The Analyst Inside Cricket

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on England's first Test victory in Australia since January 7th 2011. This was a remarkable and rather unsatisfactory Test which lasted barely a day and a half on an MCG pitch which had a bit too much help for the seam bowlers but on which no batter was prepared to be patient. An impressive opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett showed up some rather hapless Australian batting, and the youngster Jacob Bethell made a crucial 40 in a tricky runchase. At last 10,000 English fans have an England victory to celebrate though Cricket Australia will bemoan major revenue losses. This podcast is sponsored by Nord VPN - go to NORDVPN.COM/AIC for your special deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review an extraordinary day's play at the MCG where the groundsman and the batsmen gifted the bowlers 20 wickets. A helpful Melbourne pitch was well exploited by both team's seam bowlers - especially England's Josh Tongue - confronted with batsmen who didn't seem to want to hang about too long. This is a game on fast forward. They also discuss the state of England's team and the apparent drinking culture may have begun to reinfluence English cricket. This episode is sponsored by Nord VPN. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan go to nordvpn.com/aic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite a plucky seventh wicket stand between Will Jacks and Jamie Smith, the Aussies clinched their coveted prize in mid afternoon and celebrated in appropriate style. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse waht went right for Australia and wrong for England and hear Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum offer their explanations too. And we hear what our listeners think too. Don't forget to follow our Substack blog at the Cricverse - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/headmaster?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chasing a virtually impossible 435 for victory to keep the series alive, England inevitably lost more than half their side to a combination of the superb Pat Cummins and wizardly Nathan Lyon as the dusty fourth day pitch played a few tricks. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a day of intense competition as Australia draw within four wickets of retaining Test cricket's ultimate prize. Former Australian captain Mark Taylor also gives his view on England's shaky top three. Fnal day viewable on TNT Sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After courageous resistance from Ben Stokes gets England close to a barely adequate 300, England's bowlers suffer at the hands of the brilliant South Australian Travis Head. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse the third day of the third Test when England's Ashes hopes are slowly and almost sadistically extinguished by Australia's batsmen. Their former star bowler Jason Gillespie also explains what makes the England bowling attack for these batting friendly conditions inadequate. Also read our Cricverse blog on the series - visit https://cricverse.substack.com/p/headmaster?r=lo2wd #ashes #england #australia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes reviews the second day from Adelaide when the outstanding Australian attack gave the England batters a good roasting in the Adelaide heat. Justin Langer also gives his view on England's batting frailities which have left them clinging on to their Ashes hopes by a gossamer thin thread. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Wilde of the Sunday Times review the first day of the Adelaide Test when both teams gifted presents of runs and wickets to each other. There was also controversy when Alex Carey was given not out by umpire and DRS but admitted afterwards that he did get an edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the 3rd Test in Adelaide which is of course make or break for England. After England's break in Noosa, Brendon McCullum speaks and declares that England will keep the same top seven, and also explains more about what he meant by England overtraining before the Brisbane Test. He is clear though that if they play much smarter cricket than they did in Brisbane they can wIn in Adelaide and then 'the narrative changes.' Follow our Cricverse blog on Substack for more on the Ashes https://cricverse.substack.com/p/all-in-good-time?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Graeme Swann was one of the stars of England's triumphant Ashes campaign of 2010/11. In this interview he recounts how England prepared for that series - with a graphic account of the infamous boot camp in Germany - the difficult start to the series in the Gabba, how they recovered and then went on to produce almost the perfect performance at the Adelaide Oval where England play next. Graeme Swann will be part of the TNT Sports commentary team for the next Test. This podcast is supported by Nord VPN visit https://nordvpn.com/analyst for your exclusive deal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hosts dive into England's heavy Ashes defeat and debate whether it's time for drastic changes in leadership. They discuss Brendon McCullum's future and the impact of Bazball on team performance. The importance of mental toughness is highlighted, especially Ben Stokes' comment on players needing strength. There’s an in-depth analysis of tactical options for the next match, including selection dilemmas and concerns with the middle-order batting. Finally, they critically assess England's preparation and the role of psychologists in the team's mindset.