The Analyst Inside Cricket

The 21 year old debutant Razaullah, who was selling vegetables with his father in Pakistan last week, demolishes Englands unsuspecting attack with a scintillating lower order assault containing a remarkable nine sixes. It was reminscent of Shahid 'Boom Boom' Afridi and capped a trying day for England of missed chances, one dimensional bowling and finally some determined Pakistan resistance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on what England could have done better and Matt Prior dwells on the one high point of England's day, the keeping of Jordan Cox. To enter the Toyota Good For Cricket Prize draw, with a prize-draw fund of £200k, go to www.toyotagoodforcricket.co.uk To support Capital Kids Cricket and our annual match for the Peter Hughes Foundation visit peterhughesfoundation.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At least a more competitive day of Test cricket to crown our 1000th episode of this podcast which began in the relatively early days of podcasting in 2017. Older and balder and probably no wiser, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann still try to break down the day's play and explain the finer points to our loyal audience, as Pakistan try and largely fail to deal with England's probing seam attack. Also in this episode some brief highlights of some of the 1000th episodes and a few clips of our favourite guests. Thanks to Rothesay for supporting this episode, and also to Claude ai. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/ANALYST. Onwards and upwards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's bowling formula was too potent for Pakistan in both these Rothesay Tests. Ollie Robinson, born in Margate, produced more magic, but he was excellently supported by the venemous Jofra Archer, the rampaging Josh Tongue and the unlucky Gus Atkinson. Jamie Smith also kept wicket superbly. England can be proud of their two victories but much sterner challenges await. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior review the match, analyse England's strengths and discuss what Joe Root might do about his recent propensity to be dismissed lbw. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another day of England dominance over Pakistan, who now have a 261 run lead with 7 wickets in hand. After a perky last wicket stand,mthe England bowlers held sway with the ball, led by the metronomic Ollie Robinson who at one point had 4-7 and the venomous Jofra Archer. Pakistan folded meekly for 110. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann applaud England's exploitation of the conditions, and bemoan Pakistan's lack of fight, despite their bowlers briefly striking back in the evening. Also in this episode how the bowlers were once consigned to a glorified shed at Lord's while the batsmen luxuriated in the grandeur of the pavilion. This episode supported by Rothesay - protecting the pensions of 1m people and securing the future of Test cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's preparations for a Test match are once again hijacked by off-field scandal. The long-suffering Joe Root reacts with frustration at the latest Brydon Carse shenanigans but promises that things will get straightened out sooner or later. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior bemoan the stupidity of the modern player and Prior explains how the players drawing up their own behavioural charter in 2010 worked wonders and eventually got England to no1. Also in this episode memories of another scandal - the no-ball fiasco of the 2010 Lord's Test - resulting in extensive bans and prison sentences for the culprits - and a preview of the next Test at Lord's starting on Thursday,. And - Prior admits to being tempted by a hair transplant years ago, but was talked out of it... This episode is brought to you by Rothesay, protecting pensions for nearly a million people and official title partner of England Test cricket. Rothesay. Your future in safe hands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All the England middle order enjoyed the fairly abject Pakistan outcricket at Headingley to build a 195 run lead. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Dan Lawrence all helped themselves to fifties without any of them going on to a substantial score. Brook dropped on 1, played a more measured game than sometimes. Cox was impressive. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the day and bemoan the fact that there is no moer Test cricket here for three years as it is England's most successful recent ground. This podcast is supported by Claude ai. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/ANALYST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is 100 years today (august 18) since one of England’s great Ashes victories, the 1926 Oval Test. It was the final match of the series. The first four matches - all three day games - were drawn, and the ICC (then the Imperial Cricket Conference decreed that the fifth Test could be timeless so a positive result could be achieved. On a tricky, rain-affected pitch, Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe - England’s greatest opening pair - wiped off a first innings deficit of 22 in a sensational opening stand of 172, dominated by the prolific Hobbs who made exactly 100 in 3 hours 40 minutes. Sutcliffe, the only England batsman to average over 60 in Test cricket, went on to an indomitable 161 ensuring England set Australia an impossible target of over 400. England’s 289 run victory made national heroes of the players and had a huge impact on a depressed country still dealing with the loss of 750,000 men in the Great War. The eminent cricket writer David Frith got to know a number of the players of both sides later in their lives. He discusses the match and the characters with Simon Hughes. The video of this match with amazing Pathe footage accompanied by their conversation is on the Analyst Substack site HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three days after the final of the Hundred, England take on Pakistan for the first of three Tests. It means several England players have to rapidly turn their techniques and mindsets from lashing the white ball over the ropes (or trying to prevent it) to negotiating the red ball and bowling maidens. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior consider how they will handle this transformation and what strategies Joe Root will adopt in his second stint as England captain. They also discuss curfews, Australia losing for their first time at home to Bangladesh and on the 100th anniversary of the legendary Jack Hobbs making an Ashes-seizing 100 at the Oval (on August 17th 1926) who is the greatest modern batsman they have seen. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/ANALYST. To watch the discussion and footage of the great Hobbs and Sutcliffe partnership that won the Ashes in 1926 click this link #ashes #engvpak #root Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With declining numbers and rising costs, club cricket is at the crossroads. This is a live debate at the 150 year old Ealing Cricket Club with Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Chris Goldie, former Middlesex player and chairman of Richmond CC, covering many of the issues and some possible solutions. How to repurpose old pavilions for modern demands, and re-create that community feel to offset escalating costs. How to capitalise on growing junior sections and the development of the women's game. What formats to play. How to interact better with state schools. and the professional game. Why the survival of cricket clubs matters. #cricket #grassroots #clubcricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England are expected to announce Joe Root as the new Test captain. Although he is likely to do a better job than second time around, it also underlines the lack of alternatives. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann explore the list of successful England captains with two former England players - Matt Prior and Mark Ramprakash . They discuss what were the attributes of some of England's best Test match skippers and what assets you need now - in addition to a good team - to prevail in the modern game. This is the first of two podcasts on England's leadership crisis. Part 2 on choosing a Test match coach is released tomorrow. #cricket #testmatch #england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices