The Analyst Inside Cricket

Three gnarled veterans of the bowling brotherhood - Simon Hughes, Angus Fraser and Derek Pringle - jovially reflect on the hardship of the fast bowlers' lot, but are thankful for the craftsmanship that went in to their hand-made boots. They sent down more than 170,000 deliveries between them, putting at least six times their bodyweight through their knees and ankles every ball. Read Derek Pringle and Simon Hughes on The Cricverse and enter the competition for free tickets for the Lord's Test at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/these-boots-are-made-for-bowlin?r=lo2wd

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Melissa, Luke and Nikki discuss the immense signing of Ellyse Perry at Hampshire, the appointment of Charlotte Edwards as England Women’s Coach and the new ICC dedicated task force to support the Afghanistan Women’s Team.

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The highlight of the second round of county championship matches was Warwickshire's dramatic one wicket win at Durham. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann focus on that, a brilliant first division win for Sussex, Hampshire's brave fightback against Surrey, Yorkshire's resounding win despite Johnny Bairstow's controversial dismissal and the amazing IPL circus act that is MS Dhoni. To enter our competition for pair sof Lord's Test match tickets subscribe to The Cricverse at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/take-a-deep-breath?r=lo2wd

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A review of the IPL so far, with Simon Hughes and Indian commentator Deep Dasgupta reviewing how a superb KL Rahul innings in Bangalore usurped Virat Kohli's RCB team and took Delhi Capitals to joint top of the table. They pick out other star performers in the tournament so far including Nicholas Pooran and Jofra Archer, and marvel at MS Dhoni's continued brilliance as he takes over the Chennai captaincy (again!) from the injured Ruturaj Gaekwad. To enter the draw for Lord's Test match tickets subscribe (free) to THE CRICVERSE at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/knott-a-bad-cricketer?r=lo2wd

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The first round of County Championship matches were either comprehensive victories or pulsating draws. Somerset were the unluckiest, being kept at bay for 200 overs by a determined Worcestershire in their second innings to hang on nine down for 87 deliveries. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review four days of action blessed by glorious weather, report on their ten players to follow and react to the confirmation of Harry Brook as England's white ball captain.

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Somerset captain LEWIS GREGORY joins the podcast to explain how SOMERSET hope to find a way past Surrey's County Championship dominance, and describes Somerset's unique DNA. Also Simon Hughes and Simon Mann pick their ten county players to follow. To win Lord's Test match tickets subscribe (free) to THE CRICVERSE at https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/the-year-of-the-cat?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

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Tim Bostock, Durham's influential CEO, tells Simon Hughes and Simon Mann of his ambition to boost the County Championship's image by creating more jeopardy, introducing play-offs and making the championship the envy of the cricket world. Also what to do with the Hundred windfall and how Durham cricket can establish a booming sporting ecosystem in partnership with their premier league women's footballers. To win Lord's Test match tickets subscribe free to THE CRICVERSE at https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/competition-watch-england-v-india?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

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A preview of the richest, craziest, noisiest and longest cricket show on earth - the IPL 2025. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Indian commentator Deep Dasgupta discuss the intricacies of the tournament, marvel at MS Dhoni's longevity, ask whether this could finally be RCB/Virat Kohli's year and assess the likely fortunes of the ten English players involved.

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There is a 13 year old (possible) debutant in the IPL (Vaibhav Suryavanshi). A 20 year old Ashes debutant, leg spinner Mason Crane, reflects on handling the pressure when young and how powerful Shane Warne's influence on him still is. We reflect on pre-season training in March, mad playing colleagues and the rumoured Saudi Arabian T20 league. For more insightful cricket content subscribe to The Cricverse blog at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/because-youre-worth-it?r=lo2wd

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Second part of the interview with the giant former England fast bowler Chris Tremlett on how he got to be this big and yet how, without Shane Warne's considerable influence as his county captain he would never have been part of an Ashes winning team. For more on Test cricket and the Ashes go to The Cricverse blog at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/get-in-the-pink-a1e?r=lo2wd

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Chris Tremlett, the tallest fast bowler to play for England in Tests, recounts the tale of England's 2010/11 Ashes success, its meticulous planning and execution despite a very inauspicious start when he inadvertently put England's spearhead, Jimmy Anderson, temporarily out of action.

