The Analyst Inside Cricket

The premature death of the ebullient Surrey and England batsman Graham Thorpe at just 55 has left everyone in the cricket world numb with disbelief. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Simon Wilde, the author of Thorpe's autobiography, Rising From The Ashes, celebrate the career of a man who didn't win the accolades or the garlands that he deserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes talks to Durham chief executive Tim Bostock about potential Saudi investment, creating a further boost to the North East economy, the imminence of a ninth team in the Hundred, and how a new hotel at Chester le Street will double the county's income and produce even more world class talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With as explosive a spell of fast bowling as produced by an England bowler this century, Mark Wood demolished West Indies, leaving the path clear for Ben Stokes to put the lid on the series with England's fastest ever Test fifty. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the match and the series and how England are shaping up for sterner challenges ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann admire the resilience of Root and Stokes and the panache of Jamie Smith to rescue England from a parlous position to the prosperity of a decent lead and complete west indies misery with two late wickets. Another three day test? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report from Edgbaston on a day when England's bowlers secured 10 West indian wickets with well-honed plans but then handed several back with ill-judged shots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story and Nikki Chaudhuri review England's triumphant summer before turning their attention to this year's Hundred competition with a detailed look at how each side is shaping up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England seal the Botham-Richards series 2-0 with an impressive demolition job on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, led by the rookie spinner Shoaib Bashir with an impressive five wicket haul. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on a much more competitive second Test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a lively third day at Trent Bridge, the England batsmen drive their team into a strong position to overcome spirited tailend West Indies resistance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann marvel at Harry Brooks panache and lament West Indies bowlers' inconsistency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise two men from the tiny island of Dominica who make England sweat in the Nottingham sun and give West indies renewed heart after a sorry performance at Lords. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Led by the frisky Ollie Pope making his sixth Test hundred, England's batsmen frolicked on a lively Trent Bridge pitch profiting from some wayward West Indian bowling and shoddy fielding. Although England were bowled out in a day Simon Hughes and Simon Mann both believe England have got enough to boss the game. For more information on our sponsor Nicholson original gin go to drinknicholson.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roland Butcher, the first black cricketer to play for England, stands on the Lord's outfield where he first established himself to reflect on the celebrated West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s and the importance of trying to recover the skills and exuberance that made them the envy of the cricketing world. Thanks to our sponsors Nicholson. For more information go to drinknicholson.com and use the code Yakka2024 for your 15% discount on products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and former England swing bowler Derek Pringle pay tribute to the amazing career of Jimmy Anderson who has put 25,000 tonnes through his knees and ankles and run over 500 miles in the England cause and can still produce deliveries of exquisite and deadly quality. There will never again be a bowler like him. Toast him with a Nicholson cocktail (or a Guinness!) Go to drinknicholson.com for more info and use the code Yakka2024 for a 15% discount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the sad decline of West Indies Test cricket brutally exposed by England on the second day of the Lords Test. England's debutants enjoyed it anyway and Ben Stokes joined the all-rounders elite of 200 test wickets to go with his 6000 Test runs. This podcast is supported by Nicholson original gin. For more info and a 15% discount go to drinknicholson.com and use the code Yakka2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann witness a remarkable Test match debut by Gus Atkinson to steal the limelight on Jimmy Anderson's farewell bow, as West Indies capitulate for 121. This episode is supported by Nicholson. For more information and a 15% discount on your purchase go to drinknicholson.com and use the code Yakka2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Lara joins the podcast to look back on his epic, record-breaking innings against, and in England 30 years ago, featured in a new book - Lara: the England Chronicles published this week. He reveals the men who shaped his style and the man who bowled the most unplayable ball he ever faced, and considers the prospects for his compatriots next week at Lord's. Also in this episode a discussion on the future of the world game following the gathering of cricket's most significant movers and shakers at Lord's this week. LARA The England Chronicles is available to buy in hardback and ebook formats at thenightwatchman.net. Hardback: £20 (RRP £25) + p&p - use coupon code LARA6 at the checkout. Hardback signed: £25 (RRP £30) + p&p - use coupon code LARA6 at the checkout. Ebook: £4.99 (RRP £6.99) - use coupon code LARA7 at the checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Simons analyse the announcement of England's squad for the first Test of the summer, which includes the call-up of Surrey's Jamie Smith at the expense of Jonny Bairstow. In the second half of the show is a review of the T20 World Cup final, and a first Indian title for a dozen years, a fitting crown for the departing Indian coach Rahul Dravid and the mercurial Jasprit Bumrah. The podcast also includes Sunny Gavaskar's surprising choice as his favourite all-time T20 player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India and South Africa deservedly make it through to the T20 World Cup final as the only two unbeaten teams in the competition and show their potency and versatility in two one sided semis. