Simon Hughes
Proper cricketing analysis, opinion and insight from former Middlesex bowler Simon Hughes, aka The Analyst, the BBC's Simon Mann, and former England keeper and Ashes winner Matt Prior. The most authoritative cricket podcast out there..
Find us on the Sport Social website: https://podcast.sport-social.co.uk/podcast/the-analyst-inside-cricket/
A truncated day at Lord's, but England extended their lead in the match to 357 thanks to an enterprising unbeaten 50 from Dan Lawrence. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann look back on a tough day for batsmen, and wicketkeepers stood up to the stumps in seamer-friendly conditions. Take a bow Pakistan's Mohammed Rizwan who will presumably have his battered fingers in glasses of ice tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Another day of England dominance over Pakistan, who now have a 261 run lead with 7 wickets in hand. After a perky last wicket stand,mthe England bowlers held sway with the ball, led by the metronomic Ollie Robinson who at one point had 4-7 and the venomous Jofra Archer. Pakistan folded meekly for 110. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann applaud England's exploitation of the conditions, and bemoan Pakistan's lack of fight, despite their bowlers briefly striking back in the evening. Also in this episode how the bowlers were once consigned to a glorified shed at Lord's while the batsmen luxuriated in the grandeur of the pavilion. This episode supported by Rothesay - protecting the pensions of 1m people and securing the future of Test cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Under overcast skies it was a day of old fashioned skills at Lords. Nagging line and length from Mohammed Abbas, early wickets, patience and selectivity from England especially Jordan Cox and some erratic fielding from Pakistan, sloppy one minute and slick the next. Simon Hughes Simon Mann and Matt Prior review a day of tough batting from which England may have earned a alight advantage. This podcast is brought to you by Rothesay protecting the pensions of 1m people and parntering with the ECB to secure the future of Test cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
England's preparations for a Test match are once again hijacked by off-field scandal. The long-suffering Joe Root reacts with frustration at the latest Brydon Carse shenanigans but promises that things will get straightened out sooner or later. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior bemoan the stupidity of the modern player and Prior explains how the players drawing up their own behavioural charter in 2010 worked wonders and eventually got England to no1. Also in this episode memories of another scandal - the no-ball fiasco of the 2010 Lord's Test - resulting in extensive bans and prison sentences for the culprits - and a preview of the next Test at Lord's starting on Thursday,. And - Prior admits to being tempted by a hair transplant years ago, but was talked out of it... This episode is brought to you by Rothesay, protecting pensions for nearly a million people and official title partner of England Test cricket. Rothesay. Your future in safe hands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With Ollie Robinson's wicket to the first ball of the match, this game was over almost before it had begun. Pakistan were poor with bat, ball and especially in the field - a pale shadow of their once proud and distinguished team. England were disciplined and clinical and never let them back into the game which ended before tea on the 3rd day with a comprehensive Innings victory for England. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on what England can learn from it (not a lot!) and pick out the high points. Joe Root also congratulates his players and bemoans no more Tests at Headingley for three years, after seven successive victories on his home ground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
All the England middle order enjoyed the fairly abject Pakistan outcricket at Headingley to build a 195 run lead. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Dan Lawrence all helped themselves to fifties without any of them going on to a substantial score. Brook dropped on 1, played a more measured game than sometimes. Cox was impressive. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the day and bemoan the fact that there is no moer Test cricket here for three years as it is England's most successful recent ground. This podcast is supported by Claude ai. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/ANALYST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ollie Robinson ensured the perfect start for Joe Root's new England, producing a wicket with the very first ball of the series against Pakistan. He continued in that vein, teasing out the Pakistan batsmen with highly skilled wobble seam bowling. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann admire his artistry and Josh Tongue's quick adaption from the Hundred to also take a five wicket haul. There were a number of lbws and Matt Prior reflects on the importance of geting DRS right and the diminshing number of dressing room bat throwers irked by dodgy decisions. For more information on Barmy Army tours with England visit barmyarmy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It is 100 years today (august 18) since one of England’s great Ashes victories, the 1926 Oval Test. It was the final match of the series. The first four matches - all three day games - were drawn, and the ICC (then the Imperial Cricket Conference decreed that the fifth Test could be timeless so a positive result could be achieved. On a tricky, rain-affected pitch, Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe - England’s greatest opening pair - wiped off a first innings deficit of 22 in a sensational opening stand of 172, dominated by the prolific Hobbs who made exactly 100 in 3 hours 40 minutes. Sutcliffe, the only England batsman to average over 60 in Test cricket, went on to an indomitable 161 ensuring England set Australia an impossible target of over 400. England’s 289 run victory made national heroes of the players and had a huge impact on a depressed country still dealing with the loss of 750,000 men in the Great War. The eminent cricket writer David Frith got to know a number of the players of both sides later in their lives. He discusses the match and the characters with Simon Hughes. The video of this match with amazing Pathe footage accompanied by their conversation is on the Analyst Substack site HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This is a fascinating interview celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the great fast bowling feats: Michael Holding's 14 wickets (12 bowled or lbw) on an Oval featherbed in mid August 1976. Holding recalls how the 1976 West Indians were motivated by Tony Greig’s famous “grovel” comments (initially picked up by 22 year old Holding himself) which not only motivated West Indies to hammer England 3-0 but it also set in motion a decade and a half global dominance. Holding reveals how he originally didn’t want to be a professional cricketer, who he was inspired by, how he discovered reverse swing at the Oval during that match, the only batsman he ever ‘had words with’, how he got his Whispering Death nickname and who he would choose as the King of West Indies fast bowlers. For paid subscribers to The Analyst on Substack - CLICK HERE tomorrow a special bonus episode looking back at the extraordinary 1926 Oval Ashes Test - 100 years ago this week. It featured an incredible 172 run opening partnership between the great Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. There is remarkable Pathe footage of the game that celebrates and investigates a seminal moment in cricket history. #cricket #england #westindies #blackpower #grovel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Three days after the final of the Hundred, England take on Pakistan for the first of three Tests. It means several England players have to rapidly turn their techniques and mindsets from lashing the white ball over the ropes (or trying to prevent it) to negotiating the red ball and bowling maidens. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior consider how they will handle this transformation and what strategies Joe Root will adopt in his second stint as England captain. They also discuss curfews, Australia losing for their first time at home to Bangladesh and on the 100th anniversary of the legendary Jack Hobbs making an Ashes-seizing 100 at the Oval (on August 17th 1926) who is the greatest modern batsman they have seen. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/ANALYST. To watch the discussion and footage of the great Hobbs and Sutcliffe partnership that won the Ashes in 1926 click this link #ashes #engvpak #root Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With England about to announce the squad for the first Test against Pakistan, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss England's future under Joe Root, hired for a second term as captain. He himself sees enthused by the chance to work (later in the year) with new coach Stephen Fleming. But there ar major challenges ahead. Also in the episode Ben Stokes latest interview reviewed and we explore why some elite batters (in this case Jos Buttler - about to become the world's leading T20 run scorer) are in the psychological hold of certain bowlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With declining numbers and rising costs, club cricket is at the crossroads. This is a live debate at the 150 year old Ealing Cricket Club with Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Chris Goldie, former Middlesex player and chairman of Richmond CC, covering many of the issues and some possible solutions. How to repurpose old pavilions for modern demands, and re-create that community feel to offset escalating costs. How to capitalise on growing junior sections and the development of the women's game. What formats to play. How to interact better with state schools. and the professional game. Why the survival of cricket clubs matters. #cricket #grassroots #clubcricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Part 2 of our look at the leadership crisis in the England Test team we look at the runners and riders for the head coach's job. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by former England batsman and batting coach Mark Ramprakash and double Ashes winner Matt Prior to assess what a head coach's job actually is, who have been the best at it and why, how to manage fragile characters and big egos, and whether any English coaches are in the frame. Prior recommends Jonathan Trott and Ramprakash suggests Ian Bell. #englandcricket #coaching #testcricket #bazball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
England are expected to announce Joe Root as the new Test captain. Although he is likely to do a better job than second time around, it also underlines the lack of alternatives. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann explore the list of successful England captains with two former England players - Matt Prior and Mark Ramprakash . They discuss what were the attributes of some of England's best Test match skippers and what assets you need now - in addition to a good team - to prevail in the modern game. This is the first of two podcasts on England's leadership crisis. Part 2 on choosing a Test match coach is released tomorrow. #cricket #testmatch #england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Being a county cricketer is a privilege enjoyed by the very few but it's a life that comes with a lot of pain as well as pleasure. The recently retired Surrey player Cameron Steel discusses with Simon Hughes the highs and the lows, the pressures, the strange characters, the messiest teammates, the best dressing rooms and the worst lunches, and the motorway service stations to avoid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
An opening stand of 192 between Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett was the foundation of England's 387-3 - the highest score ever made in Odin at Lords. It proved to much for India despite the efforts of Rohit Sharma who answered critics of his continued presence in the team (and possible retirement) with 138 and the evergreen Virat Kohli. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Deep Dasgupta review the match and the series and are impressed by the re-emergence of this England odi side. #england #cricket #india Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The death of arguably the greatest all-rounder who ever lived - Sir Garfield Sobers - was announced today. Simon Hughes pays tribute to an incredible player and a remarkable man with two men from Barbados who knew him well - former Middlesex and England batsman Roland Butcher and former Worcestershire and Middlesex fast bowler Ricky Ellcock. They all grew up inspited by Sobers and have vivid memories of first seeing him on a cricket field and then getting to know him in later life. Sobers was the King of West Indies cricket. He may have passed away but he will live on people's memories for ever. He is immortal. Both Butcher and Ellcock have recently written fascinating books about their lives in cricket and growing up in Barbados when Sobers was still playing. Butcher's Breaking Barriers is here and Ellcock's Balls to Fly is here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With runs and wickets, India's Axar Patel seizes victory for India at Edgbaston in the first of three odis to continue England's poor run in this format. But as important as the cricket was the fundraising for the Prostate charity. It was Blue for Bob day in memory of the great Bob Willis who tragically died of prostate cancer in 2019. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the match and remember the impact Bob had on and off the field with his brother Dave, one of the founders of the charity which has raised more than £2.5m in aid of prostate cancer research. To donate text ten, twenty or forty to 70843. #england #india #prostate #blueforbobday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brendan Mccullum has been sacked as England Test coach. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss the decision and how he will cope having been removed from one job and retained in another (the white ball role.) One shambles is replaced by another. Plus the first ever women’s Test at Lords reviewed and an unusual new job for The Analyst #cricket #england #mccullum #womenstest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
142 years after the men played a Test match at Lord's, the women have finally got their chance. Glorious weather greeted this seminal moment in the game as England hosted women for a one-off women's Test. Simon Hughes was there to commemorate the occasion, conduct a brief tour of Lord's and reflect on the absurdity of the women having to wait over a century for their turn at the self-appointed Home of Cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices