The Greatest XI Cricket Podcast

Will is joined by the cricket journalist, commentator and author David Townsend - who has recently published "Do They Play Cricket in Ireland? The 25-year Journey to a Test Match at Lord's" - to discuss his life in cricket, and travels covering Ireland on their road from rank amateurs to gaining Test status.

David tells us about his exploits as he travelled the world with the boys in green - including the role he played in Irish legend Ed Joyce getting his first county opportunity, and giving captain Trent Johnston the tactic that helped seal Ireland's first major international trophy. He also gives his thoughts on the state of cricket in general, and why the powers that be are wrong to treat the game as a business, not a sport.

DT also goes on to pick his 'Greatest XI' of players he has most enjoyed watching over the years - with his side enjoying a distinct Ireland and Middlesex flavour.

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Will's latest guest is Nick Compton - the former Middlesex, Somerset and England batsman who played a key role in landmark away Test series victories against India and South Africa.

Nick speaks candidly about his life in cricket - from looking up to his legendary grandfather Denis Compton, to moving from South Africa to England as a teenager and making his mark in professional cricket.

He also talks us through the thinking behind his move to Somerset and the subsequent improvements both mentally and technically that saw him called up to make his England debut against India in 2012. Nick speaks honestly about his international career - and the disappointments and regrets he has looking back, alongside the highlights from his time in an England shirt.

Nick also selects his 'Greatest XI' of players he has played with, and been inspired by - with some all-time legends making it into his illustrious side.

Former England bowler Ryan Sidebottom joins Will this week, to talk through the highlights of his illustrious career, and to pick his greatest cricketing eleven made up of teammates and opponents.

The son of Yorkshire legend Arnie Sidebottom, Ryan was almost destined for a successful career in the sport, and made his England debut aged 23 against Pakistan at Lord's in 2001. However, after failing to impress, he then fell into the international wilderness until he was suprisingly recalled in 2007 - and never looked back.

Ryan made the most of his second-coming at international level - famously taking a hat-trick in a Player of the Series performance against New Zealand in 2008, performances that saw him named in the ICC Test Team of the Year. He also played a pivotal role in England's World T20 victory in 2010 - becoming the first English men's side to lift a global trophy.

He also achieved legendary status for his performances with Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire - claiming five County Championships before his eventual retirement in 2017.

Ryan opened up with plenty of stories from on and off the pitch - as well as selecting a Greatest XI packed full of star names.

This week, Will is joined by the former Sussex, Nottinghamshire and England Lions all-rounder Chris Nash, to talk through his life in cricket and select his Greatest XI.

Chris gives us plenty of stories from his time at both Hove and Trent Bridge, where he became known as one of the most destructive openers on the circuit. After winning trophies in front of packed houses for Sussex, Chris also explains what it was like to win the Vitality Blast in front of an empty Edgbaston in 2020 too.

He also selects his Greatest XI from teammates he's shared a dressing room with, with tales on paddle sweeping Jofra Archer, and being served dinner from a revolving dancefloor at Mushtaq Ahmed's house.

This week, Will is joined by BBC London's Kevin Hand, who has been the live online ball-by-ball commentator of Middlesex CCC matches since 2006.

Kevin tells us about his life in cricket, from taking hat-tricks on Ham Common in South London and playing Ian Botham's Test Match on the Spectrum ZX, through to commentating on matches at Lord's.

He also gives us an insight into the perks and pitfalls of following a county throughout the cricket season, as well as assessing Middlesex's fortunes since he has been behind the mic.

Kevin also picks a 'Greatest XI' with a twist - some of the best overseas players that have made the biggest impact on him in his time as a commentator. 

BBC Test Match Special commentator and co-host on Zero Ducks Given, Daniel Norcross, is the latest guest on The Greatest XI Cricket Podcast.

Dan joins Will to tell the story of his lifelong love of cricket, and his journey from starting Test Match Sofa in his south London flat, to becoming a much-loved fixture on BBC's Test Match Special at international matches around the world - as well as the iconic players and broadcasters that helped shape him along the way.

Dan also selects his 'Greatest XI' of his favourite cricketers through the ages - filled with some of the sport's greatest players, and characters. 

The first episode of The Greatest XI Cricket Podcast sees Will joined by former England Lions, Middlesex and Sussex all-rounder Ollie Rayner, to talk through his life in cricket, and select his Greatest XI.

Ollie discusses his career in county cricket - from the highs of scoring a century on debut for Sussex and winning the County Championship with Middlesex in 2016, to the lows of missing out on England selection, and the disappointment in his final years at Lord's.

The former spinner also gives his view on the state of spin bowling in this country, and what can be done to improve it - as well as choosing his teamsheet of eleven players that he has most admired, or enjoyed playing alongside.