The Analyst Inside Cricket

A preview of the big Test series clash of the year - Australia v India - which begins on Friday in Perth. India have won the last two series in Australia but are nursing injuries and absences and have lost top spot in the Worl Test Championship table. The Simons preview that, look back at England's white ball matches in the West indies and also discuss their new premium site - https://www.patreon.com/TheAnalyst25

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The big talking point is India refusing to play any Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann ponder the likely resolutions, and also discuss Pakistan's surprising defeat of Australia in the odi series and England's recent T20 demolition of West Indies.

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Nikki and Melissa are joined once again by Luke Wolstenholme as they discuss new signings in the women’s domestic game, the ICC’s women's Future Tours Programme (FTP) and console Nikki who has some sad, yet expected news.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess England's sluggish reinvention in one day cricket after losing the three match series against West Indies, and discuss how Jimmy Anderson managed to keep going into his 40s, well chronicled into his newly released autobiography Finding the Edge.

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Simon Hughes and Middlesex's no1 batter Sam Robson in conversation about their county's plight, the benefits and challenges of having Lord's as your home ground and why England can't play spin.

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England capitulated before lunch on the third day as Pakistan again exploited England's fallibility against spin on helpful pitches. It marks an extraordinary turnaround in the series only exceeded by New Zealand's amazing series triumph in India. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report, and assess what next for England.

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The poise and artistry of Pakistan's Saud Shakeel turns a stuttering home position into one of potential strength with England losing three crucial second innings wickets before the close. The Simons review the day and think this move could prove decisive. Also - what they used in football before the advent of the referee's whistle....

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The precocious keeper-batter Jamie Smith rescues England from a parlous position on the first day of the air-dried pitch in Rawalpindi. But Simon Hughes and Simon Mann ask if England's 267 all out is enough.

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Melissa and Nikki return, this time joined by Luke Wolstenholme from BBC Sport, to discuss the T20 World Cup. They dive into New Zealand’s thrilling and unexpected victory, South Africa’s heartbreaking loss, and the underwhelming performances of both England and India. Tune in for their reflections on the tournament, a lively debate on where things went wrong for England, and Luke’s scarily accurate impersonation of a strict Victorian teacher.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's inevitable demise on a 9 day old Multan track to lose the second Test by 142 runs. Was their approach flawed? Was winning the toss the decisive factor? How can England improve in spin-friendly conditions?

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As the Multan pitch rapidly deteriorates England allow Pakistan to build a bigger lead than they should have and now face the greatest challenge of the Bazball era - to make 297 on a dustbowl. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's prospects and the extraordinary demise of India for 46 all out in Bengaluru.

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After seven days of a deceased pitch the surface in Multan finally comes alive to assist Pakistan's spinners and England are up against it, despite a brilliant hundred from Ben Duckett. The Simons discuss an interesting day and the fallout from England's demise in the Women's T20 World Cup

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A review of the first day of the second Test in Multan during which a reconstructed Pakistan side is held in check by some impressive bowling from England. especially Brydon Carse. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a more interesting day than the first day of the first Test

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a remarkable victory for England in Multan after conceding 556 in the first innings. They consider what next for Pakistan, and also reflect on the strange story of the last time England made 800 in an innings.

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During an extraordinary run-spree Joe Root and Harry Brook break the 67 year old record for England's highest partnership with 454 on the fourth day in Multan. The Simons report on a bonanza day for the stats men.

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Reporting from Multan, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann pay tribute to Joe Root becoming England's greatest Test runscorer and evaluate where he belongs in the Test match hall of fame.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the second day of the first test in Multan which has certainly seen Pakistan take significant control, but the outcome was significantly influenced on two key incidents in the field

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Simon Mann and Simon Hughes rview the first day's play from Multan where England bowlers deal manfully with stifling conditions and a benign pitch. We also hear from author and climate change authority Peter Frankoppan on what the authorities could do to minimise the impact of global warming on cricketers.

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The former Hampshire and England off-spinner reveals harrowing detail of five years of struggle with a serious disease and personal tragedy and pays tribute to the late Shane Warne and the PCT charity who have helped him through. Plus he questions why Liam Dawson isn't going to Pakistan

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Previously the quiet month in the cricket calendar has started with a bang with an extraordinary two day win for India over Bangladesh and continues with England's three Test tour to Pakistan and then with the first of three odis in the Caribbean. The Simon's review England's five odis against Australia and preview the Pakistan tour.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the first two one day internationals between England and Australia - a steep learning curve for some of England's newer recruits facing up to the highly accomplished and versatile world champions. The Simons also analyse the success of Surrey completing a hattrick of county championship titles.

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Simon Mann celebrates his Gloucestershire county's long awaited Vitality Blast success and joins Simon Hughes in admiring their ailing president Syd Lawrence's strength in attending finals day and helping his team triumph.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review an emphatic victory seized by Sri Lanka, England's only Test defeat of the summer and hear Ollie Pope's explanation for England's careless batting. We also hear from the veteran Sri Lankan batsman Siddath Wettimuny on what this victory means for Sri Lankan cricket.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess some kamikaze batting by England in their second ininngs - lasting just 34 overs - to gift Sri Lanka a decent chance of an unexpected victory. They also discuss the solutions to the bad-light issue and celebrate Moeen Ali's illustrious international career.

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Kamikaze second day batting by England and unhelpful light forcing spinners to be bowled in seamer friendly conditions has given Sri Lanka a route back into this third Test. The Simons report on the fiasco of bad light and an interesting debut for the 6ft 7in Josh Hull.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the first day of the final Test at the Oval where Sri Lanka's erratic bowling in lively conditions helps Ollie Pope rediscover his talent despite a truncated day. The pair also discuss the obvious solution to bad light in test cricket - pink balls.

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Gus Atkinson takes his fourth five wicket haul to go with his first innings hundred to take the man of the match spoils as England overcome Sri Lanka by 190 runs at Lords. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a poorly attended fourth day at the home of cricket.

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During the 3rd days play at Lord's Joe Root overtakes Sir Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test Hundreds with his second century of the match. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann run out of superlatives for the man who must surely be high on King Charles New Year's Honours List. But Root is certainly far from satisfied with that.

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Simon Hughes and Simon. Mann report on a second day at Lord's when Gus Atkinsin completed a remarkable double with 12 wickets in his first Test and a maiden first class hundred in his second at the Home of Cricket. His clean striking enabled England to dominate a second day, bowling Sri Lanka out to achieve a 200 plus lead.

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Joe Root spares England's blushes with a diligent 33rd Test hundred to compensate for England's shoddy early batting and afterwards commemorates his innings to his former coach, the tragically departed Graham Thorpe. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report from Lords

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Simon Hughes discovers the true origins of cricket, established 400 years ago this week, with a tragic accident on the field at Horsted Keynes CC in Sussex, an incident explored in revealing new detail by historian and archivist Bob Willard Watts. For a commemorative book on this story visit www.HKCC-1624.co.uk

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise Joe Root's tenacity and dependability and Jamie Smith's panache as a makeshift England side overcome a plucky Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford.

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After the precocious Jamie Smith's notches a maiden Test century to give England a lead of 122, the bowlers wear down Sri Lankan resistance to move in sight of victory.. The Simons assess a gusty third day at Old Trafford

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A determined Sri Lankan bowling performance holds England in check until the precocious Jamie Smith eases them into a position of potential dominance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann suggest the first hour of the Third day will hold the key to the match.

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At 6-3 and 113-7 it looked like a predictable capitulation for Sri Lanka on the opening day of the Test series, but a captains innings and a fine debut got them close to respectability as the gloomy conditions forced Ollie Pope to employ spinners against the tail. The Simons review the play from OldTrafford which was dedicated to the memory of Graham Thorpe.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss Sri Lanka's prospects in the forthcoming three Test series against a Stokes-less England, highlighting their comprehensive defeat to an England 5th XI in their only warm-up match and this being their first three-Test series for six years. Also in this show, a reflection of The Hundred tournament having completed its fourth season.

