Tailenders

Writer, comedian, broadcaster, documentary maker, presenter and all round genius Sir Michael Palin joins Greg, Jimmy and Felix for a very special episode of Tailenders.

In a wide-ranging interview he discussed his career with Monty Python, his legendary travelogues including his new series on Nigeria, his films and his love of cricket. Included are tales about George Harrison, Keith Miller, watching cricket around the world, his first job at the BBC and the perils of eating rotten camel meat. Plus, what happened when Jimmy was invited to meet the Dalai Lama.

On day one of the County Championship we were invited into the boardroom at Lord's to sit down with ECB Chair, Richard Thompson, the boss of English Cricket. Topics included cricket in state schools, TV deals, The Hundred, racism and cricket, the development of the women's wame and THAT presentation to Jimmy in India.

The County Championship is back so we headed to Lord's to celebrate everything that’s great about county cricket. This episode includes an explanation of how the competition works, the difference between Kookaburra and Dukes balls, hybrid pitches, the standard within the game and whether day one of the County Championship is like Xmas Eve, Xmas Day or New Year's Eve. Plus we’re joined by TMS Producer Adam Mountford.

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Brian Lara, Richie Benaud, Stephen Fry and Andrew Strauss, The Tailenders assembled at Lord's to deliver the 2024 Cowdrey Lecture. Greg, Jimmy and Felix were joined on stage by guests Stuart Broad, Isa Guha and Mark Nicholas.

We’re live(ish) from The Shardnado for The Hundred Draft with special guests Nasser Hussain, Charlotte Edwards, Grace Ballinger and Sam Billings. Plus Mattchin has created an easy to understand ’supermarket based’ guide to the draft and it’s inner workings.

Our Jimmy gets his 700th Test wicket - not that you’d know it from his typical, understated reaction -  but despite this we’re determined to celebrate this never to be repeated cricketing milestone, even if he’s not! He tells the story behind number 700 -  the wicket of Kuldeep Yadav, his on field ‘chat’ with Shubman Gill and how this England team can develop in the future.  Plus comedian, poet and writer Tim Key joins us from Dharamsala for a fans perspective of watching cricket in one of the most beautiful grounds in the world, Mattchin updates us on his new cricketing career and lots of random facts about 2003.

A full review of the Men's 4th Test between India and England and a look ahead to the final match in the series. Plus Mattchin revives one of his classic quizzes so we can ‘get to know’ some of the new faces in the England team and discover who is the biggest prankster, who has good fashion sense and who likes country and western music. Also tattoos, trilateral listening and tour stories from Felix.

A full review of the 3rd Men's Test between India and England, Dibbly Dobbly chat, more cricketing birds plus Mattchin has created a quiz format that somehow manages to combine an Indian cricket legend with the West country dialect.

The extension is going to get built in the 'house that wickets bought'! We hear the full inside story of the second Men's Test between India and England including how a former coach helped with Jimmy’s run up, praise for England’s young spinners, THAT wicket of Sharma, the new ‘Nighthawk', how India were 'on edge' and the perils of facing England’s batters in the nets. Plus Mattchin reveals how he became cricket’s premier influencer.

Sunday was arguably the greatest day of Test Cricket ever so we’ve brought together an ensemble cast including England bowler Issy Wong, Cricinfo Writer Vithushan Ehantharajah and Tom Hartley’s former teacher for an emergency podcast!

We have all the expert analysis you’d expect from Tailenders including cheese, cats, mice, mouthwash, drunken nights out, Latin phrases, Troy Deeney, GPS, McDonalds and Whitney Houston. Plus Greg has a very special message for Felix.

It was supposed to be a ‘Minipod’, was renamed a ‘Monopod’ and then became a ‘Pod but without Jimmy' who was travelling. Featuring cricketing father and sons, Mattchin’s football tips, ‘General Scarf Sadness’, a preview of the first India v England Men's Test, Mattchin makes The Sunday Times and the remarkable story of Shamar Joseph.

Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men's Cricket (aka Jimmy’s boss), is our special guest to discuss, amongst other things, the World Cup, The Ashes and the future of Test cricket. Plus Felix goes all ‘Dragon’s Den’, Mattchin turns into Laura Kuenssberg, and a guide to making ‘Keysie Pizzas’.

Less than two weeks into 2024 and there is already loads of cricket to discuss. S.A v India, Australia v Pakistan, David Warner’s retirement, and random stuff from commentators and batters mic’d up. Plus predictions for 2024 and Felix has regrets about what he said on ‘Football Focus’.

Pull up a chair and grab a mince pie as everyone is welcome around our metaphorical festive table for our ‘Christmas Special 2023’.

Mattchin is on hand to supply the music and quizzes, special guest Shaun Keaveney provides some unexpected poetry and find out what cricketers do at Xmas. Ho Ho Well!

This episode is available exclusively on BBC Sounds, head to the free app to listen: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p02pcb4w

Who knew that Mattchin doesn’t just do ’stolen/inspired by others’ quizzes but he is also a cricketing mindreader extraordinaire? Plus Jimmy gives us an update from the England camp in Abu Dhabi and Freddie is back!

A review of the Men's World Cup final, plus the winner of the Tailenders World Cup Fantasy League is revealed and an important language clarification from the last podcast.

Greg, Jimmy and Felix discuss if the Men's World Cup has actually been any good. Plus a brand new quiz from Mattchin, breaking football news, Limp Bizkit and ‘Great Train Journeys with Chris Tarrant'.

Tales from the recent Tailenders Tour, the Angelo Mathews ’Timed Out' affair, can anyone stop India, and meet ’Timmy Banderson’. Plus Mattchin returns with a ‘dismissal edition’ of a quiz favourite and what is your favourite ever LBW?

Recorded 'live’ on the Tailenders Tour Fun Bus as we travelled from Sheffield / Nottingham to Manchester. All the latest from the tour, a review of recent matches in the men's ODI World Cup, plus Martin Keown, gym work outs, tennis and Timmy Banderson.

Greg, Jimmy and Felix preview the Men's ODI World Cup which starts in India later this week. Plus Mattchin is back for another round of arguably the best quiz he’s ever invented/stolen.

This episode is available exclusively on BBC Sounds, head to the free app to listen: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ghx03z

An episode that proves Felix’s assertion that 'cricket equals love’. Plus Greg and Felix’s County Cricket Draft rivalry is going down to the wire.

On Wednesday, 4 October at 19:00 BST, Mattchin will be hosting a LIVE quiz night, exclusively on Discord, featuring special guests. Follow this link to put your loosely cricket-based knowledge to the test! https://discord.gg/YHN89hrQ2w?event=1156939182426566787

In this episode of 'The loosely cricket based podcast’ we cover golf, Spiderman, touring, ferries, customs, rugby and eventually some cricket. Plus Mattchin has come up with the greatest quiz ever!

Jimmy has advice on how to keep the Cricketing Gods happy, Mattchin is on the road to recovery and Greg and Felix are lost in a world of 'Stone Cold Steve Austin'. Plus Issy Wong is back on the pod, a review of England's latest white ball matches and some very random tour ideas.

The Co-Chairs of the Oval Invincibles celebrate their inaugural win in the men's Hundred at Lord's.

After taking time out to compose themselves following Mattchin’s medical update (and the photo he sent to the group), the Tailenders discuss the Men's World Cup Squad and The Hundred.

West Indian fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh is our very special guest, plus Mattchin is in a race against time to be fit for the live tour.

New to Tailenders, but can’t be bothered to listen to 200 previous episodes? Don’t worry, help is at hand!

In a series of mini-episodes available exclusively on BBC Sounds, Mattchin Tendulkar guides you through the weird and wonderful world of the podcast.

Head over to the free app now to listen to the first episode.

After an epic Men's Ashes series, the Tailenders salute Stuart Broad - one of England’s greatest ever players - as he signs off from cricket in the way only he can. Plus, Greg and Fe have an important, if somewhat surprising, announcement, and an appeal to the Tailenders listeners for help with a new ’spin off’ show.

We're ‘live’ from The Oval for an Old Trafford debrief and preview of the final men's Ashes Test, including - what song was Zak Crawley singing in his head during his amazing innings? What happened when Jimmy left Jonny Bairstow stranded on 99 not out? Is Cameron Green taller than Mattchin? What’s been on the England team ‘boombox’? Which England cricketer texts Greg with traffic updates? Plus the launch of a new feature ‘Rage against the Mattchin’.

After another Headingley adventure Jimmy shares his insights on England’s series-saving win in Leeds. Plus, reaction to England’s women winning the T20 series, Mattchin compares The Ashes to reality TV and Felix returns from Leeds with some new-found appreciation for The Kirkstall Lane end.

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

Aussie commentator Mel Jones is on the pod to try and make sense of an extraordinary five days of cricket at Lord's during the Men's 2nd Ashes Test. Plus, what happened when Fe and Greg met Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, and Mattchin has discovered the next England bowler set to grab the headlines.

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

Record breaker Tammy Beaumont relives her incredible innings in the women’s ashes test at Trent Bridge including her secret to fighting cramp, her new song and what it’s like to bat for nearly 9 hours. Plus a preview of the men’s second Ashes Test and reaction to the ICEC report into cricket.

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

A '360 degree review' of five days of extraordinary cricket in Birmingham as we witnessed arguably one of the Greatest Test Matches of all time.

