Test Match Special - podcast cover

Test Match Special

BBC Radio 5 Livewww.bbc.co.uk

The Test Match Special team bring you the very best cricket reaction, insight & analysis.

Plus the No Balls podcast with Kate Cross and Alex Hartley brings a fine balance of nonsense and cricket as they welcome some of the biggest names in the sport.

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Episodes

Daily Ashes Quiz: Fastest scoring team

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day. Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England...

Dec 01, 20253 min

TMS Top 10: Ashes Characters

From Stuart Broad to Ben Stokes, Shane Warne to Steve Waugh, Freddie Flintoff to Ian Botham. Who is the ultimate Ashes character? Whose personalities have shone on the pitch in the most high pressure games? Isa Guha, Sir Alastair Cook, and Jonathan Agnew debate their top 10 Ashes characters from players across England and Australia.

Dec 01, 202538 min

England’s 2010/11 Ashes win, according to Sir Alastair Cook

Exactly 15 years on from Sir Alastair Cook’s 235 not-out at the Gabba, the BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Cook about one of his best individual series for England, which saw England win the Ashes in Australia in 2010/11. They discuss Cook’s incredible batting throughout the series, including his 235 not-out at The Gabba, the moments he was speaking to Chris Tremlett before the bowler infamously got Mitchell Johnson for a duck, and his time out in the middle with Sir Andre...

Nov 28, 202545 min

No Balls: Hartley heads down under!

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley chat all things Ashes after England's dramatic two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth. They wonder whether England's batters should have gone to play in England's tour match in Canberra, plus Crossy remembers her time in Perth on England debut at the WACA.

Nov 26, 202530 min

Where now for Ben Stokes' England?

Mark Chapman is joined by former England coach Paul Farbrace, former Australian opener Simon Katich and Durham coach Ryan Campbell to discuss the fallout from a remarkable first Ashes Test and England's pink-ball preparations ahead of the second test in Brisbane.

Nov 24, 202550 min

Ashes Eve - it's almost time

On the eve of the highly anticipated Ashes series, England captain Ben Stokes shares insights into his fitness and the team's mental and physical readiness for the challenge ahead. Stand-in Australian captain Steve Smith discusses the team's debutants, pitch conditions, and his strategic approach. England Head Coach Brendon McCullum outlines his coaching philosophy, embracing pressure, and how the team plans to make its mark on this defining series. The episode captures the excitement and expectations from both camps.

Nov 20, 202544 min

From The Ashes: Ashton Agar

Ashton Agar talks through his remarkable innings at Trent Bridge in 2013, where aged 19 he scored a brilliant 98. Agar tells Stephan Shemilt all the details of a special day.

Nov 18, 202552 min

The Ashes Preview

Panelists discuss the immense pressure and unique challenges of an Ashes series in Australia, focusing on England's BazBall approach, the impact of Australia's absent pace attack, and the crucial roles of Ben Stokes and Nathan Lyon. They delve into pitch conditions, tactical decisions like the toss, and the psychological "phony war" leading up to the first ball, offering deep insights into the teams' preparations and potential strategies.

Nov 17, 20251 hr 37 min

It's Ashes week in Perth

Eleanor Oldroyd chats to Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley, plus we have a look around the Perth Stadium as the countdown to the first Test continues.

Nov 17, 202528 min

Wickets for Stokes, but injury worries for Wood

Chief Cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reports from Lilac Hill on a mixed opening day of England’s Ashes tour. Ben Stokes picked up four wickets in his first competitive bowl since July, but there was an injury concern over Mark Wood. Stephan is joined by George Dobell from the Cricketer and we hear from England vice captain Harry Brook.

Nov 13, 202525 min

From The Ashes: David Larter

Former England fast bowler David Larter was part of the England squad to head to the 1962/63 Ashes, the last time the team travelled down to Australia by boat. He speaks to the BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt about his memories of the journey, as well as being made to run round the boat to keep fit, stopping off in Colombo to play a warm-up match, and how he went from being talked about by the Australian press to featuring in a single Ashes Test.

Nov 11, 202548 min

No Balls: The World Cup debrief!

