

The Analyst Inside Cricket
Simon Hughes
Sharp analysis and opinion from the cricket world with Simon Hughes, The Analyst and the BBC's Simon Mann, featuring comment, analysis, interviews with international players and celebrity guests.Find us on the Sport Social website: https://podcast.sport-social.co.uk/podcast/the-analyst-inside-cricket/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2025 • 22min
2005 ASHES Ep4: JONES THE STEAM
The fourth extract of our special six-part video series on the 2005 Ashes. Its 20 years this weekend since the riveting third Test of that series at Old Trafford where England tried so desperately hard to take a 2-1 lead. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann hear from reverse-swing maestro Simon Jones, the incomparable Freddie Flintoff and the resourceful Andrew Strauss their memories of that match. To watch the entire video series subscribe to the Cricverse for regular exclusive content sent straight to your device. https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/locked-out-the-2005-old-trafford?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 11, 2025 • 20min
2005 ASHES Ep3: MORE WARNING SIGNS
A third extract from our exclusive six-part video series retelling the drama of the 2005 Ashes with many of the participants. In this episode we hear how at Edgbaston England employed Bazball tactics to turn the tables on Australia after the tourists thumping victory at Lord's. The match featured one of the great Test match overs delivered by Freddie Flintoff but the amazing Shane Warne almost had the last word with a geometry-defying delivery at the beginning of England's second innings.
To have the full video series sent straight to your device with exclusive interviews and great match archive subscribe to the Cricverse on Substack https://cricverse.substack.com/p/two-runs-the-2005-edgbaston-test?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 9, 2025 • 21min
2005 ASHES Ep2: AUSTRALIAN REVENGE
The second instalment from our six-part video series reliving the drama of the 2005 Ashes. This extract hears from Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Freddie Flintoff as Australia's bowlers respond ruthlessly to the Aussies being bowled out for 190 on the first day of the series at Lord's. To watch the full video series with exclusive player interviews and match archive join The Cricverse on Substack at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/wakey-wakey-england?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 8, 2025 • 18min
2005 ASHES Ep1: ENGLAND AMBUSH
The first instalment from our six-part video series reliving the drama of the 2005 Ashes. This extract hears from Jason Gillespie, Simon Jones, Michael Vaughan, Justin Langer and Freddie Flintoff how England took the unsuspecting Aussies by storm on the first morning at Lord's. To watch the full video series with match archive join The Cricverse on Substack at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/wakey-wakey-england?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 5, 2025 • 48min
Fitting End to a Great Series
Five Tests, 25 days, 2000 overs, 12,000 balls, 7, 187 runs. A riveting fight from start to finish, the end always in doubt. Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta reflect on a classic series, highlight the stars and the turning points, declare Test cricket the winner and join all the players for a lengthy lie down. To watch our special six part series on perhaps the greatest series of all time - the 2005 Ashes - subscribe to The Cricverse - https://open.substack.com/pub/cricverse/p/oval-showstopper?r=lo2wd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 4, 2025 • 43min
India Triumph in Glorious Finale
A nerve-shredding final morning concluded with India seizing a dramatic six run victory - the closest in their history - to deservedly share the series 2-2. The 55 minutes of play encapsulated the match with brilliant bowling, brave hitting, tight umpires decisions, diving attempts on the boundary, unbridled tension and England's last man, Chris Woakes, coming out to bat with his arm in a sling. You couldn't make it up. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann were there to witness the dramatic end to an epic series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 3, 2025 • 33min
Oval Showstopper
An extraordinary day's cricket as this epic series headed to a climax, with an unexpected shower leaving England needing 35 to win the match and the series with four wickets in hand. Highlight of the day was Harry Brook's flamboyant hundred, an innings speckled with genius and audacity. he and Joe Root transformed the game with a nerveless and fluent 195 run partnership which totally knocked the stuffing out of India. Their dismissals let India back into the game.
Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a breathtaking day as England sought the second highest run-chase in their history. This podcast is supported by Betfair. It is illegal to bet if you are under 18. Please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2025 • 33min
India Expects
A tremendous batting performance by India have set England a mountain to climb on the fourth day at the Oval. They require 374 and were shaping well with 50-0 until Mohammed Siraj yorked Zak Crawley with the last ball of the day. A tough day for England's bowlers and fielders and major work to do for England's batters if they are going to get close to securing the series 3-1. india are odds on to make it 2-2. This podcast is supported by Betfair. Do not bet if you are under 18 and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2025 • 33min
Pressure Cooker
A Test match and series superbly poised at the Oval with India leading by 53 with eight wickets left in seamer-friendly conditions. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on an absorbing day of 340 runs and 15 wickets and plenty of confrontation that Surrey and England's Graham Thorpe, in whose memory everyone sported headbands, would have loved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 31, 2025 • 33min
Survival of the Fittest
India possibly have the better of the first day at the Oval where England bowled waywardly and lost Chris Woakes to what looked like a dislocated shoulder towards the end of the day. With Woakes unlikely to play any further part in the match it makes India's score of 204-6 on a helpful pitch worth more like 250. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review a day when India's batting held up resolutely against England's makeshift attack. they also discuss whether Tests in series as intense as this should be spread out more evenly and they respond to some caustic comments from listeners after their reactions to the farce at the end of the last Test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices