The Analyst Inside Cricket

England's Test match year began with a bang (winning in Hyderabad) and ended with a whimper (losing to New Zealand by 423 runs). Our assessment of the final Test in Hamilton and where the England team are at now. For more exclusive content including our special series on the great 1974/5 Ashes 50 years ago, visit patreon.com/theanalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After being suppressed for the first two Tests, New Zealand finally demonstrate their talent and quality on a day dominated by a classic Kane Williamson century. Sample some Kiwi music as a backdrop to a dominating performance by the home team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New Zealand side invigorated by their last two wickets adding 75 put a rather lacklustre England side under the cosh to build a lead of 340 by the end of the second day in Hamilton. It was the result of what Michael Atherton called 'hooptedoodle cricket' (a word borrowed from Elmore Leonard to mean meaningless or skippable prose) in the morning. Special podcast series on the 1974/5 Ashes - 50 years ago - at patreon.com/theanalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand's lower order manage to recover some respectability after England's persevering seamers induce a middle order collapse on the first day of the third Test in Hamilton. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report. For their exclusive series on the brilliant 1974/5 Ashes go to patreon.com/theanalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first episode of a special four-part series telling the story of the brutal 1974/5 Ashes Tests. Fifty years ago, England's unsuspecting batsmen were subjected to a barrage from Australian speedsters Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann narrate the harrowing details of the first Test in Brisbane with help from the participants David 'Bumble' Lloyd, Dennis Amiss and Ian Chappell assisted by Ian Botham and author David Tossell. For other episodes in this series go to patreon.com/Theanalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A review of England's thumping victory over New Zealand in Wellington and Australia turning the tables on India in the second Test in Adelaide. Makes the World Test Championship table fascinating. For more content and special series like HeadHunters - our feature on the brutal 1974/5 Ashes go to patreon.com/Theanalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England build up a huge lead over New Zealand in the second Test thanks to a hattrick from Gus Atkinson (in his 10th Test) and some precocious batting from Jacob Bethell (in his second) ably assisted by Ben Duckett and Joe Root (in his 151st.) The Simons report on that, the origin of the term hattrick and a strong second day by Australia in Adelaide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Highly entertaining days cricket in Wellington (and Adelaide) featuring 26 wickets and over 500 runs (in two simultaneous Test matches) and one of the finest innings played by an Englishman in testing conditions - Harry Brooks brilliant 123. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the day and there's also an extract from our new podcast series HeadHunters - full episode available at patreon.com/TheAnalyst25. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brydon Carse becomes the first English seamer to take a ten wicket haul overseas for 16 years as England complete a handsome 8 wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test in Christchurch. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report, analyse what it means for the World Test championship and discuss hitting Santa for six. Go to our premium site for a special four-part series on the 1974/5 Ashes starting next week - pateron.com/TheAnalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Powered by Harry Brook's scintillating if at times fortuitous 171, sharp outcricket and Ben Stokes intuition, England now dominate this first Test, with New Zealand only four runs ahead with just four wickets left. The Simons assess where the match swung. Join us on our premium site for early release ad-free podcasts, special series and documentaries - patreon.com/TheAnalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England do well to pull close to New Zealand's first innings score of 348 helped by some error strewn out-cricket from the hosts. Harry Brook was the main beneficiary - dropped four times during his rumbustious seventh Test century. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the first two days of the Christchuch Test. For premium content including ad-free early release of this podcast go to patreon.com/TheAnalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A review of India's astonishing 295 run win in the first Test in Perth, assessing where the match turned and what Australia need to do now. Also a preview of England's first Test in New Zealand. Will pick a batter Jacob Bethell for his Test debut with a first class average of only 25? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preview of the big Test series clash of the year - Australia v India - which begins on Friday in Perth. India have won the last two series in Australia but are nursing injuries and absences and have lost top spot in the Worl Test Championship table. The Simons preview that, look back at England's white ball matches in the West indies and also discuss their new premium site - https://www.patreon.com/TheAnalyst25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The big talking point is India refusing to play any Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann ponder the likely resolutions, and also discuss Pakistan's surprising defeat of Australia in the odi series and England's recent T20 demolition of West Indies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nikki and Melissa are joined once again by Luke Wolstenholme as they discuss new signings in the women’s domestic game, the ICC’s women's Future Tours Programme (FTP) and console Nikki who has some sad, yet expected news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess England's sluggish reinvention in one day cricket after losing the three match series against West Indies, and discuss how Jimmy Anderson managed to keep going into his 40s, well chronicled into his newly released autobiography Finding the Edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Middlesex's no1 batter Sam Robson in conversation about their county's plight, the benefits and challenges of having Lord's as your home ground and why England can't play spin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England capitulated before lunch on the third day as Pakistan again exploited England's fallibility against spin on helpful pitches. It marks an extraordinary turnaround in the series only exceeded by New Zealand's amazing series triumph in India. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report, and assess what next for England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The poise and artistry of Pakistan's Saud Shakeel turns a stuttering home position into one of potential strength with England losing three crucial second innings wickets before the close. The Simons review the day and think this move could prove decisive. Also - what they used in football before the advent of the referee's whistle.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The precocious keeper-batter Jamie Smith rescues England from a parlous position on the first day of the air-dried pitch in Rawalpindi. But Simon Hughes and Simon Mann ask if England's 267 all out is enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa and Nikki return, this time joined by Luke Wolstenholme from BBC Sport, to discuss the T20 World Cup. They dive into New Zealand’s thrilling and unexpected victory, South Africa’s heartbreaking loss, and the underwhelming performances of both England and India. Tune in for their reflections on the tournament, a lively debate on where things went wrong for England, and Luke’s scarily accurate impersonation of a strict Victorian teacher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's inevitable demise on a 9 day old Multan track to lose the second Test by 142 runs. Was their approach flawed? Was winning the toss the decisive factor? How can England improve in spin-friendly conditions? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Multan pitch rapidly deteriorates England allow Pakistan to build a bigger lead than they should have and now face the greatest challenge of the Bazball era - to make 297 on a dustbowl. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's prospects and the extraordinary demise of India for 46 all out in Bengaluru. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After seven days of a deceased pitch the surface in Multan finally comes alive to assist Pakistan's spinners and England are up against it, despite a brilliant hundred from Ben Duckett. The Simons discuss an interesting day and the fallout from England's demise in the Women's T20 World Cup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A review of the first day of the second Test in Multan during which a reconstructed Pakistan side is held in check by some impressive bowling from England. especially Brydon Carse. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a more interesting day than the first day of the first Test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a remarkable victory for England in Multan after conceding 556 in the first innings. They consider what next for Pakistan, and also reflect on the strange story of the last time England made 800 in an innings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During an extraordinary run-spree Joe Root and Harry Brook break the 67 year old record for England's highest partnership with 454 on the fourth day in Multan. The Simons report on a bonanza day for the stats men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reporting from Multan, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann pay tribute to Joe Root becoming England's greatest Test runscorer and evaluate where he belongs in the Test match hall of fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the second day of the first test in Multan which has certainly seen Pakistan take significant control, but the outcome was significantly influenced on two key incidents in the field Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Mann and Simon Hughes rview the first day's play from Multan where England bowlers deal manfully with stifling conditions and a benign pitch. We also hear from author and climate change authority Peter Frankoppan on what the authorities could do to minimise the impact of global warming on cricketers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former Hampshire and England off-spinner reveals harrowing detail of five years of struggle with a serious disease and personal tragedy and pays tribute to the late Shane Warne and the PCT charity who have helped him through. Plus he questions why Liam Dawson isn't going to Pakistan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Previously the quiet month in the cricket calendar has started with a bang with an extraordinary two day win for India over Bangladesh and continues with England's three Test tour to Pakistan and then with the first of three odis in the Caribbean. The Simon's review England's five odis against Australia and preview the Pakistan tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the first two one day internationals between England and Australia - a steep learning curve for some of England's newer recruits facing up to the highly accomplished and versatile world champions. The Simons also analyse the success of Surrey completing a hattrick of county championship titles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Mann celebrates his Gloucestershire county's long awaited Vitality Blast success and joins Simon Hughes in admiring their ailing president Syd Lawrence's strength in attending finals day and helping his team triumph. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review an emphatic victory seized by Sri Lanka, England's only Test defeat of the summer and hear Ollie Pope's explanation for England's careless batting. We also hear from the veteran Sri Lankan batsman Siddath Wettimuny on what this victory means for Sri Lankan cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess some kamikaze batting by England in their second ininngs - lasting just 34 overs - to gift Sri Lanka a decent chance of an unexpected victory. They also discuss the solutions to the bad-light issue and celebrate Moeen Ali's illustrious international career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamikaze second day batting by England and unhelpful light forcing spinners to be bowled in seamer friendly conditions has given Sri Lanka a route back into this third Test. The Simons report on the fiasco of bad light and an interesting debut for the 6ft 7in Josh Hull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the first day of the final Test at the Oval where Sri Lanka's erratic bowling in lively conditions helps Ollie Pope rediscover his talent despite a truncated day. The pair also discuss the obvious solution to bad light in test cricket - pink balls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gus Atkinson takes his fourth five wicket haul to go with his first innings hundred to take the man of the match spoils as England overcome Sri Lanka by 190 runs at Lords. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a poorly attended fourth day at the home of cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the 3rd days play at Lord's Joe Root overtakes Sir Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test Hundreds with his second century of the match. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann run out of superlatives for the man who must surely be high on King Charles New Year's Honours List. But Root is certainly far from satisfied with that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon. Mann report on a second day at Lord's when Gus Atkinsin completed a remarkable double with 12 wickets in his first Test and a maiden first class hundred in his second at the Home of Cricket. His clean striking enabled England to dominate a second day, bowling Sri Lanka out to achieve a 200 plus lead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Root spares England's blushes with a diligent 33rd Test hundred to compensate for England's shoddy early batting and afterwards commemorates his innings to his former coach, the tragically departed Graham Thorpe. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report from Lords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes discovers the true origins of cricket, established 400 years ago this week, with a tragic accident on the field at Horsted Keynes CC in Sussex, an incident explored in revealing new detail by historian and archivist Bob Willard Watts. For a commemorative book on this story visit www.HKCC-1624.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise Joe Root's tenacity and dependability and Jamie Smith's panache as a makeshift England side overcome a plucky Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the precocious Jamie Smith's notches a maiden Test century to give England a lead of 122, the bowlers wear down Sri Lankan resistance to move in sight of victory.. The Simons assess a gusty third day at Old Trafford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A determined Sri Lankan bowling performance holds England in check until the precocious Jamie Smith eases them into a position of potential dominance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann suggest the first hour of the Third day will hold the key to the match. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At 6-3 and 113-7 it looked like a predictable capitulation for Sri Lanka on the opening day of the Test series, but a captains innings and a fine debut got them close to respectability as the gloomy conditions forced Ollie Pope to employ spinners against the tail. The Simons review the play from OldTrafford which was dedicated to the memory of Graham Thorpe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss Sri Lanka's prospects in the forthcoming three Test series against a Stokes-less England, highlighting their comprehensive defeat to an England 5th XI in their only warm-up match and this being their first three-Test series for six years. Also in this show, a reflection of The Hundred tournament having completed its fourth season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At a charity day to raise funds for the Professional Cricketers Trust, Simon Hughes talks to former players including Paul Nixon and Monty Panesar especially about dealing with mental health issues arising from the game. And in the wake of Graham Thorpe's tragic death we hear from charities trying to address the problems which seem particular to our great summer sport. For more info on the Professional Cricketers Trust and to donate visit thepca.co.uk/trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A short reminder about the special family fun day at Teddington CC on Tuesday 13 August to raise money for the Professional Cricketers Trust featuring coaching and masterclasses given by the likes of Monty Panesar, Paul Nixon, Alex Tudor, Stuart Meaker, Darren Stevens and other former professionals. For more details visit worldsbestcc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices