The Analyst Inside Cricket

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on England's first Test victory in Australia since January 7th 2011. This was a remarkable and rather unsatisfactory Test which lasted barely a day and a half on an MCG pitch which had a bit too much help for the seam bowlers but on which no batter was prepared to be patient. An impressive opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett showed up some rather hapless Australian batting, and the youngster Jacob Bethell made a crucial 40 in a tricky runchase. At last 10,000 English fans have an England victory to celebrate though Cricket Australia will bemoan major revenue losses. This podcast is sponsored by Nord VPN - go to NORDVPN.COM/AIC for your special deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review an extraordinary day's play at the MCG where the groundsman and the batsmen gifted the bowlers 20 wickets. A helpful Melbourne pitch was well exploited by both team's seam bowlers - especially England's Josh Tongue - confronted with batsmen who didn't seem to want to hang about too long. This is a game on fast forward. They also discuss the state of England's team and the apparent drinking culture may have begun to reinfluence English cricket. This episode is sponsored by Nord VPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan go to nordvpn.com/aic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite a plucky seventh wicket stand between Will Jacks and Jamie Smith, the Aussies clinched their coveted prize in mid afternoon and celebrated in appropriate style. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse waht went right for Australia and wrong for England and hear Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum offer their explanations too. And we hear what our listeners think too. Don't forget to follow our Substack blog at the Cricverse - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/headmaster?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chasing a virtually impossible 435 for victory to keep the series alive, England inevitably lost more than half their side to a combination of the superb Pat Cummins and wizardly Nathan Lyon as the dusty fourth day pitch played a few tricks. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a day of intense competition as Australia draw within four wickets of retaining Test cricket's ultimate prize. Former Australian captain Mark Taylor also gives his view on England's shaky top three. Fnal day viewable on TNT Sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After courageous resistance from Ben Stokes gets England close to a barely adequate 300, England's bowlers suffer at the hands of the brilliant South Australian Travis Head. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse the third day of the third Test when England's Ashes hopes are slowly and almost sadistically extinguished by Australia's batsmen. Their former star bowler Jason Gillespie also explains what makes the England bowling attack for these batting friendly conditions inadequate. Also read our Cricverse blog on the series - visit https://cricverse.substack.com/p/headmaster?r=lo2wd #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes reviews the second day from Adelaide when the outstanding Australian attack gave the England batters a good roasting in the Adelaide heat. Justin Langer also gives his view on England's batting frailities which have left them clinging on to their Ashes hopes by a gossamer thin thread. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Wilde of the Sunday Times review the first day of the Adelaide Test when both teams gifted presents of runs and wickets to each other. There was also controversy when Alex Carey was given not out by umpire and DRS but admitted afterwards that he did get an edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the 3rd Test in Adelaide which is of course make or break for England. After England's break in Noosa, Brendon McCullum speaks and declares that England will keep the same top seven, and also explains more about what he meant by England overtraining before the Brisbane Test. He is clear though that if they play much smarter cricket than they did in Brisbane they can wIn in Adelaide and then 'the narrative changes.' Follow our Cricverse blog on Substack for more on the Ashes https://cricverse.substack.com/p/all-in-good-time?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Graeme Swann was one of the stars of England's triumphant Ashes campaign of 2010/11. In this interview he recounts how England prepared for that series - with a graphic account of the infamous boot camp in Germany - the difficult start to the series in the Gabba, how they recovered and then went on to produce almost the perfect performance at the Adelaide Oval where England play next. Graeme Swann will be part of the TNT Sports commentary team for the next Test. This podcast is supported by Nord VPN visit https://nordvpn.com/analyst for your exclusive deal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Stokes right to suggest that some of his players are mentally weak? Should there be major changes if England lose the Ashes? Should they be going to Noosa for a 'mid-series break' or be practising in the nets? Do they need a psychologist or a shrink? Your Ashes questions answered with Simon Hughes and Simon Mann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Determined batting by Ben Stokes and Will Jacks at least took this 2nd Test into the final session of the 4th day at the Gabba. But from the moment England dropped five catches to allow Australia to make over 500 the barbequing of the English torso on the Brisbane coals was underway. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann hear from a sombre Ben Stokes and an ecstatic Adam Gilchrist in reviewing the match. Australia now have one hand firmly on the Ashes urn after only six day's cricket. #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England laboured to dismiss Australia's last four wickets in the heat of the Brisbane day and then collapsed to the Australia's willing seamers as darkness fell. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by Matt Hayden to analyse a dispiriting yet predictable third day at the Gabba which leaves England's Ashes hopes hanging by a thread. #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England lose the plot with the ball and in the field on the second day at the Gabba, gifting Australia the initiative with poor bowling and dropped catches. But this Australian side are not as ruthless as some of their predecessors and at times handed the initiative back. But, as Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Steven Finn report, Australia still have a sizeable advantage. Can they convert it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Root has finally got the monkey of his back with an irrepressible hundred at the Gabba, his first in Australia and his 40th overall. It was the centrepiece of a compelling first day in Brisbane which England looked like squandering at several points, but was saved by Root's dedication and skill and an unexpected unbroken last wicket stand between him and Jofra Archer. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by Matt Prior to reflect on a day when Mitchell Starc became the world's leading left arm wicket taker. #ashes #england #australia #root Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The cricket world has been stunned with the sudden death of the brilliant Hampshire and England batsman Robin Smith at the age of 62. Smith, known as The Judge for his wig-like hairstyle, possessed the most ferocious cut shot in the game and was fearless against fast bowling during a highly successful England career. This belied inner self-doubts and an almost apologetic nature that was at the heart of his problems post retirement. Simon Hughes, who played against Smith regularly, recalls his career with Simon Mann and cricket writer Simon Wilde who produced a definitive interview with Smith in the Sunday Times just last weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the second Ashes Test at the Gabba which England must win to have any chance of regaining the Ashes. This is a day-night pink ball test and they discuss the difficulties that presents, the way teams approach it and the changes in personel. There are rumours that Pat Cummins might return as captain. But whatever happens, England will make sure, if they arrive by electric scooter, that they wear helmets. This series is live and exclusive in the Uk on TNT Sports. #ashes #england #australia #pinkball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes an Simon Mann consider the state of the England team ahead of the second Ashes Test. And Simon Hughes then joins in a local radio show in Denmark, Western Australia to hear what the real Okkers think of the Poms. (Apologies for the slightly low sound levels on the second half.) #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An in-depth interview with Simon Jones, one of the stars of England's 2005 Ashes triumph but who sadly never played for England again. He talks about his upbringing as the son of an England bowler, idolizing other great fast bowlers, the devastation of rupturing knee ligaments on his Ashes debut, the exhilaration of the 2005 Ashes success and the victory parade, the exasperation of constant injury problems and eventual retirement afterwards, and the work he's doing now to prevent injured cricketers falling on hard times. #ashes #swingbowling #england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An interview with Lord Botham, great all-rounder, hero of the Ashes and scourge of Australia, to commemorate his 70th birthday. He talks with Simon Hughes about his lifelong association with the Ashes, why he loves Australians, and loves to beat them even more, and how to save Test cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Still trying to comprehend not only what happened on the 2nd day of the first Ashes Test in Perth, but also how quickly it all unfolded, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann try to rationalise how the balance of power shifted so dramatically. Plus - fans reactions, what England should do next and a special birthday. STOP PRESS - BETHELL, POTTS AND TONGUE TO PLAY IN PINK BALL WARM-UP MATCH #ashes #cricket #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A remarkable hundred by Travis Head - one of the greatest innings ever played in an Ashes Test - savaged England's hopes and seized Australia an unlikely win in the first Test in Perth. Head's century, the second fastest in Ashes history - shot Australia to victory inside two days leaving England, leading by 100 just after lunch with nine wickets in hand, totally shellshocked. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse where it went wrong for England and right for Australia and also hear Matthew Hayden's view of Head's performance. #ashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nineteen wickets fall on the first da of the Ashes in Perth, and England, have been tamely bowled out for 172 seem likely now to take a decent lead. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise the skill of the fast bowlers on both sides while bemoaning the lack of application of the batsmen on a bouncy pitch with some lateral movement. England's bowlers certainly relished the lift and help in the pitch and exposed Australia's vulnerability to deliveries of over 90mph. The series is covered on TNT Sports. Thsi podcast is brought to you Betfair. For latest markets go to https://betting.betfair.com/cricket/the-ashes/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The huge build up to the 2025/6 Ashes is almost over. The talk is nearly done. Time to walk the walk. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann survey the stage at the Perth stadium and assess where the balance of power is now, and where it might be in six weeks time. Ben Stokes explains the philosophies behind his and the team's preparation and how he has emphasised to them that this is England's chance to make history. The podcast's sponsors Betfair also offer some interesting odds. Please be gamble aware and bet responsibly. The Ashes is exclusively live on TNT Sports. #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The climax to the greatest Test series of all time - the Oval Test of 2005. England, who hadn't held the Ashes for 18 years, went into this final Test 2-1 up, knowing that if the Australians managed to sneak a victory they would retain the Ashes urn again. The last Test to be broadcast live on terrestrial TV in the UK (on Channel 4) it was regarded as the biggest sporting event in Britain since the 1966 football World Cup final. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann take you through the gripping action from England's strong start, to Australia's inevitable fightback, Freddie Flintoff's titanic spell and Kevin Pietersen's extraordinary last day hundred. With contributions from Michael Vaughan, Freddie Flintoff, Andrew Strauss, Simon Jones, Ashley Giles, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee. #ashes #englandcricket #australia #greatestseries #theanalyst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trent Bridge Test of 2005 was the first time England had taken a significant lead in the Ashes for 18 years. It was only achieved in a tense finale in fading light by two players - Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard - not renowned for their batting. They managed to collect the final 13 runs for victory with Shane Warne wreaking havoc, only two nervous batters left in the pavilion and the nation holding their collective breath. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann tell the tale of a dramatic match which featured a buccanneering century by Freddie Flintoff, England making Australia follow on for the first time in a generation and Ricky Ponting run out by the substitute Gary Pratt. With contributions from Flintoff, Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Strauss and Ashley Giles. #ashes #cricket #englandcricket #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices