Mercurial Pakistan and Brilliant Bangladesh

Mercurial Pakistan and Brilliant Bangladesh

Author: BBC Radio 5 Live August 14, 2026 Duration: 1:01:13

Jimmy’s not impressed with the solar eclipse and Sharky’s stuck 15 billion miles from Earth so let’s move on to cricket - next up for England is unpredictable/mercurial/enigmatic Pakistan. Will Pope, Lawrence and Cox seize on their chance to impress?

At time of recording Bangladesh are giving Australia a tough time in Darwin. Roushan Alam explains why the country’s test team is on the up, but its fans will continue to prepare for the worst.

And Mattchin’s been exploring the Tailenders vaults for a new words-based quiz.


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
Emergency pod: Stokes! This is the last thing we wanted to happen... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:58
Following the shock announcement of Ben Stokes’ retirement from International Cricket, Greg, Jimmy and Felix try to make sense of a dramatic week at Trent Bridge. So many questions…..Why now? Who will be the new Captain?…
Hot and Unhinged [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
Despite it being 200 degrees and Sharky insisting all fans and air con are turned off (it’s too noisy) the Tailenders assemble to review the Mens 2nd Test between England and New Zealand, heap praise on Matt Henry, marve…
What’s Your Favourite Curfew? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:50
The Tailenders assemble to discuss events on the pitch, off the pitch and the pitch itself following a dramatic 1st men’s Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s. Plus who will get the nod for the 2nd Test at The…
Untenable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:39
Is the IPL, the biggest franchise tournament in World Cricket, becoming boring, predictable, too batter friendly and in need of a shakeup?Plus a lookahead to the 1st Mens Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s -…
The Greatest Fielder of All Time: Jonty Rhodes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:10
Jonty Rhodes, one of our favourite cricketers ever and arguably the best fielder the game has ever seen, is our very special guest this week. A whole generation of cricket fans, including us, grew up watching Jonty do th…
Left Arm Spin Special: Ashley Giles. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:43
The King of Spain, Ashley Giles, is our special guest on this week’s Tailenders. Inevitably we travel back to the 2005 Ashes series - the greatest series of all time - but also reflections on the highs and lows of profes…
Squad, Substitutes and Sponsorship Scandal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:26
We get Jimmy’s ‘hot take’ on the Men’s Test Squad Announcement and the appointment of Marcus North as National Selector. Plus more Charisma Substitutes, Mattchin has a new challenge and has Tailenders' first Sponsorship…
Tailenders Army Bootcamp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:47
Our very own Issy Wong has been selected for the England T20 World Cup Squad - but what was it like waiting for THAT call? Plus what happened when the T20 Squad went on an Army Bootcamp, Jimmy kicks off about the Substit…
Tymal Mills: Fast Bowling and Franchises [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:16
Fast bowler Tymal Mills is our special guest on this week’s show and is the subject of one of Mattchin’s most bizarre quizzical concepts in the history of Tailenders - and that’s saying something. Plus who should get the…
Subs, Sausage Rolls and Silly Mid Off [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:23
Jimmy can’t stop taking wickets, Fe and Mattchin have had an ‘Indie Cricket Day Out' at Bristol and Greg bumped into a cricketing legend at Lord’s - but who was it? Plus ‘Mattchin Time’, Restaurant recommendations, Liste…