The Analyst Inside Cricket

Simon Hughes discovers the true origins of cricket, established 400 years ago this week, with a tragic accident on the field at Horsted Keynes CC in Sussex, an incident explored in revealing new detail by historian and archivist Bob Willard Watts. For a commemorative book on this story visit www.HKCC-1624.co.uk

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise Joe Root's tenacity and dependability and Jamie Smith's panache as a makeshift England side overcome a plucky Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford.

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After the precocious Jamie Smith's notches a maiden Test century to give England a lead of 122, the bowlers wear down Sri Lankan resistance to move in sight of victory.. The Simons assess a gusty third day at Old Trafford

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A determined Sri Lankan bowling performance holds England in check until the precocious Jamie Smith eases them into a position of potential dominance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann suggest the first hour of the Third day will hold the key to the match.

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At 6-3 and 113-7 it looked like a predictable capitulation for Sri Lanka on the opening day of the Test series, but a captains innings and a fine debut got them close to respectability as the gloomy conditions forced Ollie Pope to employ spinners against the tail. The Simons review the play from OldTrafford which was dedicated to the memory of Graham Thorpe.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss Sri Lanka's prospects in the forthcoming three Test series against a Stokes-less England, highlighting their comprehensive defeat to an England 5th XI in their only warm-up match and this being their first three-Test series for six years. Also in this show, a reflection of The Hundred tournament having completed its fourth season.

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At a charity day to raise funds for the Professional Cricketers Trust, Simon Hughes talks to former players including Paul Nixon and Monty Panesar especially about dealing with mental health issues arising from the game. And in the wake of Graham Thorpe's tragic death we hear from charities trying to address the problems which seem particular to our great summer sport. For more info on the Professional Cricketers Trust and to donate visit thepca.co.uk/trust

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A short reminder about the special family fun day at Teddington CC on Tuesday 13 August to raise money for the Professional Cricketers Trust featuring coaching and masterclasses given by the likes of Monty Panesar, Paul Nixon, Alex Tudor, Stuart Meaker, Darren Stevens and other former professionals. For more details visit worldsbestcc.com

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The premature death of the ebullient Surrey and England batsman Graham Thorpe at just 55 has left everyone in the cricket world numb with disbelief. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Simon Wilde, the author of Thorpe's autobiography, Rising From The Ashes, celebrate the career of a man who didn't win the accolades or the garlands that he deserved.

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Simon Hughes talks to Durham chief executive Tim Bostock about potential Saudi investment, creating a further boost to the North East economy, the imminence of a ninth team in the Hundred, and how a new hotel at Chester le Street will double the county's income and produce even more world class talent.

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