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

England's T20 World Cup Squad

England have announced their squad for this summer’s T20 World Cup. Kevin Howells speaks with Isabelle Duncan about the squad and we hear from head coach Charlotte Edwards as well as 18 year old surprise inclusion Tilly Corteen-Coleman.

Apr 30, 202624 min

The art of spin bowling

Mark Chapman, Sir Alastair Cook, Jack Leach and, Phil Tufnell discuss the attitude towards spinners in England, how franchise cricket has affected the art of spin and whether England know what they want from their spinner heading into the summer. How do you become a spinner? Is it down to the player or coach? Jack Leach and Phil Tufnell give insight into how they found themselves becoming spinners and, whether a batters’ attitude changes as you get older and as they get older. As a spinner, what...

Apr 27, 202648 min

Strategic Timeout: Sooryavanshi Continues to Stun the IPL

Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues his meteorological rise in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals. The batter, who has only just turned 15 stars with the bat yet again for his side, has made two 50+ scores this tournament - but how does he do it? Former England all-rounder Samit Patel and Traitors finalist Faraaz Noor join Amber Sandhu to discuss all the latest headlines from the Indian Premier League. Plus, Patel discusses his time in an England shirt and tells us what his only regret w...

Apr 24, 202628 min

Big changes for the England Test team?

Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Steven Finn and, Matt Prior discuss how England’s Test team is shaping up for the summer, the spots up for grabs and, who is best placed to take them. Less than two months to go until England begin their Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s, by that time it will be nearly five months since Ben Stokes’ side trudged off the SCG having lost the 5th Ashes Test, losing the series 4-1. Who should remain in the side? What are the main positions up for grabs? And is ther...

Apr 20, 202653 min

'I should have died' - James Taylor 10 years on

10 years ago former England batter James Taylor's life changed forever. Reflecting on being taken ill 10 years ago, he speaks to Kevin Howells about what he remembers from the day his doctor told him to not "wait for an ambulance, you haven't got enough time". He had just cemented himself in England's Test side and was forced to retire at the age of 26.

Apr 15, 202625 min

The Art of Captaincy

Two Ashes winning England captains, Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, join Steve Crossman to discuss the art of captaincy in cricket. Leading England makes you one of the most recognisable faces in sport, it brings with it all manner of responsibility, scrutiny, joy and despair. But how do you manage different personalities in the dressing room? What marks someone out as a future England captain? What’s it like to be in the spotlight and face scrutiny? How do you cope when it comes to an en...

Apr 13, 202653 min

Strategic Timeout: Malan & Faraaz talk IPL, ball tampering, and captaincy pressure

Strategic Timeout is available to WATCH, in full, on the BBC Sport Youtube channel and on BBC iPlayer. Amber Sandhu, Faraaz Noor and former England international Dawid Malan break down the biggest IPL 2026 talking points. From captaincy debates and pressure moments to high-scoring games and standout performances, the panel explore what’s shaping the tournament so far. With insight from Malan’s IPL experience, the episode dives into the role of captains in T20 cricket, the value of all-rounders i...

Apr 08, 202632 min

Edwards: England's fitness issues have been put to bed

Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Raf Nicholson and Kirstie Gordon are joined by England Head Coach Charlotte Edwards to preview a big year for England's women. Is the domestic game hampering the International team? How important could a home tournament be for the game? Have England's fitness issues been addressed? What's it like being part of The Hundred Auction?

Mar 30, 202656 min

Vaughan: Key & McCullum lucky to survive Ashes review

Mark Chapman, Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook and cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt are joined by Managing Director of England Men's Cricket Rob Key, who explains England's review into their 4-1 Ashes defeat. The panel talk through mistakes made in Australia, both in the planning and during the series, and why there won't be wholesale changes as a result. TIME CODES 00:00 Intro 00:30 The review into English Cricket 02:00 Key management stay 06:00 Managing director Rob Key 08:00 What chang...

Mar 23, 202655 min

History made at Hundred Auction

We report on a historic two days with the first major sporting auction taking place in the UK as teams were selected for the women’s and men’s Hundred competition. We hear from former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vetorri who’s coaching the newly named Sunrisers Leeds, World Cup winning bowler Anya Shrubsole who is part of the Southern Brave coaching set-up and Australian legend Meg Lanning who is leading another rebranded team the Manchester Superchargers. And there’s analysis by Stephan Shemilt, ...

Mar 12, 202641 min

The 2026 T20 World Cup Debrief

As the dust settles on India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup victories, Henry Moeran is alongside Matt Henry and Prakash Wakankar to discuss everything we can take away from the tournament. How did India triumph? How can we assess England’s performance? Plus, who dropped the worst catch of the tournament

Mar 09, 202644 min

India thrash New Zealand for World Cup glory

Henry Moeran is alongside former Ashes winner Steven Finn, former IPL star Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, and commentator Prakash Wakankar for all the reaction from Ahmedabad as India win the Men's T20 World Cup. Hear from player of the match Jasprit Bumrah, as well as Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma. Plus, both captains - Suryakumar Yadav and Mitch Santner.

Mar 08, 202636 min

England fall just short in high scoring semi-final thriller

India won an incredible match in Mumbai by 7 runs to knock England out of the T20 World Cup and set up a date with New Zealand in the final on Sunday. Jacob Bethell scored a brilliant hundred, but England narrowly failed in what would have been a record run chase. We hear from England captain Harry Brook, coach Brendon McCullum, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and player of the match Sanju Samson Plus, there’s analysis from Henry Moeran, former England bowler Steven Finn and former IPL player Abh...

Mar 05, 202649 min

‘England have the best spinners in the World Cup’ - Vaughan

Henry Moeran is alongside Michael Vaughan and Prakash Wakankar at a Holi celebration to look ahead to England’s T20 World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Plus, Sam Curran gives his thoughts ahead of the match at the Wankhede Stadium.

Mar 03, 202634 min

No Balls: England 'solving problems' & we actually get some emails!

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss everything we can take away from the Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. We look at discuss England's ability to 'solve problems' in an untypically 'crickety' conversation. Plus, Crossy talks us through the winter training programme at Lancashire after she signed a new one-year deal.

Feb 24, 202632 min

Gayle’s Gangnam style as Windies win 2012 T20

With the 2026 T20 World Cup being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka we look back at the first ICC World T20 to be held in Asia 14 years ago. The 2012 tournament took place In Sri Lanka with their team defeated in a extraordinary final by the West Indies who claimed their first title which was celebrated in iconic style. We look back at the event with Steven Finn who was the leading wicket taker for an England side who went into the competition as defending champions and TMS commentators Henry Moe...

Feb 20, 202630 min

Behind the scenes at a World Cup

Henry Moeran is joined by former England bowler Steven Finn and BBC journalist Matt Henry to find out what really happens behind the scenes at an ICC World Cup. Finn is the only England bowler to take a hat-trick at a men’s 50 Over World Cup and was also England’s leading wicket taker at the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012. Finn shares stories of life as a player when you may be sharing a breakfast buffet with the opposition before taking them on in a crucial encounter whilst Matt Henry expla...

Feb 19, 202640 min

Matthew Hayden’s damning thoughts on Australia World Cup exit

Legendary Australia opener Matthew Hayden joins Daniel Norcross and Aatif Nawaz at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium just days after the Aussies’ defeat to Sri Lanka to give his damning indictment on the team’s elimination from the T20 World Cup.

Feb 18, 202634 min

Imperfect England get Italian job done

England managed to get over the line against a spirited Italian team in Kolkata to qualify for the Super 8s. Henry Moeran and Steven Finn review the action from Eden Gardens and we hear from player of the match Will Jacks, Italy Captain Harry Manenti, England captain Harry Brook plus England all-rounder Sam Curran and Italy opener Justin Mosca.

Feb 16, 202633 min

Kishan goes crazy as India hammer Pakistan

Daniel Norcross is alongside World Cup winner 2017 Alex Hartley and Aatif Nawaz for reaction to India’s T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan in Colombo. Get the thoughts of both captains, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha, and player of the match Ishan Kishan who got India off to a flying start by scoring 77 off just 40 balls. Plus, the TMS team in Kolkata looks ahead to England’s final group match against Italy.

Feb 15, 202634 min

Banton blasts England to victory over Scotland

An unbeaten 63 from Tom Banton took England to a 5 wicket win against Scotland. Henry Moeran is joined by former England fast bowler Steven Finn and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon to review the game in Kolkata. We hear from Banton plus the two captains as well as Scotland's Michael Jones and England's Liam Dawson. We also look ahead to the massive India v Pakistan game on Sunday.

Feb 14, 202651 min

The Men’s T20 World Cup Preview

We have the latest on whether the Pakistan v India game will go ahead or not, we assess the chances of England after their impressive T20 form in Sri Lanka and we ask whether Ireland or Scotland could spring a surprise and reach the Super 8s. Every ball of the tournament is live on BBC Sounds with action clips and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.

Feb 06, 202640 min

No Balls: Watt's this? Scotland at the T20 World Cup?

Alex Hartley and Kate Cross speak to Scotland bowler Mark Watt as he and the rest of Scotland's team arrive in India for the Men's T20 World Cup. He talks about the scramble for visas and flights to get over to India, as well as the team's schedule ahead of their tournament opener against the West Indies. You can hear every ball of every match of the Men's T20 World Cup on BBC Sounds, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport app and website.

Feb 03, 202631 min

No Balls: Sciver-Brunt's tricks, dinner party picks, and Crossy's icks

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss Sciver-Brunt scoring the first ever century in the WPL for Mumbai Indians. Plus, who makes it in to their dream dinner party line-up, who's qualified for the Women's World Cup, and what gave Crossy the ick during the episode?

Jan 30, 202637 min

No Balls: A guide to The Hundred (kind of)

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are actually in the same room recording a podcast! They discuss all the big changes coming to The Hundred in 2026 with huge rebrands, players already being signed, and an auction to look forward to! Plus, they give their thoughts on the salary differences between the men's and women's competition. Plus, Alex has her say on Alyssa Healy, Kate has a rule change proposal to better cricket, and can Alex become a 'chef influencer' after her recent Instagram revelations?...

Jan 25, 202639 min

No Balls: 50 Shades of Grace Harris

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley speak to Australia and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star Grace Harris. They discuss the scale of fandom around the WPL, opening the batting with India great Smriti Mandhana, and what Australia will miss when Alyssa Healy retires from international duty. Plus, they also play '50 Shades of Grace'.

Jan 15, 202646 min

The Ashes: Inquest begins for England as Australia make it 4-1

Australia win the 5th Test at the SCG by 5 wickets to complete their Ashes victory. We hear from England coach Brendon McCullum plus captain Ben Stokes as well as player of the match Travis Head, Player of the series Mitchell Starc and the retiring Usman Khawaja. Plus there's analysis from Simon Mann, Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman

Jan 08, 20261 hr 5 min
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