Kate Cross & Alex Hartley look back at the 2025 Women's World Cup which saw India win their first ever title. They discuss India’s incredible victories over Australia and South Africa, the unlikely hero in Shafali Verma, and why it feels like the beginning of the end of an era in women’s cricket.

Nov 05, 202534 min

From The Ashes: Ryan Harris

The BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Ryan Harris about his explosive Ashes career. From his own 'ball of the century' dismissing Sir Alastair Cook, being the perfect sidekick to Mitchell Johnson, his injury woes which limited the amount of Tests he played, and whether he'd ever have played for England with his dad being from Leicester.

Nov 04, 20251 hr 3 min

Women’s World Cup: GLORY for India

Henry Moeran is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, TMS regular Prakash Wakankar, commentator Daniel Norcross, and TMS statistician Phil Long in Navi Mumbai for reaction to India winning the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Hear the thoughts of India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, and losing captain Laura Wolvaardt. Plus, journalists Firdose Moonda and Zenia D’cunha discuss the wider impact of just how big the World Cup has been in India.

Nov 02, 202546 min

How England won the 1973 Women’s World Cup

Alison Mitchell looks back at how England won the first ever Women’s World Cup, with the tournament hosted in England. She speaks to cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson, plus we hear some archive interviews from England legend Rachael Heyhoe-Flint.

Nov 02, 202528 min

How Australia won the 1978 & 1982 Women’s World Cups

Alison Mitchell looks back at how Australia won their first two World Cups. She talks to Sharon Tredrea, who some call the fastest female to ever bowl, and cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson about how Australia won the 1982 World Cup in New Zealand. Plus, she talks to Diana Edulji who captained India when they hosted the 1978 tournament.

Nov 01, 202548 min

How Australia won the 1988 Women’s World Cup

Alison Mitchell is alongside former England captain Jane Powell and cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson to look back at the 1988 Women's World Cup, where tournament hosts Australia won the tournament for the third time. Powell captained England in the competition and recalls her memory of the final.

Oct 31, 202531 min

How England won the 1993 Women’s World Cup

Alison Mitchell is alongside cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson to look back at England’s second World Cup title, which they won on home soil in 1993.

Oct 30, 202527 min

No Balls: The amazing Alyssa Healy

Australia captain Alyssa Healy joins Kate Cross and Alex Hartley on the podcast. They discuss her Desert Island teammates, her sadness around the rain-affected World Cup fixtures, the smallest item she could hit a 6 with, and why she had to quit her job at KFC.

Oct 29, 202549 min

From The Ashes: Michael Vaughan

The BBC’s Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Michael Vaughan about the 2002/03 Ashes in Australia, and how that prepared him for the infamous 2005 Ashes series. Vaughan talks about what was behind his incredible form down under in 02/03, learning from Australia legend Steve Waugh before becoming England captain, and some incredible stories away from pitch during the series.

Oct 28, 202555 min

How Australia won the 1997 Women's World Cup

Alison Mitchell looks back at the 1997 Women's World Cup, with Australia sealing their fourth title at the tournament held in India. New Zealand World Cup winner Debbie Hockley talks of her memories of the competiton, winning player of the match in the final despite being on the losing side in 1997.

Oct 27, 202532 min

No Balls: England march on & Crossy's magic-mania

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss England's win over India in the World Cup, confirming their place in the tournament's semi-finals. Plus, why did Crossy's obession of magic make her week away even more exciting?

Oct 21, 202537 min

From The Ashes: Stuart Broad

The BBC's Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt speaks to Stuart Broad about his incredible Ashes career. Broad looks back from winning The Ashes in 2009, to his 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015, his career's finale at The Oval in 2023, and THAT moment he didn't walk at Trent Bridge in 2013.

Oct 20, 202554 min

How Australia won the 2013 Women's World Cup

Alison Mitchell is alongside Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar to look back at Australia's sixth World Cup title, beating the West Indies in the final in India. Sthalekar retired on top having announced her decision to step away from the game after the tournament and discusses her sides route to the final.

Oct 18, 202527 min
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