

Test Match Special
BBC Radio 5 Live
The Test Match Special team bring you the very best reaction, insight & analysis of the Ashes Test series with daily episodes from down under.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 15, 2019 • 39min
The Oval day 4: What a summer
We hear from Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes and Steve Smith after England's 135-run win at The Oval meant a drawn Ashes series for the first time in 47 years. Michael Vaughan has his say on why this result will be significant for Root's leadership of the side going forward, Alec Stewart says Ashley Giles has big decisions to make in the post Trevor Bayliss, and Glenn McGrath gets the final word on the pod as the urn heads back to Australia.

Sep 14, 2019 • 39min
The Oval day 3: Denly guides England towards victory
Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath and Alec Stewart have their say on England batting themselves into a strong position to win the match and tie the series. We hear from Joe Denly on his amazing week; the birth of his daughter now followed by a new highest Test score of 96 which Michael Vaughan says will be enough to ensure he's on the winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa.Plus, Aggers chats to Kevin Roberts on leading Cricket Australia out of the ball tampering scandal, English crowds booing David Warner, and his upcoming visit to Pakistan with a view to touring the country in 2022.

Sep 7, 2019 • 25min
Old Trafford Day 4: England left needing another miracle
Michael Vaughan says England will need a 'Michael Atherton in Johannesburg type innings' (185 not out off 492 balls having occupied the crease for over 10 hours) to secure a draw and keep their Ashes hopes alive heading into the final Test at The Oval. Coach Trevor Bayliss says his side can pull off another incredible escape, and we hear from Australia's team mentor Steve Waugh on Steve Smith’s monumental performances.Away from the cricket, we catch up with James Pattinson about his love of English football and in particular Grimsby Town!

Sep 7, 2019 • 36min
View from the Boundary: Jeremy Bowen
Long-time BBC Middle East editor and fanatical cricket listener Jeremy Bowen joins Aggers to chat covering upwards of twenty wars across the globe, expecting to die in conflicts, and how following cricket enabled him to escape the gravity of his work.Also up for discussion; how to interview figures like Colonel Gaddafi, and nine months on from his bowel cancer diagnosis, the importance of screening and early diagnosis of the disease.

Sep 3, 2019 • 28min
Old Trafford Preview: Can England capitalise on Stokes’ heroics?
Jonathan Agnew and ABC’s Geoff Lemon look ahead to the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford where England will look to capitalise on Ben Stokes' heroics at Headingley with the five-match series tied at 1-1.You’ll hear from England captain Joe Root on why Craig Overton has replaced Chris Woakes.Australia captain Tim Paine also comes on to the TMS podcast to talk about how Steve Waugh is helping them to prepare for the fourth test and the return Steve Smith which also means the return of his battle with England pace bowler Jofra Archer.We also get an update from England bowler James Anderson now he's out for the rest of the Test series with his calf injury, as well as hearing from his opening partner Stuart Broad on his longevity in Test cricket.

Aug 23, 2019 • 33min
Headingley Day 2: The Day England lost the Ashes?
Michael Vaughan says the Ashes are heading back to Australia as a dismal English total of 67 looks to have gift wrapped victory for the tourists at Headingley.
Alastair Cook and Geoffrey Boycott have their say on why England's batting has been so bad for so long and what needs to change. You'll also hear from batting coach Graham Thorpe and Australian quick Josh Hazlewood who took 5-30.

Aug 22, 2019 • 36min
Headingley Day 1: Archer stars again as Australia lose 8 wickets in a session
Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook react to a day of a huge momentum swings at Headingley. Rain, bad light, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne frustrated England until a wild last session with Jofra Archer tearing through Australia's lower order. You'll hear from Archer himself and David Warner after his best innings of the series by far. Plus, Michael Vaughan has some strong opinions on the lack of English coaches in next summer's inaugural Hundred competition.

Aug 21, 2019 • 27min
Headingley preview: Can Australia cope without Steve ‘Gandalf’ Smith?
Jonathan Agnew and ABC’s Geoff Lemon look ahead to the third Ashes Test at Headingley where England have an opportunity to level the series – which Australia lead 1-0.You’ll hear from England captain Joe Root on why he thinks Jofra Archer made such in impact in the second Test at Lord’s with his “unique bowling style.” Australia captain Tim Paine also comes on to the TMS podcast to talk about how they are preparing ahead of the third Test after Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion. You’ll find out why Geoff Lemon thinks Steve Smith is like a particular Lords of the Rings character and we get an update on England bowler James Anderson – will he recover from his calf injury in time to make the fourth Test at Old Trafford?

Aug 19, 2019 • 49min
Tuffers and Vaughan: Jofra has shifted the momentum
Phil and Michael talk about the momentum shift in the Ashes series after Jofra Archer’s hostile bowling at Lord’s, which will ‘send shivers down the rest of the Australian batting unit’. Michael has a warning for Joe Root over how much he uses Archer, and says that facing him in the nets should be banned for English batsmen. Plus we speak to brain injury association Headway, who have some strong words for Cricket Australia over their decision to allow Steve Smith to bat again after being struck by Archer.

Aug 14, 2019 • 28min
Lord's Day 1: Archer gets his cap & Mitchell Johnson's Ashes memories
Mitchell Johnson joins the pod to chat about his first experience of playing international cricket at Lord's when he went at more than 6 an over. He talks about dealing with a lack of confidence, hitting his peak after turning 30, and the highs and lows of one of the most exciting careers in the history of Ashes cricket.


