Once Upon a Time in the Ashes

Peter Martin was selected for the 6th and final Test of the 1997 Ashes at the Oval. It was to be his 8th and final Test for England and despite being on the winning side, he found it a ‘bittersweet experience'. ‘Digger' takes us through his international career, which also included 20 ODIs, and his long and successful time with Lancashire. Art, Athers, Anderson and much more besides.

Mike Smith played his only Test for England in the 4th Test of the 1997 Ashes at Headingley. Find out the inside story of that Test, including Graham Thorpe's dropped catch, the controversy around Mike's selection ahead of Andy Caddick and why his captain, Mike Atherton, took a shine to his bowling in the Headingley nets. Plus he shares his memories of his trophy-laden career with Gloucestershire.

Jo Angel, of Midland Guildford  and Western Australia, replaced Peter McIntyre in the Australian side for the 5th Test of the 1994-95 Ashes series in Australia. It was to be his 4th and final Test for the national side and it would come at his home ground, the WACA in Perth. Jo tells us about chaotic debuts, a thrilling series againt the West Indies, AK-47s in Pakistan and getting 'barbecued' in both innings in his one and only Ashes Test.

Peter McIntyre played his one and only Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval in the 4th Test of the 1994-95 series. Peter tells us about his cricketing rivalry and friendship with Shane Warne, his restorative trip to Magic Mountain after a South Australia Sheffield Shield win and the ‘real' ball of the century when he snared the Indian captain, Sachin Tendulkar. All this and much more.

Steve Watkin was unbeaten in his three Tests for England. In his one and only Ashes Test at the Oval in August 1993, he ripped through the Australian top 3 in the second innings to set up a famous England win. Steve tells all about etching his name into Ashes history, playing with and against the great Viv Richards and his long and successful career for Glamorgan.

John Stephenson and Alan Igglesden were the 28th and 29th players selected by England for the 1989 Ashes series. John tells all about his one Ashes Test at the Oval and his subsequent near misses in terms of international selection. Alan, who played his one Ashes Test alongside John in that game, tragically passed away in November 2021. His brother, Kevin, joins us to take us through his life and legacy.

Greg Campbell joined his Tasmanian team-mate, David Boon, on the 1989 tour of England and played his one and only Ashes Test in the first match of the series at Headingley. Greg reveals what it was like to play in that star-studded, all-conquering side...and to room with Merv Hughes.

Australian team manager, Ann Mitchell and one Ashes Test wonders, Annette Fellows and Karen Read, join us for a special episode celebrating the Jubilee series between Australia and England in 1984-85. The only 5 match Test series in the history of the women's game. And what a dramatic, see-saw series it was, culminating in a decider at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.

Like our previous guest, Murray Bennett, Dave Gilbert played his one Ashes Test at the Oval in the 6th Test of the 1985 series. Dave reveals how he went from a 10 year old boy in the crowd at the SCG during the 1971 Ashes to playing on the biggest stage for his country. It's a cricketing journey that takes in New South Wales, the Essex and Lancashire leagues, Tasmania and Gloucestershire, via kangaroo courts and tied Tests.

Murray Bennett was selected for the 1985 Ashes tour to England under the captaincy of Allan Border. He played his one Ashes Test in the final game of the series at the Oval. This was his third and final Test for Australia, following two against the West Indies in 1984-5. From St George, Sydney to Ramsbottom, Lancashire, this is his story.

It's a delight to welcome Jonathan Agnew of Leicestershire, England and TMS to the show. Jonathan played his one and only Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1985. His Test debut againt the indomitable West Indies side during the 'Blackwash' series of 1984; his late call up to the tour of India the following winter; and some memorable and daunting moments at the MCG. All this and much more. It's an episode not to be missed.

Arnie Sidebottom fulfilled many a child's dream by playing football for Manchester United and cricket for Yorkshire. He played his one and only Test for England against Australia in 1985. He's joined on the podcast by his son, and fellow Test cricketer, Ryan, and his captain during that Ashes series, Mr David Gower.

Paul Parker played his one and only Test match for England in the 6th Test of the 1981 Ashes series. He joins us to talk about turning up late for Botham's Ashes and his stellar cricketing career for Sussex and Durham.  The best of times, the worst of times and some very surprising stories along the way.

