Test Match Special

As the top two teams in Test cricket prepare for a five-match series, ABC Radio’s Ed Cowan and Corbin Middlemas ask which team is under pressure more – Australia, who have lost the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophies, or India, who have just lost 3-0 at home to New Zealand?

Alex Hartley & Kate Cross look ahead to England’s tour of South Africa with Kate in the ODI and Test squad. She discusses how she’s been preparing for the series having had six weeks away from cricket. They speak to a listener who has named their puppy after one of them, and have you named a pet after someone famous?

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Alistair Bruce-Ball is joined by World Cup winner Lauren Winfield-Hill, the former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace and the England wicketkeeper Sam Billings. The panel discuss Ollie Pope's place in the England batting line-up following his disappointing series against Pakistan, how England can prepare better for spinning conditions and Aatif Nawaz explains what the series win means for Pakistan. And with the first ODI against West Indies beginning on Thursday, former captain Jason Holder helps look ahead to the series.

00:20 - England's struggle against spin

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Steven Finn, Alex Hartley, Aatif Nawaz and Andy Zaltzman, looking back at Day 2 of the 3rd Test in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan are well on top.

We’ll hear from England’s Rehan Ahmed, who took 4 wickets, and Pakistan’s centurion Saud Shakeel.

Plus, Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar - who took 178 Test wickets and is famous for bowling the first ball clocked at over 100mph – talks candidly about Pakistani cricket with Aatif Nawaz.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Steven Finn, Alex Hartley, Aatif Nawaz and Andy Zaltzman to look back on Day 1 of the 3rd Test in Rawalpindi, where 13 wickets fell.

We’ll also hear from England’s Jamie Smith, who hit 89 to help his side recover from 118-6.

Jonathan Agnew is joined by Steven Finn, Stephan Shemilt & Aatif Nawaz to preview England’s third and final Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, with the series stood at 1-all.

Hear from England captain Ben Stokes, as he reflects on the previous Test in Multan, and tells us how the England camp are preparing for the series decider.

Plus, you can hear a snippet from Aatif’s chat with England duo Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir, talking about their British Pakistani identity and their faith. You can listen to the full conversation in the TMS podcast feed.

England spinners Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed talk to Aatif Nawaz about British Pakistani identity, touring Pakistan, their faith, cricket and much more. We hear how they’ve been invited to Friday prayers with the Pakistan team, how Mohammed Rizwan changes to sledging in Pashtu when Bashir is at the crease, and split allegiances with some family members supporting Pakistan, and some supporting England.

Mark Chapman is joined by England internationals Lauren Winfield-Hill and Tymal Mills, as well as former England spinner Phil Tufnell. We hear from Jack Leach about his return to the England fold ahead of the 3rd and decisive Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi which begins on Thursday. The panel also discuss the balance of England's bowling attack for that match. And we hear from New Zealand writer and broadcaster Alex Chapman after New Zealand won their first ever Women's T20 World Cup. You can listen to ball-by-ball commentary of the 3rd Test between England and Pakistan from 6am on Sports Extra and BBC Sounds on Thursday.

02:03 - England's defeat in the second Test vs Pakistan

Jonathan Agnew speaks to former Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz.

Now splitting her time between cricket commentary and dentistry, Mumtaz talks about the struggles of not being allowed to play cricket as a child, the opportunities for women in cricket now compared to when she was growing up, and how she'll be straight back to her dental practice once England's tour of Pakistan is over.

Henry Moeran is joined by Tash Farrant, Daniel Norcross and Firdose Moonda, bringing reaction from Dubai, as New Zealand Women win their first ever T20 World Cup, beating South Africa by 32 runs. We’ll hear from player of the match, and the tournament, Melie Kerr, as well as Suzie Bates.

Later in the episode, we’ll also hear from Sir Alastair Cook, who was at the game, after being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.