Test Match Special

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.

While England and Australia rest up after the second Test, Eleanor Oldroyd brings the latest from the tour and learns more about the famous Adelaide Oval.

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,

All the reaction to a dominant day for Australia in Brisbane as England stare at a 2-0 series deficit. Coach Marcus Trescothick talks to the pod, and defends England’s approach and preparation.

Reaction to a second day in Brisbane that saw England miss out on putting heat on the hostsMichael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath and Jonathan Agnew join Simon Mann to discuss a frustrating day for England in Brisbane. Plus, we hear from Joe Root after this first Ashes century in Australia.

Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman to review an absorbing opening day at the Gabba where Joe Root was the star.We also hear from Zak Crawley who made 76 plus Australia’s wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

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.

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.

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.

Henry Moeran is joined by Stephan Shemilt and Vithushan Ehantharajah and we hear from England captain Ben Stokes, fresh from accusations of "arrogance" from Australian media.

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.

We hear from former captain Alec Stewart who thinks England are right not to send batters for an additional warm-up match. Plus, Steven Finn reveals the experience of the Gabba.

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.

Mark Chapman is joined by former England coach Paul Farbrace, former Australian opener Simon Katich and Durham coach Ryan Campbell to discuss the fallout from a remarkable first Ashes Test and England's pink-ball preparations ahead of the second test in Brisbane.

Henry Moeran is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Steven Finn and Stephan Shemilt to discuss how England are due to prepare for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

The Men's Ashes are nearly upon us and the TMS preview features interviews with both Ben Stokes and Steve Smith, plus an exclusive chat with England Head Coach Brendon McCullum.

Ashton Agar talks through his remarkable innings at Trent Bridge in 2013, where aged 19 he scored a brilliant 98. Agar tells Stephan Shemilt all the details of a special day.

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

Eleanor Oldroyd chats to Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley, plus we have a look around the Perth Stadium as the countdown to the first Test continues.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 England won the first ever Women’s World Cup, with the tournament hosted in England. She speaks to cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson, plus we hear some archive interviews from England legend Rachael Heyhoe-Flint.

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.

Alison Mitchell is alongside former England captain Jane Powell and cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson to look back at the 1988 Women's World Cup, where tournament hosts Australia won the tournament for the third time. Powell captained England in the competition and recalls her memory of the final.

Alison Mitchell is alongside cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson to look back at England’s second World Cup title, which they won on home soil in 1993.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy joins Kate Cross and Alex Hartley on the podcast. They discuss her Desert Island teammates, her sadness around the rain-affected World Cup fixtures, the smallest item she could hit a 6 with, and why she had to quit her job at KFC.

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.

Alison Mitchell looks back at the 1997 Women's World Cup, with Australia sealing their fourth title at the tournament held in India. New Zealand World Cup winner Debbie Hockley talks of her memories of the competiton, winning player of the match in the final despite being on the losing side in 1997.

Alison Mitchell is alongside New Zealand World Cup winner Debbie Hockley to discuss her side's route to winning the 2000 Women's World Cup at home in 2000.

Alison Mitchell speaks to Australia's World Cup winning wicketkeeper Julia Price about her memories of winning the tournament in South Africa in 2005.

Alison Mitchell speaks to ICC Media Rights Manager Aarti Dabas as they look back at England’s third World Cup title, their first overseas.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss England's win over India in the World Cup, confirming their place in the tournament's semi-finals. Plus, why did Crossy's obession of magic make her week away even more exciting?

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.

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.

Daniel Norcross is joined by World Cup winner Alex Hartley and Sri Lanka cricket journalist Estelle Vasudevan to reflect on the ups and downs of the World Cup so far. They debate Australia’s heroics, England’s spin bowling, India’s frailties and how Bangladesh have been the surprise package of the competition.

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.

Daniel Norcross is joined by World Cup winners Alex Hartley and Lisa Sthalekar to look back on England's 89-run win over Sri Lanka. Plus, we hear from centurion Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss England's World Cup win over South Africa and Alex's first week in Guwahati for Test Match Special. Plus, they answer your World Cup-related questions!

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?’

Alex Hartley is alongside Kate Cross to discuss Crossy's England future as she announces that her England contract hasn't been renewed. They also talk about Crossy's domestic dominance as she wins her THIRD trophy of the season as Lancashire win the One Day Cup.

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.

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley discuss the trials and tribulations of playing cricket towards the end of the season. They have their say on the awful abuse umpire Sue Redfern received after the T20 Blast Finals Day. Plus, Alex tells Crossy what a ‘productive day’ looks like in the Hartley household.

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.

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross record an emergency pod as Crossy wins The Hundred with the Northern Superchargers!