A Special Day

A Special Day

Author: Simon Hughes September 12, 2025 Duration: 35:14
On the 12th September 2005, 20 years ago, England regained the Ashes for the first time for 18 years. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann look back at the drama and emotion of that day as another eagerly awaited Ashes series looms on the horizon. Also in the show a review of the state of divisions one and two in the county championship, how our five county players to follow have been faring, and where and when Rory Bremner dared to imitate the Analyst. To watch the full video series looking back at the 2005 Ashes with the participants sign up to The Cricverse https://cricverse.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For anyone who feels the scorecard only tells half the story, The Analyst Inside Cricket offers the other half. Simon Hughes, known widely as The Analyst, teams up with the BBC's Simon Mann to pull back the curtain on the sport. This isn't just a recap of matches; it's a deep, engaging conversation that blends technical breakdown with the human narratives that define the game. You'll hear their firsthand experiences from around the world, alongside insights from the players, coaches, and personalities they've known for years. Each episode feels like sitting in on a candid chat between two experts who can explain the mechanics of a perfect seam position one moment and share a poignant, funny, or surprising anecdote from the dressing room the next. The podcast thrives on the details that get missed in the headlines-the tactical shifts, the personal journeys, and the off-field moments that truly shape cricket. If you're looking for rich context and stories that go beyond the boundary rope, this is where you'll find them.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Analyst Inside Cricket
Podcast Episodes
Sacrificial Lambs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
England lose the plot with the ball and in the field on the second day at the Gabba, gifting Australia the initiative with poor bowling and dropped catches. But this Australian side are not as ruthless as some of their p…
No Ordinary Joe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:08
Joe Root has finally got the monkey of his back with an irrepressible hundred at the Gabba, his first in Australia and his 40th overall. It was the centrepiece of a compelling first day in Brisbane which England looked l…
ROBIN SMITH - AN APPRECIATION [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:21
The cricket world has been stunned with the sudden death of the brilliant Hampshire and England batsman Robin Smith at the age of 62. Smith, known as The Judge for his wig-like hairstyle, possessed the most ferocious cut…
Who's in Charge? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:08
Simon Hughes and Simon Mann preview the second Ashes Test at the Gabba which England must win to have any chance of regaining the Ashes. This is a day-night pink ball test and they discuss the difficulties that presents,…
Hope Springs Eternal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:34
Simon Hughes an Simon Mann consider the state of the England team ahead of the second Ashes Test. And Simon Hughes then joins in a local radio show in Denmark, Western Australia to hear what the real Okkers think of the…
SIMON JONES: SWING MAESTRO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:03
An in-depth interview with Simon Jones, one of the stars of England's 2005 Ashes triumph but who sadly never played for England again. He talks about his upbringing as the son of an England bowler, idolizing other great…
IAN BOTHAM - 70 NOT OUT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:20
An interview with Lord Botham, great all-rounder, hero of the Ashes and scourge of Australia, to commemorate his 70th birthday. He talks with Simon Hughes about his lifelong association with the Ashes, why he loves Austr…
After Shock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:11
Still trying to comprehend not only what happened on the 2nd day of the first Ashes Test in Perth, but also how quickly it all unfolded, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann try to rationalise how the balance of power shifted so…
HeadStrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
A remarkable hundred by Travis Head - one of the greatest innings ever played in an Ashes Test - savaged England's hopes and seized Australia an unlikely win in the first Test in Perth. Head's century, the second fastest…
Cricket on Speed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
Nineteen wickets fall on the first da of the Ashes in Perth, and England, have been tamely bowled out for 172 seem likely now to take a decent lead. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann praise the skill of the fast bowlers on bot…