 2025-05-23

The cricketers who stood up to Mugabe

35 min
Open

Alison Mitchell speaks to Former Zimbabwe bowler Henry Olonga and former England captain Nasser Hussain about the black armband protest which caused Olonga and team-mate Andy Flower to flee Zimbabwe.

Hussain & Olonga speak for the first time since 2003 when the England captain met with Olonga to understand to situation in Zimbabwe. Plus, Jonathan Agnew recalls covering the story as the BBC's Cricket Correspondent.

Published 2025-05-21

No Balls: …We’re back!

39 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross are back as a new era begins for England’s women with Charlotte Edwards as head coach and Nat Sciver-Brunt as captain.

What was Alex’s experience leaving Pakistan following international tensions with India? What does Kate think of England’s new leadership team? And what’s the weirdest thing they’ve ever talked about during a match?

Email us at: noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk

After 14 year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed record after record en route to his 35-ball hundred, Henry Moeran is joined by former IPL batter Abhishek Jhunjhunwala and commentator Matt Floyd to find out more about the teenage superstar. We learn more about his back story, how he’s been managed, and how Rajasthan Royals – and Indian Cricket – can look after and nurture such a precocious talent.

We bring you a special episode from Lords, where the TMS team had the honour of hosting the 2025 MCC Cowdrey Lecture.

In this second part, Jonathan Agnew is joined by Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Ebony Rainford-Brent to discuss what the Spirit of Cricket means to them and their memories of TMS.

There’s also chat around who will be England’s next white-ball captain, as well as a look ahead to a big year for both the England men’s and women’s teams.

Make sure you’re subscribed to TMS wherever you listen to your podcasts, so you don’t miss any episodes over the summer.

We bring you a special episode from Lords, where the TMS team had the honour of hosting the 2025 MCC Cowdrey Lecture.

In this first part, Jonathan Agnew is joined by former England captain Michael Vaughan to discuss what the Spirit of Cricket means to them, reflecting on moments from their playing careers.

They also talk about the changing landscape of the sport & Michael shares his ideas for how to further modernise County Cricket.

Part 2 will be out soon.

Make sure you’re subscribed to TMS wherever you listen to your podcasts, so you don’t miss any episodes over the summer.

Published 2025-03-10

Rob Key on England’s Men’s Cricket

52 min
Open

Mark Chapman is joined by Michael Vaughan, Jimmy Anderson and England men’s managing director Rob Key. They talk about where England’s men’s cricket is at the moment – what’s next? How will England look to change the picture across the board? And what will the process be to replace Jos Buttler as white-ball captain?

Published 2025-02-27

What’s going wrong with English cricket?

54 min
Open

After England crash out of the Champions Trophy, Henry Moeran and the TMS team ask just what’s going wrong at the moment. Across the men’s and women’s teams, England have lost 16 out of the 17 games they’ve played in 2025.

Is it an attitude problem? An image problem? Captaincy? Or is there more to it than that?

Henry is joined by World Cup winner Alex Hartley, and TMS colleagues Aatif Nawaz and Daniel Norcross

Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by the BBC’s Sports Editor Dan Roan, Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt & TMS commentator Daniel Norcross to analyse ‘The Hundred’ team sales.

We’ll hear from ECB Director of Business Operations Vikram Banerjee, as well as Southern Brave & Sussex fast bowler Tymal Mills.

We’ll also be answering some of the questions you sent in to the BBC Sport website.

Published 2025-01-10

No Balls: WAshes stage is set

39 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross have a final catch-up before the Women’s Ashes get underway. Kate gives an injury update with the first game right around the corner, and they discuss why women should play more Test cricket.

Vote for No Balls in the Sport Podcast Awards 2025 – we’re nominated for THREE categories, and it only takes a minute to vote:

Best Cricket Podcast https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-cricket-podcast/

Best Sports Comedy Podcast https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-sports-comedy-podcast/

Diverse Voices Award https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/sports-diverse-voices-award/

Listen to every ball of the Women’s Ashes from Australia on BBC Sounds, or via the BBC Sport website or app. The first ODI starts at 11:30pm on Saturday 11th January.

Published 2025-01-06

No Balls: The WAshes await

36 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross look ahead to the Women’s Ashes which starts in Sydney which week. They discuss who the star performers might be, and what the mentality is inside the England camp after a dominant tour in South Africa. Plus, Alex has some WAshes predictions.

Listen to every ball of the Women’s Ashes from Australia on BBC Sounds, or via the BBC Sport website or app. The first ODI starts at 11:30pm on Saturday 11th January.

Published 2025-01-05

Australia reclaim Border Gavaskar Trophy

36 min
Open

We review another absorbing Test as Australia won by six wickets at the SCG to take the series against India 3-1 and reclaim the Border Gavaskar series for the first time in over a decade.

We get analysis from Alison Mitchell, former Australia coach Darren Lehmann and former Australia bowler Stuart Clark.

Isa Guha speaks with player of the match Scott Boland plus captains Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah and we also hear from Australian opener Usman Khawja.

Published 2025-01-01

Red ball rivalries & white ball worries

49 min
Open

Henry Moeran is alongside the BBC’s chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew and TMS statistician Andy Zaltzman to look ahead to England’s Men’s 2025. With a home Test series against India and the Ashes down under at the end of the year, it could prove to be a pivotal year for Ben Stokes as captain.

Published 2024-12-26

The 2024 TMS Awards

54 min
Open

Henry Moeran is alongside commentator Dan Norcross & TMS statistician Andy Zaltzman pick their global cricketing awards for 2024 - the Full Tosscars. Which India bowler has had an incredible year? Which English batter(s) gets nominated for worst shot of the year? And which side goes home with the best win of the year?

Published 2024-12-23

Joe’s route to success

35 min
Open

2024 is going to be a memorable year for Joe Root. He became England’s highest ever run scorer, and overtook Sir Alastair Cook’s Test century record for England too, but how did that feel and how did he get there?

In his own words, along with England captain Ben Stokes and friend & longtime teammate Jimmy Anderson, he talks us through his incredible year, and how he came to be one of England’s greats.

Published 2024-12-21

No Balls: Christmas Special

34 min
Open

Alex Hartley and Kate Cross have a festive catch up after Kate’s return from South Africa.

They discuss Kate’s back injury which meant she hardly played in South Africa and the road to recovery ahead of next month’s Ashes series in Australia. They also reflect on England’s success in all formats across the series which served as good preparation before heading down under.

Plus, what do they both want for Christmas?

Published 2024-12-06

Phillip Hughes - 10 years on

21 min
Open

It’s been 10 years since the death of former Australia player Phillip Hughes. The 25 year old passed away after being struck on the neck by a short ball during a Sheffield Shield match.

It was a tragedy which sent shock waves across the cricketing world and the anniversary is being marked with commemorations throughout Australia.

In a special tribute ABC commentator Andrew Moore speaks with Tom Cooper who was Hughes’s batting partner that fateful day, legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath and former Australia coach Darren Lehmann who reveals Hughes was set to be told about an international recall the day he died.

Published 2024-12-03

No Balls: Kate on tour!

33 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross discuss England’s dominant displays in England’s T20 series win against South Africa Women, and how the tour is great preparation ahead of the Women’s Ashes next month.

Plus, they ask you for your best cricketing look-alikes after Jacob Bethell was likened to… Pat Butcher.

noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk

Listen to every game of England's tour of South Africa on BBC Sounds, with commentary of the first ODI in Kimberley at 11:45am on Wednesday 4th December.

Published 2024-11-22

No Balls: Kates & Dogs

35 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross look ahead to England’s tour of South Africa with Kate in the ODI and Test squad. She discusses how she’s been preparing for the series having had six weeks away from cricket. They speak to a listener who has named their puppy after one of them, and have you named a pet after someone famous?

noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk

Published 2024-11-22

No Balls: South Africa awaits

32 min
Open

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross talk about how Kate’s preparation has gone as she gets ready to head to South Africa for England’s ODIs and Test. They discuss the tent which has been built at England’s High Performance Centre to help players acclimatise to pitch conditions around the world, as well as more of your stories on naming pets after sport stars. Plus, they play a game to get Kate ready for her trip.

Listen to every game of England's tour of South Africa on BBC Sounds, with the first T20 starting at 12pm on Sunday 24th November.

Published 2024-10-21

Urooj Mumtaz: from bowlers to molars

33 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew speaks to former Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz.

Now splitting her time between cricket commentary and dentistry, Mumtaz talks about the struggles of not being allowed to play cricket as a child, the opportunities for women in cricket now compared to when she was growing up, and how she'll be straight back to her dental practice once England's tour of Pakistan is over.

Kevin Howells is alongside Surrey correspondent Mark Church to speak to former Surrey Director of Cricket Alec Stewart.

They discuss Stewart’s legacy as he moves into a new role with Surrey, as well as his thoughts on the long-term future of the County Championship and how Dan Worrall was his “best signing” at the club

Published 2024-10-08

England’s historic 2022 win in Pakistan

34 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew and the TMS team share memories of the astonishing England tour to Pakistan in 2022.

England won the first series they’d played in Pakistan in 17 years, becoming the first side to complete a 3 nil victory with some record breaking batting and outstanding bowling.

Aggers is joined by Simon Mann, Andy Zaltzman, Aatif Nawaz and Alex Hartley plus we also hear reflections from Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

Published 2024-09-20

No Balls: The Golf Day

37 min
Open

It's finally here! Kate and Alex take on umpires Anna Harris and Sue Redfern in the first No Balls Players-Umpires golf day. But who will come out on top?

Kate also tells us about second part of England's white-ball tour of Ireland and her feelings now her stint as captain has finished.

Simon Mann is alongside Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell & Russel Arnold to discuss the pressures of test cricket.

From trying to settle in as a debutant to controlling the anxiety of a batter, they tell all as to what was needed to face the challenges at the highest level and where they found their strengths in tough moments. Opening up about issues facing Glenn McGrath, keeping calm when rain delays play, and being “allergic to fielding practice”.

Published 2024-09-11

No Balls: Kate Cross's Barmy Army

33 min
Open

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are in Belfast after Kate secured her first series win as England captain. She tells us she is enjoying the responsibility of captaincy after taking six wickets in the opening match at the weekend. And we're joined by record-breaking batter Tammy Beaumont, after her latest ODI century.

Published 2024-09-07

View from the Boundary - Tony Banks

36 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew speaks to musician, and founding member of Genesis, Tony Banks in the TMS commentary box at The Oval.

Tony discusses having Allan Lamb invite him to England's dressing room, his classical music work, and having to swap shirts with a stranger to gain access to the MCG.

Jonathan is joined by The Guardian's Ali Martin, Wisden Editor & Daily Mail journalist Lawrence Booth, the BBC's Chief Cricket Writer Stephan Shemilt, and Rex Clementine from The Island newspaper over from Sri Lanka to discuss the money involved in watching test cricket. They discuss the price of tickets, as well as the context of England men's test schedule and how low attendances reflect on test cricket in general.

Published 2024-08-30

The first time Sri Lanka came to town

36 min
Open

Simon Mann looks back to 1984, when Sri Lanka played their first ever test in England. At Lord's, England captain David Gower chose to bowl after winning the toss on a warm late summer's day, much to the delight of one of England's bowlers at the time - Jonathan Agnew. Sri Lankan batter Sidath Wettimuny gave Aggers, and the rest of England's bowlers, grief scoring 190 in his first innings on the way to leading the experienced side to draw.

The three of them recall the first time Sri Lanka came to town for a test.

Published 2024-08-22

Ask The Umpire - with John Holder

45 min
Open

Former international umpire John Holder joins Jonathan Agnew and Vic Marks for answers to your cricketing predicaments.

What if the ball hits a pigeon? How big does an animal have to be to stop play? And can a question 50 years in the making be answered?

Plus, John has an announcement to make...

Published 2024-08-21

Remembering Graham Thorpe

36 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew looks back on Graham Thorpe's life with Alastair Cook, Phil Tufnell, and Thorpe's former captain Michael Vaughan.

