The Analyst Inside Cricket

All the England middle order enjoyed the fairly abject Pakistan outcricket at Headingley to build a 195 run lead. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Dan Lawrence all helped themselves to fifties without any of them going on to a substantial score. Brook dropped on 1, played a more measured game than sometimes. Cox was impressive. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the day and bemoan the fact that there is no moer Test cricket here for three years as it is England's most successful recent ground.

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Ollie Robinson ensured the perfect start for Joe Root's new England, producing a wicket with the very first ball of the series against Pakistan. He continued in that vein, teasing out the Pakistan batsmen with highly skilled wobble seam bowling. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann admire his artistry and Josh Tongue's quick adaption from the Hundred to also take a five wicket haul. There were a number of lbws and Matt Prior reflects on the importance of geting DRS right and the diminshing number of dressing room bat throwers irked by dodgy decisions.

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It is 100 years today (august 18) since one of England’s great Ashes victories, the 1926 Oval Test. It was the final match of the series. The first four matches - all three day games - were drawn, and the ICC (then the Imperial Cricket Conference decreed that the fifth Test could be timeless so a positive result could be achieved.

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This is a fascinating interview celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the great fast bowling feats: Michael Holding's 14 wickets (12 bowled or lbw) on an Oval featherbed in mid August 1976. Holding recalls how the 1976 West Indians were motivated by Tony Greig’s famous “grovel” comments (initially picked up by 22 year old Holding himself) which not only motivated West Indies to hammer England 3-0 but it also set in motion a decade and a half global dominance.

Holding reveals how he originally didn’t want to be a professional cricketer, who he was inspired by, how he discovered reverse swing at the Oval during that match, the only batsman he ever ‘had words with’, how he got his Whispering Death nickname and who he would choose as the King of West Indies fast bowlers.

For paid subscribers to The Analyst on Substack - CLICK HERE tomorrow a special bonus episode looking back at the extraordinary 1926 Oval Ashes Test - 100 years ago this week. It featured an incredible 172 run opening partnership between the great Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. There is remarkable Pathe footage of the game that celebrates and investigates a seminal moment in cricket history. #cricket #england #westindies #blackpower #grovel

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Three days after the final of the Hundred, England take on Pakistan for the first of three Tests. It means several England players have to rapidly turn their techniques and mindsets from lashing the white ball over the ropes (or trying to prevent it) to negotiating the red ball and bowling maidens. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior consider how they will handle this transformation and what strategies Joe Root will adopt in his second stint as England captain.

They also discuss curfews, Australia losing for their first time at home to Bangladesh and on the 100th anniversary of the legendary Jack Hobbs making an Ashes-seizing 100 at the Oval (on August 17th 1926) who is the greatest modern batsman they have seen.

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To watch the discussion and footage of the great Hobbs and Sutcliffe partnership that won the Ashes in 1926 click this link #ashes #engvpak #root

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With England about to announce the squad for the first Test against Pakistan, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss England's future under Joe Root, hired for a second term as captain. He himself sees enthused by the chance to work (later in the year) with new coach Stephen Fleming. But there ar major challenges ahead.

Also in the episode Ben Stokes latest interview reviewed and we explore why some elite batters (in this case Jos Buttler - about to become the world's leading T20 run scorer) are in the psychological hold of certain bowlers

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With declining numbers and rising costs, club cricket is at the crossroads. This is a live debate at the 150 year old Ealing Cricket Club with Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Chris Goldie, former Middlesex player and chairman of Richmond CC, covering many of the issues and some possible solutions.

How to repurpose old pavilions for modern demands, and re-create that community feel to offset escalating costs. How to capitalise on growing junior sections and the development of the women's game. What formats to play. How to interact better with state schools. and the professional game. Why the survival of cricket clubs matters. #cricket #grassroots #clubcricket

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In Part 2 of our look at the leadership crisis in the England Test team we look at the runners and riders for the head coach's job. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by former England batsman and batting coach Mark Ramprakash and double Ashes winner Matt Prior to assess what a head coach's job actually is, who have been the best at it and why, how to manage fragile characters and big egos, and whether any English coaches are in the frame. Prior recommends Jonathan Trott and Ramprakash suggests Ian Bell. #englandcricket #coaching #testcricket #bazball

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England are expected to announce Joe Root as the new Test captain. Although he is likely to do a better job than second time around, it also underlines the lack of alternatives. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann explore the list of successful England captains with two former England players - Matt Prior and Mark Ramprakash . They discuss what were the attributes of some of England's best Test match skippers and what assets you need now - in addition to a good team - to prevail in the modern game. This is the first of two podcasts on England's leadership crisis. Part 2 on choosing a Test match coach is released tomorrow. #cricket #testmatch #england

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Being a county cricketer is a privilege enjoyed by the very few but it's a life that comes with a lot of pain as well as pleasure. The recently retired Surrey player Cameron Steel discusses with Simon Hughes the highs and the lows, the pressures, the strange characters, the messiest teammates, the best dressing rooms and the worst lunches, and the motorway service stations to avoid.

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