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India's four-pronged spin attack proves too restrictive to New Zealand's determined cricketers to give India their second ICC trophy in the last 8 months. Simon Mann and Simon Hughes review the match and assess where this Indian team rank in the white ball world hall of fame. For more cricket analysis and opinion subsribe to The Cricverse on Substack - https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/dubai-the-unlikely-cricketing-hub?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

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The two Champions Trophy semi finals were relatively comfortable victories for India and New Zealand, pitting the world's most populous nation against one whose population would fit into an Indian suburb. The Simons review the two semis, examine how much of an advantage it is to be playing all your matches in Dubai, and explain how the UAE has become such an important cricketing venue. For more on this go to The Cricverse blog on Substack - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/dubai-the-unlikely-cricketing-hub?r=lo2wd

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's hapless performance against South Africa in the Champions Trophy, giving them nil points in the competition. England's wekaneses explored and explained, future captains debated and some future changes to white ball cricket revealed. Have your say on our ideas at The Cricverse - https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/avoiding-the-pitfalls?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

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England lose a nailbiter to Afghanistan and are out of the Champions Trophy. That's six successive defeats in 50 over cricket. Time must be up for Jos Buttler as captain and several other players in this format. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann chew over the entrails and ask what's next in the competition and wonder how far Afghanistan can go. For more cricket content supplied direct to your email join our community at The Cricverse at https://cricverse.substack.com/

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's defeat to Australia in their opening Champions Trophy game in Lahore which was administered by Josh Inglis who was born in Leeds. They also preview Sunday's blockbuster match between india and Pakistan. For ad-free advance episodes of this podcast visit patreon.com/analyst25

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The former Hampshire and England batter Michael Carberry, the last black British player to represent England (Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan were both born in Barbados), joins the podcast to talk about his coaching work with the previously-neglected London Schools association, reflects on the challenges of facing Mitchell Johnson in the infamous 2013/14 Ashes and questions whether Bazball will work Down Under. For the complete interview and other exclusive content join the Analyst Plus at patreon.com/theanalyst25

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the Champions Trophy which begins on Wednesday. All teams are assessed but the overwhelming view is that India have a huge advantage because of their depth and the fact that they are playing all their matches in Dubai. For advance, ad-free podcasts and special series join The Analyst Plus at patreon.com/theanalyst25

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An update on The Hundred franchise sales and what it means for the domestic game, analysis of England's white-ball woes and an interesting admission from a man who many believe should be in England's one day squad, Liam Dawson. For the full Dawson interview and other exclusive, ad-free content join The Analyst Plus at patreon.com/theanalyst25

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann admire the continued dominance of India at home in white ball formats as they seize the ODi series 2-0 having trounced England 4-1 in the T20s. A look at what England need to do to compete and more on the shareout of the money from the Hundred franchise sales. To join our Analyst Plus community including our special series on the 1974/5 Ashes, visit patreon.com/theanalyst25

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With the investment of £365m (so far) in five Hundred franchises which will be shared equally amongst counties, it is a seismic moment for the domestic game. But how should the money be used? Simon Hughes and Simon Mann delve into the detail and also analyse England's T20 disasters against India. For more on the way to future-proof county cricket visit The Cricverse at https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/how-to-spend-it?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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In a very special episode Nikki Chaudhuri and Melissa Story speak to Afghan women’s cricketers Firooza Amiri, Nahida Sapan, and Benafsha Hashimi. They share their cricketing stories from Afghanistan to Australia, how they discovered their love of cricket and what it’s been like adjusting to their new lives down under. We also hear about what action they would like to see from the ICC and how the global cricket community can help them live their dreams. From Firooza cover driving like Virat Kohli, Benafsha loving to face bouncers, and Nahida’s heartfelt message of hope to women and girls in Afghanistan - these three women’s positivity and enthusiasm is not one to miss. Thank you to Firooza, Nahida and Benafsha again for their time and if you’d like to support the Afghanistan women’s cricket team, please see the link to donate here: https://www.lords.org/refugeefund

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Nikki Chauduri is joined by Simon Hughes for a post mortem on England's disastrous Ashes campaign which ended with a humbling innings defeat and a 16-0 overall score. The Australians once again exposed the chasm in ability between the two teams, with some brilliant bowling on the third day, led by the superb leg spinner Alana King.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann complete the special podcast series looking back at the epic 1974/5 Ashes by assessing its seismic impact on cricket. It heralded the most ferocious period of fast bowling the game has seen, and the inevitable introduction of proper head protection. Now, half a century on, it has led to a generation of super-adventurous, fearless batters and a doubly entertaining game. For the complete HEADHUNTERS boxset visit https://www.patreon.com/collection/1258828

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England's mix of extreme pace and mystery spin shuts down India's erratic batting in the third T20 in Rajkot, keeping the five match series alive. Simon Hughes and former Indian batter Deep Dasgupta analyse the match and question GenerationT20's obsession with six-hitting. For our special podcast boxsets on historical series and exclusive interviews visit patreon.com/theanalyst25

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Melissa, Nikki and Luke confront another disappointing England performance and marvel at the skill of Beth Mooney. In addition, they dissect England Coach, Jon Lewis’ bewildering comments on Australia’s advantageous climate.

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England's new white ball campaign under Brendon McCullum begins with a humbling defeat by India. England's incompetence against India's spinners results in their heaviest T20 loss. Simon Hughes and former Indian opener Deep Dasgupta mull over the evidence.

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Simon Hughes is joined by former cricketer and commentator Izzy Westbury to look back at England's dismal performances in the women's Ashes and analyse why there is not so much a gap as a chasm between the England and Australian teams. Does the England women's team need a complete reset from the Director of Cricket down? For more on Ashes history check out our special boxset on the 1974/5 Ashes https://www.patreon.com/collection/1258828

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Nikki, Melissa and Luke dive deep on the first t20 between Australia and England. Australia retain the Ashes as England continue to struggle against spin. Just how fearless can you be, before you start looking at changes?

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In the fourth part of our special podcast boxset looking back at the brutal 1974/5 Ashes series, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann relay the drama of the critical Sydney Test, and reveal with David Lloyd and Dennis Amiss - two men who survived that series relatively unscathed - the seismic impact it had on the game. For the entire five-part series go to patreon.com/theanalyst25

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann answer listeners questions which included views on the carve up of the Test arena, selection philosophies of England's current regime, the worst incidents in cricket and the future of the game's various formats.

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Nikki and Melissa review the 2nd WAshes ODI where England bowled out Australia for 180, but fell short in their run chase by 21 runs despite the batting efforts of Amy Jones. It was a day for the spinners with Alana King taking taking 4-25 and England’s Ecclestone and Capsey taking 7 of the Australian wickets. Stay tuned for more WAshes Dailies!

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Nikki and Melissa review the first Women’s Ashes ODI which saw Alyssa Healy and Ash Gardner guide the home side to a 4 wicket win and pick up the first points of this Ashes series. Meanwhile, Heather Knight’s England need to bounce back in Melbourne and rectify some fielding errors and address batting depth.

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Episode 3 of our special podcast series looking back at the epic 1974/5 Ashes fifty years ago. This programme features the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne 1974 in which all results were possible until the very end. Dennis Amiss and Ian Chappell help Simon Hughes and Simon Mann tell the story. For the complete series go to patreon.com/theanalyst25

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the final day of a riveting series which Australia won 3-1 as one of us predicted! We assess the decisive moments and characters, the winers and losers, the flashpoints and what it all means for England's prospects in Australia in 12 months time. For our exclusive boxset series on the 1974/5 Ashes go to patreon.com/theanalyst25

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Intriguing developments in the World Test Championship table as Australia overcome India in the exciting Boxing Day Test, and South Africa move to the top of the table with their win over Pakistan. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss the events of the last week, the permutations going forward and their highs and lows of the year. For the special podcast series on the epic 1974/5 Ashes contests go to patreon.com/theanalyst25

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The second instalment of our special 5-part series looking back at the iconic and brutal Ashes contests of 1974/5, fifty years ago. This episode features the painful encounter in Perth when England's batters - supplemented by 41 year old Colin Cowdrey - were subjected to a barrage from Lillee and Thomson. For the complete series go to The Analyst Plus at patreon.com/theanalyst25

