The Analyst Inside Cricket

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the sad decline of West Indies Test cricket brutally exposed by England on the second day of the Lords Test. England's debutants enjoyed it anyway and Ben Stokes joined the all-rounders elite of 200 test wickets to go with his 6000 Test runs. This podcast is supported by Nicholson original gin. For more info and a 15% discount go to drinknicholson.com and use the code Yakka2024

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann witness a remarkable Test match debut by Gus Atkinson to steal the limelight on Jimmy Anderson's farewell bow, as West Indies capitulate for 121. This episode is supported by Nicholson. For more information and a 15% discount on your purchase go to drinknicholson.com and use the code Yakka2024

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Brian Lara joins the podcast to look back on his epic, record-breaking innings against, and in England 30 years ago, featured in a new book - Lara: the England Chronicles published this week. He reveals the men who shaped his style and the man who bowled the most unplayable ball he ever faced, and considers the prospects for his compatriots next week at Lord's. Also in this episode a discussion on the future of the world game following the gathering of cricket's most significant movers and shakers at Lord's this week. LARA The England Chronicles is available to buy in hardback and ebook formats at thenightwatchman.net. Hardback: £20 (RRP £25) + p&p - use coupon code LARA6 at the checkout. Hardback signed: £25 (RRP £30) + p&p - use coupon code LARA6 at the checkout. Ebook: £4.99 (RRP £6.99) - use coupon code LARA7 at the checkout

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The Simons analyse the announcement of England's squad for the first Test of the summer, which includes the call-up of Surrey's Jamie Smith at the expense of Jonny Bairstow. In the second half of the show is a review of the T20 World Cup final, and a first Indian title for a dozen years, a fitting crown for the departing Indian coach Rahul Dravid and the mercurial Jasprit Bumrah. The podcast also includes Sunny Gavaskar's surprising choice as his favourite all-time T20 player.

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India and South Africa deservedly make it through to the T20 World Cup final as the only two unbeaten teams in the competition and show their potency and versatility in two one sided semis. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the action which could signal the end of one or two senior England players.

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The phenomenal South African fast bowler Dale Steyn - taker of 699 international wickets - joins the podcast to talk lost World Cup semi finals, prospects for South Africa at this T20 World Cup as it reaches its climax and how to advise modern pace bowlers. 'Always take the positive option. Think wickets even if you're going at 14 an over....'

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review two days of madcap T20 cricket after which Australia are eliminated from the last game, and brilliant, irresistible Afghanistan make it to their first ever World Cup semi final to face South Africa on Wednesday.

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After a slightly stuttery early campaign England secure their T20 World Cup semi final spot with an annihilation of the USA team. The Simons assess England's growing confidence and analyse their likely semi final opponents, and beyond the cricket report on an impressive coral reef restoration project. For more information visit https://www.emcantigua.org/

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Simon Hughes is joined by West Indian born former Middlesex express Ricky Elcock to review England's Phil Salt-inspired defeat of the West Indies in the T20 World Cup and to discuss Elcock's later life training in the Caribbean to be Virgin Atlantic's first-ever black pilot. Ricky's fascinating autobiography Balls to Fly is available here - https://amzn.eu/d/0igB6ee0

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann relive England's anxiety through a day in the T20 World Cup when rain relented to allow England just enough time to defeat Namibia, and Australia had just enough depth to overcome the plucky Scots.

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