Test Match Special

Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by Ashes tour veteran Jonathan Agnew, 3 time Ashes winner Steven Finn, TMS commentator Simon Mann and statistician Andy Zaltzman to share first memories of following England tours down under.

Plus we hear how the very first ball of the series has often set the tone.

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, but also those lesser-known names who play crucial roles.

Ahead of the start of the series in Brisbane, Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by Ashes tour veteran Jonathan Agnew, three-time Ashes winner Steven Finn, TMS commentator Simon Mann and statistician Andy Zaltzman to share memories of trips to Queensland. From David Gower in his Tiger Moth to England’s 2010 great escape at the Gabba.

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, but also those less known names who play crucial roles.

In Episode Five, Aggers speaks to Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson to find out what they’ve learnt from previous Ashes tours, and what they’ll be telling teammates who have never experienced one.

Kate and Alex are joined by World Cup winner Mark Wood live from Australia ahead of the Ashes. Obviously, he weighs in on the Great Bread Knife Debate...

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, but also those less known names who play crucial roles.

In Episode Four, with the Ashes in doubt due to concerns around quarantine rules for players’ families, Aggers speaks to England bowler Mark Wood and his wife Sarah, to find out what impact being an international cricketer has on a family life.

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley explore an inbox full of remarkable emails. Plus, a trip to the Christmas market reveals Alex has a proper LBW habit…

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, but also those lesser-known names who play crucial roles.

In Episode Three, we meet the backroom staff – the Performance Director who has to work out how many cricket balls the team will need throughout the tour, the nutritionist who hides Frosties at the breakfast buffet, and then the Strength and Conditioning coach who puts players through their paces on the first day of the summer.

After a dramatic few weeks in the UAE, Kate and Alex reflect on victory for Australia. Plus, India superstar Jemimah Rodrigues joins the pod from the Women's Big Bash League.

For the last 12 months, Jonathan Agnew has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the England men’s cricket team’s planning to win back the Ashes. Throughout the year, Aggers has spoken to key players, including Joe Root, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and many more, but also those names who are less familiar, but still play crucial roles – the tour planners, the nutritionists, the fitness teams.

In Episode One, we looked at England’s meticulous planning. But, as we’ve seen over the past twelve months, things don’t always go to plan. Injuries to key players, an entire team having to self-isolate, and a bowler whose social media past comes to light during his Test debut… it’s been another bumpy ride for English cricket.