Thorpe’s former PE teacher Simon Sherborne, who gave him his first opportunity for representative cricket with Surrey, remembers meeting Graham as a promising 11 year old, and Mark Ramprakash discusses the life of his childhood friend.

Published 2024-08-19

No Balls: Holidays and the Hundred finals

34 min
Open

Kate and Alex are back to reflect on the Hundred and victories for Oval Invincibles' men and London Spirit's women. Spirit bowler Tara Norris joins the pod to reveal what went on in the dressing room during and after her side's victory in the final. Kate also tells us about her French holiday with some of the Hundred's leading names. And we have the story behind an embarrassing hotel encounter between Alex and an umpire.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley return, and Kate is loving life as the Northern Superchargers enjoy a strong campaign in the Hundred. She tells us all about that and why teammate Annabel Sutherland could become one of the game's best players.

Alex has tales, good and bad, from her presenting exploits. And we've got plenty of time for listeners' questions.

Kate is in London as the Northern Superchargers continue their Hundred campaign. She tells us about their dramatic draw with Southern Brave and the competition so far.

Alex is babysitting a pigeon and tells us about her new role, presenting the Hundred coverage.

And we find out who's got the best-looking bowling action in the game.

Simon Mann sits down with former England bowler Ricky Ellcock to take a look back at his extraordinary life.

Ricky discusses the FOUR life-saving brain surgeries he went through, having to prematurely retire from cricket because of SIX stress fractures in his back, and switching is focus to aviation and becoming the first black captain of Virgin Atlantic.

Published 2024-07-27

View from the Boundary - Samantha Bond

36 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew talks to actor Samantha Bond from the TMS commentary box at Edgbaston.

Known for her roles as Miss Moneypenny during the Piers Brosnan era of James Bond, Downton Abbey, and The Marlow Murder Club, Samantha talks about knowing Bob Willis (on Blue for Bob day at Edgbaston), her experiences of stage fright, and having to kiss Piers Brosnan for three hours during a shoot.

Published 2024-07-21

Clinton comes to the cricket!

31 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew welcomes former Crystal Palace and Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison to the TMS commentary box.

The 5Live football pundit discusses his friendship with former England bowler Alex Tudor, how he dealt with the pressure of developing through youth football, and the differences between captaining a cricket team to a football team. Plus, Clinton reveals the hard work that goes into being a pundit.

Jonathan Agnew talks to Dr Adam Rutherford. The scientist, educator and author regularly appearing on television and radio, and along with Dr Hannah Fry hosts the hugely successful BBC Sounds podcast “The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry”.

From the TMS commentary box at Trent Bridge they discuss Adam's style when playing cricket, the lack of scientific testing to fully understand how and why a cricket ball swings, and which TMS regular is Aggers loosely related to?

Published 2024-07-19

Antigua Cricket Knights

32 min
Open

Daniel Norcross gathers together four legendary West Indies players who have all been Knighted for their services to cricket and who all come from the same island.

Antigua may be only 14 miles long and just 11 miles wide, with a population 550 times smaller than the UK – but it has produced an incredible number of great cricketers.

Norcross has been speaking to Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Viv Richards.

Published 2024-07-13

James Anderson: Gone well

35 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew speaks to Michael Anderson, Jimmy’s father, to learn more about the legendary bowler away from the cricket pitch.

They discuss him developing as a youngster at Lancashire, playing snooker, and when the family began to believe Jimmy could make it as a professional cricketer.

Plus, Anderson’s Tailenders co-hosts Greg James, Felix White, and Matt Horan (Mattchin). They talk about the alternative side to Anderson, as well as the “fierce competitor” mode that he sometimes brings to a podcast recording. Also, Mattchin brings up the story of Jimmy’s alter ego ‘Timmy Banderson’.

England's World Cup defence is over as India thrash them by 68 runs to book their place in the final.

Henry Moeran is joined by Steve Finn, Alex Hartley and Phil Tufnell to dissect where it went wrong for England.

There's reaction from captains Jos Buttler and Rohit Sharma.

Plus, we look ahead to Saturday's final between South Africa and India.

Kevin Howells, Tymal Mills & Emily Windsor are joined by Worcestershire CEO Ashely Giles.

They discuss the sad passing of Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker, at just the age of 20, and how the team will be commemorating Baker.

Plus, Giles talks about the future of New Road, Worcestershire’s ground, as the flooding issues it faces will only get worse going forward, he says. He also looks at the effects not being able to access the pitch and the training pitches has had on the Worcestershire side.

And, why is it so hard to get Tymal & Emily in one place at the same time?

In the third of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Prakash Wakankar and Jonathan Agnew to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85.

This episode begins in Chennai (formerly Madras) with the test series between England and India finely poised at 1-1 with two to play. Can England complete the turnaround and go down in history as the first side to come from behind to win a test series in India? With Vic and Aggers with the England squad, they relive the moments of watching on as the David Gower-lead side attempt the feat.

Plus, they all look back on the legacy of this England squad and what comes next for them.

In the second of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Peter Baxter, Prakash Wakankar and Jonathan Agnew to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85.

This episode begins at the end of England's first test against India in Wankhede, but 3rd December 1984 is remembered for a very different reason. The Bhopal disaster occurred. They discuss what is was like to be close to such a catastrophic event and how it affected the atmosphere inside the stadiums when playing cricket.

Switching focus back to the cricket, Vic recalls the beginning of England's fight-back in the second test of the series in Delhi.

In the first of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Peter Baxter and Prakash Wakankar to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85.

Just hours after the England team had arrived India's prime minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated. What did this mean for the England team? What was it like to be in New Delhi? They discuss everything from restlessly staying in their hotels, to where they were when they were told the news, and whether this meant that any cricket would be played at all.

Hear the first person accounts of Vic Marks who was part of the England squad, Peter Baxter who was producing TMS from India, and Prakash Wakankar who was celebrating his birthday in Pune.

Published 2024-02-07

Cook's recipe for success in India

32 min
Open

Daniel Norcross talks to Alastair Cook about what it takes to play cricket in India. Cook captained England to a test series victory in India in 2012, which is still the last time a visiting team won a test series there. Alastair talks about what England do differently to other nations visiting India, where Alastair ranks India as the toughest place to go, and being in a hotel overlooking the Himalayas with 2000 waiting outside for the team.

Kevin Pietersen looks back to November 2012 and his inredible innings of 186 against India in Mumbai. The 2012 series was the last time a touring team won a test series in India. The innings has since been compared to the recent heroics of Ollie Pope following his 196 against India which helped England to win the first match of a five test series.

Kate and Alex speak to Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell about *that* double-century he hit against Afghanistan in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. He talks about exactly why he was on one leg and what him and captain Pat Cummins were talking about on the crease to get him through what will go down as one of the greatest innings of all time.

Published 2023-09-26

Onto the World Cup

48 min
Open

As the international summer comes to an end, England head to India to defend their 50 over World Cup title.

Simon Mann is joined by record breaking bowler James Anderson, World Cup winners Tymal Mills and Alex Hartley and TMS Statistician Andy Zaltzman to look ahead to the tournament.

Plus we hear from England white ball coach Matthew Mott.

EVERY BALL of EVERY MATCH in the World Cup will be available live on the BBC with video highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.

As England drop Jason Roy from their World Cup squad in favour of Harry Brook, Henry Moeran speaks to record breaking England bowler James Anderson, World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent, BBC Sport Chief Cricket Writer Stephan Shemilt and TMS statistician Andy Zaltzman.

Plus we hear from England national selector Luke Wright.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by James Anderson and Jeremy Coney to assess how England’s ODI team look ahead of the World Cup.

They review the series win against New Zealand, hear from England captain Jos Buttler, player of the series Dawid Malan and Kiwi captain Tom Latham.

Plus the journalist panel of Stephan Shemilt, John Etheridge and Will Macpherson discuss the Harry Brook conundrum, the ODI return of Ben Stokes and Andrew Flintoff working with the England side.

As England draw their T20 series with New Zealand, Henry Moeran gets the views of England legend James Anderson and former Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming. England’s white ball coach Matthew Mott has the latest on whether Harry Brook could break into the World Cup squad, plus we hear from Ashes heroes Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. And England women’s coach Jon Lewis looks ahead to the deciding T20 against Sri Lanka.

Published 2023-08-21

Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s farewell

30 min
Open

Mark Chapman is joined by Phil Tufnell, Steven Finn and Henry Moeran as we say goodbye to Katherine Sciver-Brunt, as she retires from professional cricket. Her former England teammate Tammy Beaumont joins the team as we reflect on Katherine’s successes. Steven also talks about his retirement from professional cricket, his knee-injury, and Finn’s Law. Plus we discuss Ben Stokes, after he announced that he’ll play in England’s series against New Zealand that begins next Wednesday.

Stuart Broad retired after dramatically taking the last two wickets in the 2023 Ashes series. Broad had no doubts that he’d picked the perfect moment to call it a day. But how do players decide the right time to retire? Daniel Norcross is joined by Sir Alastair Cook who scored a century in his last Test also at the Oval and Michael Vaughan who retired in 2009 following injury problems.

Published 2023-08-04

England’s Ashes squad 2027

62 min
Open

Daniel Norcross is joined by a selection panel of Sir Alastair Cook, TMS stats guru Andy Zaltzman and the chief cricket writer of the BBC Sport website Stephan Shemilt to try and predict what England’s Ashes line-up could look like when the series is next played in England. Will Ben Stokes still be leading the team in 4 years, who will be the replacements for Broad and Anderson and which current young county players could be Ashes series starters in 2027.

Jonathan Agnew brings together one of the greatest Ashes rivalries for a catch up.

Michael Atherton and Glenn McGrath join Aggers in the Test Match Special commentary box at The Oval. They discuss the battles they used to have on the pitch and McGrath getting the wicket of Atherton 19 times in Ashes cricket.

Daniel Norcross talks to promoter, chairman of Matchroom Sport, the Professional Darts Corporation and presenter of 5Live’s No Passion No Point podcast, Eddie Hearn for his views on the game of cricket.

Hearn discuss whether the result outweighs the result in sport, how personalities helps cricket grow, and how cricket was the only sport he played growing up.

Jonathan Agnew, Mike Gatting, Mark Taylor, Glenn McGrath, Michael Vaughan & Isa Guha look back on *that* ball from Shane Warne, and share stories of the late Australian. Hear the moment Mike Gatting faced a recreation of the ball from a bowling machine and former Australia captain Mark Taylor finally apologises to Jonathan Agnew for blocking his view of the ball.

England thrashed Australia in Taunton to draw the Women's Ashes series and inflict a first bilateral one-day international series defeat on the tourists since 2013.

In this podcast Henry Moeran is joined by Hundred winner Emily Windsor, former Australia captain Alex Blackwell and England World Cup winner Alex Hartley to look back on a momentous day.

We hear from England captain Heather Knight, Australia captain Alyssa Healy and player of the series Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Australia retained the Women's Ashes following a dramatic three-run victory over England, who so nearly pulled off a remarkable victory through Nat Sciver-Brunt's masterful unbeaten century.

Henry Moeran is joined by World Cup winner Georgia Elwiss and former Australia captain Alex Blackwell to reflect on another thrilling match. Plus we hear from England captain Heather Knight, Australia captain Alyssa Healy and spin bowler Alana King.

Photo: The Australia players celebrate their victory over England during the Women's Ashes 2nd We Got Game ODI match between England and Australia at Ageas Bowl on July 16, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Published 2023-07-13

Ashes Daily: Jim Maxwell 50 Not Out

42 min
Open

Simon Mann chats with Australia’s “Voice of Summer” Jim Maxwell who is celebrating 50 years in cricket broadcasting. It’s also 40 years since Jim first appeared on Test Match Special. As well as discussing his career highlights, Jim also takes your questions including his memories of Shane Warne and which commentators he’s enjoyed working with most over the years.

Published 2023-07-10

Ashes Daily: Headingley Journo panel

31 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is joined by a journalist panel at Headingley to discuss the latest Ashes talking points. Emma John from the Guardian, Gideon Haigh from the Australian and John Etheridge from the Sun talk Brook batting, Spirit of cricket and possible changes for Old Trafford.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Isa Guha, the Daily Mirror’s cricket correspondent Dean Wilson & BBC Sport Editor Dan Roan to discuss the ICEC report suggesting “widespread discrimination” in cricket.

