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 New Zealand: Day 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:30
Simon and Nikki discuss play on Day 3. Very much New Zealands day with Henry Nicholls' unbeaten century helping them reach 252/3 in their second innings after England were bowled out for 291. New Zealand ended the day wi…
England V New Zealand: Day 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:59
Nikki and Simon Mann catch up on day 2 and discuss what was very much a good day for New Zealand. A fabulous knock from Glenn Phillips alongside questionable tactics from England in the morning session. England end the d…
England v New Zealand: Day 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:49
Nikki and Simon Mann reflect on Day 1 of the Test at The Oval, where England enjoyed the upper hand despite being without Ben Stokes. On a surface offering good pace and carry but fewer demons than Lord's, England's bowl…
JADED CAPTAIN'S DILEMMA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:10
The events of late Sunday night in London have again set the cat amongst the pigeons and placed Ben Stokes' position in jeopardy. Simon Hughes and Matt Prior debate the hiatus that the captain's off-field antics have cau…
IMPERFECT PITCH  - BUT ENGLAND WIN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:08
England seized an important, confidence boosting win over New Zealand on the fourth day at Lord's but it was achieved on an unsatisfactory pitch that made batting a lottery. The highest score in the match was 57 and 24 b…
TOTAL CRICKET [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:17
In the small amount of play on the third day at Lord's there were two significant moments. Another excellent dismissal achieved by Ollie Robinson and Jamie Smith moving up to the stumps to enhance Robinson's effectivenes…
ENGLAND BOWLERS UNDERMINE KIWIS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:13
The second day of the Lords Test was again a bowler-friendly day, and England ended it on top with New Zealand needing another 225 to win - to make the highest score of the match with only 7 wickets in hand. Star of the…
ENGLAND V NEW ZEALAND : BOWLERS' PARADISE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
An extraordinary bowler-dominated day at Lord's when 16 wickets fell for only 200 runs. England's reboot was scotched by excellent New Zealand seam bowling and an awkward first day pitch, not what the MCC would have want…
ENGLAND V NEW ZEALAND: TIME TO DELIVER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:30
The first Test of the summer is here - the 150th ever staged at Lord's - an opportune moment for England to banish their Ashes ills. Can Stokes and McCullum be realigned on their philosophies and make England more than t…
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR WANNABE COMMENTATORS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:16
Part 2 of our discussion on the art of commentary and how the radio version differs from TV. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Gavin Scovell, ICC senior TV director, share invaluable insights into the best (and worst) approac…