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
INDOMITABLE TEENAGER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:56
A eulogy to another incredible performance by the extraodinary 15 year old Vaibhav Sooryavanchi in the IPL. In yesterday's innings of 97 in 29 balls he surpassed Chris Gayle's record tally of 59 sixes in one edition of t…
THE GOLDEN RULES OF COMMENTARY: PART 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
As the international summer gets properly underway, we analyse cricket commentary, how to get into it, what's the best approach , a few basic rules of engagement, some do's and don'ts.. We are joined by Gavin Scovell, se…
RABADA SPRINTING TO THE FINISH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
In our latest IPL catch up, Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta focus on the three teams who have made it into the play-offs with one Gujurat Tiltans focussing as much on pace bowling as power hitting, with Kagiso Rabada bowl…
SACHIN'S BATMAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:05
The recent announcement of an imminent change in the Laws of Cricket regarding bats will have a big effect on English willow producers. Simon Hughes went to Suffolk to experience the crafting of the willow clefts from wh…
WHAT'S GOING OFF OUT THERE?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:11
A review of some strange occurrances in the latest round of county championship matches, and some of your questions answered. Including - has Surrey's bubble burst, why is Jofra Archer not coming back for the first Test,…
NEW BLOOD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:58
Emilio Gay, Sonny Baker, James Rew, and Rehan Ahmed are the (relatively) new faces in the England squad for the first Test against New Zealand in June. There is also a recall for Ollie Robinson. Zak Crawley is the main f…
SONNY BAKER: ENTHUSIASM PERSONIFIED [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:37
On the day Sonny Baker is selected for the England Test squad, Simon Hughes interviews the new fast bowling hope at his home ground. He talks about the people who’ve influenced him including Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie…
CONFLICTING EMOTIONS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
After the latest round of County Championship matches we are sure of one England opener after Ben Duckett's excellent undefeated double hundred for Notts today. But after a shocking dismissal for 17 continuing a poor run…
BATTING PARADISES, BOWLERS GRAVEYARDS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:43
The latest round of Rothesay County Championship matches reviewed with Simon Hughes and Simon Mann. The dominance of the batters (with 78 centuries so far made in the two divisions) is reflected, notably Dom Sibley and E…