Test Match Special

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kate’s played her first international of the summer against Pakistan, and she gives us behind-the-scenes insight following England’s unspectacular win at Derby.Alex has news of her broken down car, while owls, snails and Pitbull all make an appearance.And there’s loads of listener emails to answer as well.

Kevin Howells, Tymal Mills & Emily Windsor are joined by Worcestershire CEO Ashely Giles.They discuss the sad passing of Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker, at just the age of 20, and how the team will be commemorating Baker.Plus, Giles talks about the future of New Road, Worcestershire’s ground, as the flooding issues it faces will only get worse going forward, he says. He also looks at the effects not being able to access the pitch and the training pitches has had on the Worcestershire side.And, why is it so hard to get Tymal & Emily in one place at the same time?

After time away in the Lake District with her England teammates, Kate Cross tells Alex Hartley all about a fun - and tough - few days. Plus, plenty of emails to get through!

With April being Autism Awareness Month, Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are joined by Thunder teammate Olivia Thomas to learn about her experiences of living with autism and ADHD.

Why can't RCB find form despite the heroics of Virat Kohli? And can Rajasthan Royals continue their brilliant season? Nikesh Rughani and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala discuss it all.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley give their thoughts on the new women's domestic set-up and have tales of their winter adventures. Plus, Alex is becoming a golf person...

Tymal Mills and Steven Finn join Nikesh Rughani to discuss Jos Buttler's latest heroics after another dramatic week in the IPL. Plus, we hear from Punjab Kings' Kagiso Rabada.

Simon Mann, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala and Nikesh Rughani talk through some Buttler and Kohli brilliance, and we've got an exclusive interview with Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan.

England bowler Kate Cross is fresh off the field at the end of the tour to New Zealand. Kate, Alex Hartley and former New Zealand wicket-keeper Katey Martin discuss the action.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley react to England Women's successful T20 series in New Zealand and preview the upcoming ODIs. Plus, a full analysis of Alex's first round of golf!

Simon Mann is with former England and IPL star Ravi Bopara as well as Aatif Nawaz to discuss tight finishes, captaincy conundrums and English performances at the start of the IPL.

As the 2024 Indian Premier League gets underway Henry Moeran, Simon Mann and former IPL star Abhishek Jhunjhunwala look ahead to all of the excitement of this year's competition.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are WPL champions and Kate Cross has the inside story. Meanwhile, Alex Hartley's Multan Sultans come so close to winning the PSL in last-ball drama.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are busy in the franchises of India and Pakistan, including seeing some remarkable individual performances. Plus, Alex has FINALLY discovered golf.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are busy playing and coaching overseas and have much news to bring. Plus, Alex’s coaching buddy Cath Dalton drops in to talk through the PSL so far.

In the third of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Prakash Wakankar and Jonathan Agnew to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85.This episode begins in Chennai (formerly Madras) with the test series between England and India finely poised at 1-1 with two to play. Can England complete the turnaround and go down in history as the first side to come from behind to win a test series in India? With Vic and Aggers with the England squad, they relive the moments of watching on as the David Gower-lead side attempt the feat.Plus, they all look back on the legacy of this England squad and what comes next for them.

In the second of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Peter Baxter, Prakash Wakankar and Jonathan Agnew to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85.This episode begins at the end of England's first test against India in Wankhede, but 3rd December 1984 is remembered for a very different reason. The Bhopal disaster occurred. They discuss what is was like to be close to such a catastrophic event and how it affected the atmosphere inside the stadiums when playing cricket.Switching focus back to the cricket, Vic recalls the beginning of England's fight-back in the second test of the series in Delhi.

In the first of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Peter Baxter and Prakash Wakankar to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85. Just hours after the England team had arrived India's prime minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated. What did this mean for the England team? What was it like to be in New Delhi? They discuss everything from restlessly staying in their hotels, to where they were when they were told the news, and whether this meant that any cricket would be played at all.Hear the first person accounts of Vic Marks who was part of the England squad, Peter Baxter who was producing TMS from India, and Prakash Wakankar who was celebrating his birthday in Pune.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are experiencing the thrill of WPL/PSL franchise cricket and tell all from behind-the-scenes. Plus, we're joined by one of the stars of the WPL so far.

Former Hampshire and England offspinner Shaun Udal joins Daniel Norcross to talk about England’s tour of India in 2006, including the famous “Ring of Fire” win in Mumbai. Plus they discuss how his life has changed since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2019.

The India and Pakistan adventures have begun for Kate and Alex, and they’ve got the latest from the PSL and WPL camps.Including team songs, learning Hindi and nocturnal Alex.Look out for some special emails, too!

Your two favourite Red Roses - Kate Cross and Alex Hartley - team up with the Tailenders team to talk all things Valentine's Day. Stand by for some truly cringeworthy stories...

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are both set for cricketing adventures - Alex is off to coach in Pakistan, Kate's heading to the Women's Premier League. Plus, more animal quandaries.

Daniel Norcross talks to Alastair Cook about what it takes to play cricket in India. Cook captained England to a test series victory in India in 2012, which is still the last time a visiting team won a test series there. Alastair talks about what England do differently to other nations visiting India, where Alastair ranks India as the toughest place to go, and being in a hotel overlooking the Himalayas with 2000 waiting outside for the team.

Kevin Pietersen looks back to November 2012 and his inredible innings of 186 against India in Mumbai. The 2012 series was the last time a touring team won a test series in India. The innings has since been compared to the recent heroics of Ollie Pope following his 196 against India which helped England to win the first match of a five test series.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley give their low-down on the England and West Indies men's wins over the weekend, and Alex has the latest from her first skiing trip in 15 years.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Stephan Shemilt and Prakash Wakankar to preview England's Tests in India. Plus, Ben Stokes on how his side will approach this toughest of challenges.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley look at the big cricketing issues of the week (at least some of the time). There's India chat, Hundred money discussions and Alex has a new car.