Hit For Six

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! The World Cup has not gone to plan for England thus far. Michael and Rob catch up with their friend Dom to discuss where it's all gone wrong, and also to contemplate the future of 50-over cricket as a whole!

Michael and Rob catch up to discuss the opening rounds of the Cricket World Cup.

Was it a moral victory for England? Is Zak Crawley one of the all times greats? Should they ever play Test cricket in Manchester again? When will Jimmy call it a day? Is the Foakes-Bairstow debate over? There is so much for Michale, Rob and their Aussie mate Alex to dissect following this all time classic Ashes series! 

3 down, 2 to go. Australia may lead 2-1 but could it be that England are about to complete one of the greatest cricketing comebacks ever? Michael and Rob are joined by Melbourne's own Alex Brebner-Griffin to get an Australian perspective on the Ashes so far. Was stumping-gate out of order? How popular is Pat Cummins? Why are we called "Whingeing Poms"? All this and more as we preview the final two Tests.

It's been a while since their last pod… but the Hit for Six boys are back to discuss that stumping, that Long Room altercation and that Ben Stokes innings. Were Australia fair enough to claim the wicket? Or was it just not cricket? There's also plenty more to discuss from the opening two tests. Should England really be 2-0 down? Can they come back or have the Ashes gone? Plenty to discuss and there's still three tests to go!

Michael and Rob reflect on a sensational finish to the second and final Test of England's tour in New Zealand. Did England bottle it? Where New Zealand worthy winners? Or was it simply that "cricket was the winner"?

Another bi-lateral ODI series, another defeat for England. Have England lost their touch or are they saving their best from for the World Cup? Michael and Rob discuss who played well, who didn't and how Jofra being back good be a game changer! They also look ahead to the Test series in New Zealand

Wow! What a series victory for England in Pakistan... There is plenty for Michael and Rob to discuss as they dissect two remarkable Test Matches. How good is England's middle order now? Will Jimmy Anderson play forever? And just how old is Rehan Ahmed's Dad? Also, if you do want to know more about Rob's thoughts on the sacking of Eddie Jones, you can read about it here: https://robstileman.wordpress.com/2022/12/07/why-it-was-right-for-the-rfu-to-say-goodbye-to-eddie-jones/

Double World Champions! Michael and Rob react to England's 5 wicket victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup Final and reflect on the fact we are now officially the best white ball side there is!

Michael and Rob catch-up to review the T20 World Cup group stages and look ahead to two evenly matched semi finals.

Rob and Michael are back after a 12 month hiatus with "Hit for Six Unfiltered"! In the first episode of this their 4th series, they're joined by Freddie Larkins and Dom Wood to preview the T20 World Cup in Australia. Who makes their England XI and which nation is going to claim the crown?

The World T20 is finally here - a year later than originally planned and in a different part of the world! Michael and Rob are joined by Southern Brave and Warwickshire's Jake Lintott - fresh off his breakthrough Summer - to discuss the tournament, who the star players will be and who may end up as Champions.

Did India forfeit the final Test because they wanted to stay COVID free for the IPL? Should the series be declared a 2-2 draw? Michael and Rob dissect the controversial ending to the England India series, as well as pay tribute to Moeen Ali and reflect on Warwickshire's victorious end to the County Championship season.

After a two month hiatus, Michael and Rob are back to discuss England's series with India so far. There have been highs, lows, an agonising defeat, a dominant victory and a few bits of controversy to boot! Plenty for the pair to get stuck into after a couple of months apart.

After a temporary hiatus, Michael and Rob are back to continue Series 3. In this episode they review England's disappointing series defeat to New Zealand, discuss the controversy around Ollie Robinson's suspension and briefly look ahead to the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand.

This week Michael and Rob are joined by former England Cricket and Olympic Chaplain Rev Andrew Wingfield-Digby. A fine cricketer in his own right, Andrew played first class cricket for Oxford University and the Combined Universities XI, and also captained Dorset in the Minor Counties Championship. He later went on to be a chaplain for the England Cricket team, as well as chaplain at three Olympic Games! All of this and more is recounted in a wide ranging interview, as the trio speak about the time he brought Minor Counties cricket into disrepute to how identity and sport interlink.

Lockdown 3.0 is slowly coming to an end, the county cricket season has started and Hit for Six is back for a third series! To kick things off, Rob and Michael are joined by County Cricket Matters Editor Annie Chave as they discuss the merits of the 4 day game, watching cricket alone and the Hundred.

It all started so well... but alas it wasn't to be... England succumbed to a chastening 3-1 series defeat at the hands of India! To review it all, and look ahead to the T20 Series, Michael and Rob are joined by friend (and Indian fan) Jaimin Patel.

This week Michael and Rob are joined by TMS commentator Daniel Norcross as they discuss England's ignominious defeat in Ahmedabad. Was it the pitch, the ball, good bowling or poor batting? How biased are the Indian commentators and is that a bad thing? Is the World Test Championship a worthy enterprise? And how did Daniel make it all the way from Test Match Sofa to Test Match Special? All this and much more is discussed in this wide-ranging conversation about the sport we all love.

It's been an excellent series so far and with things evenly poised at 1-1, Michael and Rob are joined by Guardian Sports Writer and (Countdown Octochamp!) Jonathan Liew. They discuss who has shone for England, the dropping of Dom Bess, the poorly handled departure of Moeen Ali and much, much more! 

Michael and Rob are joined by Indian fan Jaimin as they look ahead to the 4 match Test Series between India and England.

This week Michael and Rob are joined by former Middlesex fast bowler and cricket broadcasting legend Simon Hughes. They discuss Simon's autobiography (and Michael's favourite ever cricket book) "A Lot of Hard Yakka", how he came to be "The Analyst" for Channel 4's cricket coverage and the virtual cricket club he's been involved in during lockdown. 

It was one of the most remarkable Test Series victories of modern times. A depleted India side chasing over 300 on the final day at the Gabba to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But how has it gone down in Australia? Rob and Michael catch-up with Alex Brebner-Griffin, an Australian friend of theirs based in Melbourne, who gives his thoughts on it all.

This week Michael and Rob chat with Middlesex batsman and red-ball captain Steve Eskinazi who spoke very openly about his journey to becoming a pro-cricketer, the thrilling finale to the 2016 season, and Middlesex's struggles since then. Of course, after the events at the Gabba in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the pair also have a quick dig at the Aussies, before reviewing England's first test win vs Sri Lanka.

No guest this week but still plenty for Michael and Rob to get their teeth into. India batting out for a gallant draw vs Australia in a controversy-laden game and England's upcoming Test against Sri Lanka are the topics for discussion in this lockdown antidote of an episode. 

Michael and Rob are joined by current Stumped Podcast producer and former BBC Live Text writer Sam Sheringham. The trio chat about what makes the Live Text on BBC so successful, reminisce about the disastrous 2007 Cricket World Cup, and discuss the  challenges of balancing the international cricketing calendar in a world of franchise T20 leagues.

Injuries, nerves, cricket and yoga - four things this week's guest knows all about! Michael and Rob are joined by former Sussex seamer Lewis Hatchett to hear about his remarkable journey to becoming a professional cricketer, and to find out how he hopes to help current athletes tackle both the physical and mental challenges of sporting competition.

Michael and Rob chat with The Independent's sports writer Vithushan Ehantharajah. The death of print journalism, the hegemony of T20 franchise leagues, cricket's response to BLM and much, much more is covered in this fascinating discussion on Hit For Six.

Episode 2 of the new series sees Michael and Rob speak to fellow University of Warwick alumni and TMS Producer Adam Mountford. Tales from the summer's International Cricket bubble, the lucky break that got him into broadcasting, and reflections on the free-to-air television debate are all served up in this lively and good-natured interview with the man who runs cricket radio broadcasting for the BBC!

Hit for Six is BACK!! Michael and Rob catch-up with former England wicketkeeper and current Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon. They chat about Nico's career, life as a county coach during lockdown and reflect on the future of the sport - including the challenges of match-fixing and corruption. Passionate about the game and always up for a laugh Nico also has a couple of cracking anecdotes to lift any mid-winter blues.

It certainly wasn't the summer we were expecting but, despite the Coronavirus pandemic, it's been a fine summer of cricket to reflect back on! In this penultimate episode of the season, Rob and Michael pick over England's disappointing series defeat to Australia before discussing their player and moment of the summer, and briefly previewing the Bob Willis Trophy Final between Somerset and Essex.

Following a highly entertaining series victory over Australia in the T20s and with the ODI series in full swing, Michael and Rob spent Saturday morning reviewing England's white ball success. From the outstanding form of David Malan to who should be picked for the T20 World Cup next year, and of course how good Adil Rashid really is, the pair cover the major talking points coming out of the limited-overs Summer!

Earlier this year, Rob and Michael selected their England Test XI of the 21st century. A team full of some of the biggest and best names English cricket has ever produced. But what about some of those lesser known and quickly forgotten players? Those one test wonders and stop-gap selections?  Joined by Nick Harris and Linus Pardoe, Rob and Michael go about selecting an alternative England XI made up of rogue characters, last-minute fill-ins, and statistical failures. The result is a side so unbalanced, it would be fitting of any England selectors meeting!

Michael and Rob are joined by cricket lover and Pakistan fan, Murtaza, to review a thrilling first test between England and Pakistan. The trio reflect on who played well, who underperformed, and how that leaves the rest of the series. Michael also finds time to make yet another plug for Adil Rashid to return to the test arena, and there is also a brief discussion on Ireland's victory in the final ODI.

It's safe to say that cricket in 2020 is now in full swing! Domestic cricket has returned in the form of the Bob Willis Trophy, recreational cricket is up and running, and England have finished one Test series and are about to start another. In this episode, Rob and Michael review England's 2-1 series win over the West Indies, briefly chat about the first Ireland ODI and discuss which Pakistan players they can't wait to see in action. All of this before Rob shares a little domestic project he's been working on....

Michael and Rob review the first two Test matches of the England-West Indies series and look ahead to the decide at Old Trafford on Friday. They discuss who has impressed, who has disappointed and who should England select going into the winner-takes-all final match of the series!

This time around Rob and Michael are joined by cricket writing, playing and broadcasting legend Vic Marks! After a very successful playing career with Somerset and England, Vic became the cricket correspondent for the Observer, and has remained writing for both them and the Guardian ever since. A much-loved contributor to Test Match Special as well, it's safe to say that Vic is one of Michael and Rob's heroes. He came on the pod to discuss his recent book, Original Spin, and chat about his life in cricket over the past 40 to 50 years.

In just a few days cricket will return as England take on the West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. In this episode, Rob and Michael are joined by a triumvirate of Dom Wood, Freddie Larkins and Henry Bowen to discuss England's chances and select their very own XI for the first Test of the series...

This week, Rob and Michael are joined by former England opener and Worcestershire legend Tim Curtis. Tim scored over 20,000 First Class runs in a hugely successful professional career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and until recently held the position of Vice President at Worcestershire CCC. Highlights and lowlights of his own career, and the state of domestic cricket in England are the topics up for discussion as the boys welcome their second former Test cricketer as a guest in as many weeks!

Former England Test Captain, Sky Sports Pundit, and Times Cricket Correspondent. Our special guest for this week needs no introduction... He's watched every player we've selected in our XI on countless occasions and so was perfectly placed to review our dream England side from the past 20 years. In this episode, he gave his thoughts on our selection and threw a few of his own names into the mix as well!

Rob and Michael are joined once more by Freddie Larkins as they look to fill the final three spots in their dream England XI of the past 20 years. It's time to select the seamers. Who will be the three men chosen to lead England's attack? Will they play safe, or is an unexpected selection waiting just around the corner?

"Behind every great side, there's a great...spin bowler", or something like that! Joined by spin wizard and former President of the University of Warwick Men's Cricket Club, Robert Kraus, Michael and Rob decide who will fill this pivotal position in their England XI of the past 20 years.

The top 6 has been selected - Cook, Trescothick, Vaughan, Pietersen, Root and Stokes - and now it's time for the all-important position of wicketkeeper. England haven't been blessed with a glut of great glovemen over the past 20 years, so it's all up for grabs! Who will be the pairs' choice behind the stumps?

This is the one you've all been waiting for! Rob and Michael are joined by their respective fathers, Anthony Stileman and David Kynaston, both lifelong cricket lovers and strongly opinionated on all matters relating to the English Test side. It's the middle-order up for discussion this time around, who will join Kevin Pietersen in the "Boiler Room" of our fantasy England XI from the past 20 years.

Number 4, traditionally the place of the best batsman in a Test side, is the place up for discussion in this episode. Joined by Aldershot fan and Jonathan Trott enthusiast Sean, Rob and Michael have a number of potential candidates to weigh up. But there can only be one player selected in this most crucial of positions in their fantasy England side...

Number 3 is the glue to a good batting line-up. So who have Rob and Michael selected as their chosen adhesive? Joined by Freddie Larkins to help them make this crucial decision. Will it be the obvious choice? Or will there be an early surprise selection in this composite England Test XI?

Who will join Alastair Cook at the top of the order? That's the question on the table as Michael and Rob hold their 5th podcast of the Coronavirus lockdown.

Over the next few weeks Rob and Michael will be selecting their composite England XI from their living memory. Up first is the all-important position of opener. Who will be their rock at the top of the order?

Rob and Michael reflect on England's winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa. Who established themselves as England regulars, who failed to deliver, and where does it all leave England going forward? Plenty to discuss, despite the current lack of cricket, in this third Lockdown episode.

In this second Lockdown episode, Michael and Rob look back to that wonderful Sunday in July when England won the 50 over Cricket World Cup for the very first time. They also discuss whether Coronavirus may spell the end of the County Championship as we know it!

Hit for Six is BACK!! In these dark and isolating times, Rob and Michael have returned (now in podcast form) to chat about the best sport in the world - cricket. In this comeback episode, the two discuss how much of a cricket season we're going to get, debate the joys of Cricket Captain 2019 and reflect back on Stokes' miracle at Headingley last summer.  If you enjoy it, please do like, share and subscribe!