Tailenders

This week we’re joined by one of our favourite cricketers Kate Cross, who announced her retirement from the game earlier in the summer. She looks back at her playing highlights, how she got into the game, how women's cricket has changed and what’s next for her. Plus can she survive Mattchin’s latest Quiz ‘ Cross Examination - 24 minutes in Police Custody’ which is based around some of the more ‘unusual’ parts of her career?

In Correspondence of Uncertainty this week… throwing the Babar out with the Bathwater, Mistaken Maccabees, and the big question of Joe Root’s possibly shaven right arm. Listen to the end to hear the England captain’s right of reply.

Plus Issy Wong gets a fifer whilst keeping on top of her lawn, and Mattchin’s quiz results in upheaval for both England and Gloucestershire.

For once the emergency isn’t an English one… Aatif Nawaz joins us as Pakistan send home nine of their touring party before the third and final test at Edgbaston.

Flights have been booked for seven players and two coaches, including their head coach. Aatif is here to ask the big questions… Where’s the accountability? Who sacks the sackers? What about dinner with the King? Will Ghazi Ghori, gatecrasher of last week’s episode, now be keeping wicket?

Plus Richard Thompson, Roy Hodgson, Sir John Major and ITV top brass all have the honour of meeting Mattchin.

A bonus episode featuring the greatest bowling partnership of all time - Stuart Broad and Sir Jimmy Anderson. Ahead of the unveiling of a portrait of the bowling greats, the Tailenders assembled in the Pavilion at Lord's to discuss the art of bowling, life after test match cricket, what next for the current England team and why they worked so well as a bowling partnership. Plus we get the lowdown on what it was like to paint the portrait from artist Jamie Routley.

In 2025 over 400 nightclubs and late night venues in the UK closed down but help is at hand in the form of the England men's cricket team who appear to be on a mission to keep these establishments open.

Plus England v Pakistan review/preview, no northern Ashes men's test matches, the Mystery Chord and joy and pain for Bangladesh.

Jimmy’s not impressed with the solar eclipse and Sharky’s stuck 15 billion miles from Earth so let’s move on to cricket - next up for England is unpredictable/mercurial/enigmatic Pakistan. Will Pope, Lawrence and Cox seize on their chance to impress?

At time of recording Bangladesh are giving Australia a tough time in Darwin. Roushan Alam explains why the country’s test team is on the up, but its fans will continue to prepare for the worst.

And Mattchin’s been exploring the Tailenders vaults for a new words-based quiz.

It’s goodbye Bazball, hello Flemball - but what can we expect from the Stephen Fleming era? Plus the Tailenders find themselves in a social media pile on, Dinosaur cricketers (literally), more cricketing confessions need absolving, perhaps the best ‘Garden Furniture Shoutout’ ever and an open invitation for Jeetan Patel to come on the pod.

‘Clickgate’ rocks the world of Village Cricket,  Greg is in trouble with the law, Mattchin invokes the ‘Spirit of Cricket' for his latest quiz and the pros and cons of Cricketing Songs.

We follow Harry Brook and Liam Plunkett in an attempt to switch codes and do a bit of baseball. We do so with no Greg and Jimmy, so it’s left to Felix and Mattchin to initiate Melanie Newman and Xavier Scruggs into the world of cricket.

Mel and X are usually found hosting MLB Bases Covered Live with Felix, but this week they’ve been at Lord's to soak in England's ODI victory over India. They explain why Ben Duckett’s scoop is nasty, how Chris Woakes is an icon, and why the Czech Republic are baseball's ones to watch.

Plus a Mattchin quiz featuring baseball legends Randy Sam, Alexis "Sombrero" del Fuente, and Hot Steve.

Tailenders tech chaos this week as Greg sneaks off from holiday to present live from a southern French location whose WiFi only allows 5 minute cameos. When he does freeze, Felix steps in like Dan Burn to cover his teammate.

