

Test Match Special
BBC Radio 5 Live
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 2, 2024 • 35min
Death, Disaster and Redemption: England in India 84-85 part 2
In the second of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Peter Baxter, Prakash Wakankar and Jonathan Agnew to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85.This episode begins at the end of England's first test against India in Wankhede, but 3rd December 1984 is remembered for a very different reason. The Bhopal disaster occurred. They discuss what is was like to be close to such a catastrophic event and how it affected the atmosphere inside the stadiums when playing cricket.Switching focus back to the cricket, Vic recalls the beginning of England's fight-back in the second test of the series in Delhi.

Mar 1, 2024 • 37min
Death, Disaster and Redemption: England in India 84-85 part 1
In the first of a three episode mini-series, Daniel Norcross is alongside Vic Marks, Peter Baxter and Prakash Wakankar to look back at England's turbulent tour of India in 1984/85. Just hours after the England team had arrived India's prime minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated. What did this mean for the England team? What was it like to be in New Delhi? They discuss everything from restlessly staying in their hotels, to where they were when they were told the news, and whether this meant that any cricket would be played at all.Hear the first person accounts of Vic Marks who was part of the England squad, Peter Baxter who was producing TMS from India, and Prakash Wakankar who was celebrating his birthday in Pune.

Feb 29, 2024 • 42min
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - An India breakthrough star joins the podcast!
Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are experiencing the thrill of WPL/PSL franchise cricket and tell all from behind-the-scenes. Plus, we're joined by one of the stars of the WPL so far.

Feb 28, 2024 • 40min
Shaun Udal on living with Parkinson’s and India 06
Former Hampshire and England offspinner Shaun Udal joins Daniel Norcross to talk about England’s tour of India in 2006, including the famous “Ring of Fire” win in Mumbai. Plus they discuss how his life has changed since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2019.

Feb 21, 2024 • 44min
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - PSL and WPL time baby!
The India and Pakistan adventures have begun for Kate and Alex, and they’ve got the latest from the PSL and WPL camps.Including team songs, learning Hindi and nocturnal Alex.Look out for some special emails, too!

Feb 13, 2024 • 50min
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - It's a Valentine's Special with two very special guests!
Your two favourite Red Roses - Kate Cross and Alex Hartley - team up with the Tailenders team to talk all things Valentine's Day. Stand by for some truly cringeworthy stories...

Feb 8, 2024 • 40min
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - Kate's in Spain, Alex is getting ready for Pakistan!
Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are both set for cricketing adventures - Alex is off to coach in Pakistan, Kate's heading to the Women's Premier League. Plus, more animal quandaries.

Feb 7, 2024 • 33min
Cook's recipe for success in India
Daniel Norcross talks to Alastair Cook about what it takes to play cricket in India. Cook captained England to a test series victory in India in 2012, which is still the last time a visiting team won a test series there. Alastair talks about what England do differently to other nations visiting India, where Alastair ranks India as the toughest place to go, and being in a hotel overlooking the Himalayas with 2000 waiting outside for the team.

Jan 31, 2024 • 30min
Kevin Pietersen: Mumbai 2012 in his own words
Kevin Pietersen looks back to November 2012 and his inredible innings of 186 against India in Mumbai. The 2012 series was the last time a touring team won a test series in India. The innings has since been compared to the recent heroics of Ollie Pope following his 196 against India which helped England to win the first match of a five test series.

Jan 30, 2024 • 43min
No Balls: The Cricket Podcast - England win in India and Alex hits the slopes!
Kate Cross and Alex Hartley give their low-down on the England and West Indies men's wins over the weekend, and Alex has the latest from her first skiing trip in 15 years.


