MICHAEL HOLDING ON THE SUMMER OF '76

MICHAEL HOLDING ON THE SUMMER OF '76

Author: Simon Hughes August 18, 2026 Duration: 57:09
This is a fascinating interview celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the great fast bowling feats: Michael Holding's 14 wickets (12 bowled or lbw) on an Oval featherbed in mid August 1976. Holding recalls how the 1976 West Indians were motivated by Tony Greig’s famous “grovel” comments (initially picked up by 22 year old Holding himself) which not only motivated West Indies to hammer England 3-0 but it also set in motion a decade and a half global dominance. Holding reveals how he originally didn’t want to be a professional cricketer, who he was inspired by, how he discovered reverse swing at the Oval during that match, the only batsman he ever ‘had words with’, how he got his Whispering Death nickname and who he would choose as the King of West Indies fast bowlers. For paid subscribers to The Analyst on Substack - CLICK HERE tomorrow a special bonus episode looking back at the extraordinary 1926 Oval Ashes Test - 100 years ago this week. It featured an incredible 172 run opening partnership between the great Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe. There is remarkable Pathe footage of the game that celebrates and investigates a seminal moment in cricket history. #cricket #england #westindies #blackpower #grovel 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: 50

The Analyst Inside Cricket
Podcast Episodes
KP TO THE RESCUE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:22
Simon Mann and Matt Prior discuss the upcoming third and final Test match in this series between England and Pakistan, held at Edgbaston from 9th September. Alongside this, they chat about the appointment of former Engla…
RUTHLESS ENGLAND RANSACK PAKISTAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:13
England's bowling formula was too potent for Pakistan in both these Rothesay Tests. Ollie Robinson, born in Margate, produced more magic, but he was excellently supported by the venemous Jofra Archer, the rampaging Josh…
ENGLAND TURN THE SCREW [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:57
A truncated day at Lord's, but England extended their lead in the match to 357 thanks to an enterprising unbeaten 50 from Dan Lawrence. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann look back on a tough day for batsmen, and wicketkeepers…
ENGLAND DEMOLISH MEEK PAKISTAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:57
Another day of England dominance over Pakistan, who now have a 261 run lead with 7 wickets in hand. After a perky last wicket stand,mthe England bowlers held sway with the ball, led by the metronomic Ollie Robinson who a…
PAKISTAN BOUNCE BACK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:43
Under overcast skies it was a day of old fashioned skills at Lords. Nagging line and length from Mohammed Abbas, early wickets, patience and selectivity from England especially Jordan Cox and some erratic fielding from P…
THAT'S ANOTHER FINE MESS..... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:33
England's preparations for a Test match are once again hijacked by off-field scandal. The long-suffering Joe Root reacts with frustration at the latest Brydon Carse shenanigans but promises that things will get straighte…
ENGLAND EXTINGUISH POOR PAKISTAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:08
With Ollie Robinson's wicket to the first ball of the match, this game was over almost before it had begun. Pakistan were poor with bat, ball and especially in the field - a pale shadow of their once proud and distinguis…
ENGLAND PUNISH PAKISTAN'S ERRORS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
All the England middle order enjoyed the fairly abject Pakistan outcricket at Headingley to build a 195 run lead. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Dan Lawrence all helped themselves to fifties without any of them g…
ROBINSON ON THE MONEY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:15
Ollie Robinson ensured the perfect start for Joe Root's new England, producing a wicket with the very first ball of the series against Pakistan. He continued in that vein, teasing out the Pakistan batsmen with highly ski…
HOBBS & SUTCLIFFE'S FINEST HOUR: A CENTURY AGO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
It is 100 years today (august 18) since one of England’s great Ashes victories, the 1926 Oval Test. It was the final match of the series. The first four matches - all three day games - were drawn, and the ICC (then the I…