We also hear from Cindy Butts, the author of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report, the Chair of the ECB Richard Thompson, and England Men’s test captain Ben Stokes.

Published 2023-06-17

View from the Boundary - Mark Little

37 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Australian actor, television presenter, comedian and screen/stage writer Mark Little to talk about his career, his attempts at playing cricket at the young age of 63, and playing Bottom in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

In the penultimate episode, Glenn McGrath takes us back to the 1997 Ashes where he demolished England’s batting order, taking 36 wickets as Australia secured a 3-2 series victory.

He describes his excitement at joining one of the great Australian Test sides, why Lord’s is the “perfect” ground for him and why that Australia side was so dominant against England.

England captain Ben Stokes speaks to Isa Guha ahead of the Ashes. Stokes explains why he’ll never change his approach, why results are the last thing he prioritises, why cricket should be fun, and whether or not the Ashes is the ‘ultimate challenge’ in Test cricket.

Plus he tells us which of his England teammates is most like Tom Cruise…

Steve Smith discusses his comeback story. In 2018 his career came crashing down as he resigned as Australia’s Test Captain, and then subsequently banned from the sport after his part in the ball-tampering scandal during a tour of South Africa. After serving the suspension, he returned for the 2019 Ashes Series – where he was ready to make up for lost time.

In a new series, some of England and Australia's greatest players take us behind the scenes of the most memorable Ashes moments. In the opening episode, Jimmy Anderson tells the story of the dramatic Trent Bridge Test of 2013. He gives us his insight on Stuart Broad's refusal to walk, Ashton Agar's remarkable display with the bat, and taking back-to-back five wicket hauls.

Published 2023-06-04

Ball of the Century – 30 years on

27 min
Open

It’s the 30th anniversary of Shane Warne’s iconic delivery to Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes series. In a special programme recorded in 2013, the late Warne joined Gatting along with Phil Tufnell, Michael Vaughan and host Mark Chapman to remember one of the most famous moments in Ashes history.

Published 2023-05-25

From the Ashes: David Gower

55 min
Open

The fourth episode of a new series where the BBC’s Chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers untold stories from the Ashes.

David Gower breathes rarefied air as a legend of English Ashes cricket. A four-time winner – twice down under – Gower has played more Tests for England against Australia, 42, than all but Colin Cowdrey. Only the great Jack Hobbs made more runs for England against the Aussies than Gower’s 3,269. As captain in 1985, Gower led England to a 3-1 series win whilst making 732 runs in the process. Little did Gower, or anyone, know that 1985 was to be the last time England won a home Ashes series for 20 years, a desolate run that began when he was put back in charge for what turned out to be a calamitous 1989 contest involving a famous press conference, News at 10, a rebel tour and a large wine bill.

Published 2023-05-24

From the Ashes: Sir Alastair Cook.

57 min
Open

The final episode in the series where the BBC’s Chief Cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers untold stories from the Ashes.

Few have experienced more of England’s modern Ashes history than Alastair Cook.

During a 12-year international career, Cook played every one of a possible 35 Ashes Tests, scoring more runs than any player on either side. Only Archie MacLaren, at the beginning of the last century, led England in more Ashes Tests than Cook’s 15 as skipper.

Cook was player of the series in a win down under, but was also captain when an England team fell apart in a 5-0 hammering. We find out why he wrestled Graeme Swann in the dressing room at The Oval and why he was reduced to tears after scoring what turned out to be his final Ashes hundred.

Don’t forget you can catch up on all the other episodes on BBC Sounds with guests Glenn McGrath, Steve Finn, Sarah Elliott and David Gower plus you can read much more on the BBC Sport website and app.

Nikesh Rughani, Ravi Bopara and Steven Finn review a thrilling week at the Indian Premier League.

Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring the quickest half century in IPL history, a brilliant hundred by Suryakumar Yadav and an incredible win for Sunrisers Hyderabad after the last ball had to be bowled again,

They also discuss reports that Jofra Archer has been offered a full time deal by Mumbai Indians, celebrate record breaking spinners Rashid Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal and ask if the likes of Stokes, Root and Brook are having the best preparation for the English Test summer sitting on the sidelines in India

Plus Aatif Nawaz talks to one of the overseas stars of the IPL Trent Boult on being a freelance cricketer and doing karaoke with Jos Buttler

Published 2023-05-10

From the Ashes: Sarah Elliott

46 min
Open

The third episode of a new series where the BBC’s Chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers some of the untold stories from the Ashes.

In this edition Stephan talks to former Australia batting all-rounder Sarah Elliott who made a hundred against England whilst breast-feeding her nine-month-old son during intervals.

Elliott became pregnant in 2021 a year before a women’s Ashes series. At first she thought becoming a mum might end her international career, or at least put it on hold, until she asked if she could combine motherhood with playing for Australia. That set off a chain of events that led to her Ashes hundred, made with baby Sam on the boundary edge.

As ever, you can read much more on the BBC Sport website and app.

Alex Hartley and Kate Cross pay tribute to their former England team mate Katherine Sciver-Brunt who’s announced her retirement from international cricket. They also celebrate the career of another pace bowler Shabnim Ismail who’s also giving up playing for her country.

Plus Alex and Kate reflect on a frustrating start to the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy for them and share your best cricketing chat-up lines!

Simon Mann is joined by IPL commentator Nikesh Rughani, former IPL player Ravi Bopara and special guest Rajasthan Royals exciting youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal.

They discuss the Virat Kohli/Gautam Gambhir altercation, fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Anrich Nortje being hit for three successive sixes and Jaiswal reveals how he’s inspired by Celine Dion!

Published 2023-05-05

Katherine Sciver-Brunt Special

40 min
Open

England’s record wicket taking women’s bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt speaks exclusively about her retirement from international cricket.

In an interview with our chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt, Katherine looks at the highs and lows of her 20 year England career. She explains why she has decided to give up the international game despite the lure of a final Ashes series and discusses what the future of women’s cricket may look like. Plus Katherine reveals how her cricket career nearly didn’t happen because of a music festival.

Published 2023-05-03

From the Ashes: Steven Finn

54 min
Open

The second episode of a new series where the BBC’s Chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers some of the untold stories from the Ashes. In this edition Stephan talks to England fast bowler Steven Finn.

Finn knows more than most about the highs and lows Ashes cricket can produce.

He might have only played seven Ashes Tests but was involved in three series wins, one of them away from home.

He went on two other tours of Australia, one that lasted just nine days and another that ended in the “public humiliation” – his words – of being sent home because he was “not selectable”.

As ever, you can read much more on the BBC Sport website and app.

Simon Mann is joined by IPL commentator Nikesh Rughani and former IPL player Ravi Bopara to discuss the latest talking points from the Indian Premier League.

Could some players turn their back on England central contracts or county ties to sign for an IPL franchise all year round?

They chat about that as well as getting reaction from the ECB’s head of County cricket Neil Snowball.

Plus rubbish run chases and Jason Roy in form for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Published 2023-04-26

From the Ashes: Glenn McGrath

51 min
Open

The first episode of a new series where the BBC’s Chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers some of the untold stories from the Ashes. In this edition Stephan talks to one of the most successful Ashes performers of all time, Glenn McGrath. During arguably the most famous Ashes series in 2005, McGrath trod on a ball before play at Edgbaston and missed the game through injury. He gives a fascinating account of what happened next, what it was like to be forced to be a spectator at the game and how Manchester United helped him make a near miracle recovery to be able to play the next Test against all the odds.

Simon Mann is joined by IPL commentator Nikesh Rughani and former IPL player Ravi Bopara to reflect on the latest talking points from the Indian Premier League. Arjun Tendulkar, the son of legendary Sachin, finally making his debut for Mumbai, Sam Curran leading the Punjab Kings and KL Rahul facing criticism for being boring. Plus Jonny Bairstow is on the podcast discussing the benefits of playing in the IPL and updating us on his comeback from injury.

Kevin Howells and Mark Church look ahead to the domestic cricket summer with England legend Alec Stewart, director of cricket at reigning champions Surrey, and Mickey Arthur the former South Africa, Pakistan and Australia coach now in charge at Derbyshire. Every ball of every County game will be available live via the BBC Sport Website and App with extensive coverage on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds.

Ben Stokes brings us inside the England camp after a year to remember for the men's Test side. We hear details of Bairstow’s Trent Bridge blitz, the record breaking win over India and how the Lord’s defeat to South Africa was quickly put to bed leading to a series win. Plus, Stokes also recalls how he steered England’s white ball side to T20 glory at the MCG.

Published 2022-12-21

TMS Moments of 2022

31 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Vic Marks, Alex Hartley, Simon Mann, Daniel Norcross, Stephan Shemilt and Andy Zaltzman. From the humiliation in Hobart to the start of the Stokes/McCullum Test revolution. The Mankad controversy at Lord’s to England men’s T20 World Cup win and the historic clean sweep in Pakistan.

England won the Third Test in Karachi by 8 wickets to clinch a record breaking three nil series win.

Pakistan have never before been handed a clean sweep home or away.

Analysis from Jonathan Agnew, Vic Marks, Alex Hartley and Andy Zaltzman plus we hear from Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Brendon McCullum and the retiring Azhar Ali.

As England prepare to play Pakistan in Karachi for the third and final Test match, they return to the scene of one of their most famous overseas Test wins.

22 years ago, England won the third and final Test against Pakistan to win the series 1-0, only their second ever Test win in the country, and Pakistan’s first defeat at Karachi. Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, who were captain and opening batter that day, are back in Karachi, working for Sky Sports. They’ve been giving their memories of that famous Test win to Simon Mann.

As England continue their first Test tour of Pakistan, two of the coaching staff, Marcus Trescothick and Paul Collingwood, were playing the last time England toured here.

They sat down with Simon Mann to give their memories of what happened both on and off the pitch, including facing Shoaib Akhtar, an explosion at Faisalabad, and staying up until 1am for Sports Personality of the Year

England beat Pakistan by 5 wickets at the MCG to add the T20 World Cup to their 50 over crown.

We get reaction from player of the tournament Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Mark Wood, England coach Matthew Mott and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Plus Jonathan Agnew is joined from T20 World Cup winner Ravi Bopara and World Cup winner Alex Hartley.

England won the 7th T20 by 67 runs to clinch the series 4 – 3. Henry Moeran reviews the action and looks ahead to the men’s T20 World Cup with former England wicketkeeper turned coach James Foster, commentator Aatif Nawaz and BBC Sport chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt. Plus we hear from Moeen Ali, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler.

Published 2022-09-28

Pakistan edge thriller and Thompson talks.

45 min
Open

Aatif Nawaz is joined by Alex Hartley and Saqib Mahmood to discuss another thrilling T20 as Pakistan edge ahead in the series. We also hear from Moeen Ali and Mark Wood. Plus BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan speaks to the new ECB chair Richard Thompson on proposed changes to the summer schedules, the impact of the Hundred and the threat of T20 leagues.

Kevin Howells reports on Surrey winning the County Championship at a time of fierce debate about how future seasons may look. We get reactions from Rory Burns, Ollie Pope and Gareth Batty and analysis by journalist Dean Wilson. Plus we hear from Sir Andrew Strauss, Alec Stewart and Sussex chair Jon Filby on the high performance review which could change how the cricket summer looks from 2024.

Simon Mann is joined by England fast bowling trio Mark Wood, James Anderson and Saqib Mahmood to reflect on the One Day International career of Ben Stokes, who has announced his retirement from the format. We also hear from Stokes, who explains the reasoning behind his decision, with further analysis from his World Cup winning teammate Chris Woakes.

Published 2022-06-11

View from the Boundary - Tim Key

36 min
Open

Tim Key joins Dan Norcross in the TMS commentary box. The comedian, actor, screenwriter and poet talks about trying to be creative during the pandemic, his work with Steve Coogan and, of course, his love for the game of cricket - inculding his memories of the 2005 Ashes series.

