Test Match Special

Former England captain Michael Vaughan and international batsman Joe Root discuss a frustrating second day in Brisbane, where England's missed catches allowed Australia to dominate. Vaughan critiques England's lack of control and preparation, while Agnew highlights the impact of hot conditions on the team's focus. Root reflects on his century and the importance of partnerships. The conversation covers England's bowling performance and Australia’s aggressive scoring, leaving listeners wondering if England can still mount a comeback.

Glenn McGrath, a former Australian fast bowler with a keen eye for bowling analysis, joins cricket pundit and comedian Andy Zaltzman, known for his witty insights and statistics. They dive into Joe Root's impressive milestone century and discuss the rollercoaster of the day's play, including England's recovery from a shaky start. McGrath analyzes the impact of Mitchell Starc and the pink ball, while Zaltzman sheds light on Root's serene batting under pressure. The conversation even debates England's declaration strategy and the omission of spin in Australia’s attack.

Glenn McGrath, a legendary Australian fast bowler turned analyst, joins former England captain Michael Vaughan and cricket journalist Melinda Farrell for a deep dive into the Ashes series. They discuss the pivotal nature of the second Test in Brisbane, dissecting England's adaptation to the pink ball and the challenges their batting lineup faces. Glenn highlights Australia's historic success with pink-ball cricket, while Melinda provides insights on Gabba conditions. The trio weighs in on England's need for a strategic shift and how crucial it is to manage bowling workloads in the heat.

Join comedian Andy Zaltzman as he challenges listeners with a unique Ashes-themed quiz. Discover the historical context of left-arm pace tenfers and Mitchell Starc's standout performances. Learn about the staggering difference in wicket counts between Australia and England, and explore who truly scored faster across the iconic series. Dive into the latest scoring trends from 2023, including Perth's record-breaking match. This quiz promises to test your cricket knowledge and ignite friendly competition!

Sir Alastair Cook, a former England captain celebrated for his incredible batting, and Jonathan Agnew, a veteran broadcaster and ex-fast bowler, share their insights on the greatest characters in Ashes history. They debate the qualities that define a true Ashes character while ranking legends from both sides, like Shane Warne's theatrical flair and Ian Botham's heroic 1981 performance. With lively anecdotes and personal encounters influencing their picks, the discussion concludes with a consensus on Warne as the ultimate Ashes icon, embodying charisma and cricketing genius.

Ben Stokes, England's Test cricket captain known for his leadership and match-winning prowess, opens up about the team's reflections on their loss in Perth. He addresses the 'arrogant' label thrown by the Australian media, emphasizing their resilience. Joined by Stefan Schemelt, BBC's chief cricket reporter, and analyst Vatushan Ahantharaja, they dive into England's strategic preparations in Brisbane, the impact of the pink-ball challenge, and the thrilling yet risky Baz Ball approach. Together, they discuss the importance of overcoming self-inflicted defeats and staying connected with fans.

Sir Alastair Cook, former England test captain and prolific opener, discusses his remarkable performance during the 2010/11 Ashes series. He shares insights into his technical changes with Graham Gooch, the pressure of the Gabba where he made 235 not-out, and the significant momentum shift this created for the team. Cook also reflects on the collective effort in Melbourne and how setbacks in Perth led to galvanizing team meetings. Finally, he reminisces about celebrating the series triumph and the strong team dynamics that contributed to their historic win.

Alec Stewart, former England captain and Surrey wicketkeeper-batter, advocates for England's decision to stick to their Plan A without adding a warm-up match. He emphasizes the importance of not panicking and trusting the team's preparation. Meanwhile, Steven Finn, a former fast bowler, vividly recounts his memories of playing at the Gabba, describing its intense atmosphere and how the conditions impact gameplay. The duo delves into the challenges of batting under lights and the strategic decisions behind England's training methods ahead of the Ashes.

The hosts dive deep into England's shocking two-day defeat in Perth, analyzing the middle-order collapse that left fans reeling. They ponder whether players should have participated in a warm-up match in Canberra to better prepare. With memories of the old WACA bouncing back, Kate shares her debut experience. The duo lightens the mood with funny holiday stories, including a golf booking mishap. Fans get involved with questions, and they reminisce about favorite Ashes moments and iconic venues, setting the stage for what's next.

Mark Chapman hosts a lively discussion with former England coach Paul Farbrace, who shares tactical insights, Simon Katich, an ex-Australian opener analyzing batting strategies, and Ryan Campbell, a former wicketkeeper offering coaching perspectives. They react to the shocking two-day Ashes Test and debate England's failure to adapt. The role of coaches during batting collapses is explored, alongside discussions on selection stability and England's preparation for pink-ball conditions. They also assess the likely adjustments both teams will make moving forward.