Jimmy was of course on the pitch, Matt was in The Hollies, Fe, when not in the press room, was hanging out with Rob Key and G Force was listening from afar.

From the Declaration to dropped catches, reverse scoops to golden ducks…it’s all covered.

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

The Double Ashes are upon us and - to quote Felix - everyone is ‘fizzing with adrenaline’.

Jimmy and Issy take us into the heart of England’s men's and women's teams as they prepare for a summer of cricket like no other.

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

The 2023 Ashes are nearly here, so the Tailenders have assembled to preview the men's series which starts next week. Plus Jimmy’s Ashes memories, a history lesson and some predictions... but not from Felix after the last time!

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

Ahead of the first Men's Test of the summer, the Tailenders are at Lord's and are joined by Jonathan Agnew and Isa Guha. Plus why Felix didn’t answer John McEnroe’s call, Mattchin has a new ‘plastic bag’ based quiz and tour news.

Tailenders is now on Discord! If you've not used Discord before, it's like our own member's enclosure - a community space where fans of the show can hang out together online. Mattchin's a regular, propping up the bar. Come and join in the conversation here: https://discord.gg/NnzE3vdnnq

Don’t Fret, Jimmy is OK - plus teaching cricket to Americans, an update on Mattchin’s end, cricketing substitutes and listeners give their feedback to ‘Egg Stories’.

More from Manoj Badale, lead owner of the Rajasthan Royals, plus we are joined by a very special guest - NZ legend and Mattchin lookalike Colin de Grandhomme.

Lead owner of the Rajasthan Royals, Manoj Badale, joins The Tailenders to discuss all things IPL - including what’s it like to play 'real' Fantasy Cricket, working with Shane Warne and the future of franchise cricket. Plus Felix goes full ‘Dragon’s Den’ and re-pitches his World Test Championship idea.

The return of Mattchin’s most (only) original quiz ‘Don’t Fret’ plus ‘Egg Stories’, the Tailender who got a lift from a NZ cricketer’s Auntie, live (ish) grass cutting and bone cracking.

Mattchin embraces cutting edge technology to drag Tailenders into the brave new world of AI (spoiler - it didn’t go well). Plus, which cricketer refused to give up his hotel suite for Pep Guardiola, why spectators at The County Ground in Chelmsford might have seen more of the Lancashire team than they bargained for, and what happened when ‘Our Jimmy’ got Alastair Cook out twice last week?

Aussie bowling legend Glenn McGrath joins us to discuss Bazball, The Ashes and memories of bowling in tandem with the late, great Shane Warne. Plus County Cricket Week 1, Colin de Grandhomme and what pants does Mattchin wear?

A celebration of all things County Cricket, including a very special guest, the return of the ‘Quizzical Butler’ in ‘County House’ and everything you wanted to know about groundskeeping.

Felix manages to grab an exclusive interview with WIPL winner - and Tailender - Issy Wong just before she jumped on a plane back home.

Plus, The Hundred draft, Mattchin has a new game - which surprisingly doesn’t appear to have been stolen from an existing format - and with the clocks going forward everyone is beginning to get excited about the summer.

All the news from the two sell out shows at the London Palladium, plus Issy Wong is on to talk through the early stages of the WIPL, Jimmy makes an important career announcement, who is better tall or short batters and can you break an egg in one hand?

A jet-lagged Jimmy relives the extraordinary second Test match between NZ and England in Wellington. Plus India v Australia, pre-Palladium nerves, Stat Bombs, Issy Wong checks in from India, Greg pitches a new sports series, world rankings and the extraordinary story behind Mattchin’s football ‘career’.

All the reaction from England men’s record-breaking win in the first Test against NZ, plus the joy that is watching Stuart Broad bowl, why Ben Duckett is like Brian Lara and does Jimmy now like the pink ball?

Some serious ‘Mellow Magic’ vibes as the Tailenders assemble across time zones to preview the first men's Test between England and NZ. Plus Mattchin is back with part two of ‘Bazball or Nothing’, an update on Jonny Bairstow and the ‘wrong trousers’ and which sport would Jimmy like to play if he wasn’t a cricketer?

Jimmy’s getting ready for the NZ series, Greg is inspired by ‘Wallace and Gromit’, Mattchin is in full quiz mode and Fe is probably still holding Roy Hodgson’s hand. Plus International Spymaster Issy Wong joins us to look ahead to the Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa and more Sea Life Cricketers.

Sophie Ecclestone - the number one ranked women's bowler in the world - joins us to chat T20 World Cup, the art of spin bowling, Love Island and the state of her beloved Everton FC. Plus Sea Life Cricketers, what happened when Felix met Roy Hodgson and the ‘Jimmy Anderson Clinic’ is open for business.