Published 2022-06-09

England v New Zealand Second Test Preview

31 min
Open

Alistair Bruce-Ball, Jonathan Agnew and Jeremy Coney preview the second test between England and New Zealand.

Ben Stokes wants to bring the "fun" back into playing for England. You can hear from the England skipper on working with Brendan McCullum, Jimmy Anderson reveals what "Baz" said in the Lord's dressing room and Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson ponders how to remove Joe Root.

TMS is back on air for Day One on Friday morning from 10.25.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has caused a stir by suggesting the County Championship is replaced by a red ball franchise competition. Kevin Howells gets reaction from the ECB managing director of County Cricket Neil Snowball. They also discuss whether the T20 Blast is getting the attention it deserves with the emphasis on the Hundred and what lessons are being learnt following the Azeem Rafiq racism revelations.

England bowler Kate Cross is in India taking part in the Women’s T20 challenge, hopefully a forerunner of the women’s IPL. She’s joined by World Cup winner Alex Hartley who’s been enjoying mixed fortunes back in the ranks for the Thunder side playing in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. They answer your questions, set a new challenge and find out who Alex mistook for Hugh Grant on a train and why Kate was perturbed by pictures of Radio 1 and Tailenders host Greg James in the bath!

Kevin Howells presents a tribute to Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds who has died in a car accident at the age of only 46. We hear from TMS commentator Jim Maxwell on his Australia playing career and recent work as a commentator. Plus we discuss his contribution to the English county game hearing from his captains at Gloucestershire, Kent and Lancashire, Jack Russell, David Fulton and Mark Chilton.

Published 2022-05-11

No Balls: The Cricket Podcast. The return!

37 min
Open

After a short break England bowler Kate Cross and World Cup winner Alex Hartley are back with tales from the start of their cricket season, tuk-tuk buying fathers and playing cricket with Ed Sheeran and Bear Grylls. Plus they answer your questions and hear about your LBWs, Little Bit Weirds.

Alison Mitchell and Ebony Rainford-Brent look at the accessibility of cricket, and what can be done to engage more with people from all backgrounds and whether we should be feeling optimistic, or pessimistic about the direction of travel.

We chat about the challenges of finances and what needs to be done to support younger players trying to fund their youth career.

Scotland international Abtaha Maqsood also joins the team to discuss cultural differences and how the game has changed since she started playing.

And Ian Martin, the ECB’s head of disability cricket, explains the launch of the ECB Disability Premier League.

Topics:

3:45 - Tom Brown, a researcher from Birmingham City University, on representation

14:30 - The ACE Programme

18:20 - Reporter Jamie Reid speaking to youngsters at an ACE session

21:00 - Troy Henry part of the ACE Programme

25:15 - Finances in cricket

30:30 - Abtaha Maqsood, leg spinner with Birmingham Phoenix

40:30 - Ian Martin, Head of Disability Cricket at the ECB

Published 2022-04-15

Root steps down as England captain.

32 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is joined by former England spinners Phil Tufnell and Vic Marks to reflect on the resignation of Joe Root as England captain. We also hear from two men who know Root very well, Yorkshire’s interim director of cricket Darren Gough and former England captain Michael Vaughan.

England bowler Kate Cross and TMS commentator Alex Hartley are reunited in the UK a week after the World Cup final where England were defeated by Australia in a high scoring game. They reflect on the match and the tournament as a whole both on the field and in the commentary box. Plus an update on whether the “hunky umpire” is going to join the pod!

Published 2022-04-04

Is County Cricket fit for purpose?

56 min
Open

Kevin Howells is joined by two former England coaches, Paul Farbrace and Peter Moores, who are now involved back in the County game. They look ahead to the domestic season and ask if Championship cricket should be getting the criticism it is receiving because of the failures of the England Test team.

And Kevin is joined by fellow commentators Nikesh Rughani, Mark Church and Emily Windsor to find out which teams will be challenging this season in the men’s and women’s game.

Alison Mitchell is joined by 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, Henry Moeran and Stephan Shemilt to review Australia’s 71 run World Cup Final victory over England.

Plus we get reaction from England captain Heather Knight, Australia’s captain Meg Lanning and the England head of women’s cricket Clare Connor.

Published 2022-03-04

Remembering Shane Warne

54 min
Open

As cricket comes to terms with the death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne at the age of 52, Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew and former England spinner Phil Tufnell to remember his life and career.

Former team-mate Stuart Law, friend Pat Cash and Hampshire chairman Rob Bransgrove discuss what made Warne so special. They also hear from Mike Gatting, the man dismissed by Warne’s ‘ball of the century’.

Australia captain Pat Cummins and England captain Joe Root also pay tribute to the man who took 708 test wickets, while cricket writer Geoff Lemon explains why Warne was a role model for a generation of young Australians.

TOPICS: 2.37 – Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell discuss Warne’s life 4.59 – Geoff Lemon on Warne inspiring a nation 15.32 – Joe Root and Pat Cummins pay tribute 21.40 – Mike Gatting remembers Warne’s ‘ball of the century’ 29.26 – Stuart Law on being a team-mate of Warne 41.27 – Rob Bransgrove on Warne’s legacy at Hampshire 45.32 – Pat Cash on being Shane Warne’s friend

England bowler Kate Cross and World Cup winner Alex Hartley reflect on the near miracle of Manuka. Kate has the inside story of one of the most dramatic Tests of all time and Alex explains how she coped with the tension in the TMS commentary box. Kate talks us through how she ended up saving the game in the middle and what the dressing room was like at the end of the match. And Kate and Alex even have time to answer some of your e-mails.

After countless requests England batter Danni Wyatt (finally!) joins the podcast to preview the Women's Ashes, reveal how Virat Kohli reacted to her twitter marriage proposal, explain why her attempt to be Tarzan aged 10 helps her hit the ball to different areas of the ground, and why she once showered with a tubigrip on her face.

There's some cricket chat in there too.

Published 2022-01-17

5 Live Cricket: From Ashes to Ashes

54 min
Open

Mark Chapman is joined by former England batter Michael Carberry and West Indian World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite to look back at the final Test in Hobart and the 4-nil series defeat. The team dissect where it went so badly wrong for England this series. We also preview the women’s Ashes with England’s Kate Cross and look at the legacy of Virat Kohli following his departure as India Test captain.

Published 2021-12-03

Project Ashes Ep 6: Returning the Urn

33 min
Open

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, but also those lesser-known names who play crucial roles.

Ahead of the start of the series in Brisbane, Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by Ashes tour veteran Jonathan Agnew, three-time Ashes winner Steven Finn, TMS commentator Simon Mann and statistician Andy Zaltzman to share memories of trips to Queensland. From David Gower in his Tiger Moth to England’s 2010 great escape at the Gabba.

Published 2021-11-30

Project Ashes Ep 5: History Lessons

33 min
Open

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, but also those less known names who play crucial roles.

In Episode Five, Aggers speaks to Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson to find out what they’ve learnt from previous Ashes tours, and what they’ll be telling teammates who have never experienced one.

Published 2021-11-26

Project Ashes Ep 4: Family Planning

35 min
Open

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, but also those less known names who play crucial roles.

In Episode Four, with the Ashes in doubt due to concerns around quarantine rules for players’ families, Aggers speaks to England bowler Mark Wood and his wife Sarah, to find out what impact being an international cricketer has on a family life.

Published 2021-11-23

Project Ashes Ep 3: The Backroom

34 min
Open

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, but also those lesser-known names who play crucial roles.

In Episode Three, we meet the backroom staff – the Performance Director who has to work out how many cricket balls the team will need throughout the tour, the nutritionist who hides Frosties at the breakfast buffet, and then the Strength and Conditioning coach who puts players through their paces on the first day of the summer.

Published 2021-11-19

Project Ashes Ep 2: When it all goes wrong

39 min
Open

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and many more, but also those names who are less familiar, but still play crucial roles – the tour planners, the nutritionists, the fitness teams.

In Episode One, we looked at England’s meticulous planning. But, as we’ve seen over the past twelve months, things don’t always go to plan. Injuries to key players, an entire team having to self-isolate, and a bowler whose social media past comes to light during his Test debut… it’s been another bumpy ride for English cricket.

Published 2021-11-16

Project Ashes Ep 1: The Plans

34 min
Open

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and many more, but also those names who are less familiar, but still play crucial roles – the tour planners, the nutritionists, the fitness teams. In Episode One, we go back to January. Joe Root is in Sri Lanka, and Aggers catches up with him to find out what England’s long-term plans are. But as the tours of Sri Lanka and India continue, it’s clear that England’s rest and rotation policy is becoming increasingly unpopular, especially as England start to lose in India.

Published 2021-11-14

Australia claim first World T20 Trophy

39 min
Open

Isa Guha is joined by T20 World Cup finalist Dirk Nannes, T20 World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite and former England World Cup spin bowler Phil Tufnell to review Australia’s 8 wicket win over New Zealand in Dubai. We also hear from Australia captain Aaron Finch, Australia coach Justin Langer, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, player of the match Mitchell Marsh and player of the tournament David Warner. We also review the tournament as a whole and discuss what the result could mean for the Ashes.

Tymal and Woody reflect on England's T20 World Cup journey coming to an end at the semi-final stage. We get the lowdown on being drug tested and reveal what Eoin Morgan said in the team meeting post-match.

Special guest Mark Saxby, AKA the most popular man in English cricket, joins the pod to chat his 15 years working with the squad. He's the masseur, unofficial DJ, and a leader on team culture.

Published 2021-11-10

When Micah met Carlos

62 min
Open

Mark Chapman finds out more about West Indies T20 World Cup winner Carlos Brathwaite and former Premier League defender Micah Richards.

The pair met briefly on the Monday Night Club, but here they have a chance to discuss their shared Caribbean heritage, love of football and the difficulty they both faced after their ‘career-defining’ moment in sport.

Carlos goes into detail about those four infamous sixes he hit in the 2016 T20 World Cup Final and his subsequent West Indies captaincy, which wasn’t welcomed by many of his colleagues and teammates.

We find out if either could have played any other sport and delve into their new jobs in punditry.

Plus, the pair try their hand at reading the classifieds, and in a game of ‘This or That?’, we find out just how much they have in common.

TOPICS: 01’40 The first meeting on the Monday Night Club 3’30 A shared Caribbean heritage 6’00 Why Carlos moved to Portsmouth 9’00 The ‘Caribbean cricket’ stereotype 10’00 Did either know just how good they were at a young age? 16’00 Why Micah never played cricket 17’00 Micah tests his cricketer knowledge 20’00 The changing image of cricket 25’00 A love of football – Man City v Man United 29’40 Winning the T20 World Cup in 2016 and moving on from ‘career-defining’ moments 34’00 Micah on the pressures of playing for England and winning the Premier League 38’00 Criticism as a captain 41’00 When Micah knew it was time to retire 46’00 Getting into punditry and having to criticise former/current teammates 54’00 Reading the classifieds 58’40 This or that? Just how much do they have in common?

England are into a semi-final and Woody’s finally been fit enough to start a game! Though he did get told off by Eoin Morgan on the field… The boys discuss England’s defeat to South Africa, Jason Roy’s injury, and Sam Billings joins the pod to talk about what it’s like being on the fringes of a starting XI, as well as working out his team of best footballers from the England cricket squad.

Tymal may be out of the World Cup, but it doesn’t mean the podcast is over… Mark Wood and Tymal Mills discuss what it’s like to walk off injured during the middle of an over, and just how much PPE you have to wear when going for a scan outside the bio-bubble.

The two are joined by Nathan ‘Numbers’ Leamon, the England team data analyst, to find the most ridiculous question he’s ever been asked by a player, and what his signals from the boundary edge mean.

Plus they look back on two impressive wins against Australia and Sri Lanka, including a memorable century from Jos Buttler.

Chris Woakes joins Tymal Mills and Mark Wood for the third episode of the podcast that takes you inside England’s World Cup bubble – Good Pace for Radio.

