

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

Jul 18, 2025 • 27min
Simon Jones: The 2005 Ashes and me
Simon Jones remembers England’s 2005 Ashes glory, in what could be the most iconic and influential summer in English cricketing history.Watch How To Win The Ashes on BBC iPlayer right now. The documentary takes a deep dive into one of sport’s fiercest rivalries. Cricket legends from both sides of 2005’s bitter rivalry, including Simon Jones, Andrew Strauss, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, bring to life the on-field heroics that captured the nation, and ended 20 years of Ashes hurt for England.

Jul 17, 2025 • 31min
The rise of women's cricket in India with Mithali Raj
Alison Mitchell speaks to former India women's captain Mithali Raj about how much women's cricket has evolved in India. Raj tells us about her journey into the sport, how the media coverage of women's cricket has changed and hosting the upcoming ODI World Cup. She also shares her thoughts on what needs to be done to ensure the women's game continues to thrive in India and the impact cricket could have in the Olympics.Plus former England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent and former IPL player Abhishek Jhunjhunwala tell us about the significance of the Women’s Premier League, contracts and the opportunities for female cricketers in India.

Jul 16, 2025 • 39min
No Balls: India ODIs in sight as the Lord’s Test ends in village fashion
Alex Hartley & Kate Cross gauge the mood in the England camp ahead of their ODI series against India. They look at the England team being in transition as Charlotte Edwards’ side look to bounce back from the T20 series defeat. Crossy discusses the increasing media scrutiny in the women’s game and they also react to THAT West Indies innings which saw them bowled out for 27 against Australia. Plus, have you put crisps on a sandwich?

Jul 13, 2025 • 44min
No Balls: The Grade Cricketer come to play
Alex Hartley & Kate Cross are joined by Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, who you will know better as The Grade Cricketer.The globally known podcasters join Alex & Crossy to discuss the Women's Ashes, how the podcast came to be, and the differences between grade cricket in Australia and club cricket in England.Plus, do people actually know their names?

Jul 11, 2025 • 20min
Joe Root - the World’s greatest catcher
Stephan Shemilt speaks to Joe Root after he becomes the record catch-taker in Test cricket, surpassing Rahul Dravid’s 710 catches. He discusses his methods in the slip cordon, what’s mentally required to stay switched on for long periods, and what the slip cordon talk about during a long day out in the field.

Jul 8, 2025 • 33min
View from the Boundary – Paul Sinha
Jonathan Agnew takes a View from the Boundary with comedian and professional quizzer Paul Sinha. Best known as the “Sinnerman” from TV quiz programme “The Chase”, Sinha shares his love of cricket including memories of watching India win the 1983 World Cup Final and his own batting performances as a medical student.

Jul 7, 2025 • 32min
Shubman Gill, The Prince
We profile India’s new test captain Shubman Gill who could become one of cricket’s superstars. Simon Mann is joined by Cheteshwar Pujara, Deep DasGupta, Michael Vaughan, Prakash Wakankar and Andy Zaltzman. They ask if Gill could be the player to follow in the footsteps of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

Jul 6, 2025 • 35min
The King of Spain and I – Ashley Giles
Jonathan Agnew talks to former Warwickshire and England spinner Ashley Giles about his life and career. Giles has been an England player, coach, selector and managing director and has experienced highs and lows in all those roles. They talk the iconic 2005 Ashes series and some of the challenges he’s faced with his mental health.

Jul 5, 2025 • 34min
TMS meets superfan Ravi
Jonathan Agnew welcomes TMS superfan Ravi into the TMS commentary box. Ravi is visually impaired and plays as part of the Lord’s Taverners supers 1s competition. In two days across England’s Tests against India at Headingley and Edgbaston, Ravi meets Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Phil Tufnell and Ebony Rainford-Brent. Plus, his favourite player Yashasvi Jaiswal visits him.

Jul 1, 2025 • 39min
No Balls: Incredible India, acai allergies & who would Alex take to Glasto?
Alex Hartley & Kate Cross look back at Smriti Mandhana’s heroics as India beat England in the first T20 of the series at Trent Bridge.They also discuss their not-so straightforward day at Rock for Ruth and Alex rates which TMS commentators she would take to Glastonbury.Send us your questions:
Email - noballspodcast@bbc.co.uk
Instagram - noballstcp


