Test Match Special

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Insight and analysis from the Test Match Special team - including interviews with top players and special features.

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725 episodes

No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - Kate and Alex are together in New Zealand!

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!

35m
Mar 30
The IPL - Season 2024 is up and running!

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.

31m
Mar 26
The IPL - The Preview Podcast

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.

31m
Mar 22
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - Emergency WPL/PSL Final reaction!

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.

28m
Mar 19
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - knockout time in the PSL and WPL!

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.

35m
Mar 14
The TMS post tour awards

Andy Zaltzman hosts the inaugural, and probably final, Test Match Special post series awards. Along with Jonathan Agnew, Mark Ramprakash and Deep Dasgupta, they debate and decide which players win awards such as 'player of the series', 'best batting innings of the series', and 'worst review of the series'. Plus, as Andy Zaltzman is hosting, there's a huge amount of stats that breaks the series down into numbers.

34m
Mar 11
The fallout – England’s loss to India

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Mark Ramprakash, Deep Dasgupta & Stephan Shemilt to discuss where Bazball goes from here. England head coach Brendon McCullum speaks to Stephan about what a “hurting” team can take away from the test series. They also discuss who might be dropped and who might come into the England side heading into the summer and their test series against The West Indies. Plus, Stephan speaks to artist Andy Brown who travels the world painting sporting events from inside the stadiums, having followed the test series across India.

38m
Mar 10
Disastrous England capitulate as Anderson reaches 700

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Phil Tufnell and Deep Dasgupta to reflect on England's crushing defeat to India in Dharamsala. They dissect England's collapse, looking at the wicket of Ben Duckett, and hear from Ben Stokes as he reacts to the series defeat. Also, they look back on Jimmy Anderson's incredible career as the 41-year-old becomes the first fast bowler to take 700 test wickets.

31m
Mar 09
India dominant on day two

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Jack Leach, Phil Tufnell and Stephan Shemilt to discuss India’s dominant display in Dharamsala. Stephan speaks to England’s spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel after the day’s play and Leach gives an update on his recovery from knee surgery. Leach talks about what it’s like watching on from home with England struggling out in India and they also debate just how good Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja are as a spin attack, while Leach gives insight on what it’s like to face the trio.

31m
Mar 08
The worst day of England's series so far?

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Phil Tufnell and Deep Dasgupta for analysis of day one of the final test in Dharamsala. They discuss England's dismal display with the bat, having started so strong, and ask why England's batter recklessly throw away their wickets. England's batting coach Marcus Trescothick speaks to Stephan Shemilt about where it went wrong for the tourists. Plus, they look at Yashasvi Jasiswal's rise in this series, the performances of India's spinners, and the prospect of Jimmy Anderson reaching 700 wickets in this final test.

28m
Mar 07
Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow & bathing in the Himalayan foothills

Stephan previews the final test between England & India with Paul Newman from The Mail. Stephan speaks to Ben Stokes ahead of the final test, plus they discuss Jonny Bairstow before what will be his one-hundredth test appearance for England. Phil Long's travels across India following the team via any transport necessary comes to its conclusion as he reaches Dharamsala, not without drama as Phil contends with sleet, snow, and power cuts along the way. Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik tells Stephan why he thinks India shouldn't be heading into this test with the series already wrapped up at 3-1. Also, Stephan and Paul debate whether they'd fancy a dip in a stream in the Himalayan foothills after Jimmy Anderson revealed what the England squad had been up to during their preparations for the final test.

40m
Mar 06
Bairstow the Centurion and Hartley's learning experience

Mark Chapman is joined by former England internationals Phil Tufnell and Mark Ramprakash, as well as ex-India wicket keeper Deep Dasgupta, to look ahead to the final Test between India and England. The team hear from England spinner Tom Hartley on his learning experience from breaking through in the series, and also chat about Jonny Bairstow, who's set to become an England Centurion. And finally, the team chat about India's next generation coming through. 05'15: England's selection headache 08'38: Tom Hartley interview 23'00: Barrel vs over spin 35'18: Jonny Bairstow the Centurion, and can Foakes make his way into the setup? 46'14: The passing of the Indian baton

54m
Mar 04
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast – Multan Sultans flying and Alex wants a middle name

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.

37m
Mar 04
Death, Disaster and Redemption: England in India 84-85 part 3

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.

37m
Mar 03
England tour of India 1984/85 - Vol 2

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.

34m
Mar 02
England tour of India 1984/85 - Vol 1

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.

37m
Mar 01
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - An India breakthrough star joins the podcast!

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.

41m
Feb 29
Shaun Udal on living with Parkinson’s and India 06

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.

40m
Feb 28
What does the future look like for England and India?

After England’s series defeat in India, how much will England start planning for the future? We hear from coach Brendon McCullum on the defeat, on the problems facing England’s young spinners, and on Ollie Robinson’s form. Plus Dinesh Karthik joins the podcast to discuss the future of India’s lineup, with Prakash Wakankar predicting who will start for India the next time England visit.

46m
Feb 27
England defeated in Ranchi to lose series

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Michael Vaughan and Mark Ramprakash for reaction to England's defeat to India in Ranchi. They discuss how England's performance with the bat has let them down at times, plus how Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley have played out in India. Ben Stokes gives his thoughts to Stephan Shemilt after the day's play, and Stephan also speaks to former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik on how India will reflect on their win.

36m
Feb 26
England face huge battle with the ball to keep series alive

Henry Moeran is alongside Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan for reaction to England's collapse with the bat on day three at Ranchi. They discuss England's chances of pulling off a miracle, whilst also looking at the issues and narrative around the use of DRS in the series. Plus, hear from Shoaib Bashir who fancies England's chances to win and keep the series alive. Also, Stephan Shemilt speaks to former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik about the performance of Dhruv Jurel both with the bat and behind the stumps.

33m
Feb 25
Bashir's brilliant & Jack Leach joins the podcast

Daniel Norcross is joined by Michael Vaughan and Jack Leach to reflect on day two of the fourth test in Ranchi. They hear from Joe Root who tells Stephan Shemilt why ‘Bazball’ is misunderstood and about how he’s dealt with criticism during the series. Leach reacts to an incredible day for his Somerset teammate Shoaib Bashir and talks about the injury that curtailed his tour of India.

30m
Feb 24
Root raises game for Ranchi

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan for reaction to Joe Root's 31st test century on day one at Ranchi. They discuss just how well Root played and how the pitch will affect where this test is won and lost. Also, England opener Zak Crawley speaks to Stephan Shemilt at stumps. Plus, they talk about Rehan Ahmed's series following the news that he has travelled home because of an urgent family matter. Stephan also speaks to Dinesh Karthik about the pitch at Ranchi and Akash Deep, who picked up 3 wickets on his debut.

33m
Feb 23
Can England bounce back?

Stephan Shemilt is in Ranchi on the eve of the fourth Test between England and India. Will Stokes bowl? How big an absence is Bumrah? Stephan gets the thoughts of ESPNcricinfo writer Vithushan Ehantharajah and hears from the England captain. Dinesh Karthik has his say on India and there’s an exclusive chat with the star of the series so far – Yashasvi Jaiswal! Plus, TMS statistician Phil Long continues his epic journey across the country.

44m
Feb 22
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - PSL and WPL time baby!

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!

44m
Feb 21
Cook remembers the brilliant tour of 2012

England were the last team to beat India in a Test series at home. Sir Alastair Cook talks through a special tour in 2012 as England beat Tendulkar and co.

40m
Feb 21
Does ‘Bazball’ need to evolve?

Mark Chapman is joined by England batter Tammy Beaumont, former opener Michael Carberry and Sussex Head Coach Paul Farbrace to discuss where it went wrong for England in the third Test against India. You’ll hear Test head coach Brendan McCullum’s thoughts on England’s defeat and their style of play while we analyse the success and longevity of ‘Bazball’. We also look ahead to how England can approach their next Test in Ranchi.

43m
Feb 20
Can England better their batting?

Daniel Norcross is alongside Phil Tufnell, Ebony Rainford-Brent, and our reporter out in India Stephan Shemilt to discuss the current narrative around the England team and the attitudes towards 'Bazball'. Hear the thoughts of England head coach Bredon McCullum following the heavy defeat to India in Rajkot. Dan, Phil, Ebony and Stephan analyse the current level of England's batting standards, whether 'Bazball' has gone as far as it can, and how the likes of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow can improve their form for the rest of the series in India. Plus, they look at what bowling changes could be made before the fourth test in Ranchi.

40m
Feb 19
England thrashed by India

Jonathan Agnew is alongside Phil Tufnell and Michael Vaughan for reaction to England's defeat in the third test to India in Rajkot. Hear Ben Stokes' thoughts on the crumbling defeat on day four, plus he tells Stephan Shemilt about his frustration with some of the DRS decisions in the series so far. Stephan gets the India perspective from former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik who was keen to heap praise on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan who starred with the bat in this third test. Also, Jonathan, Phil and Michael talk about Mike Procter after the South African great died at the age of 77.

40m
Feb 18
The worst day of England’s new era?

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Michael Vaughan & Phil Tufnell to reflect on a dismal day three for England against India in Rajkot. They hear from England’s Ben Duckett who says “the more the better” when asked about how many they can chase down in their second innings. Plus Stephan Shemilt speaks to former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik about how the hosts dominated despite the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin.

38m
Feb 17