Issy Wong runs us through an emotionally draining weekend at Lord’s, featuring retirements for Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Ecclestone’s name on the Honours Boards, and ultimately a convincing India victory… and some kerfuffle over a Rubik’s Cube.

There was also a men’s team announcement in the midst of it; Sir Jimmy Anderson reflects on the cherished early years of the Brendon McCullum era and the impact of the unloved ‘Bazball’ moniker.

Aside from spending time in the Wimbledon Royal Box, Greg and Jimmy have had equally glamorous weeks - Greg at the wedding of the century in New York, and Jimmy tending to his tomato plants. Revealing insights are shared into both. We've all had time to digest the captaincy news, so attention now turns to who should be the lead in 'Ben Stokes: The Musical' - Damian Lewis or Max from EastEnders? Issy Wong chats to Felix about the England Women's T20 final, the first ever Women’s test match at Lords, and the latest on her sticker book; while Mattchin asks Jimmy to dissect some more unpopular cricket opinions.

Following the shock announcement of Ben Stokes’ retirement from International Cricket, Greg, Jimmy and Felix try to make sense of a dramatic week at Trent Bridge. So many questions…..Why now? Who will be the new Captain? What next for Baz? Will Ben change his mind?

Why are talking about legendary photographer Martin Parr and Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

Plus the joy of watching New Zealand play and history made for Ireland.

Despite it being 200 degrees and Sharky insisting all fans and air con are turned off (it’s too noisy) the Tailenders assemble to review the Mens 2nd Test between England and New Zealand, heap praise on Matt Henry, marvel at Joe Root’s 14,000 runs and ask is it ok for Rock Stars to wear shorts?

Plus some Stat Bombs from Andy Zaltzman, Mattchin’s mystery holiday meeting, and can the Tailenders community help Issy Wong finish her World Cup Sticker album?

The Tailenders assemble to discuss events on the pitch, off the pitch and the pitch itself following a dramatic 1st men’s Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s. Plus who will get the nod for the 2nd Test at The Oval,  Mattchin and Issy preview the Women’s T20 World Cup that starts today and the joy of rain breaks.

Is the IPL, the biggest franchise tournament in World Cricket, becoming boring, predictable, too batter friendly and in need of a shakeup?

Plus a lookahead to the 1st Mens Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s - can England bounce back from their Ashes defeat?

The return of ‘General Cricketing Sadness’, A.I. Slop, a very ‘high concept’ quiz from Mattchin and why ‘Untenable’ might be word of the summer.

Jonty Rhodes, one of our favourite cricketers ever and arguably the best fielder the game has ever seen, is our very special guest this week. A whole generation of cricket fans, including us, grew up watching Jonty do things on a cricket field that had never been seen before - extraordinary catches, diving stops and ridiculous run outs - a proper pioneer. In a wide ranging interview we cover his career highlights, the players he now admires, the art of fielding, THAT 1999 World Cup Semi Final, investing in franchise cricket, coaching in the IPL and crucially which character in ’The Lion King’ does he most resemble? Plus Mattchin is back with a ‘Jonty Rhodes’ inspired quiz.

The King of Spain, Ashley Giles, is our special guest on this week’s Tailenders. Inevitably we travel back to the 2005 Ashes series - the greatest series of all time -  but also reflections on the highs and lows of professional sport, the genius of Richie Benaud, bowling to Brian Lara, the Art of Spin and the challenges of running Worcs CCC.  Plus Mattchin has a new feature ‘Village People’ as he seeks to discover the underbelly of Village Cricket.

We get Jimmy’s ‘hot take’ on the Men’s Test Squad Announcement and the appointment of Marcus North as National Selector. Plus more Charisma Substitutes, Mattchin has a new challenge and has Tailenders' first Sponsorship deal collapsed in controversy before it even got going?

Our very own Issy Wong has been selected for the England T20 World Cup Squad - but what was it like waiting for THAT call?

Plus what happened when the T20 Squad went on an Army Bootcamp, Jimmy kicks off about the Substitute rule in County Cricket, tech issues (has Jimmy been hacked by The Russians?), billage cricket sponsorship, Felix has a radical idea to improve post match interviews, and we have LOTS of homework for the Tailenders listeners.,

Fast bowler Tymal Mills is our special guest on this week’s show and is the subject of one of Mattchin’s most bizarre quizzical concepts in the history of Tailenders - and that’s saying something. Plus who should get the nod for England, playing with legends, the ups and downs of franchise cricket and what’s it like to get 6 wickets in 6 balls….we chat to the bowler who did just that and broke the ‘cricketing internet’.

Jimmy can’t stop taking wickets, Fe and Mattchin have had an ‘Indie Cricket Day Out' at Bristol and Greg bumped into a cricketing legend at Lord’s - but who was it? Plus ‘Mattchin Time’, Restaurant recommendations, Listener ‘Alternative XIs’, Health tips from Justin Rose, Correspondence of Uncertainty and what has driven a wedge in Greg and Felix’s friendship?

The County Championship is back and we’re loving it! Jimmy’s in the wickets and, despite it being absolutely freezing, there was a full #tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover at Lords for Day 1 of Middlesex v Gloucestershire. Plus random Chocolate Bars, Playfair annuals, Scoring etiquette, GCSE results and a History Lesson from Mattchin.

So due to a scheduling clash things went a bit awry on this week’s recording - but then Greg had a ‘stupid idea’.

Cue: #Tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover in ‘live’ action.

Plus: Happy A-IPL Fools Day; which cricketers are cats and which are dogs?; a sort of County Cricket preview; and why might Daniel Radcliffe open the batting for Lancs?

A review of a review. This week we’re joined by Vithushan Ehantharajah, associate editor at ESPNcricinfo to try and make sense of the Review into the Mens Ashes Series - which England lost 4-1.

Plus how cricket helped Greg on his epic Comic Relief Cycling Challenge, what’s the minimum number of slides needed for a Powerpoint presentation and Mattchin most definitely does not rip off ‘Would I Lie To You?’.

Who are you talking to in the Mystery Guest Match Special? Could it be Virat Kohli or could it be Daryl Mitchell? Please play along at home with Mattchin’s new and original (sort of) quiz.

Plus Fe joins Greg for part of his epic Comic Relief Bike Ride, details of ‘County Day 2026’, faith healers and I’ve got 99 problems but Liam Livingstone ain’t one.

Mark Wood, one of our favourite cricketers in the world, is back on Tailenders with an update on his injury and what he’s been up to while recuperating, his plans for the future and what it was like to be on the pitch during THAT Travis Head Innings.

Plus Issy Wong joins us with the latest from the Hundred Auction and Mattchin introduces a new force in Cricket...Chas Fireball!

What a match in Mumbai! England nearly pulled off a 'cricketing miracle' in a game that saw almost 500 runs scored.

The Tailenders assemble - complete with Issy Wong and her Network Of Spies - to look back at an extraordinary semi final that resulted in India making it to the Mens T20 World Cup Final where they will face New Zealand.

Plus Mattchin goes deep into the data (sort of) to find out what makes New Zealand such a cricketing force.

AND find out why Fe won’t listen to Jimi Hendrix...

So who makes our England Mens Team of the 21st Century? Is it Stokes or Flintoff as the all-rounder? Who gets the nod as ‘keeper? What about openers? Is there room for Stuart Broad? Plus England keep winning at the Men's T20 World Cup without impressing - can they go all the way? Mattchin has a new ’stats based quiz’ and the art of the sports reporter.

We’ve been loving the performances of the so called ‘Associates’ at the Men’s T20 World Cup, so this week we’re joined by ICC commentator Andrew Leonard to chat all things Associate Cricket.

Plus what caused the Tailenders WhatsApp Group to explode on Wednesday night, ‘Correspondence of Uncertainty’ and who has Mattchin stolen his latest quiz format from?

1922: The BBC was formed; 1936: The BBC launches TV service from Alexandra Palace; 1967: Radio 1 hits the airwaves; 1979: The BBC starts 24 hour Radio broadcasts; 1983: BBC Breakfast TV begins; 1994: BBC Radio 5 Live is launched; 2002: CBBC starts broadcasting; 2018: BBC Sounds is unveiled…..

...and now, in 2026 - following on from this prestigious history of public service broadcasting - Mattchin introduces a Brand New Format which has ’never been tried before’ - his words!

Plus why we’re loving the Mens T20 World Cup and your reviews.

After Nepal nearly cause one of the biggest shocks ever against England, The Tailenders assemble to review the start of the T20 World Cup, where the ‘minnows’ are causing a few problems for the more established teams.

Plus Mattchin is back with an' International Relations Based Quiz’, Felix is on his travels, pronunciations and the hunt for Phon Buntheon continues.

Scotland and Lancashire’s Michael Jones joins us to tell us about how one minute he was doing pre-season training with Jimmy at Lancs, the next he’s in India for the World Cup.

Plus Issy Wong is back with all the news from the WBBL and more Italian Cricket History.

It’s time to open the phones lines again for our second innings of ‘Little Yearns’. We cover broken bats, linseed oil, farts, Covid caps, helmet hair, Win Viz, TV graphics, and why did Chris Woakes put Jimmy’s cap down his trousers?

So after the doom and gloom of The Ashes it’s time to banish the January Blues and look to the future. And to help us forget about what happened in Australia we’re joined by one of our favourite players on the planet - Wayne Madsen.

Mattchin has a brand new original quiz which is so good it could go on BBC TV at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, plus names for Jimmy’s bar, and a bit more guitar.

No more sleepless nights, no more doom scrolling and no more ‘it’s the hope that kills you’, The Ashes are over and like the England team The Tailenders are limping to the end of the series.

Felix is ill and can only join us ‘down the line’ from his Doctors, so the ex England wicketkeeper Matt Prior is our 12th Man.

While Mattchin, to the dismay of the footballing world, has done his hamstring and is on crutches, yet despite this he manages one more round of his classic ‘Am I lying or am I Nathan Lyon?’.

We review the series, look to the future of English cricket and try to work out what the hell happened in Australia over the winter. Plus we have an 'exclusive'…albeit from 2007 and would Jimmy fancy being the England coach?

After 5468 days England’s men have won a Test Match in Australia!

Felix jumps into the hot seat and England and Lancs bowler Kate Cross is our special guest as we try and work out what the hell happened at the MCG over two ridiculous days of Test Cricket. Plus Wicketkeepers as drummers,

Mattchin predicts the future of Test cricket, names for Jimmy’s bar, why 2026 will be ’The Year of the Big Nose’ and will Felix never watch cricket ever again?

The good news is that England battled hard and took the 3rd Ashes Test into a fifth and final day in Adelaide. The bad news is they lost and Australia have retained The Ashes. The Tailenders assemble to try and work out what’s gone wrong Down Under.

Plus a brand new Xmas Quiz from Mattchin, cooking tips from Jimmy and find out why Felix might never watch cricket ever again.

Come in, sit down, let’s talk about it together.

We know it’s bad, we know England need a ‘cricketing miracle’, we know we’re all tired after staying up all night. We’re angry, frustrated and disappointed - but the Tailenders are here for you.

Plus Mattchin has had three weeks to overprepare for a quiz which features a very special guest - Nathan Lyon (sort of) and we preview the 3rd Test in Adelaide... or is it Melbourne?

On the eve of the second men's Ashes Test at The Gabba - a venue England have not win at since 1986 - we assess the tourists' chances, the potential impact of Will Jacks of all trades and why Mitchell Starc is so potent with the pink ball.

