Test Match Special

Dr Raf Nicolson reveals the untold story of the history of Women’s Cricket in England. After a historic summer with a home World Cup and a first ever Women’s Test played at Lord’s Daniel Norcross and Alison Mitchell chat with Dr Raf Nicolson one of the leading writers and historians on the Women’s game. We hear about some of the huge characters who were pioneers of Women’s cricket including Edith Bakewell and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint and we discover how the women’s game has often led the way with the invention of roundarm bowling, the first World Cup, the first T20 international and the first franchise tournament in England. And there’s the amazing story of how Nicolson unearthed some previously unpublished archive from the early development of Women’s cricket in this country.

Stephan Shemilt speaks to the winners and special guests at the end of season celebration held in West London. We hear from the Somerset duo who took home the main prizes Craig Overton and Sophie Luff. We also chat with young player of the year Sonny Baker plus two other bowlers trying to establish themselves in the full England side Sam Cook and Henry Crocombe. We’re also joined by England spinner Charlie Dean who found herself leading the team for much of hugely significant summer for the women’s side and Kate Cross who was one of those players honoured at the awards for her contribution to the game And we hear from Blaze treble winners Kirstie Gordon & Georgia Elwiss & Oliver Hannon-Dalby who was part of the County Championship winning Warwickshire side and is also PCA President.

The TMS team look back at a sometimes chaotic English cricket season. Henry Moeran is joined by fellow TMS commentator Simon Mann, World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent and Matt Henry from the BBC website to discuss the themes of the summer. From the dramatic demise of Bazball to the rise of the men’s T20 side. From a home Women’s World Cup to the revamped Hundred.

England thrashed Sri Lanka at the Oval to finish the summer with a series victory. Simon Mann is joined by Phil Tufnell, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Russel Arnold and Andy Zaltzman to review the Sri Lanka series and the limited overs summer and ask how strong England’s white ball unit looks going into the winter. Plus, we hear from England captain Harry Brook, Player of the match Tom Banton, Player of series Will Jacks, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis and England white ball coach Brendon McCullum.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen is back on England duty, this time as a mentor, and tells Henry Moeran he's "absolutely loving" his time working with the side.

Simon Mann is alongside former England fast bowler Mark Wood in the week he announces his retirement from international cricket. Wood discuss is favourite moments in an England shirt, including *that* Usman Khawaja dismissal in the 2023 Ashes.

Mark Wood tells Henry Moeran why now is the right time to make the decision, and talks about his memories in an England shirt. Plus, Simon Mann is alongside former England opener, and teammate of Mark Wood, Dawid Malan, as well as BBC Sport journalist Matt Henry to discuss Wood’s career after the bowler announced his retirement from international cricket.

Mark Chapman is joined by cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. We hear from England’s new Test head coach Stephen Fleming for the first time. The former New Zealand captain was appointed on the 30th July but only arrived in England last week. Fleming talks about his relationship with Brendon McCullum, his coaching style, and his thoughts on England’s discipline issues and his love for English cricket. There’s also a look ahead to the final round of the County Championship. Warwickshire captain Ed Barnard will join the panel with his side leading the way. The panel also talk about Leicestershire’s points deduction and what that might mean for the relegation battle.

Stephen Fleming gives his first interview since becoming England Test coach. He discusses his style of leadership with cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt, his attitude towards discipline and how he shares the English obsession with the Ashes. Fleming also reveals his thoughts about a possible Ben Stokes comeback after visiting him in Durham and he talks about his relationship with white ball coach Brendon McCullum. There’s also analysis from Test Match Special commentator Alison Mitchell & former Test player Dawid Malan.

We hear from England captain Harry Brook, and also Tom Banton who made an unbeaten half century. We also chat to the ECB chair Richard Thompson on England’s summer.

Jon Harvey has worked on programmes like “The Thick of It” and “Have I Got New For You” but is best known for performing as the “intergalactic space warrior” who has taken on the likes of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Andy Burnham and most recently Nigel Farage in by-elections. Harvey also discusses his lifelong love of cricket and TMS including how he modelled his bowling action on Phil Tufnell.

We hear from England white ball coach Brendon McCullum. Mark Chapman is joined by Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Steven Finn to look back on the Test summer, look ahead to the winter and discuss what England want to get out of the white ball games with Sri Lanka as Kevin Pietersen joins as a specialist mentor. We also hear from the ECB National Club Champions Shepherds Bush.

Simon Mann is joined by Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, Jonathan Agnew and correspondent Stephan Shemilt to discuss what we've learnt about England’s Test side this summer.

Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, Ramiz Raja, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman to review a dramatic 3rd Test against Pakistan, look back on the men’s red ball summer as a whole and look ahead to the Tests in the winter. We also get reaction from England captain Joe Root, Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Player of the Match Dan Lawrence. Player of the Series Ollie Robinson and England interim coach Marcus Trescothick.

Pakistan debutant Razaullah made a thrilling 81 to give his side an outside chance of a miracle win in the 3rd Test. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 449 to leave England chasing 130 for a 3 nil victory. Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Ramiz Raja, Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook and Andy Zaltzman. We also hear from the star of the day Razaullah and England’s interim coach Marcus Trescothick.

Simon Mann presents reaction from Edgbaston after the second day of England's third and final Test against Pakistan. Hear from Sir Alastair Cook, Phil Tufnell, Ramiz Raja and Jonathan Agnew after a dominant batting performance with England which left them with a commanding lead over Pakistan. Hear from Dan Lawrence after an impressive batting performance. Plus, Henry Moeran is at Lord's for the Knight-Stokes Cup.

Simon Mann presents reaction from Edgbaston after the first day of England's third and final Test against Pakistan. Hear from former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, former Pakistan batter Ramiz Raja and Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew after a disappointing display from Pakistan which left them trailing England at the end of the day. Hear from Josh Tongue who took four wickets on the first day in Birmingham. Plus, former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie speaks to Jonathan Agnew about the situation Pakistan cricket currently finds itself in.

Mark Chapman is alongside England's all-time leading wicket taker Jimmy Anderson, former England captain Michael Vaughan and BBC cricket correspondent Stephan Shemilt to discuss Kevin Pietersen's return to the England fold as he joins the white-ball coaching team. Jofra Archer speaks about being a key part of England's bowling attack this summer after returning from a much-needed break from cricket. And a turbulent Test summer for Pakistan continues as an internal inquiry is launched into discipline and conduct during their current tour of England.

Isa Guha is joined by former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, TMS broadcaster Aatif Nawaz, and ex-England spinner Vic Marks to select a top 10 of the greatest Pakistan men’s players. TMS stats guru Andy Zaltzman provides the numbers. Among the names discussed are the likes of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq and Babar Azam. But who makes the final list?

Isa Guha talks pace bowling with two of England’s most successful fast men: multiple Ashes winners Mark Wood and Steven Finn. Plus Sir Alastair Cook discusses how best to captain fast bowlers, and TMS statistician Andy Zaltzman provides the numbers.