Mick Malone joins us to talk about the 1977 Ashes tour of England, that culminated in Mick taking 5-63 and scoring 46 with the bat at the Oval in his one and only Test for Australia. He also chats growing up in Scarborough, World Series Cricket and his time playing in the Lancashire League for Haslingden. 

Graham Barlow is our latest guest as he takes us through his one Ashes Test at Lord's in 1977 and his wider cricketing and sporting life. Middlesex, Loughborough University, a Test debut in India and the Centenary Test in Australia. All this and much more.

Episode 10 is the tale of two Australian fast bowlers, Ross Duncan and Pat Crawford.  Ross played his one Ashes Test in 1971, in the 5th Test at the MCG, but his day in the Victorian sun was hampered by injury. Pat fared no better, managing 29 balls at Lord's in 1956 before breaking down. But that was just the beginning of Pat's story. The Australian writer and journalist, Gideon Haigh, guides us through the incredible ups and downs of Pat's life.

The legend that is Ian Chappell joins us to talk about his finest Ashes' moments and his wider cricketing career. The captaincy, the hundreds, the battles with the board. World Series Cricket and the Lancashire League. All this and much, much more. It's an episode not be missed.

Tony Dell, Australian Test cricketer 255 and Vietnam War veteran, joins us to tell the remarkable story of his life. Aged 20, he was thrust into the horrors of the Vietnam War and his experiences were to have a profound and devastating effect on his life. Ian Chappell, Tony's captain for his one Ashes appearance in 1971, and brother Greg, Tony's captain at Queensland, are on hand to share their memories and insights.

Ken Eastwood, of Gordon, Footscray and Victoria, joins us to discuss his one and only Test match - the 7th Test of the 1970-71 Ashes series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. And we delve into the Ashes archive with the cricket writer and historian, Stephen Chalke, to tell the tale of the 1921 Ashes - home to no less than 10 one Ashes Test wonders.  

Episode 7 features the opening batsman, Roger Prideaux who played his one Ashes Test at Headingley in 1968. We also hear from Australian cricketing legend, Neil Harvey, who tells us the story of his brother Merv, who played one Ashes Test in 1947. Plus, Ian Chappell and David Frith give their views on the D'Oliveira affair that dominated the 1968 Ashes.

Episode 6 features the New South Wales and Australia wicket-keeper, Brian Taber. Brian played 16 Tests in total for Australia, including one in the Ashes on the 1968 tour of England. In addition, Stephen Chalke takes us through the first three MCC tours of Australia following the Second World War and the three English wicket-keepers who would join Brian Taber in becoming One Ashes Test Wonders.

Episode 5 features Pat Pocock of Surrey and Engand. It's a tale of riots, abandoned tours and severed toes. Pat's one Ashes Test was in 1968 at Old Trafford but his Test career spanned 27 years. He is our most capped One Ashes Test Wonder - appearing in 25 Test matches in total.

Eric Russell and Peter Allan are our featured cricketers on Episode 4. They both played their one Ashes Test at Brisbane in December 1965. And that's not the only thing they have in common. We also take a look at another one Ashes Test wonder from the 1965-66 Ashes: David Sincock of Adelaide. His cousin, Denis Brien reveals how David bamboozled the greatest all-rounder of all-time, on more than one occasion.

Fred Rumsey is our third featured cricketer. He played his one Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1964. And Stephen Chalke is our guide as we remember the 1956 Ashes series which saw Doug Insole play his one and only Test against Australia. Doug would go on to play a pivotal role in Fred's career. We'll also hear from a very special guest...

Our second featured player is Ken Taylor of Yorkshire, who played his one Ashes Test in 1964 at Headingley. The cricket writer and historian, Stephen Chalke, takes us through his life and times. We also hear from Warren Saunders who shares his memories of Bill Watson, who played his one Ashes Test at the SCG in 1955.

Our first guest is Keith Slater of Midland, Western Australia who played his one Ashes Test at the SCG in 1959. We'll also hear about the two Englishmen who played their only Ashes Test match at the Oval in 1948 - Eric Hollies and Allan Watkins - and their pivotal roles in Sir Donald Bradman's final Ashes innings.