

The Analyst Inside Cricket
Simon Hughes
Daily analysis, opinion and great stories from the Ashes in Australia. Presented by Simon Hughes, aka The Analyst and the BBC's Simon Mann. This is the place where you really find out what happened on the field, and off it, with the two Simons worldwide experiences and their famous guests.
Find us on the Sport Social website: https://podcast.sport-social.co.uk/podcast/the-analyst-inside-cricket/
Find us on the Sport Social website: https://podcast.sport-social.co.uk/podcast/the-analyst-inside-cricket/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2025 • 35min
Northern Inspiration
Defending a meagre 193 for victory, England's Durham pair Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes offer hope of a brilliant climax to an absorbing third Test with late wickets. India now require a further 135 runs to win, with serene opener KL Rahul looking secure and the mercurial Rishabh Pant due in next. It promises to be an exciting final day as the moribund pitch gradually deteriorates. Can Ben Stokes inspire England again on the sixth anniversary of his miraculous World Cup final performance at Lords in 2019?
Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss an intriguing day and consider why England lost more batsmen bowled (12) than in any Test since the 1880s. India are marginal favourites to win on Betfair. Remember you must be 18+ to bet and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 12, 2025 • 32min
Neck and Neck
England and India finish on exactly the same score in their first innings at Lord's. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss a day of attrition with the odd memorable highlight and a juicy confrontation between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley at the end of the day as the England openers manage to make one Bumrah over last eight minutes before stumps were drawn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2025 • 35min
England Protects
A day of attrition at Lord's, as England battle to 387 all out - despite Bumrah's five wickets - and hold india to 145-3. Jofra Archer bowled a sensational first over after on his Test match return after four years in rehab, and England dismissed the prolific Shubman Gill for only 16. On a fiercely hot day at Lord's 15 overs were left unbowled and Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss what can be done about the interminable delays and talk to the managing director of Dukes' balls, Dilip Jajodia, about why the teams keep changing the ball. This podcast is supported by Betfair. You must be over 18 to bet and please gamble responsibly. The second day was in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Click here to donate https://ruthstraussfoundation.com/get-involved/how-to-support/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 10, 2025 • 34min
Root Strength
Led by the indefatigable Joe Root England ground out a solid base on the first day of the 3rd Test at Lord's. On a slow pitch England elected to bat first and only allowed India four wickets in the day for 251 runs. There is more hard work tomorrow once Root has got the one run to record his 37th Test hundred. But Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are concerned by an apparent muscle twinge suffered by his fifth wicket partner Ben Stokes. This podcast is supported by Betfair. You must be 18 or over to bet and please gamble responsibly. https://betting.betfair.com/betfair-predicts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 8, 2025 • 39min
Can England Regroup?
Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the 2nd Test at Edgbaston which ended in a thumping win for India. They assess how England will respond and who they will pick for Lord's starting on Thursday. Will the returning Jofra Archer significantly bolster their ailing attack and can they find a solution to the prolific Shubman Gill who has amassed 585 runs in the first two Tests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 5, 2025 • 37min
Total Domination
India grind England's bowlers into the Edgbaston dust to notch up 1014 runs in the match and set England a nominal 608 to win. Even the Bazballers can't make that especially after losing three early wickets. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a record breaking, bat throwing day for India's batsmen led by the remorseless Shubman Gill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4, 2025 • 32min
The Smith and Brook Show
A day of extremes at Edgbaston as two England batsmen - Harry Brook and Jamie Smith - make over 150 and six are out for ducks. Despite Brook and Smith's magnificent partnership of 303 England still are coming comfortably second in this game and will need a miracle spell on Saturday morning to have any chance of winning the match. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report from England's spiritual home on a noisy Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 3, 2025 • 31min
Gill Leads Indian Runfest
A majestic 269 from Shubman Gill shattered records and broke England bowlers' hearts to put India in an indomitable position at Edgbaston. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on a debilitating day for England as the India batters piled up the highest total registered against Ben Stokes' England. Having lost three top order players for 25 England have a Herculean task now to get anything out of this game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 36min
Gill Gives India Breathing Space
Shubman Gill's sublime century is the cornerstone of India's 310-5 on the first day at Edgbaston after Ben Stokes put India in. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann assess a lively first day with England lifted by the boisterous Birmingham crowd to keep India in. check but the second new ball will be key in the morning. This podcast is supported by Betfair. Note you must be 18 or over to bet and please gamble responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 1, 2025 • 38min
TYPHOON TYSON AND THE 54/55 ASHES
In another episode of The Analyst Rewind, looking back at a great moment in cricket history, Simon Hughes talks to the author Richard Whitehead, whose new book on England's 1954/55 Ashes victory celebrates perhaps England's greatest Ashes triumph. It chronicles how Len Hutton's team came back from a disastrous first Test in Brisbane to win the series 3-1, only the second time in Ashes history that England have come from behind in Australia to win the urn. It was the series that christened the rapid but unknown Frank Tyson as The Typhoon - regarded by the men who played in or watched that series as the fastest bowling there had ever been.
The episode also includes a tribute to the brilliant, virtuoso Northants, Durham and England batsman Wayne Larkins, who passed away last weekend.
Victory in Australia - the remarkable story of England's greatest Ashes triumph - by Richard Whitehead is available at https://amzn.eu/d/cX4fanZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


