England must win first Ashes Test

England must win first Ashes Test

Author: The Telegraph November 18, 2025 Duration: 53:45

The Ashes are just days away and the Telegraph Cricket Podcast is back ahead of all the action this winter!


Join Jake, Nick and Will as they look ahead to the first Test in Perth, where England have been handed a huge opportunity to take the lead in the series with both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the opener. We discuss the potential repercussions if England fail to take this golden chance.


We also take a look at England's attack and if they will decide to pick a spinner or unleash Mark Wood as part of a five-man pace attack.


Ben Stokes is back fit and firing. We ask if the England skipper will feature in all five Tests and, more importantly, if anyone can stop him from doing so!


Plus, the minute monologue is back and Nick takes aim at Australian cricketers being too polite! We answer your questions as usual, too.


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For fans who live and breathe the game, The Telegraph Cricket Podcast offers a front-row seat to the conversations shaping English cricket. Guided by chief cricket correspondent Nick Hoult, cricket news correspondent Will Macpherson, and Sport features editor Jake Goodwill, this podcast digs deeper than the scorecard. Each episode unpacks the biggest talking points, from the drama of a summer Test match to the strategic shifts defining the 'Bazball era'. The discussion goes beyond mere analysis, providing genuine insight into the personalities, decisions, and behind-the-scenes dynamics that influence the sport. It’s the kind of informed, nuanced conversation you’d expect from seasoned journalists with unparalleled access. Whether dissecting a thrilling final day or previewing a crucial series, the trio ensures listeners are not just informed but fully immersed in the narrative of the season. Tune in for a thoughtful, authoritative, and engaging take on the cricket stories that matter.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

The Telegraph Cricket Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Stuart Broad on James Anderson: "I'd have kept playing him". [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:51
Ashes winning captain Michael Vaughan and England legend Phil Tufnell reunite for a new series of The Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club. Hosted by Telegraph's Ben Wright, today's episode bids a fond farewell to genuine b…
Will series defeat in India be a wake-up call for England? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
Ben, Michael and Phil reflect on England's heavy fifth Test defeat to India, which saw the series end 4-1 in the hosts' favour.After such a promising start in Hyderabad, we ask where it all went wrong in the following fo…
England's winning v entertaining debate, with Mark Ramprakash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:24
Michael, Phil and Ben look ahead to the fifth and final Test between India and England, and whether Ben Stokes' side can end the series on a high by picking up their second win to leave the series at 3-2.We discuss Jonny…
India take series win with Ryan Sidebottom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:00
Michael, Phil and Ben reflect on the fourth Test between India and England which saw the hosts clinch the series with a now unassailable 3-1 lead.It is the first series defeat for Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes since ta…
Can England still win in India? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Michael, Phil and Ben reflect on a sobering third Test for England which saw Brendon McCullum's side thrashed by 434 runs in Rajkot.We dissect the defeat in detail and ask if the England team will carry on with their una…
England's third Test opportunity with Dom Bess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:29
Ben, Michael and Phil look ahead to the third Test between India and England in Rajkot. England's bowling line-up has taken a hit with Jack Leach ruled out for the series and the question marks over Rehan Ahmed's availab…
India level series with Harsha Bhogle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
Ben, Mike and Phil reflect on the second Test between England and India which saw the hosts win by 106 wins to level the series 1-1.We discuss if the series is still there for the taking for England with the availability…
England's Hyderabad heist with Bumble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:57
Ben, Michael and Phil reflect on a sensational victory for England after they pulled off the most unlikely of victories in Hyderabad.They discuss the sensational performances of Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley, and another fl…
Can England upset the odds in India? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:03
The Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club is back!Ben, Mike and Phil take a look at England's upcoming tour to India and ask the question on every cricket fans lips: can Bazball work in the toughest conditions in Test cricke…
Amazing Ashes gets fitting finish with Zak Crawley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
Ben and Michael are joined by the Telegraph's Chief Cricket Correspondent Nick Hoult to look back on an incredible eight weeks.England recovered from the worst possible start to draw the series 2-2 with Stuart Broad deli…