
Test Match Special
605 episodes — Page 4 of 13

The making of new England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt
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.

View from the Boundary - Geoff Norcott
Comedian & writer Geoff Norcott joins Jonathan Agnew is the TMS commentary box at Trent Bridge.He tells Aggers about his love for cricket starting when revising for exams in 1993, coaching his son's team, and being 6 not-out after batting for two hours.

The cricketers who stood up to Mugabe
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.

No Balls: …We’re back!
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: [email protected]

14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi stuns the IPL
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.

The Cowdrey Lecture Pt 2: What does TMS mean to you?
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.

The Cowdrey Lecture Pt 1: What is the Spirit of Cricket?
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.

Rob Key on England’s Men’s Cricket
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?

What’s going wrong with English cricket?
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

‘The Hundred’ sales: What does it all mean?
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.

No Balls: WAshes stage is set
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.

No Balls: The WAshes await
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.

Australia reclaim Border Gavaskar Trophy
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.

Red ball rivalries & white ball worries
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.

The 2024 TMS Awards
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?

Joe’s route to success
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.

No Balls: Christmas Special
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?

Phillip Hughes - 10 years on
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.

No Balls: Kate on tour!
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 [email protected] 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.

No Balls: Kates & Dogs
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 [email protected]

No Balls: South Africa awaits
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.

Urooj Mumtaz: from bowlers to molars
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.

South Africa or New Zealand - who'll win the Women's T20 World Cup?
Henry Moeran is joined by England bowler Tash Farrant and Daniel Norcross to look ahead to the Women's T20 World Cup Final between South Africa and New Zealand in Dubai.

Alec Stewart looks back on success with Surrey
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

England’s historic 2022 win in Pakistan
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.

No Balls: The Golf Day
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.

In at the deep end - the psychology of test cricket
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”.

No Balls: Kate Cross's Barmy Army
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.

View from the Boundary - Tony Banks
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.

No Balls: Captaincy & Keyrings
Kate and Alex are back to reflect on Crossy being England captain for their upcoming tour to Ireland. We also respond to plenty of listener emails, and we find a new word that Alex can’t pronounce correctly.

The price is right? The cost of Test Cricket
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.

View from the Boundary - Ben Willbond
Jonathan Agnew speaks to actor and screenwriter Ben Willbond.Known for his role in the BBC sitcom Ghosts, Ben discusses the success of the series, as well as his work on Horrible Histories and Ben having a visit from Geoffrey Boycott while he was at school.

The first time Sri Lanka came to town
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.

View from the Boundary - Stuart Maconie
Jonathan Agnew talks to BBC 6Music presenter, writer & music journalist Stuart Maconie.They discuss Stuart starting to work in radio via NME, his experiences fell-walking, and the briefest of encounters Stuart had with Prince.

Ask The Umpire - with John Holder
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...

Remembering Graham Thorpe
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.

No Balls: Holidays and the Hundred finals
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.

No Balls: Hundred success and presenting mishaps
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.

No Balls: Strawberries, pigeons and The Hundred
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.

Brain surgeries, stress fractures and aviation: the Ricky Ellcock story
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.

View from the Boundary - Samantha Bond
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.

Ask The Umpire - with John Holder
Former international umpire John Holder joins Jonathan Agnew and Vic Marks to rid you of your cricketing quandaries.A six or a dead ball? A no ball or a wicket? And can you clean a cricket ball with your beard?

Clinton comes to the cricket!
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.

View from the Boundary - Dr Adam Rutherford
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?

Antigua Cricket Knights
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.

James Anderson: Gone well
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’.

T20 World Cup: England humbled by brilliant India
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.

No Balls: Ponytails, World Cups and Grandma Kate
Alex is heading to the men’s T20 World Cup and tells us all about where she’ll be heading in the coming weeks.Kate gives us the lowdown on England’s ODI series win against Pakistan. And we find out how the England squad keep themselves entertained during rain delays.

No Balls: Ponytails, World Cups and Grandma Kate
Alex Hartley is in America for the men's T20 World Cup and tells us all about going to India v Pakistan in New York.Meanwhile, Kate explains why a teammate thinks of her as a Grandma and tells us about the ponytail, which caused more than a stir at the weekend.

No Balls: Alex’s American adventure and Kate’s Pakistan review
Alex is heading to the men’s T20 World Cup and tells us all about where she’ll be heading in the coming weeks.Kate gives us the lowdown on England’s ODI series win against Pakistan. And we find out how the England squad keep themselves entertained during rain delays.