The Analyst Inside Cricket

With runs and wickets, India's Axar Patel seizes victory for India at Edgbaston in the first of three odis to continue England's poor run in this format. But as important as the cricket was the fundraising for the Prostate charity. It was Blue for Bob day in memory of the great Bob Willis who tragically died of prostate cancer in 2019. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the match and remember the...

Brendan Mccullum has been sacked as England Test coach. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss the decision and how he will cope having been removed from one job and retained in another (the white ball role.) One shambles is replaced by another. Plus the first ever women’s Test at Lords reviewed and an unusual new job for The Analyst #cricket #england #mccullum #womenstest Learn more about your ad...

142 years after the men played a Test match at Lord's, the women have finally got their chance. Glorious weather greeted this seminal moment in the game as England hosted women for a one-off women's Test. Simon Hughes was there to commemorate the occasion, conduct a brief tour of Lord's and reflect on the absurdity of the women having to wait over a century for their turn at the self-appointed...

The BBC's Simon Mann and former Indian player Deep Dasgupta describe with some astonishment England's 125 run thrashing of India in the 3rd T20. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue blasted through India's top order - despite the teenager Sooryavashi whacking two of his first four balls for six - and reduced them to 51-5. After this they subsided meekly to be all out in 11.4 overs in reply to England's...

An instant review of the women's T20 World Cup final. Simon Hughes attends the match with his daughter Nancy - a former young England player herself who played alongside many of the current T20 team. They evaluate how far the women's game has come and how much England have improved since last year but how far they still have to go to match the superb Aussies. Learn more about your ad choices....

Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's chaotic defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge, resulting in England's first series loss at home since 2012. The old school New Zealand approach is celebrated. The retiring Ben Stokes declares support for his vice captain Harry Brook to take over and Matt Prior acclaims Stokes brilliant career but also suggests that he now leaves England in some...

Ben Stokes, one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, announed his international retirement today. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann pay tribute to a remarkable cricketer, remember his highights, ask 'why now' and consider how England replace the irreplaceable. Oh, also, there's still a Test match going on whch New Zealand will probably go on to win and clinch the series. What will that mean...

A fluctuating day on a capricious pitch which in the end the New Zealanders are in control of. Nagging seam bowling and some prodigious movement earned them an 84 run lead which they boosted to 204 by the close. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess the passages of play dominated by New Zealander's bowlers and their keeper stood up to the stumps. tough match for England to win from here #cricket...

Ben Stokes ignites a remarkable turnaround in the Trent Bridge test, hustling New Zealand to 438 all out (after being 317-0) with a spell of irrepressible bowling which brought him is 250th Test wicket. Simon Hughes and Matt Prior marvel at his unbridled passion and stamina and applaud England's batsmen for - so far - capitalizing on the opportunity he has secured. #cricket #england...

Mother cricket decreed that England, after the shenanigans of the last fortnight, would have to field first in baking hot conditions on a flat pitch for the final Test. And for the first two sessions they failed to take a single wicket. But they kept at it, and in the final session got at least a hint of a reward with a couple of late wickets. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior review a day...