Major League Bazball: The Cricket-Baseball Crossover Special

Major League Bazball: The Cricket-Baseball Crossover Special

Author: BBC Radio 5 Live July 22, 2026 Duration: 48:42

We follow Harry Brook and Liam Plunkett in an attempt to switch codes and do a bit of baseball. We do so with no Greg and Jimmy, so it’s left to Felix and Mattchin to initiate Melanie Newman and Xavier Scruggs into the world of cricket.

Mel and X are usually found hosting MLB Bases Covered Live with Felix, but this week they’ve been at Lord's to soak in England's ODI victory over India. They explain why Ben Duckett’s scoop is nasty, how Chris Woakes is an icon, and why the Czech Republic are baseball's ones to watch.

Plus a Mattchin quiz featuring baseball legends Randy Sam, Alexis "Sombrero" del Fuente, and Hot Steve.


There's a certain rhythm to cricket, a mix of long, patient spells and sudden, explosive moments. Tailenders from BBC Radio 5 Live captures that same unpredictable energy, but from a gloriously sideways angle. Hosted by radio presenter Greg James alongside England's record-breaking cricketer Jimmy Anderson and musician Felix White, this is a show that loves the game but isn't afraid to laugh with it. The conversation meanders like a good innings, covering everything from the nuances of swing bowling to the absurdities of life on tour, often punctuated by Felix's musical interludes. It feels less like a formal analysis program and more like eavesdropping on a conversation between three friends who happen to be obsessed with cricket, each bringing a wildly different perspective. You'll hear genuine insight from one of the sport's all-time greats, filtered through the enthusiastic curiosity of a fan and the creative chaos of an artist. This podcast celebrates the characters, the camaraderie, and the occasional sheer silliness that makes cricket so compelling, offering a refreshingly human and frequently hilarious take on the sport. It’s for anyone who appreciates the game, whether you understand the finer points of a googly or you just enjoy the sound of people having a genuinely good time talking about something they love.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Tailenders
Podcast Episodes
1066 and All Out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:40
The County Championship is back and we’re loving it! Jimmy’s in the wickets and, despite it being absolutely freezing, there was a full #tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover at Lords for Day 1 of Middlesex v Gloucestersh…
A Live Crisis (aka Good Headaches) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:53
So due to a scheduling clash things went a bit awry on this week’s recording - but then Greg had a ‘stupid idea’.Cue: #Tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover in ‘live’ action. Plus: Happy A-IPL Fools Day; which cricketers…
Findings and Learnings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:20
A review of a review. This week we’re joined by Vithushan Ehantharajah, associate editor at ESPNcricinfo to try and make sense of the Review into the Mens Ashes Series - which England lost 4-1. Plus how cricket helped Gr…
Mystery Guest Match Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:36
Who are you talking to in the Mystery Guest Match Special? Could it be Virat Kohli or could it be Daryl Mitchell? Please play along at home with Mattchin’s new and original (sort of) quiz.Plus Fe joins Greg for part of h…
Mark Wood, Issy Wong and Chas Fireball [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:58
Mark Wood, one of our favourite cricketers in the world, is back on Tailenders with an update on his injury and what he’s been up to while recuperating, his plans for the future and what it was like to be on the pitch du…
Emergency Podcast: Semi-final thriller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:02
What a match in Mumbai! England nearly pulled off a 'cricketing miracle' in a game that saw almost 500 runs scored.The Tailenders assemble - complete with Issy Wong and her Network Of Spies - to look back at an extraordi…
Team of the 21st Century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
So who makes our England Mens Team of the 21st Century? Is it Stokes or Flintoff as the all-rounder? Who gets the nod as ‘keeper? What about openers? Is there room for Stuart Broad? Plus England keep winning at the Men's…
The Associates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:19
We’ve been loving the performances of the so called ‘Associates’ at the Men’s T20 World Cup, so this week we’re joined by ICC commentator Andrew Leonard to chat all things Associate Cricket.Plus what caused the Tailender…
Rage to Riches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:59
1922: The BBC was formed; 1936: The BBC launches TV service from Alexandra Palace; 1967: Radio 1 hits the airwaves; 1979: The BBC starts 24 hour Radio broadcasts; 1983: BBC Breakfast TV begins; 1994: BBC Radio 5 Live is…
International Relations: Nepal and The Netherlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:43
After Nepal nearly cause one of the biggest shocks ever against England, The Tailenders assemble to review the start of the T20 World Cup, where the ‘minnows’ are causing a few problems for the more established teams.Plu…