Plus remembering the great Robin Smith.

OK, so the 1st Mens Ashes Test did not go well. However it’s not over, there are still four Test matches to go, so time for some optimism.

The Tailenders assemble to review the events in Perth and look ahead to the 2nd Test in Brisbane.

Plus we meet Alex, an Aussie who flew from Germany to Perth to watch Day 3 of The Test, what is an ‘acceptable’ way to get out, Mattchin has some facts about The Gabba, and who are Jimmy’s favourite Aussies?

Tailenders News Alert: This podcast is available in audio AND vision - head to the BBC iPlayer to watch.

The Ashes are nearly here and it’s time to officially get excited. Jimmy gives us the lowdown on the challenge England’s men will face in Australia and looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the Aussies.

Plus need some ‘Ashes conversation starters’? Don’t panic, Mattchin is here with some Perth related facts - some of which might actually be true- to make sure all Tailenders are fully prepped for the biggest show in cricket.

After several weeks of delay Mattchin at last gets to debut his much hyped new quiz ’Send it up for Review’, complete with original music.

Plus G Force gets to experience G Force, more Underrated Ashes Players and can someone call the I.T department please. From emails to Printers the Tailenders are having tech troubles.

Former England fast bowler Steve Finn is our special guest as he shares the high and lows of his Ashes career, including being part of the last England team to win in Australia and why his best spell was overlooked due to Stuart Broad.

Plus Arise Sir Jimmy! It’s the first episode of Tailenders presented by a knight of the realm and we get the inside story of Jimmy’s trip to Windsor Castle - including which random footballer was at the afterparty?

Ashes fever is gripping the Nation (sort of) and everyone is doing their Ashes XIs, so we thought we’d jump on that bandwagon with our own.

Plus Jimmy is getting ready to get knighted - but is King Charles a leg spinner or a seamer?

Mattchin has another history lesson, more on the mysterious Phon Buntheon and can anyone stop Australia winning the Women’s World Cup?

Mattchin organises a surprise delivery that causes chaos - and injury - amongst the Tailenders.

Plus 1990s adverts, more on Phon Buntheon, The Women’s World Cup, Contracts, Listener Feedback, ‘Little Yearns’ and what links Bob Dylan to scoring?

Our very special guest this week is Saracens, England and Lions legend Jamie George who talks about sharing a room at school with Sam Billings, how Cricket helps his line out throws, watching Kent and Essex, Rugby ‘Little Yearns’ and The Ashes.

Plus Jimmy looks back at the International career of Chris Woakes and the mystery of Phon Bunthean.

The squad for the men’s Ashes has been announced and we’re getting very excited as Jimmy gives his reaction to the players who will head to Australia in November and battle for the urn. Plus memories of Dickie Bird, and Mattchin invites everyone ‘listening at home’ to come and network at his ‘Connection Convention’.

Mattchin has a new history-based feature that is most definitely not ‘something he just Googled and told us’.

Plus another innings of ’The Anderson/Tendulkar Interview’, what’s better ’The Blast’ or ’The Hundred’ and did you witness a unique piece of cricketing history?

Our very special guest is a World Cup and Ashes winner, former England captain and a legend of the game: Heather Knight (plus her alter ego Shelley).

We discuss the upcoming World Cup, injuries, learning to play the guitar, Padel with Mattchin and what happened when Felix met her at a recent Oasis concert.

Plus a ’new’ quiz from Mattchin, who bizarrely is in Norway. And find out what Heather related story has Issy Wong in stitches.

Go Well.

The phone lines are open for our first ‘Little Yearns Special’ - those small, inconsequential things we’d love to do if we were International Cricketers. Topics covered include Ceefax, media duties, fines, sweaty kit, small waves and warm up routines. Plus Mattchin makes an unexpected and unmissable appearance on National Radio.