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the action which could signal the end of one or two senior England players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The phenomenal South African fast bowler Dale Steyn - taker of 699 international wickets - joins the podcast to talk lost World Cup semi finals, prospects for South Africa at this T20 World Cup as it reaches its climax and how to advise modern pace bowlers. 'Always take the positive option. Think wickets even if you're going at 14 an over....' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review two days of madcap T20 cricket after which Australia are eliminated from the last game, and brilliant, irresistible Afghanistan make it to their first ever World Cup semi final to face South Africa on Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a slightly stuttery early campaign England secure their T20 World Cup semi final spot with an annihilation of the USA team. The Simons assess England's growing confidence and analyse their likely semi final opponents, and beyond the cricket report on an impressive coral reef restoration project. For more information visit https://www.emcantigua.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes is joined by West Indian born former Middlesex express Ricky Elcock to review England's Phil Salt-inspired defeat of the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and to discuss Elcock's later life training in the Caribbean to be Virgin Atlantic's first-ever black pilot. Ricky's fascinating autobiography Balls to Fly is available here - https://amzn.eu/d/0igB6ee0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann relive England's anxiety through a day in the T20 World Cup when rain relented to allow England just enough time to defeat Namibia, and Australia had just enough depth to overcome the plucky Scots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann admire England's demolition job on Oman and consider which teams are now odds on to make it to the Super Eights. Plus - what Freddie did and Yozzer samples a gin with a historic connection to cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the T20 World Cup so far and are joined by Australian great Matthew Hayden to assess England's chances of qualifying and why Australi are so good at tournament cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a sticky performance by Englsnd against the old enemy in the T20 World Cup, punctuated by bad decisions and inflexibility Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on the first four days of the T20 World Cup, featuring dodgy weather in Barbados, a dodgy pitch in New York and a super over triumph for Namibia whose hero David Wiese talks us through his superover strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup starts this weekend with USA v Canada in Dallas, Texas. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the tournament as England hope to defend their title and the ICC seek to re-introduce cricket to the US, the world's richest sports market. Back home we also check in with the remarkable progress of the South Asian Cricket Academy and hear from its founder Tom Brown and one of its recent graduates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's T20 against Pakistan at Edgbaston which saw the welcome return of Jofra Archer - fit and firing - also dip into some county cricket action and preview the IPL final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) are back to analyse England's T20 series against Pakistan and the Charlotte Edwards Cup but get sidetracked by Nikki's obsession with the test and Melissa's recent Bridgerton binging. Aside from lots of telly the pair find time to chat with Matthew Ellis of Not Out Mental Health - a great cause highlighting the importance of speaking about mental health in cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann consider Jimmy Anderson's impending departure and how it was decided, and discuss with West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder the legacy he has left and some ideas to help beleaguered bowlers in the shorter formats which Jimmy has wisely avoided. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss the difficulty of scheduling county cricket to anyone's - never mind everyone's - satisfaction and hear about the real (10th century) origins of cricket - with fairly brutal consequences - from a most unexpected source. This podcast is sponsored by www.visitbarbados.org/cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse this month's big talking point, the potential sale of the Hundred franchises to private investors and what it might mean for the 18 counties and MCC. PCA chief executive Daryl Mitchell and Leicestershire CEO Sean Jarvis offer their views. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) return to the massive plan to return the women's game to the counties and the impacts of this move. Reading listener concerns and speculating on the game before Surrey CC Women's Captain Amy Gordon describes the uncertainty the plans have had on her life. She also talks about how commendable work in founding teh charity "Pad Up" an organisation delivering period products to girls in Kenyan schools to keep them engaged in education and sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of England's truly great players, David Gower, joins our virtual cricket club to discuss the future of Test cricket, his most embarrassing dismissals, which modern player he'd most like to be and why he loves Icelandic cricket. Join our virtual club at worldsbestcc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) dissect the ECB's latest plans to expand the professional women's game with 00 Child Podcast host Polly Starkie and the Independent's sports writer, Sonia Twigg, who makes her second appearance on the pod. Whether the new announcement will grow or harm women's cricket is down to natural selection but the panel left no stone unturned with a critical and passionate debate on how to develop the domestic game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special guest Tino Best recounts the tale of playing in the Test match when Brian Lara broke the world record Test score with his 400 not out, twenty years ago this week. Its also 30 years to the day since Lara's epic 375 not out in Antigua. Simon Hughes was there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann celebrate the life of the incomparable Derek Underwood, Kent and England's prolific spinner and hear from Rob Key, also a Kent legend, about his ethos in charge of England, why he chose Brendon McCullum as coach and what Harry Brook said to Ben Stokes . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sportswriter Ben Bloom discusses his new book Batting for Time - the fight to keep English cricket alive - and Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess his findings and evaluate the solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) celebrate Melissa's remarkable achievement in winning the Christopher Martin-Jenkins Broadcaster of the Year award before turning their attention to England's tour of New Zealand. The girls then spoke to the brilliant Estelle Vasudevan to get her insight into all things Sri Lanka Women's Cricket ranging from this year's world cup to the domestic leagues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the eve of the new County Championship season, Simon Mann and Simon Hughes talk to the optimistic Mark Alleyne, newly installed head coach of Gloucestershire who failed to win one first class match in 2023 and finished bottom of Division 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lottie - the most decorated-ever female cricketer is in the house to talk with Melissa Story and Simon Hughes about her life in the game, both as star player and now as trophy-winning coach, her fears for (women's) international formats and what its like to win the cup bearing her own name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann talk to the former Warwickshire player and current Rajasthan Royals coach Trevor Penney about the art and science of fielding and how it has evolved from the butterfingered days of Yozzer's 20th century efforts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann talk to franchise globetrotter David Wiese about life on the franchise circuit, what are the best and worst T20 leagues to play in, why the US has got it made and what is a travelling cricketer's favourite form of relaxation these days. And its not golf. David's own podcast is called Hitman for Hire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) discuss the final stages of the 2024 WPL as RCB take home their first trophy as a franchise. Nikki makes her TMS debut, correcting some false advertising from the producer, and does brilliantly. The girls round up by looking forward to England's white-ball tour of New Zealand. Nikki is STILL doing some research on women's cricket and we need you! If you are a female player or ex-player please fill out this survey, it takes around 2 minutes and will help us immensely. Thank you https://forms.gle/Fv6FbQNPBstU3qJj6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) return as the WPL moves towards its finale in 2024. Melissa describes a soggy weekend away before examining Sophie Ecclestone's rather brutal assessment of her teammates' fielding. Nikki is doing some research on women's cricket and we need you! If you are a female player or ex-player please fill out this survey, it takes around 2 minutes and will help us immensely. Thank you https://forms.gle/Fv6FbQNPBstU3qJj6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former England great Graham Gooch, who made more runs in all competitions than any player in history, tells Simon Hughes and Simon Mann some home truths about batting and offers some sage suggestions about how might England progress after their Indian ordeal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann celebrate the remarkable achievement of Jimmy Anderson reaching 700 Test wickets in Dharamsala and congratulate superb India on completing an innings drubbing and a 4-1 series result. They assess where and why England's inevitable demise occurred and what's next for Ben Stokes's team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess a second day in Dharamshala when India's top order batters demonstrated how to construct an innings to put India in a near impregnable position. At least England never gave in, the mercurial Ben Stokes produced a moment of magic and Shoaib Bashir kept going admirably to take four excellent wickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England begin well again but then, in a carbon copy of earlier matches, fluff their lines as the spinners are brought on and another middle order collapse ensues. Then Yashasvi Jaiswal again dominates the final session of the first day in Dharamshala. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the day and hear from the man who is producing a new generation of brilliant Indian batsmen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melissa Story (Gloucestershire & TMS) and Nikki Chaudhuri (Surrey & TMS) round up last week's WPL fixtures as games continue thick and fast before entering a powerful discussion on body image and the pressure on female cricketers. Nikki is doing some research on women's cricket and we need you! If you are a female player or ex-player please fill out this survey, it takes around 2 minutes and will help us immensely. Thank you https://forms.gle/Fv6FbQNPBstU3qJj6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices