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
ENGLAND V INDIA WOMEN'S TEST: A LORDLY PARADE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:29
142 years after the men played a Test match at Lord's, the women have finally got their chance. Glorious weather greeted this seminal moment in the game as England hosted women for a one-off women's Test. Simon Hughes wa…
ENGLAND BLAST OUT ERRATIC INDIA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:37
The BBC's Simon Mann and former Indian player Deep Dasgupta describe with some astonishment England's 125 run thrashing of India in the 3rd T20. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue blasted through India's top order - despite th…
AUSTRALIA: CHAMPIONS (AGAIN.) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:43
An instant review of the women's T20 World Cup final. Simon Hughes attends the match with his daughter Nancy - a former young England player herself who played alongside many of the current T20 team. They evaluate how fa…
ENGLAND IN DISARRAY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review England's chaotic defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge, resulting in England's first series loss at home since 2012. The old school New Zealand approach is celebrated. The retiring Ben…
BEN STOKES RETIRES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:20
Ben Stokes, one of the greatest all-rounders the game has seen, announed his international retirement today. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann pay tribute to a remarkable cricketer, remember his highights, ask 'why now' and co…
ENGLAND UP AGAINST IT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
A fluctuating day on a capricious pitch which in the end the New Zealanders are in control of. Nagging seam bowling and some prodigious movement earned them an 84 run lead which they boosted to 204 by the close. Simon Hu…
STOKES STRIKES AGAIN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:36
Ben Stokes ignites a remarkable turnaround in the Trent Bridge test, hustling New Zealand to 438 all out (after being 317-0) with a spell of irrepressible bowling which brought him is 250th Test wicket. Simon Hughes and…
BASHIR SAVES THE DAY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:58
Mother cricket decreed that England, after the shenanigans of the last fortnight, would have to field first in baking hot conditions on a flat pitch for the final Test. And for the first two sessions they failed to take…
WHICH ENGLAND WILL IT BE THIS TIME? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:14
After the shambles of the last 10 days Ben Stokes is back to lead England in the 3rd and decisive Test at Trent Bridge. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Matt Prior analyse the fallout and consider the rumours and ask how Eng…
BENS BACK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:19
After Englands humbling 253 run defeat, simon Mann and Simon Wilde discuss the imminent return of Ben Stokes, his relationship with Brendan McCullum and was England’s defeat an accident waiting to happen after the events…