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First episode of our regular question time sessions - answering listeners questions. This week's include - should Ben Stokes captain England if is not fit to bowl, where does Jasprit Bumrah raank in the all-time bowlers pantheon, what is the future for membership-structured counties and who is cricket's Scrooge and Santa. To be part of our cricket community with q and as and special podcast series like our 1974/5 Ashes dramatisation - go to patreon.com/theanalyst25

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England's Test match year began with a bang (winning in Hyderabad) and ended with a whimper (losing to New Zealand by 423 runs). Our assessment of the final Test in Hamilton and where the England team are at now. For more exclusive content including our special series on the great 1974/5 Ashes 50 years ago, visit patreon.com/theanalyst25

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After being suppressed for the first two Tests, New Zealand finally demonstrate their talent and quality on a day dominated by a classic Kane Williamson century. Sample some Kiwi music as a backdrop to a dominating performance by the home team.

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A New Zealand side invigorated by their last two wickets adding 75 put a rather lacklustre England side under the cosh to build a lead of 340 by the end of the second day in Hamilton. It was the result of what Michael Atherton called 'hooptedoodle cricket' (a word borrowed from Elmore Leonard to mean meaningless or skippable prose) in the morning. Special podcast series on the 1974/5 Ashes - 50 years ago - at patreon.com/theanalyst25

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New Zealand's lower order manage to recover some respectability after England's persevering seamers induce a middle order collapse on the first day of the third Test in Hamilton. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report. For their exclusive series on the brilliant 1974/5 Ashes go to patreon.com/theanalyst25

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The first episode of a special four-part series telling the story of the brutal 1974/5 Ashes Tests. Fifty years ago, England's unsuspecting batsmen were subjected to a barrage from Australian speedsters Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann narrate the harrowing details of the first Test in Brisbane with help from the participants David 'Bumble' Lloyd, Dennis Amiss and Ian Chappell assisted by Ian Botham and author David Tossell. For other episodes in this series go to patreon.com/Theanalyst25

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A review of England's thumping victory over New Zealand in Wellington and Australia turning the tables on India in the second Test in Adelaide. Makes the World Test Championship table fascinating. For more content and special series like HeadHunters - our feature on the brutal 1974/5 Ashes go to patreon.com/Theanalyst25

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England build up a huge lead over New Zealand in the second Test thanks to a hattrick from Gus Atkinson (in his 10th Test) and some precocious batting from Jacob Bethell (in his second) ably assisted by Ben Duckett and Joe Root (in his 151st.) The Simons report on that, the origin of the term hattrick and a strong second day by Australia in Adelaide

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Highly entertaining days cricket in Wellington (and Adelaide) featuring 26 wickets and over 500 runs (in two simultaneous Test matches) and one of the finest innings played by an Englishman in testing conditions - Harry Brooks brilliant 123. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the day and there's also an extract from our new podcast series HeadHunters - full episode available at patreon.com/TheAnalyst25.

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Brydon Carse becomes the first English seamer to take a ten wicket haul overseas for 16 years as England complete a handsome 8 wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test in Christchurch. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report, analyse what it means for the World Test championship and discuss hitting Santa for six. Go to our premium site for a special four-part series on the 1974/5 Ashes starting next week - pateron.com/TheAnalyst25

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Powered by Harry Brook's scintillating if at times fortuitous 171, sharp outcricket and Ben Stokes intuition, England now dominate this first Test, with New Zealand only four runs ahead with just four wickets left. The Simons assess where the match swung. Join us on our premium site for early release ad-free podcasts, special series and documentaries - patreon.com/TheAnalyst25

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England do well to pull close to New Zealand's first innings score of 348 helped by some error strewn out-cricket from the hosts. Harry Brook was the main beneficiary - dropped four times during his rumbustious seventh Test century. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the first two days of the Christchuch Test. For premium content including ad-free early release of this podcast go to patreon.com/TheAnalyst25

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A review of India's astonishing 295 run win in the first Test in Perth, assessing where the match turned and what Australia need to do now. Also a preview of England's first Test in New Zealand. Will pick a batter Jacob Bethell for his Test debut with a first class average of only 25?

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