The Analyst Inside Cricket

The amazing story of how cricket has revolutionized the lives of many of the inhabitants of a poverty-stricken, overcrowded and violent Syrian refugee camp in Beirut. We hear from Richard Verity, the founder of the transformative Alsama Project, and two of his star female pupils who, through cricket, are giving hope and aspiration to a generation of underprivileged children and helping oppressed girls find their voice. For more information go to alsamaproject.com Takeaways Cricket is inclusive for all body types and abilities. The sport allows for mixed-gender participation. Inclusivity in sports can challenge traditional societal norms. Cricket can serve as a platform for social change. The role of cricket in promoting gender equality is significant. Inclusivity in sports fosters community and connection. Cricket can be adapted to suit different skill levels. The sport's flexibility makes it accessible to everyone. Engagement in cricket can lead to personal growth. Cricket's evolution reflects broader societal changes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Middlesex and England fast bowler and Ashes winner Steven Finn joins the podcast to reflect on England's build up so far, and compare it to his own experiences touring Down Under. He was of course part of England's triumphant 2010/11 Ashes-winning side under Andrew Strauss. England's rain-ruined T20 series is also discussed as they head into the three odis against New Zealand. Also Finn reveals the gamut of emotions he experienced writing his own soon to be published memoir The Ashes Files. The New Zealand/England odis and the entire Ashes are exclusively live on TNT Sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preview of England's T20 series in New Zealand starting in the Kiwi spring even before their domestic season has begun. It will be decidedly chilly at night, a severe contrast to the temperature in Perth in a month's time when the Ashes begin. But a great chance for some of England's players to get in tune before the main show. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann consider the series amid all the noise going on from former players about the teams' Ashes prospects. You can watch all the white ball matches in New Zealand and the whole of the Ashes exclusively live on TNT Sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The combined cells of Hughes and Mann take on the might of Chat GPT to evaluate England's greatest-ever Test cricketer. Prompted by a question from Simon Mann's daughter, they use various criteria to compare and rank England's finest cricketers past and present. So who do they say is England's greatest from the likes of Grace, Botham, Hobbs, Hutton, Hammond, Root, Anderson and Stokes, and does the super-computer agree?? All is revealed.... #cricket #testcricket #england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kyle Hogg is our special guest on the show, discussing his role in the brilliant BBC series Field of Dreams, helping Freddie Flintoff introduce cricket to the uninitiated in some neglected communities of the north-west. Kyle, the former Lancashire bowler, explains how he got involved in the series, the passion he and Freddie share in spreading the game, the fun of their tour to Kolkata and how he can use his latest experiences in his other role, coaching the England U/19s as they prepare for the U/19 World Cup in January. #cricket #fieldofdreams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lots of your questions answered by Simon Hughes and Simon Mann including - was Peter Moores harshly treated as England coach, who would take over the England job if they lose the Ashes, is this Indian team one of the best white ball team ever to walk the earth, who is the worst Test batter in the world and who invented the reverse sweep, and is therefore the godfather of modern batting? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An interview with Mervyn King, Baron King of Lothbury, who has just completed a booming year as president of MCC. The former Governor of the Bank of England discusses the remarkable sale of the MCC-administered London Spirit franchise for £145m to the so-called Tech-Titans, why he loves both Test cricket and the Hundred and how the English game can prosper on the world stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Moores, the coach who, following Nottinghamshire's County Championship triumph on Friday, has now led three different counties to the title, explains the process behind creating a championship-winning side. With Simon Hughes and Simon Mann, he also explores the way coaching has changed since his first title in 2003 and how the emphasis is more about liberating than controlling. #cricket #countychampionship #nottinghamshire #coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dickie Bird was one of the most famous characters in world sport, loved by millions across the globe. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann pay tribute to his wonderful persona on and off the cricket field. They discuss why he was so cherished and admired, even when presented with the most bizarre things in the middle, where he officiated with humility and humour for almost three decades. In part 2 they also analyse England's Ashes squad which was announced earlier today. #cricket #umpire #ashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spearheaded by Josh Tongue, Notts secure a brilliant championship win over Surrey to go top of the table with one match to play. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse where Notts seized control and assess the prospects for the last round of matches. They also hear from former Australian paceman Brett Lee on his thoughts about the Ashes, why he loves Mark Wood and what Freddie Flintoff did to him in the dressing room after that epic two run defeat at Edgbaston in 2005. #cricket #test #ashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the 12th September 2005, 20 years ago, England regained the Ashes for the first time for 18 years. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann look back at the drama and emotion of that day as another eagerly awaited Ashes series looms on the horizon. Also in the show a review of the state of divisions one and two in the county championship, how our five county players to follow have been faring, and where and when Rory Bremner dared to imitate the Analyst. To watch the full video series looking back at the 2005 Ashes with the participants sign up to The Cricverse https://cricverse.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann return to analyse England erratic performances in the one day series against South Africa. The standouts were Jofra Archer's bowling, Joe Root becoming England's leading ODI runmaker to go with his Test match prowess and 21 year old prodigy Jacob Bethell making his first century in senior cricket with a dramatic displat at Southampton. To enjoy our special video series on the 2005 Ashes which claim to a climax this week, join The Cricverse - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/ecstasy-the-2005-oval-test?r=lo2wd #ashes #england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ninth and final extract from our exclusive 2005 Ashes video series relives the tense drama of the fifth Test at the Oval. The series was still in the balance until late on. the fifth day when Kevin Pietersen plated the innings of his life. It was an incredible piece of sporting theatre and in this episode we hear from Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Flintoff, Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie on what it all meant. To watch the whole series and receive other special content sign up to The Cricverse on Substack https://cricverse.substack.com/p/ecstasy-the-2005-oval-test?r=lo2wd #ashes #england #australia #2005 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The eighth extract from our exclusive 2005 Ashes video series - the (fifth) Oval Test. The climax to the series had a long and very public build up as the nation clung to the hope that England could finally get their hands on the urn that had eluded them since the 1980s. Would Simon Jones be fit? Would Glenn McGrath recover? Could Shane Warne conjure more miraculous deliveries? Did Freddie Flintoff have anything left? Would Kevin Pietersen relinquish his dead mongoose hairdo? Who would lift the urn? In thio extract we hear from McGrath, Flintoff, Vaughan, Strauss, Jones, and Langer as the match takes shape. To watch individual episodes, or the whole series and receive other special content sign up to The Cricverse on Substack https://cricverse.substack.com/p/inching-infront-the-2005-trent-bridge?r=lo2wd #cricket #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The seventh extract from our exclusive 2005 Ashes video series relives the drama of England's tense run-chase at Trent Bridge. With the nation on tenterhooks, England - chasing 129 - collapse to 116-7 to the physical and verbal wiles of Shane Warne. The unlikely pairing of Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard come to the rescue. To watch the whole series and receive other special content sign up to The Cricverse on Substack https://cricverse.substack.com/p/inching-infront-the-2005-trent-bridge?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another extract from our six-part special video series on the 2005 Ashes. The series has moved to Trent Bridge where Freddie Flintoff stars with the bat rather than the ball, and a cheeky 12th man, Gary Pratt runs out an irate Ricky Ponting. To view this exclusive, ad-free video and the other episodes in the series, sign up to the Cricverse on Substack - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/inching-infront-the-2005-trent-bridge?r=lo2wd #england #ashes #australia #cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Estimates vary about how many spectators were locked out on the final day - Monday August 15th 2005 - of the 3rd Test at Old Trafford. Some said 10,000, some said 20,000. There's no doubt the series was capturing the nation and 7m were reputed to be watching on Channel 4 as first Ricky Ponting and then Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath denied the hard-working England bowlers victory. At the end the all-conquering Australians were captured celebrating a draw! This is the fifth extract of our six-part video series available at The Cricverse on Substack. https://cricverse.substack.com/p/locked-out-the-2005-old-trafford?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fourth extract of our special six-part video series on the 2005 Ashes. Its 20 years this weekend since the riveting third Test of that series at Old Trafford where England tried so desperately hard to take a 2-1 lead. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann hear from reverse-swing maestro Simon Jones, the incomparable Freddie Flintoff and the resourceful Andrew Strauss their memories of that match. To watch the entire video series subscribe to the Cricverse for regular exclusive content sent straight to your device. https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/locked-out-the-2005-old-trafford?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A third extract from our exclusive six-part video series retelling the drama of the 2005 Ashes with many of the participants. In this episode we hear how at Edgbaston England employed Bazball tactics to turn the tables on Australia after the tourists thumping victory at Lord's. The match featured one of the great Test match overs delivered by Freddie Flintoff but the amazing Shane Warne almost had the last word with a geometry-defying delivery at the beginning of England's second innings. To have the full video series sent straight to your device with exclusive interviews and great match archive subscribe to the Cricverse on Substack https://cricverse.substack.com/p/two-runs-the-2005-edgbaston-test?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The second instalment from our six-part video series reliving the drama of the 2005 Ashes. This extract hears from Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Freddie Flintoff as Australia's bowlers respond ruthlessly to the Aussies being bowled out for 190 on the first day of the series at Lord's. To watch the full video series with exclusive player interviews and match archive join The Cricverse on Substack at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/wakey-wakey-england?