Test Match Special

The final episode in the series where the BBC’s Chief Cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers untold stories from the Ashes.Few have experienced more of England’s modern Ashes history than Alastair Cook.During a 12-year international career, Cook played every one of a possible 35 Ashes Tests, scoring more runs than any player on either side. Only Archie MacLaren, at the beginning of the last century, led England in more Ashes Tests than Cook’s 15 as skipper.Cook was player of the series in a win down under, but was also captain when an England team fell apart in a 5-0 hammering. We find out why he wrestled Graeme Swann in the dressing room at The Oval and why he was reduced to tears after scoring what turned out to be his final Ashes hundred.Don’t forget you can catch up on all the other episodes on BBC Sounds with guests Glenn McGrath, Steve Finn, Sarah Elliott and David Gower plus you can read much more on the BBC Sport website and app.

Cricketers Kate Cross and Alex Hartley have both had testing weeks and discuss it all. Plus, reflections on England's Test squad announcement and MAshes and WAshes build-up

Nikesh Rughani, Ravi Bopara and Steven Finn review a thrilling week at the Indian Premier League. Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring the quickest half century in IPL history, a brilliant hundred by Suryakumar Yadav and an incredible win for Sunrisers Hyderabad after the last ball had to be bowled again,They also discuss reports that Jofra Archer has been offered a full time deal by Mumbai Indians, celebrate record breaking spinners Rashid Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal and ask if the likes of Stokes, Root and Brook are having the best preparation for the English Test summer sitting on the sidelines in IndiaPlus Aatif Nawaz talks to one of the overseas stars of the IPL Trent Boult on being a freelance cricketer and doing karaoke with Jos Buttler

The third episode of a new series where the BBC’s Chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers some of the untold stories from the Ashes. In this edition Stephan talks to former Australia batting all-rounder Sarah Elliott who made a hundred against England whilst breast-feeding her nine-month-old son during intervals.Elliott became pregnant in 2021 a year before a women’s Ashes series. At first she thought becoming a mum might end her international career, or at least put it on hold, until she asked if she could combine motherhood with playing for Australia. That set off a chain of events that led to her Ashes hundred, made with baby Sam on the boundary edge.As ever, you can read much more on the BBC Sport website and app.

Cricketers Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss their recent tied RHF Trophy game, the retirement of legend Katherine Sciver-Brunt and share one of the great cringe-worthy stories.

Alex Hartley and Kate Cross pay tribute to their former England team mate Katherine Sciver-Brunt who’s announced her retirement from international cricket. They also celebrate the career of another pace bowler Shabnim Ismail who’s also giving up playing for her country.Plus Alex and Kate reflect on a frustrating start to the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy for them and share your best cricketing chat-up lines!

Simon Mann is joined by IPL commentator Nikesh Rughani, former IPL player Ravi Bopara and special guest Rajasthan Royals exciting youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal.They discuss the Virat Kohli/Gautam Gambhir altercation, fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Anrich Nortje being hit for three successive sixes and Jaiswal reveals how he’s inspired by Celine Dion!

England’s record wicket taking women’s bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt speaks exclusively about her retirement from international cricket. In an interview with our chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt, Katherine looks at the highs and lows of her 20 year England career. She explains why she has decided to give up the international game despite the lure of a final Ashes series and discusses what the future of women’s cricket may look like. Plus Katherine reveals how her cricket career nearly didn’t happen because of a music festival.

The second episode of a new series where the BBC’s Chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt discovers some of the untold stories from the Ashes. In this edition Stephan talks to England fast bowler Steven Finn.Finn knows more than most about the highs and lows Ashes cricket can produce. He might have only played seven Ashes Tests but was involved in three series wins, one of them away from home. He went on two other tours of Australia, one that lasted just nine days and another that ended in the “public humiliation” – his words – of being sent home because he was “not selectable”.As ever, you can read much more on the BBC Sport website and app.

Simon Mann is joined by IPL commentator Nikesh Rughani and former IPL player Ravi Bopara to discuss the latest talking points from the Indian Premier League.Could some players turn their back on England central contracts or county ties to sign for an IPL franchise all year round? They chat about that as well as getting reaction from the ECB’s head of County cricket Neil Snowball.Plus rubbish run chases and Jason Roy in form for the Kolkata Knight Riders.