They talk about the best ball they’ve ever bowled, how they’ve changed as bowlers, plus why Tymal didn’t get full marks in his A Level cricket assessment, and just what went wrong on his Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

Published 2021-10-20

Carlos Brathwaite remembers THAT final

28 min
Open

Five years ago, Carlos Brathwaite finished off one of the most remarkable ends to any final in any sport. The West Indies all-rounder hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes’ bowling to win the World T20. As England prepare to take on the West Indies again for this year’s tournament, Carlos Brathwaite looks back on the West Indies’ remarkable triumph.

Published 2021-09-29

Moeen Ali on Test retirement

44 min
Open

England all-rounder Moeen Ali joins TMS commentator Aatif Nawaz to discuss his retirement from Tests. Moeen explains his decision, goes through the highlights of his Test career and chats about the challenges of playing all formats in Covid times. Moeen also discusses his love of boxing and how Call of Duty helped him cope with quarantine.

Published 2021-09-05

The “Leg over” 30 years on.

31 min
Open

In 1991 Jonathan Agnew and Brian Johnston produced a piece of radio that has been replayed millions of times. Simon Mann is joined at the Oval by Aggers, Brian’s son Barry Johnston, former TMS Producer Peter Baxter and impressionist Rory Bremner.

Published 2021-09-04

View from the Boundary - Chris Addison

36 min
Open

Comedian, actor, writer and director Chris Addison takes a “View from the Boundary” with Jonathan Agnew at the Oval.

Addison discusses watching the 2005 Ashes climax at the Oval, his admiration for England opener Tammy Beaumont and what it was like playing Ollie Reeder in “The Thick of It”.

Published 2021-09-02

Cook’s Oval farewell

31 min
Open

Sir Alastair Cook looks back on his magical farewell Test against India in 2018. Cook reveals to Jonathan Agnew how he came to his decision to retire from international cricket and the inside story of that last innings century.

Published 2021-02-03

Joe Root on his 100th Test

47 min
Open

As Joe Root prepares to play in his 100th Test match, Jonathan Agnew speaks to the England captain to look back on his career, his Test debut, and to ask what the future holds.

Sir Alastair Cook says he has no doubt that Root will surpass his record total of Test runs, whilst Michael Vaughan thinks that he will become England’s greatest ever batsman.

Plus we hear from his parents, Matt and Helen, on what a cricket-obsessed Joe was like growing up.

As England prepare to take on India, Kevin Pietersen looks back on the last time a touring side won there, particularly his stunning century in Mumbai that turned the series around.

The former England batsman talks us through how he turned round his form from a difficult first Test, what he was thinking when walking to the crease, and just what it feels like to smash the Indian bowlers all around the ground.

Along with the Test Match Special commentary from the innings, KP takes you back to one of the greatest innings played by an overseas batsman in India.

Published 2020-12-07

The tour is cancelled – so what next?

30 min
Open

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Michael Vaughan after England’s tour to South Africa is cancelled after positive Covid-19 tests.

South African journalist Firdose Moonda discusses the implications for South Africa – will any teams still be confident enough to tour the cash-strapped country?

And what does it mean for the players, many of whom are already showing signs of ‘bubble fatigue’?

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Tymal Mills and Andy Zaltzman to look at England’s five-wicket win over South Africa in the first T20 at Cape Town, helped by Jonny Bairstow’s brutal career-best 86 not out.

But is number four where Bairstow should be batting? Tymal Mills explains why he should always be one of the first names on the teamsheet, but it’s a mixed day for the Curran family as Sam shines, but Tom has trouble.

And Tymal praises the bowling action of a fellow left-arm quick… former England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Published 2020-10-26

TMS does the IPL: Ben Stokes Special

21 min
Open

England all-rounder Ben Stokes scored a brilliant unbeaten 100 to keep the qualification hopes of Rajasthan Royals alive. In an exclusive interview Stokes speaks to Isa Guha about opening the batting, his rollercoaster three years and why he wouldn’t wish quarantine on his greatest enemy!

Reaction from Old Trafford where England's men played their last match of the summer, as Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell both hit centuries for Australia to clinch a thrilling 2-1 series victory in the final one day international.

We hear from both batsman on their record-breaking 212-run partnership as well as England captain Eoin Morgan, who reviews his side's performances with the white ball.

The TMS team also discuss their champagne moments from an unprecedented summer of cricket that never looked like happening after the coronavirus outbreak.

Picture: Glenn Maxwell of Australia embraces Alex Carey of Australia after reaching his century during the 3rd Royal London One Day International Series match between England and Australia at Emirates Old Trafford (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Jonathan Agnew is joined by former England captain Michael Vaughan to react to an astonishing 24-run win for Eoin Morgan's side in the second one day international, which sets up a series decider with Australia on Wednesday.

We hear from both captains Aaron Finch and Morgan as well as bowler Chris Woakes to get their thoughts on a thrilling encounter. WIth the last England international of the summer approaching on Wednesday, Aggers is joined by Lancashire Chief Executive Daniel Gidney and Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove to discuss how this summer's matches were organised in regards to the bio-secure bubbles at both Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl.

Picture: Adil Rashid of England celebrates the wicket of Alex Carey of Australia and victory in the 2nd Royal London One Day International Series match between England and Australia at Emirates Old Trafford on September 13, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images for ECB)

James Anderson and Jonathan Agnew react to England's 19-run defeat by Australia in the ODI series opener. We hear from captains Eoin Morgan and Aaron Finch as well as Sam Billings who scored a maiden international century. Then Aggers is joined by David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd to talk about his new book covering his career in the game as a player, umpire, coach and commentator. We discuss the star-studded Lancashire side he captained, recount tales of Bob Willis and Geoffrey Boycott, and get his take on the modern game including where he ranks Ben Stokes among the sport’s greats.

Just three days after becoming the first ever fast bowler to get 600 Test wickets, Jimmy Anderson joins the Test Match Special team on a rain-delayed first T20 international between England and Pakistan.

Jimmy reveals how he celebrated his 600th Test wicket, why he can’t wait to bowl to Virat Kohli again, whether he’s likely to play in the Ashes next year, and how much he enjoys batting.

A momentous day for James Anderson as he becomes the first seamer to reach 600 Test wickets. Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl as the TMS team, including Michael Vaughan, Daniel Norcross and Andy Zaltzman, pays tribute. We hear from Anderson himself on his achievement and there’s further insight from his partner-in-crime Stuart Broad about Anderson’s ability, when he first became aware of him and their friendship. There are also reflections on England's series win over Pakistan including interviews with Joe Root, Azhar Ali and Jos Buttler. Lastly, one year on from England’s incredible 3rd Test win against Australia at Headingley, Jack Leach joins us to discuss all the memorable moments: his near-run-out, his vital single and the moment Ben Stokes won the match.

Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl, where there was more frustration for everyone as rain and bad light meant a truncated fourth day between England and Pakistan in the 3rd Test. Following-on, the tourists reached 100-2, still 210 behind, but with the opportunity to save the match if they can bat out the final day. James Anderson took one of those dismissals to move to 599 Test wickets. However, with the forecast looking poor once again, could the rain thwart his bid for 600? Aggers and Mark Ramprakash discuss how important it might be for Anderson to reach that milestone tomorrow and we hear from England head coach Chris Silverwood. Lastly, a panel including Michael Vaughan and Ebony Rainford-Brent debate who has been England's player of the summer.

Published 2020-08-23

Day 3: England force the follow on

50 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents a review of the third day of the 3rd test between England and Pakistan. Joe Root's side forced the follow on in Southampton after bowling out Pakistan for 273, despite the efforts of visiting captain Azhar Ali who scored an unbeaten 141. England could have dismissed the tourists earlier had they not dropped three catches in the space of 10 James Anderson deliveries. Anderson ultimately finished with figures of 5-56 and is now just two shy of 600 Test wickets. Aggers is joined by Michael Vaughan and Azhar Mahmood to discuss the action, while Dan Norcross speaks to Ali and the England spinner Dom Bess. On the anniversary of Brian Johnston's final TMS broadcast, we look at the connection between Brian, his former colleague and fellow TMS legend John Arlott, and the south coast.

Published 2020-08-22

Day 2: A run-fest for England

38 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl as England strengthened their grip against Pakistan on day two of the 3rd and final Test. Zak Crawley's brilliant 267 and 152 from Jos Buttler helped England to a huge score of 583-8. Following their declaration, James Anderson struck three times to leave the tourists on 24-3. Former England captain Michael Vaughan gives his verdict on the day's play and we hear from Crawley and Buttler. Elsewhere, we find out why a Spitfire flew over the ground and Pakistan opener Shan Masood tells Aatif Nawaz about some of his team-mates and learning to speak like Geoff Boycott.

Published 2020-08-21

Day 1: Crawley comes of age

43 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl where Zak Crawley's brilliant maiden century has put England in command of the 3rd and final Test against Pakistan. His 171 not out, and unbroken partnership of 205 with Jos Buttler, guided England from 127-4 to 332-4 at the close. Aggers is joined by Michael Vaughan and Azhar Mahmood to review the day, while Crawley tells Daniel Norcross how it feels to get his first century and why his dad will be the first person he calls. The outgoing ECB chairman Colin Graves explains how vital it's been for English cricket to have these series against Pakistan and West Indies and how he would improve the structure of county cricket, and Simon Hughes and the Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale discuss their new book in which they outline how cricket can change post-COVID.

Simon Mann presents from the Ageas Bowl where the 2nd Test between England and Pakistan finished in a draw. There was more rain but we finally got some play in the afternoon. England reached 110-4 in reply to Pakistan's 236 before the teams agreed to end proceedings. The result means Joe Root's side still lead 1-0 in the series. Michael Vaughan, Azhar Mahmood and Aatif Nawaz dissect what little cricket we saw across the five days and debate how the two sides will approach the final Test which starts later this week. Jonathan Agnew gets reaction from Root and Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali about the match and how the sport can get round the bad light issues that affected this Test, while Andy Zaltzman provides some statistical analysis including how England's declaration score compares with other low totals seen in previous matches.

Published 2020-08-16

Day 4: Here comes the rain again

48 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl where there was play for 60 minutes...and then the rain fell. Play was abandoned with England on 7-1 after having finally bowled Pakistan out for 236. Aggers is joined by Michael Vaughan to discuss the little cricket they saw, while Simon Mann chats with England batting consultant Jonathan Trott about his involvement with the team. Following MS Dhoni's international retirement yesterday, Simon, Mark Ramprakash, Isa Guha, Andy Zaltzman and Prakash Wakankar discuss the man, his playing career and his significance to people in India.

No play at The Ageas Bowl as bad weather wiped out the third day of the 2nd Test between England and Pakistan. Bad light, rain and a wet outfield prevented Pakistan resuming on their overnight 223-9. Jonathan Agnew and Michael Vaughan reflect on what might have been and a surreal day in Southampton which involved squash, playing the banjo and someone singing ‘Sweet Caroline’. They discuss the retirement from international cricket of MS Dhoni, with Michael explaining why he’s the best one-day captain he’s seen. Lastly, we take advantage of the lack of play to sit down with Mark Ramprakash to reflect on his career: who was his most awkward opponent, how could he join Surrey from Middlesex and which of the current England side could emulate his success on Strictly?

Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl on a frustrating day two for England in the 2nd Test against Pakistan. Rain and bad light meant only 40.2 overs were possible as the tourists reached 223-9 with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 60. Michael Vaughan and Azhar Mahmood join Aggers to discuss whether England got their tactics wrong and, looking ahead, if Pakistan's bowling attack could swing the match in their favour. There's reaction from Stuart Broad and we hear from Warwickshire Chief Executive Stuart Cain about plans to have some fans at the T20 Blast Finals Day. There's also a classic View from the Boundary with Waleed Khan, who survived being shot six times in the head during a terrorist attack in Pakistan when he was just 12 years old.

Published 2020-08-13

Day 1: Bowlers give England the upper hand

39 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from the Ageas Bowl where England's bowlers performed well on a rain-affected first day of the second Test against Pakistan. The tourists were 126-5 - James Anderson with two of those wickets to edge him that bit closer to the 600 mark - before rain and then bad light brought an early end to proceedings. Aggers is joined by Mark Ramprakash and Aatif Nawaz to chew over the day's play while there's reaction from Sam Curran. Elsewhere, Aatif, Azhar Mahmood and Simon Mann discuss Shoaib Akhtar's career on his 45th birthday, whether he deserved his bad boy reputation and his recent role as a game show host. There's also an interview with Dr Samara Afzal, one of the frontline NHS staff to be honoured during the West Indies series, with her name appearing on the shirt of Chris Woakes.

Isa Guha and Aatif Nawaz spend a lively half hour with the first man to break the 100 miles per hour barrier Shoaib Akhtar. Shoaib enjoyed a colourful 14 year international career with Pakistan and has since become an outspoken media performer. He discusses that famous fastest ball at the 2003 World Cup, shares memories of famous battles with Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and Andrew Flintoff and he reveals how he thinks he’d be able to dismiss Virat Kohli these days.

Published 2020-08-08

Day 4: England fight back to beat Pakistan

28 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England produced an incredible comeback to snatch victory from Pakistan. Chasing 277, England looked all but beaten at 117-5, but pushed on by a Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler partnership of 139, they claimed a thrilling win by 3 wickets. Michael Vaughan, Azhar Mahmood, Mark Ramprakash and Simon Mann look at where it was won and lost. Aggers speaks to the respective captains Joe Root and Azhar Ali, as well as England heroes Buttler and Woakes, while TMS statistician Andy Zaltzman gives a historical perspective to England's win.

Published 2020-08-07

Day 3: England back in it?

44 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England have fought back to give themselves a glimmer of hope of winning the 1st Test against Pakistan. The home side took four wickets for 27 runs late on, including two for Ben Stokes, to leave the tourists on 137-8 - a lead of 244. Earlier Joe Root's side, who were 92-4 overnight, had managed to reach 219 in their first innings. Aggers is joined by Michael Vaughan, Azhar Mahmood and Vic Marks to review the day, while Henry Moeran interviews England batsman Ollie Pope. We also hear from film-maker and historian Anwar Akhtar about the importance of cricket in the British-Pakistani community and there's an interview with 83-year-old Old Trafford steward Stan Pritchard about his rapport with West Indies captain Jason Holder.

Published 2020-08-06

Day 2: England in trouble

36 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where Pakistan are firmly in control of the 1st Test against England. After the tourists were all out for 326, with Shan Masood scoring a superb 156, their bowlers seized the moment to leave England on 92-4 at the close. Aggers, Michael Vaughan and Azhar Mahmood look back on the day while Henry Moeran interviews Masood and England bowler Jofra Archer, who discusses England's display and how he felt to miss the 2nd Test against West Indies when he broke the bio-secure protocols. There's also an interview with PCB chairman Ehsan Mani on why he thinks England should tour in Pakistan once again and whether we could see a Test match against neighbours India soon.

Published 2020-08-05

Day 1: A good start for Pakistan

47 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England endured a frustrating first day in the 1st Test against Pakistan. Rain interruptions and some excellent batting from Babar Azam allowed the tourists to finish the day on 139-2. Azhar Mahmood tells Aggers why he thinks it's been a good day for Pakistan while Michael Vaughan asks whether Azam could have a similar impact on this series as Steve Smith did in the 2019 Ashes. Dan Norcross gets reaction from England head coach Chris Silverwood and Pakistan opener Shan Masood and, with a new biography about the late Bob Willis being released this week, Aggers speaks to his widow Lauren and brother David about Headingley 81, Bob's style of punditry and his love of Bob Dylan.

England 's 2020 Test series victory against West Indies will be the last time the two countries contest the Wisden Trophy. The next time they meet in a series they will play for the Richards-Botham Trophy, named after two legends of the game: Sir Viv Richards and Sir Ian Botham. In this special TMS podcast, the two men tell Isa Guha about their friendship, their period together as team-mates at Somerset and their rivalry on the pitch when on opposite sides for their respective nations.

Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England have won the third Test and the series against West Indies. It was a momentous day for Stuart Broad as he became only the second Englishman to take 500 Test wickets. Aggers, Michael Vaughan and Carlos Brathwaite review the series while we get reaction from Broad and the respective captains, Joe Root and Jason Holder. Broad's partner-in-crime Jimmy Anderson discusses their close relationship on and off the pitch, plus there are further tributes from former England skipper Alastair Cook and the chairman of the club where Broad played as a youngster.

Published 2020-07-27

Day 4: No play but there is Ask Carlos

73 min
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Daniel Norcross presents from a wet Old Trafford on day four of the 3rd Test between England and West Indies. Play was abandoned due to the weather and will resume on the final day with the tourists on 10-2, chasing an unlikely 399 to win. Joe Root's side will need to take eight wickets to win the Test and series. Due to the washout Simon Mann took the opportunity to chat with summariser Carlos Brathwaite and asked him to answer some of our listeners' questions. Inevitably much of the discussion surrounded the World T20 Final in 2016 when he hit four successive sixes in the final over to lead West Indies to victory against England. He reveals what was going through his mind as Ben Stokes bowled at him in that finale and what was said between the pair afterwards. Amidst all the cricket talk, we also let Carlos have a go at doing the Shipping Forecast!

Published 2020-07-27

Remembering Graham Gooch's 333

52 min
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Dan Norcross presents a bonus TMS podcast to commemorate the 30th anniversary of one of the most famous innings ever played at Lord's: when Graham Gooch scored 333 against India in the 1st Test. You'll hear a replay of a special programme presented by Jonathan Agnew featuring archive commentary and some of the main protagonists from that memorable 1990 match including Gooch himself, Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin. Then Dan, Phil Tufnell, Andy Zaltzman and Vic Marks get together to recall their memories and talk about Gooch's England career.

Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England are on the verge of a series win over West Indies following the third day of the deciding Test. Stuart Broad’s six wickets across two innings have not only brought Joe Root’s side close to victory but also left the bowler just one away from 500 career Test wickets. His four in four overs had the tourists 197 all out, 172 behind. England later declared on 226-2 with Rory Burns hitting 90 and Dom Sibley and Root scoring 56 and 68 respectively to set Jason Holder’s side a target of 399. But thanks to Broad's efforts with the ball, the tourists finished on 10-2 in their second innings at the close. Aggers, Michael Vaughan and Carlos Brathwaite discuss the action while Simon Mann gets the thoughts of Burns and Roston Chase. There’s also an interview with Surrey chief Executive Rchard Gould and a Surrey fan as the Oval held the first sporting event in England with a crowd since lockdown began.

Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England are in a good position to win the 3rd Test - and the series - against the West Indies. Stuart Broad's rapid-fire 62 helped Joe Root's side to a total of 369. He and his old pal Jimmy Anderson then took two wickets apiece as the tourists closed on 137-6. Aggers, Michael Vaughan and Carlos Brathwaite pick over the day's play while Eleanor Oldroyd chats both to Broad and to Kemar Roach, who joined an exclusive group of West Indian bowlers to take 200 Test wickets. Elsewhere, there's an interview with two sisters who have composed Full Tosca - TMS: The Opera during lockdown and we rewind to 1991 to hear a classic View from the Boundary interview with the legendary actor Peter O'Toole, who recalls playing cricket on the set of Lawrence of Arabia with Omar Sharif.

Published 2020-07-24

Day 1: Pope provides belief for England

34 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England have the upper hand after the first day of the 3rd test between England and the West Indies. After looking shaky at 122-4, unbeaten knocks of 91 from Ollie Pope and 56 from Jos Buttler leave Joe Root’s side in a good position. Michael Vaughan, Carlos Brathwaite and Aggers look back on the day while Eleanor Oldroyd speaks to Pope about his innings and whether he’ll be able to sleep with a century so close. Sir Andrew Strauss joins Aggers to discuss his late's wife's foundation on Red For Ruth day.

Published 2020-07-19

Day 4: England victory hopes still alive

31 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents the TMS podcast after an exciting fourth day of the second Test between England and the West Indies at Old Trafford. England will begin the final day 219 runs ahead on 37-2 after the tourists were bowled out for 287. Aggers, Michael Vaughan and Carlos Brathwaite review a lively final session that saw Stuart Broad take 3 wickets in 14 deliveries and Joe Root send out Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler to open their second innings. Eleanor Oldroyd speaks to Broad and West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite and there’s an interview with West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave about the decision to send the team to play in England and how COVID-19 could affect the game on the islands.

10 years on from England’s first ever triumph in a men’s global tournament, man of the tournament Kevin Pietersen and captain Paul Collingwood look back on the 2010 World T20 win in the Caribbean.

Find out how a mascot called Lucky, taking golf clubs to training and a late change at the top of the order all helped England lift their first ever ICC trophy.

Published 2020-03-23

The Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show

27 min
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Mark Champan, Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan bring you the latest news from the world of cricket, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the sport. With professional cricket currently off – which area will feel it most? The County Championship, the Royal London Cup, the T20 Blast, England's Tests, ODIs or The Hundred? And once we're through this crisis, what could the domestic game look like? Will it have changed at all?

Published 2020-01-13

Tuffers and Vaughan: Third Test Preview

52 min
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Mark Chapman brings you the first Tuffers and Vaughan of 2020. With Michael away, Graham Onions stands in to help Phil preview England’s third test. Plus, England opener Dom Sibley talks about life as a Test opener and we look at how Jimmy Anderson keeps himself going at the age of 37.

Published 2019-12-04

Bob Willis 1949-2019

39 min
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Eleanor Oldroyd pays tribute to former England captain Bob Willis, who has died at the age of 70. His teammates Mike Brearley, Vic Marks and David Gower share their memories of him, including Willis' memorable performance during 1981 Ashes series at Headingley.

Published 2019-09-15

The Oval day 4: What a summer

38 min
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We hear from Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Steve Smith after England's 135-run win at The Oval meant a drawn Ashes series for the first time in 47 years. Michael Vaughan has his say on why this result will be significant for Root's leadership of the side going forward, Alec Stewart says Ashley Giles has big decisions to make in the post Trevor Bayliss, and Glenn McGrath gets the final word on the pod as the urn heads back to Australia.

Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath and Alec Stewart have their say on England batting themselves into a strong position to win the match and tie the series. We hear from Joe Denly on his amazing week; the birth of his daughter now followed by a new highest Test score of 96 which Michael Vaughan says will be enough to ensure he's on the winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa.

Plus, Aggers chats to Kevin Roberts on leading Cricket Australia out of the ball tampering scandal, English crowds booing David Warner, and his upcoming visit to Pakistan with a view to touring the country in 2022.

Michael Vaughan says England will need a 'Michael Atherton in Johannesburg type innings' (185 not out off 492 balls having occupied the crease for over 10 hours) to secure a draw and keep their Ashes hopes alive heading into the final Test at The Oval.

Coach Trevor Bayliss says his side can pull off another incredible escape, and we hear from Australia's team mentor Steve Waugh on Steve Smith’s monumental performances.

Away from the cricket, we catch up with James Pattinson about his love of English football and in particular Grimsby Town!

Published 2019-09-07

View from the Boundary: Jeremy Bowen

36 min
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Long-time BBC Middle East editor and fanatical cricket listener Jeremy Bowen joins Aggers to chat covering upwards of twenty wars across the globe, expecting to die in conflicts, and how following cricket enabled him to escape the gravity of his work.

Also up for discussion; how to interview figures like Colonel Gaddafi, and nine months on from his bowel cancer diagnosis, the importance of screening and early diagnosis of the disease.

Jonathan Agnew and ABC’s Geoff Lemon look ahead to the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford where England will look to capitalise on Ben Stokes' heroics at Headingley with the five-match series tied at 1-1.

You’ll hear from England captain Joe Root on why Craig Overton has replaced Chris Woakes.

Australia captain Tim Paine also comes on to the TMS podcast to talk about how Steve Waugh is helping them to prepare for the fourth test and the return Steve Smith which also means the return of his battle with England pace bowler Jofra Archer.

We also get an update from England bowler James Anderson now he's out for the rest of the Test series with his calf injury, as well as hearing from his opening partner Stuart Broad on his longevity in Test cricket.

Michael Vaughan says the Ashes are heading back to Australia as a dismal English total of 67 looks to have gift wrapped victory for the tourists at Headingley. Alastair Cook and Geoffrey Boycott have their say on why England's batting has been so bad for so long and what needs to change. You'll also hear from batting coach Graham Thorpe and Australian quick Josh Hazlewood who took 5-30.

Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook react to a day of a huge momentum swings at Headingley. Rain, bad light, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne frustrated England until a wild last session with Jofra Archer tearing through Australia's lower order. You'll hear from Archer himself and David Warner after his best innings of the series by far. Plus, Michael Vaughan has some strong opinions on the lack of English coaches in next summer's inaugural Hundred competition.

Jonathan Agnew and ABC’s Geoff Lemon look ahead to the third Ashes Test at Headingley where England have an opportunity to level the series – which Australia lead 1-0.

You’ll hear from England captain Joe Root on why he thinks Jofra Archer made such in impact in the second Test at Lord’s with his “unique bowling style.”

Australia captain Tim Paine also comes on to the TMS podcast to talk about how they are preparing ahead of the third Test after Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion.

You’ll find out why Geoff Lemon thinks Steve Smith is like a particular Lords of the Rings character and we get an update on England bowler James Anderson – will he recover from his calf injury in time to make the fourth Test at Old Trafford?

Phil and Michael talk about the momentum shift in the Ashes series after Jofra Archer’s hostile bowling at Lord’s, which will ‘send shivers down the rest of the Australian batting unit’. Michael has a warning for Joe Root over how much he uses Archer, and says that facing him in the nets should be banned for English batsmen.

Plus we speak to brain injury association Headway, who have some strong words for Cricket Australia over their decision to allow Steve Smith to bat again after being struck by Archer.

Ahead of the Ruth Strauss Foundation Day at Lord’s, Andrew Strauss sat down with Glenn McGrath to talk about the impact of losing their wives to cancer, but also the foundations they’ve set up in their names, and how cricket can help raise funds and awareness.

Jonathan Agnew, whose wife is in remission from cancer, hosts the discussion as Lord’s prepares to turn red for the day.

Published 2019-08-13

Lord’s Preview: Can England bounce back?

30 min
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Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Lemon look ahead to the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. We hear from Joe Root on what Jofra Archer could do on his Test debut. Australia captain Tim Paine explains why they’ve changed a bowler from Edgbaston, and Jack Leach tells us why, after being dropped for the Edgbaston Test, he paid £10 to play club cricket instead.

Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath and Geoffrey Boycott have their say on a Nathan Lyon-inspired Australia taking a 1-0 lead in the Ashes. We discuss whether some of England's players are experiencing an emotional hangover from their World Cup victory, ask what changes should be made for Lord's, and ponder if Australia are simply the better side if there's not going to be any lateral movement in this series. We also hear from Joe Root and man of the match Steve Smith.

Published 2019-07-30

Inside the Mind of an Ashes Captain

57 min
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Michael Vaughan speaks to Sir Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Allan Border and Ian Chappell about what it's like captaining in cricket's oldest rivalry.

Andrew Strauss reveals how being insulted in a lift by a member of the Barmy Army fuelled his desire to win the Ashes in 2010-11, whilst for Allan Border it was being sledged by the Australian Prime Minister on TV.

Did that really happen?

Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan are back together after the most incredible cricket match that saw England crowned as World Champions.

We go through the last 20 balls of the match, ball-by-ball, to relive the most incredible drama Lord's has ever seen.

And Tuffers suggests that Jofra Archer 'roll his trousers up'. Us neither.

Published 2019-07-14

CWC Day 46: Cricket’s coming home

45 min
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Jonathan Agnew presents all the reaction from Lords as England have won their first ever Cricket World Cup by scoring more boundaries than New Zealand in a super over after it ended as a tie.

Michael Vaughan, Jimmy Anderson, Phil Tufnell, Alec Stewart, Jeremy Coney and Simon Mann all reflect on England’s dramatic victory.

Eoin Morgan, Trevor Bayliss, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler all come onto the TMS podcast to celebrate an historic day.

Published 2019-07-13

CWC Day 45: The Final Countdown

48 min
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The day before the World Cup final, Eoin Morgan joins Jonathan Agnew to explain just what winning the tournament would mean to him, and to the game in this country. We hear from Mark Wood, who promises that he’ll bring his horse back if England win, and from Brendon McCullum, the man who has heavily influenced both sides.

Jeremy Coney compares the final to Agincourt, with Kane Williamson as Henry V, and Jimmy Anderson talks us through England’s last World Cup failure in 2015, and we look at why it could be so different this time.

Published 2019-07-11

CWC Day 43: Is cricket coming home?

38 min
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Did it really happen?

Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook join Jonathan Agnew to relive England’s emphatic win over Australia that puts them into Sunday’s final, where they’ll meet New Zealand.

Eoin Morgan exclusively reveals to us that this win is ‘definitely one of the better days’ that he’s had. In another understatement, Jofra Archer tells us that the world cup has gone ‘pretty alright’ for him.

Jonathan Agnew speaks to England captain Eoin Morgan ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Australia at Edgbaston - we're also joined by former Australia captain Steve Waugh, who possibly isn't the type of man to walk around a ground barefoot. But the current captain has gone to see The Queen's Corgi at the cinema in preparation for the match.

Meanwhile, New Zealand stun India to reach the World Cup final - we hear from Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and a very happy Jeremy Coney.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by former New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney and Prakash Wakankar on a frustrating day at Old Trafford, where rain has halted the semi-final between New Zealand and India after 46 overs of the New Zealand innings.

Liam Plunkett tells us that he doesn’t think England will be adopting Australia’s barefoot Edgbaston walkabout approach, the outgoing chief exec of the ICC, Dave Richardson, talks free-to-air tv, World Cup formats, and the progress he’s made as he departs his role, and we hear from a family of India fans who drove to the World Cup. From Singapore.

Tuffers is off again this week, so Paul Farbrace takes his place as he joins Michael to look ahead to the World Cup semi-finals.

Michael works out a unique way to motivate the England players, Paul tells a story about when Tuffers once hid behind a sightscreen to avoid a fielding drill, and Ebony Rainford Brent explains where it's all going wrong for England in the Women's Ashes.

Rohit Sharma became the first man to score five centuries in a single World Cup as India chased down 265 with 6.3 overs to spare at Headingley. We hear from Charles Dagnell, Prakash Wakankar and Jeremy Coney on their assessment of the match. Meanwhile Australia fell 10 runs short in the competition's final group game at Old Trafford. We hear from former England cricketer Graeme Swan for his thoughts ahead of England’s semi-final against Australia, and England women all-rounder Natalie Sciver ahead of their third and final ODI.

Eoin Morgan joins the pod ahead of England’s date with destiny against New Zealand. The England captain discusses the success of the team meeting he held prior to the India win, why the loss to NZ in the 2015 World Cup remains one of the lowest moments of his career, and if he's going to bat first if he wins the toss going forward.

There’s also reaction from Edgbaston as India book their semi-final spot and eliminate Bangladesh in the process. Criticism of MS Dhoni won’t go away but Prakash Wakankar tells us he’s India’s most selfless cricketer.

After his heroics against India, England's Jason Roy takes us inside the mind of an opener. Graeme Swann and Jeremy Coney look ahead to England against New Zealand. We reflect on Sri Lanka beating West Indies in a thriller at Chester-le-Street with Sir Curtly Ambrose, and you'll hear from captain Heather Knight as England prepare to face Australia in the Women's Ashes.

The pressure is mounting on England after Pakistan squeezed past Afghanistan on day 31 – Aatif Nawaz and Daniel Norcross were watching at Headingley.

Meanwhile Eoin Morgan joins the podcast to talk about Jonny Bairstow’s comments, Jason Roy’s fitness and the pitch at Edgbaston.

Australia win yet again, this time against New Zealand at Lord’s, and we make progress in our efforts to find a listener to this podcast from every country in the world.

As a swarm of bees interrupts play at the Cricket World Cup, Charles Dagnall, Scott Read and ex-England assistant coach Paul Farbrace review South Africa's victory over Sri Lanka. It was a result which leaves Sri Lanka on the brink of elimination from the tournament. Jos Buttler speaks to Jonathan Overend as England's crunch game with India edges ever nearer. Ex-New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney and former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie assess the significance of Australia against New Zealand ahead of the sides' meeting at Lord's.

West Indies are knocked out of the World Cup after being comprehensively beaten by India at Old Trafford - Prakash Wakankar and Curtley Ambrose join Simon Mann to give their reaction.

And with India still unbeaten and looking in fine fettle, can England get the result they desperately need on Sunday? James Anderson and Kris Srikkanth give their views on the crunch match at Edgbaston. Anderson also reflects on the career of Marcus Trescothick who has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Jeremy Coney and Aatif Nawaz join Charles Dagnall to reflect on Pakistan keeping their hopes of a World Cup semi-final place alive as they moved to within a point of England with a six-wicket victory over New Zealand.

Also hear from Graeme Swann on England's troubles and Joe Root looks ahead to his side's vital match against India on Sunday.

Michael Vaughan says England turned up at Lord's this morning with the look of a side who thought they could lose the game. Is the pressure of tournament cricket and the favourites tag really beginning to tell on Eoin Morgan's side? He says not, but that confidence needs to be re-built. India await at Edgbaston on Sunday by which time England could find themselves on the outside looking in for a semi-final qualification spot.

You'll also get the post-match thoughts of Alec Stewart and Jim Maxwell, with interviews from Ben Stokes and Aaron Finch.

Sir Curtly Ambrose and Robin Smith explain the arts of both bowling fast, and facing pace. Curtly tells us that it’s all about building up a reputation, whilst Robin says that it helps to imagine a line half way down the pitch.

Plus Ebony Rainford Brent joins us in place of Tuffers to speak about where England went wrong against Sri Lanka, and what they need to do against Australia.

And we hear a from a very prescient Virat Kohli, with his pre-tournament prediction.

Eoin Morgan joins the pod on the eve of England and Australia at Lord's. We ask if England will stick to their guns after the Sri Lanka defeat, look ahead to some of the tournament's most impressive fast bowlers going to head-to-head, and hear from Paul Farbrace on how to get David Warner out.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh take care of business and beat Afghanistan thanks to you know who, Shakib Al Hasan, and there's a spectacular meltdown from Usman Shinwari at being stranded on 49.

After a fifth defeat in seven matches South Africa become only the second side to be eliminated from the World Cup. We ask why they've been so sub-par. Predictably Pakistan bring their A-game in a backs-to-the-wall scenario, but do they have enough to mount a late assault on the semis? We hear from Jofra Archer as we look ahead to a massive match between England and Australia, plus Jimmy Anderson reflects on the 2007 tournament in the Caribbean where England failed to qualify from the Super 8s amidst the pedalo fiasco.

The Cricket World Cup cat is well and truly amongst the tournament pigeons as England suffer a second defeat of the group stage to bring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh back into the semi-final qualification picture. Michael Vaughan puts the shock loss down to failing to play intelligent cricket, Paul Farbrace says they didn't adapt to a slower pitch, and Eoin Morgan admits Sri Lanka would've been robbed had Ben Stokes seen his team home.

No blame apportioned to England's bowlers for the result, we get James Anderson's analysis on their success so far, and we catch up with a cricket-loving star from the Harry Potter films.

The new-look, less cavalier David Warner hits the highest individual score of the World Cup so far, his 166 the key to Australia's 48-run win over Bangladesh.

Jim Maxwell thinks the new approach is at least partly injury enforced, Graeme Swann says he's trying to be a nicer guy to win people over within the game. Either way, is he a better batsman now? And what might that mean for the Ashes?

We check in with Moeen Ali ahead of his 100th ODI appearance for England as they prepare for Sri Lanka. He chats the new addition to his family, Eoin Morgan's sublime innings, and the change in the team's identity since he first came into the side.

Jeremy Coney and Natalie Germanos join Simon Mann to look back on Kane Williamson’s superb century that helped New Zealand past South Africa in the tournament’s closest finish so far. We hear from Williamson himself, as well as a very disappointed Faf du Plessis.

Plus, in a podcast exclusive, Chris Woakes explains just what goes through his mind when he bowls the final over of an innings, especially when defending a total. We also hear from former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who has a warning for the future of the game in South Africa.

Published 2019-06-18

CWC Day 20: Captain Morgan's Joy of Six

37 min
Open

England have gone top of the World Cup standings thanks to an astonishing blitz of six hitting from Eoin Morgan, writing himself into the record books in the process.

And whilst it was Afghanistan's bowlers on the receiving end of the barrage, we discuss their remarkable journey from the sport being banned by the Taliban to mixing it with the best on the world stage.

Published 2019-06-17

Tuffers and Vaughan: Robin Smith opens up

45 min
Open

Tuffers, Michael and Chappers are joined by former England batsman Robin Smith, who speaks very frankly an openly about his mental struggles when playing and after retiring, including depression, alcoholism and contemplating suicide.

If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

We're in the England camp ahead of the match with Afghanistan; Eoin Morgan refuses to rule out a return for the axed Alex Hales, whilst Mark Wood gives us the lowdown on his TV schedule. Curtly Ambrose is withering in his assessment of the West Indies' bowling as Bangladesh knock off the second highest run chase in World Cup history, and on its twentieth anniversary we replay the unbelievable finish to the 1999 semi-final at Edgbaston between Australia and South Africa.

A Pakistani supporter may have arrived at the ground on an beautiful horse but there was nothing elegant about the performance of the men in green at Old Trafford. Former star all-rounder turned Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted before the match that Sarfaraz must be bold and bat first....he put India in and Rohit, Rahul and Kohli all made him pay. Graeme Swann and Prakash Wakankar give their assessment of the match whilst Aatif Nawaz has another chastening loss to his big rivals to stew on. You'll also hear from the two captains and KL Rahul.

All eyes on Old Trafford for the most eagerly awaited match of the tournament as India and Pakistan face off. In this pod you’ll hear from Waqar Younis on what it’s like to play and coach in these games, plus a brilliant account of what this fixture means to fans with Doosra podcast host Aatif Nawaz.

Meanwhile, Australia have gone to the top of table with victory over Sri Lanka. We speak to Jason Gillespie about Mitchell Starc’s brilliance, David Warner’s confusing scoring rates and why he thinks individual milestones in one-day cricket are overrated.

Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook and Jonathan Agnew reflect on England’s ‘perfect performance’ to beat West Indies by 8 wickets, but there are concerns about injuries to Eoin Morgan and Jason Roy. We hear from Joe Root, who scored a century and took two wickets, as well as Morgan and an angry Fazeer Mohammed tells us why he’s had enough of West Indies’ ‘showboating’.

Glenn Hoddle joins the podcast to talk about his love of cricket, and what it was like to face Joel Garner.

And Andy Zaltzman gets very excited as history is made as England win back-to-back victories at a World Cup against Test level opposition, and then even more excited as someone e-mails him about ‘Eddie Hemmings World’.

Alastair Cook chats England's task against the West Indies, whether or not Jason Roy could feature in the Ashes, the sleepless nights he had when leading England, and is joined by old friend Graeme Swann to reminisce about their days in the slip cordon.

Plus, we check in with Eoin Morgan to ask if there's been a whip round for Moeen and his wife after the birth of their child.

And as the quest for a listener in every country in the world hots up, we do our best to pronounce some of the lesser-known towns and cities from where you've been emailing in.

Finally a day with no rain! David Warner’s brilliant century helped Australia squeeze past Pakistan in a thrilling match in Taunton, despite a superb bowling display from Mohammad Amir – Waqar Younis tells us just what he thinks it will do for Amir, plus Michael Vaughan, Geoff Lemon and Aatif Nawaz give their thoughts on a brilliant match.

Trevor Bayliss explains to us why he hasn’t been watching any non-England games at the World Cup, and we continue our quest to find a listener to the podcast in every country in the world. We’re nearly half way there.

Yet more rain means Sri Lanka and Bangladesh never even take the field but fortunately Graeme Swann and Paul Farbrace are in superb form as they guide us through what happens in the dressing room during rain delays, how not to coach a player and the mentality of a successful spin bowler. Plus, Dan Norcross and Andy Zaltzman debate the pros and cons of moving the tournament to Mauritania.

Michael Vaughan says India are the best team in the tournament so far after a 36-run win over Australia. We try to make sense of the conservative Aussie chase, particularly from David Warner, and ask if it's only a matter of time until a sticky bail incident proves pivotal in the outcome of a match.

Plus, we speak to Jimmy Anderson about his first World Cup experience with England back in 2003 when a decision to boycott their match in Zimbabwe ultimately cost them a place in the Super Sixes.

Nathan Coulter-Nile with the bat then Mitchell Starc with the ball earn Australia victory, their tenth ODI win on the spin. The West Indies may have come up short today but we get the inside story on this rejuvenated side with Curtly Ambrose and their recent Head Coach Stuart Law. We also hear from Liam Plunkett on diet, match preparation, and why he's given up alcohol.

Jeremy Coney and Mel Jones join Simon Mann in a soggy Cardiff as Sri Lanka edge past Afghanistan.

Chris Woakes and Mark Wood try to identify which of their teammates are Beliebers, which like Friends, and which like Made in Chelsea, based on old tweets.

And will we ever see Dale Steyn in a South Africa shirt again? He’s out of the World Cup, but India are finally about to make their debut.

Well, well, well, Pakistan stun England in a major tournament once again. You'll hear from Michael Vaughan, Joe Root and Wahab Riaz on where the match was won and lost.

Were there nerves in the England ranks? Sir Viv Richards drops by to explain what it's like to handle the pressure of being pre-tournament favourites. And Graeme Swann and Fazeer Mohammed have a bit of a ding dong over Mankadding.

Are South Africa's worst nightmares about this World Cup already materialising? Do Bangladesh have the quality to challenge any side at the tournament? Questions posed by Dan Norcross and answered by Alec Stewart, Natalie Germanos and Roushan Alam on this episode of the TMS podcast at the World Cup. Andy Zaltzman's also on the pod to discuss whether 'pulled crickets' will ever become a thing, and the best crowd catches he's ever seen. You'll also hear from Eoin Morgan ahead of England's second match against Pakistan.

Reaction to Australia and New Zealand opening their World Cup campaigns with straightforward wins over Afghanistan and Sri Lanka with Jimmy Anderson, Graeme Swann, Paul Farbrace and others. David Warner looks solid if unspectacular, is that typical of the Aussies' style under Justin Langer? Could Sri Lanka could well be the tournament's weakest side and how long before batsmen start playing the short ball properly?

Curtly Ambrose joins the pod as the West Indies get their World Cup campaign off to the perfect start with victory over Pakistan at Trent Bridge. He chats their hostile bowling, being able to hide Chris Gayle in the field, and his experience on TV reality show 'Dancing with the Stars'. Plus, Jos Buttler interviews friend and team-mate Adil Rashid on the secrets of successful leg-spin in white ball cricket.

Michael Vaughan and Sam Curran join Jonathan Agnew at the Oval for reactions to England's opening World Cup win over South Africa.

Ben Stokes tells us that his stunning catch was 'a fluke', plus we hear from Eoin Morgan, Graeme Smith and Imran Tahir, who's not happy with his side's batsmen.

Sam Curran explains what it's like to get an IPL hattrick without realising, and we begin our quest to find the listener in the most obscure place.

Published 2019-05-29

CWC 1 day to go: It’s time!

42 min
Open

The day before the World Cup starts, Jonathan Agnew speaks to Eoin Morgan at the Oval about expectations, performing, and what he’ll say to the Queen.

South Africa coach Ottis Gibson answers whether he’d be interested in the England job after Trevor Bayliss, plus Natalie Germanos and Dean Wilson give their thoughts on the World Cup opener.

Then Aggers heads off to the World Cup launch party, and speaks to the great and good of world cricket, including Sir Viv Richards, Mahela Jayawardene, Azhar Ali, Jacques Kallis and Kevin Pietersen.

Eoin Morgan opens up to Michael Vaughan about how he and England turned their ODI form round, from the ‘humiliation’ of England’s defeat to Bangladesh in 2015, to becoming favourites at a home World Cup.

Morgan tells how he was jealous of the style of cricket that New Zealand were playing four years ago, and how he wrote in his diary during the last World Cup about the need for change in English cricket.

Don’t forget, there’s a new episode available every day throughout the tournament, so make sure you subscribe via BBC Sounds or your usual podcast app.

Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by Jonathan Agnew and Jim Maxwell to look back on the Cricket World Cup’s 10 most shocking moments.

From Kevin O’Brien’s incredible innings to help Ireland beat England, to Big Dwayne Leverock’s brilliant slip catch, Elly, Aggers and Jim take you through those unforgettable moments.

Don’t forget, there’s a new episode available every day throughout the tournament, so make sure you subscribe via BBC Sounds or your usual podcast app.

Simon Mann brings reaction as England fell to a 12-run defeat by Australia in a thrilling World Cup warm-up match in Southampton after Steve Smith's first century since being banned for his part in the ball-tampering scandal.

Also hear from Graeme Swann, Jos Buttler, Alex Carey, Steve Smith and award-winning author Geoff Lemon about life in Australian cricket since the sandpaper affair.

Published 2019-05-24

CWC 6 days to go: The captains' podcast

39 min
Open

With six days to go, Mark Chapman is joined by all ten of the captains at the Cricket World Cup in front of a live audience of journalists and local school children.

The captains talk India vs Pakistan, expectations, excitement and whether we will see the first ever side to score 500 in an innings.

Don't forget, there's a new episode available every day throughout the tournament, so make sure you subscribe via BBC Sounds or your usual podcast app.

Published 2019-05-23

CWC 7 days to go: The preview podcast

32 min
Open

A week away from the start of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, we launch our daily podcast that will run throughout the tournament.

Michael Vaughan explains why he thinks fielding will be key this tournament, Ebony Rainford Brent and Phil Tufnell wonder whether knowing the location of the nearest chippy helps World Cup preparation, and debate everything from ‘old twiddlies’ to ‘emotional ping pongs’. Plus Ramiz Raja picks six teams to make the semi-finals.

We’ll be back every day between now and the final, so make sure you’re subscribed. And feel free to send us your thoughts on tms@bbc.co.uk; put ‘podcast’ in the title. Be nice.

Published 2019-05-21

The World Cup Years: 1999

26 min
Open

Kevin Howells and Andy Zaltzman complete their look back on the four Cricket World Cups to have been held in the UK.

Alec Stewart, Gus Fraser and John Etheridge join Kevin and Andy to look back on a tournament perhaps best remembered for the fact that England were out before the official song (recorded by Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics).

Published 2019-05-18

The World Cup Years: 1983

26 min
Open

Kevin Howells and Andy Zaltzman continue their look back on the four Cricket World Cups to have been held in the UK.

Andy reveals that the first ever game of cricket he saw was during this tournament, as Paul Allott, Vic Marks and Graeme Fowler join him and Kevin.

Published 2019-05-15

The World Cup Years: 1979

27 min
Open

Kevin Howells and Andy Zaltzman continue their look back on the four Cricket World Cups to have been held in the UK.

As we reflect on the 1979 World Cup, we’re joined by Graham Gooch, David Gower and Mike Hendrick, plus some vintage commentary from the great Tony Cozier.

Published 2019-05-12

The World Cup Years: 1975

26 min
Open

Kevin Howells and Andy Zaltzman begin their look back on the four men's World Cup tournaments previously held in the UK and their impact on the game.

They start with the first event held in 1975 won by a brilliant West Indies side. Guests include winning captain Clive Lloyd, first tournament centurion Dennis Amiss plus finalists Ian Chappell and Deryck Murray.

Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace explain what it was like to be in the Sri Lanka team bus that was attacked 10 years ago in Lahore, Pakistan.

Islamist militants fired rockets and machine guns at the convoy as it reached the stadium.

Six police officers and two civilians died in the attack. Many in the Sri Lankan team, including Farbrace, were injured.

Published 2018-08-21

Aggers speaks to Heather Knight

31 min
Open

Test Match Special brings you an in-depth interview with Heather Knight during lunch on day four of the third Test between England and India. The England women’s captain opens up to correspondent Jonathan Agnew about her career, her view on the women’s game, and hopes for the future. She also answers questions from TMS listeners.