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first instalment from our six-part video series reliving the drama of the 2005 Ashes. This extract hears from Jason Gillespie, Simon Jones, Michael Vaughan, Justin Langer and Freddie Flintoff how England took the unsuspecting Aussies by storm on the first morning at Lord's. To watch the full video series with match archive join The Cricverse on Substack at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/wakey-wakey-england?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five Tests, 25 days, 2000 overs, 12,000 balls, 7, 187 runs. A riveting fight from start to finish, the end always in doubt. Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta reflect on a classic series, highlight the stars and the turning points, declare Test cricket the winner and join all the players for a lengthy lie down. To watch our special six part series on perhaps the greatest series of all time - the 2005 Ashes - subscribe to The Cricverse - https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/oval-showstopper?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A nerve-shredding final morning concluded with India seizing a dramatic six run victory - the closest in their history - to deservedly share the series 2-2. The 55 minutes of play encapsulated the match with brilliant bowling, brave hitting, tight umpires decisions, diving attempts on the boundary, unbridled tension and England's last man, Chris Woakes, coming out to bat with his arm in a sling. You couldn't make it up. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann were there to witness the dramatic end to an epic series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An extraordinary day's cricket as this epic series headed to a climax, with an unexpected shower leaving England needing 35 to win the match and the series with four wickets in hand. Highlight of the day was Harry Brook's flamboyant hundred, an innings speckled with genius and audacity. he and Joe Root transformed the game with a nerveless and fluent 195 run partnership which totally knocked the stuffing out of India. Their dismissals let India back into the game. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a breathtaking day as England sought the second highest run-chase in their history. This podcast is supported by Betfair. It is illegal to bet if you are under 18. Please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A tremendous batting performance by India have set England a mountain to climb on the fourth day at the Oval. They require 374 and were shaping well with 50-0 until Mohammed Siraj yorked Zak Crawley with the last ball of the day. A tough day for England's bowlers and fielders and major work to do for England's batters if they are going to get close to securing the series 3-1. india are odds on to make it 2-2. This podcast is supported by Betfair. Do not bet if you are under 18 and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Test match and series superbly poised at the Oval with India leading by 53 with eight wickets left in seamer-friendly conditions. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on an absorbing day of 340 runs and 15 wickets and plenty of confrontation that Surrey and England's Graham Thorpe, in whose memory everyone sported headbands, would have loved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India possibly have the better of the first day at the Oval where England bowled waywardly and lost Chris Woakes to what looked like a dislocated shoulder towards the end of the day. With Woakes unlikely to play any further part in the match it makes India's score of 204-6 on a helpful pitch worth more like 250. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a day when India's batting held up resolutely against England's makeshift attack. they also discuss whether Tests in series as intense as this should be spread out more evenly and they respond to some caustic comments from listeners after their reactions to the farce at the end of the last Test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preview of the fifth and final test at the Oval, scene also of Gilbert Jessop's fastest hundred for England in a Test match in 1902, a 76-ball record that still stands. Simon Hughes discusses the prospects of a Stokes-less England and a rebuilt bowling attack with Sunday Times cricket correspondent Simon Wilde who has written a new book - Chasing Jessop. It reveals much about the man who could be considered the original Bazballer and also makes claims that his hundred may have been even quicker than 76 balls, therefore laying down an intriguing challenge for Baz McCullum's men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five days of stretching every sinew on the field by both sides has ended in stalemate at Old Trafford. Superb tenacious batting by india - having been 0-2 - held England at bay for over one and a half days during which they only lost two more wickets. In the end the dead pitch was the winner. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a match that broke many batting records and was a triumph for the warrior-like Ben Stokes and his opposite number the courageous Shubman Gill and leaves the series poised at 2-1 with one match left. Lets see who's left standing in three days time at the Oval. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite England's huge 311 run lead and two early Indian wickets, the India third wicket remained intact for the rest of the day as KL Rahul and Shubman Gill knuckled down to the job of drawing the game. The day featured Ben Stokes becoming only the fourth Englishman to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test match. Simin Hughes and Deep Dasgupta evaluate the day and where Stokes ranks in the all-rounders Hall of Fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England take inexorable control of the fourth Test at Old Trafford thanks primarily to Joe Root's faultless 38th Test hundred. In the course of it he went past Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting to become the second highest run scorer in the history of Test cricket. Only the incomparable Sachin Tendulkar has more (about 2500 more.) Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta assess the day and India's legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar gives his verdict on Root's monumental achievement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Helped by the unexpected contribution of the injured Rishabh Pant India make a battling 358 on the second day at Old Trafford. But after Ben Stokes takes his first 5 wicket haul for eight years, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley make a superb statement of their own with a 160 run opening partnership. Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta review a day which has left the match well poised with England 133 runs behidn with 8 wickets in hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An attritional 83 overs on the first day of the Old Trafford Test as India progress to 264-4 but Rishabh Pant suffers a bad injury to his foot on 37 and may play no further part in the match. Ben Stokes was again the go to bowler for England and having now bowled more overs (119) than in any other previous Test series, he has the same number of Test wickets (226) as both Freddie Flintoff and Steve Harmison. Simon Hughes and former India player Deep Dasgupta assess the day's play and the state of the bat-dominated balls in this series. Apologies for the variable sound quality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Twilight of the Gods: the first episode of our six -part series on the 2005 Ashes - often regarded as the greatest Test series of all time. Twenty years on Simon Hughes and Simon Mann relive the drama of those Tests with its participants including Michael Vaughan, Freddie Flintoff, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Strauss and Simon Jones, interspersed with the memories of Shane Warne. This first episode recalls the build up to the series, why it was so momentous and how England were going to handle the all-conquering Aussies who had held the AShes urn for 16 years. The series is also viewable on The Analyst YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A truly melodramatic final day at Lord's featuring only 112 runs but six vital wickets to give England the narrowest of victories by 22 runs. It was on the very day six years ago when England tied the World Cup final and won the Super Over on a boundary count back, and two of England match-winners that 2019 day - Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer - were at the forefront of England's victory today. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann look back at a wonderful advert for Test cricket and the extraordinary defiance of the Indian lower order with the former Indian player Deep Dasgupta. To see and hear our special six part podcast series on the 2005 Ashes, subscribe to The Cricverse at https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/the-future-of-finger-spin?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Defending a meagre 193 for victory, England's Durham pair Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes offer hope of a brilliant climax to an absorbing third Test with late wickets. India now require a further 135 runs to win, with serene opener KL Rahul looking secure and the mercurial Rishabh Pant due in next. It promises to be an exciting final day as the moribund pitch gradually deteriorates. Can Ben Stokes inspire England again on the sixth anniversary of his miraculous World Cup final performance at Lords in 2019? Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss an intriguing day and consider why England lost more batsmen bowled (12) than in any Test since the 1880s. India are marginal favourites to win on Betfair. Remember you must be 18+ to bet and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England and India finish on exactly the same score in their first innings at Lord's. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss a day of attrition with the odd memorable highlight and a juicy confrontation between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley at the end of the day as the England openers manage to make one Bumrah over last eight minutes before stumps were drawn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A day of attrition at Lord's, as England battle to 387 all out - despite Bumrah's five wickets - and hold india to 145-3. Jofra Archer bowled a sensational first over after on his Test match return after four years in rehab, and England dismissed the prolific Shubman Gill for only 16. On a fiercely hot day at Lord's 15 overs were left unbowled and Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss what can be done about the interminable delays and talk to the managing director of Dukes' balls, Dilip Jajodia, about why the teams keep changing the ball. This podcast is supported by Betfair. You must be over 18 to bet and please gamble responsibly. The second day was in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Click here to donate https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/get-involved/how-to-support/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Led by the indefatigable Joe Root England ground out a solid base on the first day of the 3rd Test at Lord's. On a slow pitch England elected to bat first and only allowed India four wickets in the day for 251 runs. There is more hard work tomorrow once Root has got the one run to record his 37th Test hundred. But Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are concerned by an apparent muscle twinge suffered by his fifth wicket partner Ben Stokes. This podcast is supported by Betfair. You must be 18 or over to bet and please gamble responsibly. https://betting.betfair.com/betfair-predicts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the 2nd Test at Edgbaston which ended in a thumping win for India. They assess how England will respond and who they will pick for Lord's starting on Thursday. Will the returning Jofra Archer significantly bolster their ailing attack and can they find a solution to the prolific Shubman Gill who has amassed 585 runs in the first two Tests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India grind England's bowlers into the Edgbaston dust to notch up 1014 runs in the match and set England a nominal 608 to win. Even the Bazballers can't make that especially after losing three early wickets. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a record breaking, bat throwing day for India's batsmen led by the remorseless Shubman Gill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A day of extremes at Edgbaston as two England batsmen - Harry Brook and Jamie Smith - make over 150 and six are out for ducks. Despite Brook and Smith's magnificent partnership of 303 England still are coming comfortably second in this game and will need a miracle spell on Saturday morning to have any chance of winning the match. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report from England's spiritual home on a noisy Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A majestic 269 from Shubman Gill shattered records and broke England bowlers' hearts to put India in an indomitable position at Edgbaston. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a debilitating day for England as the India batters piled up the highest total registered against Ben Stokes' England. Having lost three top order players for 25 England have a Herculean task now to get anything out of this game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shubman Gill's sublime century is the cornerstone of India's 310-5 on the first day at Edgbaston after Ben Stokes put India in. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess a lively first day with England lifted by the boisterous Birmingham crowd to keep India in. check but the second new ball will be key in the morning. This podcast is supported by Betfair. Note you must be 18 or over to bet and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In another episode of The Analyst Rewind, looking back at a great moment in cricket history, Simon Hughes talks to the author Richard Whitehead, whose new book on England's 1954/55 Ashes victory celebrates perhaps England's greatest Ashes triumph. It chronicles how Len Hutton's team came back from a disastrous first Test in Brisbane to win the series 3-1, only the second time in Ashes history that England have come from behind in Australia to win the urn. It was the series that christened the rapid but unknown Frank Tyson as The Typhoon - regarded by the men who played in or watched that series as the fastest bowling there had ever been. The episode also includes a tribute to the brilliant, virtuoso Northants, Durham and England batsman Wayne Larkins, who passed away last weekend. Victory in Australia - the remarkable story of England's greatest Ashes triumph - by Richard Whitehead is available at https://amzn.eu/d/cX4fanZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wicketkeeper batter John Simpson took on the task of leading Sussex out of Division 2. Not only did he do that immediately in collaboration with coach Paul Farbrace, but now they are flying high in Division 1. and he is second top run-scorer. Simpson talks to Simon Hughes about his captaincy style, why he left Middlesex, how to manage the returning Jofra Archer and his unusual way of preparing for an innings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sir Clive Lloyd, hero and captain of the West Indies team that won the first (men's) World Cup in 1975, is interviewed by Simon Hughes at Lord's, fifty years on from that fantastic final against Australia. For the video version of this podcast subscribe to The Cricverse at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/the-first-world-cup-winners?r=lo2wd or join The Analyst Plus at https://www.patreon.com/posts/clive-lloyd-on-131608534?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Led by the exceptional Ben Duckett, England pull off one of their greatest-ever run-chases in the first Test against India,at a venue famous for excitement. England, emboldened by a first wicket stand of 188, overhauled their target of 371 with time and wickets to spare. It was a victory all the more remarkable because India dominated the game for most of the first four days, but came unstuck by resourceful, fearless England on the fifth. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann marvel at Duckett's bravado and the dynamic brand of cricket that England play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first Test of the Anderson/Tendulkar series is delicately balanced after four days - and that is the best description of the dominant innings of the day by KL Rahul. Perfectly executed, deliciously poised. The Simons assess a lively fourth day and examine the likely outcomes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England draw level with India thanks mainly to a scintillating innings from Harry Brook, setting Headingley alight until squandering a deserved century on 99. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on a pulsating third day at Headingley which began with a poignant tribute to the life of David 'Syd' Lawrence, and continued with bat mostly dominating ball except when the brilliant Jasprit Bumrah has it in his hands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A second day of wildly fluctuating fortunes at Headingley. with Rishabh Pant the star turn. India, set for 600, capitulate for 471. England survive early alarms, build a strong second wicket partnership with Duckett and Pope the lose late wickets. The match is in the balance. The Simon's report on a riveting second day and forecast a compelling third one. This podcast is supported by Betfair. The odds on various outcomes can be found here - https://www.betfair.com/betting/cricket/test-matches/england-v-india/e-34417715 Remember you must be 18 or over to bet and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices