GREAT ASHES TESTS - Ep1: The Demon

GREAT ASHES TESTS - Ep1: The Demon

Author: Simon Hughes November 4, 2025 Duration: 37:49
First of a five part series highlighting great Ashes Test matches through history. Narrated by Simon Hughes, this first episode tells the story of the epic 1882 Oval Test which signifies the birth of the Ashes. In it 'the Demon' Frederick Spofforth is irked by the antics of WG Grace and torpedoes the England batting for just 77 to give Australia their historic first victory in England by 7 runs. It prompted the mock obituary in the Sporting Times mourning the death of English cricket, and set in motion 146 years of intense rivalry, and counting. 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
CRICKET'S EXTRAVAGANZA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:34
The 19th season of the Indian Premier League begins on March 28th with the new holders Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore beginning the defence of their title. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Deep Dasgupta air their…
DESPERATELY SEEKING RUTHLESSNESS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:23
After the announcement that England head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key will keep their jobs and promise to evolve, we ask will it make any difference? The heirarchy always talk about the 'learnin…
HAMEED AT THE READY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:07
Haseeb Hameed led Nottinghamshire to the county championship title last season with astute captaincy and a bucket load of runs. And at 29 he is in perfect shape to step back into the England side he last played for durin…
SPINNERS BONANZA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
In the week when some cricketers, notably spinners such as Adil Rashid, were bought for astronomical sums in The Hundred auction, Monty Panesar reflects on his first Test appearance exactly 20 years ago. It was in Nagpur…
INDIA'S POWER CRUSHES BRAVE KIWIS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
India dominated the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand from the fifth ball of the match which Sanju Samson pummelled for six. Seventeen more maximums resulted as the Indian batters sustained a full-scale assault. Su…
ENGLAND SUCCUMB TO SUPERIOR FORCE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
In an extrarordinary sustained display of hitting England finally succumbed to india's superiority with bat and ball in the T20 World Cup semi final. In a match featuring 499 runs and a record 34 sixes india were just to…
INDIA'S DEBT TO  SANJU [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:30
Sanju Samson, a quiet and often forgotten star of Indian cricket, reminds everyone of his exceptional talents with a stunning 97 not out to seal India's place in the T20 World Cup semi final. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann…
GOOD WILL HUNTING [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
A brilliant runchase spearheaded by Will Jacks and supercharged by Rehan Ahmed pulled off an unlikely victory for England over New Zealand in Colombo. It gives England an impressive unbeaten record in the Super Eights an…
INDIAN DISMAY, ENGLISH DELIGHT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:22
A bowler dominated Sunday as the meaningful part of the T20 World Cup - the Super 8s - gets underway. Simon Hughes and former Indian batsman Deep Dasgupta assess how India allowed South Africa to make 187 after being 20-…
THE STENCH OF COLLUSION [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:32
On the eve of the T20 World Cup Super Eights it has been revealed that Hundred franchises part-owned by Indian Premier League teams are being prevented from signing Pakistani players in the forthcoming Hundred auction. S…