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At a charity day to raise funds for the Professional Cricketers Trust, Simon Hughes talks to former players including Paul Nixon and Monty Panesar especially about dealing with mental health issues arising from the game. And in the wake of Graham Thorpe's tragic death we hear from charities trying to address the problems which seem particular to our great summer sport. For more info on the Professional Cricketers Trust and to donate visit thepca.co.uk/trust

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A short reminder about the special family fun day at Teddington CC on Tuesday 13 August to raise money for the Professional Cricketers Trust featuring coaching and masterclasses given by the likes of Monty Panesar, Paul Nixon, Alex Tudor, Stuart Meaker, Darren Stevens and other former professionals. For more details visit worldsbestcc.com

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The premature death of the ebullient Surrey and England batsman Graham Thorpe at just 55 has left everyone in the cricket world numb with disbelief. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Simon Wilde, the author of Thorpe's autobiography, Rising From The Ashes, celebrate the career of a man who didn't win the accolades or the garlands that he deserved.

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Simon Hughes talks to Durham chief executive Tim Bostock about potential Saudi investment, creating a further boost to the North East economy, the imminence of a ninth team in the Hundred, and how a new hotel at Chester le Street will double the county's income and produce even more world class talent.

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With as explosive a spell of fast bowling as produced by an England bowler this century, Mark Wood demolished West Indies, leaving the path clear for Ben Stokes to put the lid on the series with England's fastest ever Test fifty. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the match and the series and how England are shaping up for sterner challenges ahead.

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann admire the resilience of Root and Stokes and the panache of Jamie Smith to rescue England from a parlous position to the prosperity of a decent lead and complete west indies misery with two late wickets. Another three day test?

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report from Edgbaston on a day when England's bowlers secured 10 West indian wickets with well-honed plans but then handed several back with ill-judged shots.

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Melissa Story and Nikki Chaudhuri review England's triumphant summer before turning their attention to this year's Hundred competition with a detailed look at how each side is shaping up.

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England seal the Botham-Richards series 2-0 with an impressive demolition job on the fourth day at Trent Bridge, led by the rookie spinner Shoaib Bashir with an impressive five wicket haul. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on a much more competitive second Test.

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On a lively third day at Trent Bridge, the England batsmen drive their team into a strong position to overcome spirited tailend West Indies resistance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann marvel at Harry Brooks panache and lament West Indies bowlers' inconsistency

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Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise two men from the tiny island of Dominica who make England sweat in the Nottingham sun and give West indies renewed heart after a sorry performance at Lords.

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Led by the frisky Ollie Pope making his sixth Test hundred, England's batsmen frolicked on a lively Trent Bridge pitch profiting from some wayward West Indian bowling and shoddy fielding. Although England were bowled out in a day Simon Hughes and Simon Mann both believe England have got enough to boss the game. For more information on our sponsor Nicholson original gin go to drinknicholson.com

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Roland Butcher, the first black cricketer to play for England, stands on the Lord's outfield where he first established himself to reflect on the celebrated West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s and the importance of trying to recover the skills and exuberance that made them the envy of the cricketing world. Thanks to our sponsors Nicholson. For more information go to drinknicholson.com and use the code Yakka2024 for your 15% discount on products.

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Simon Hughes and former England swing bowler Derek Pringle pay tribute to the amazing career of Jimmy Anderson who has put 25,000 tonnes through his knees and ankles and run over 500 miles in the England cause and can still produce deliveries of exquisite and deadly quality. There will never again be a bowler like him. Toast him with a Nicholson cocktail (or a Guinness!) Go to drinknicholson.com for more info and use the code Yakka2024 for a 15% discount.

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