Episodes

  • The 50 Greatest Test Batsmen

    The 50 Greatest Test Batsmen
    May 8 2025
    Part 2 of our conversation with Jarrod Kimber, author of a new book The Art of Batting, counting down the fifty greatest Test batsmen of all time. Using scrupulous statistical analysis and exhaustive research, Kimber has identified some unexpected high rankers, and while Number 1 is no surprise, he has also eliminated some surprising stars for well explained reasons. Never before has such a meticulous evaluation of the greatest players been conducted and it makes for lots of excellent talking points. For instance, is it fair to rank modern batters higher than those brave souls who played in the pre-helmet era? The Art of Batting is available here - https://amzn.eu/d/7md9ktV CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Greatest Batters 01:02 Criteria for Ranking Batters 03:01 The Case of Graham Gooch 05:53 Comparative Metrics in Batting 09:01 The Unlucky Barry Richards 11:58 The Mental Approach to Batting 18:02 Exploring the Top 50 Batters 22:18 Controversies in Rankings 28:28 The Top 10 Batters Discussion 31:42 The Impact of Helmets on Batting Greats 34:30 Courage and Technique in Fast Bowling 37:36 Top 10 Batters: A Deep Dive 43:41 The Top Five Batters of All Time 52:00 Analyzing Bradman, Tendulkar, and Hobbs 59:46 The Legacy of Don Bradman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Pulsating Finishes

    Pulsating Finishes
    May 6 2025
    Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the latest round of county championship matches which resulted in some nerve-tingling run chases. They also discuss England's squad for the Zimbabwe Test and hear from Australia's Jason Gillespie how Australia consistently win more cricket matches than any other country and why the idea of Sheffield Shield final would work for the County Championship. Details of our live podcast in Bristol on June 18th and tickets are here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-analyst-inside-cricket-podcast-live-tickets-1353264403259 For more cricket features and revelations subscribe to The Cricverse at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/so-who-is-the-greatest?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Greatest Test Batsmen: Part 1

    Greatest Test Batsmen: Part 1
    May 1 2025
    Broadcaster, author and stats guru Jarrod Kimber joins the podcast to talk about his new book The Art Of Batting - a deep dive into what makes a great Test match run-maker and using sophisticated metrics to identify the best batters of all time. In this first part, we examine the difference between 'batting' and runmaking, the five phases of batsmanship through the ages, how players - eg Lara, Richards, Bradman - were often shaped by their environment and which outstanding players didn't make the top fifty. Final week of being able to enter the draw for Lord Test match tickets - subscribe to The Cricverse - https://cricverse.substack.com/p/what-the-actual-fk?r=lo2wd #CRICKET #BATTING #GREATEST CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Art of Batting 01:09 Understanding Batting vs. Runmaking 04:48 The Science and Art of Batting 10:15 The Subconscious Nature of Batting 15:32 The Influence of Environment on Batting 19:14 Characteristics of a Successful Batter 21:40 The Evolution of Batting and Bowling Dynamics 25:05 Phases of Batting Through History 30:54 Shot Innovation and the Impact of Equipment 37:23 The Role of Protective Gear in Modern Cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Teenage Sensation

    Teenage Sensation
    Apr 28 2025
    The 14 year old wunderkid Vaibhav Suryavanshi has just assaulted four international bowlers for a 35 ball hundred in the IPL: Its the second fastest IPL hundred of all time after Chris Gayle's 30 ball effort in 2013, and earned him the nickname Boss Baby. After trying to digest this astonishing performance, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann talk to Leicestershire's Ian Holland, the leading wicket-taker in Division 2, about being top of the table, who are the best all-rounders in the county game and who has the silliest nicknames. Final week of entering the free Test match tickets competition by subscribing to The Cricverse at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/test-cricket-the-next-phase?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • The Brutal Game

    The Brutal Game
    Apr 24 2025
    Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by Daily Telegraph cricket writer and author Tim Wigmore to discuss the backstory, the current state and the future prosperity of the Test format as examined in Tim's new book Test Cricket: A History. The conversation ranges from the origins of the Test match idea, with just three countries involved, how it expanded, chronicling key matches, turning points and characters, how the great 1970s West Indies and 1990s Australia were formed, and why Australia are consistently so much better than everyone else. Finally we consider if India can dominate in the same way and how the Test format can survive and prosper. To buy Tim's book visit https://amzn.eu/d/1Qrtofk To enter our free competition for Lord's Test tickets subscribe to THE CRICVERSE at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/county-crickets-saviour?r=lo2wd CHAPTERS - 00:00 The Brutality of Test Cricket 01:40 Exploring the History of Test Cricket 04:34 The Evolution of Test Match Selection 07:22 The Global Expansion of Test Cricket 10:40 Key Moments and Shifts in Test Cricket 13:18 The Impact of Prejudice in Team Selection 16:17 The Competitive Landscape of Test Cricket 19:11 Looking Ahead: The Future of Test Cricket 21:05 Cricket's Golden Age: A Historical Perspective 23:55 The Evolution of Test Cricket and Key Matches 28:24 The Rise of India in Test Cricket 32:05 Australia's Dominance and Cultural Impact on Cricket 34:47 The Future of Test Cricket: Challenges and Opportunities 41:39 Preserving Test Cricket in a Changing Landscape Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Controversy at Chelmsford

    Controversy at Chelmsford
    Apr 22 2025
    Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the action in the weekend's county championship matches, highlighting the disputed catch to give Essex victory over Worcestershire. The discussion focusses on whether DRS should be brought into county cricket, with now every match available on YouTube which celebrates its 20th anniversary this week. Also a debate about the points system in county cricket, Zak Crawley battles to a fifty and how our 10 to follow got on last weekend. For our regular cricket blog subscribe to The Cricverse at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/boots-on-the-ground?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Boots on the Ground

    Boots on the Ground
    Apr 17 2025
    Three gnarled veterans of the bowling brotherhood - Simon Hughes, Angus Fraser and Derek Pringle - jovially reflect on the hardship of the fast bowlers' lot, but are thankful for the craftsmanship that went in to their hand-made boots. They sent down more than 170,000 deliveries between them, putting at least six times their bodyweight through their knees and ankles every ball. Read Derek Pringle and Simon Hughes on The Cricverse and enter the competition for free tickets for the Lord's Test at https://cricverse.substack.com/p/these-boots-are-made-for-bowlin?r=lo2wd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • Transcendent Moves

    Transcendent Moves
    Apr 16 2025
    Melissa, Luke and Nikki discuss the immense signing of Ellyse Perry at Hampshire, the appointment of Charlotte Edwards as England Women’s Coach and the new ICC dedicated task force to support the Afghanistan Women’s Team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    28 mins