
Test Match Special
BBC
The Test Match Special team bring you the very best cricket reaction, insight & analysis.
Plus the No Balls podcast with Kate Cross and Alex Hartley brings a fine balance of nonsense and cricket as they welcome some of the biggest names in the sport.
Location:
United Kingdom
Genres:
Sports & Recreation Podcasts
Networks:
BBC
Description:
The Test Match Special team bring you the very best cricket reaction, insight & analysis. Plus the No Balls podcast with Kate Cross and Alex Hartley brings a fine balance of nonsense and cricket as they welcome some of the biggest names in the sport.
Language:
English
Episodes
The Rise of Haas (from F1: Chequered Flag)
4/17/2026
We’re bringing you something different today which we think you’ll like - an episode from the BBC’s Formula 1 podcast, F1: Chequered Flag.
With the Formula 1 season on an enforced break, the Chequered Flag team pay a visit to the home of Haas F1 with the team currently sitting fourth in the F1 constructors’ standings. So how are F1’s smallest team performing so well? Izzy Hammond and Harry Benjamin investigate.
They visit the team’s HQ to speak with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu about their success. Plus, just how did Ollie Bearman escape from that huge accident in Japan unharmed and what are the team’s ambitions for the future? Izzy and Harry also answer your F1 hot takes. Could Gianpiero Lambiase become McLaren’s Team Principal in the future, following the announcement of his switch from Red Bull in 2028? And which driver is the most likely to be a reality TV star?
F1 returns next for the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May, with live commentary across the 5 Live network and BBC Sounds. If you enjoy this episode of F1: Chequered Flag, find more by searching ‘F1’ on BBC Sounds, and make sure to subscribe to get the latest episode every week.
Duration:00:23:11
'I should have died' - James Taylor 10 years on
4/15/2026
10 years ago former England batter James Taylor's life changed forever.
Reflecting on being taken ill 10 years ago, he speaks to Kevin Howells about what he remembers from the day his doctor told him to not "wait for an ambulance, you haven't got enough time". He had just cemented himself in England's Test side and was forced to retire at the age of 26.
Duration:00:25:03
The Art of Captaincy
4/13/2026
Two Ashes winning England captains, Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook, join Steve Crossman to discuss the art of captaincy in cricket.
Leading England makes you one of the most recognisable faces in sport, it brings with it all manner of responsibility, scrutiny, joy and despair. But how do you manage different personalities in the dressing room? What marks someone out as a future England captain? What’s it like to be in the spotlight and face scrutiny? How do you cope when it comes to an end?
Plus, Ben Stokes leadership and the likely challenges the current England captain will face in his fifth summer as skipper.
Duration:00:52:57
Strategic Timeout: Malan & Faraaz talk IPL, ball tampering, and captaincy pressure
4/8/2026
Strategic Timeout is available to WATCH, in full, on the BBC Sport Youtube channel and on BBC iPlayer.
Amber Sandhu, Faraaz Noor and former England international Dawid Malan break down the biggest IPL 2026 talking points. From captaincy debates and pressure moments to high-scoring games and standout performances, the panel explore what’s shaping the tournament so far. With insight from Malan’s IPL experience, the episode dives into the role of captains in T20 cricket, the value of all-rounders in the modern game and whether experience is becoming more important than ever. Plus, the team discuss the Impact Player rule and a wider ball tampering controversy.
Duration:00:32:17
Edwards: England's fitness issues have been put to bed
3/30/2026
Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Raf Nicholson and Kirstie Gordon are joined by England Head Coach Charlotte Edwards to preview a big year for England's women.
Is the domestic game hampering the International team? How important could a home tournament be for the game? Have England's fitness issues been addressed? What's it like being part of The Hundred Auction?
Duration:00:55:46
IPL 2026 Predictions, Then v Now, Best Ever Players
3/28/2026
Amber Samdhu looks ahead to the IPL 2026 with The Traitor's (and cricketer) Faraaz Noor and former IPL star Abhishek Jhunjhunwala.
Duration:00:29:36
The state of English men’s cricket
3/23/2026
Mark Chapman, cricket correspondent Stefan Shemilt and former England captains Michael Vaughan and Sir Alistair Cook react to the news that England have announced that Brendon McCullum will remain as head coach of their test side. That’s despite the 4-1 Ashes series defeat this winter.
Managing director Rob Key will also join the panel to explain the reasons behind the decision.
The panel discuss what will actually change for English cricket going forward and, reaction from captain Ben Stokes. What is England’s image and culture following this year’s Ashes? Does there need to be better relations with the County game?
TIME CODES
00:00 Intro 00:30 The review into English Cricket 02:00 Key management stay 06:00 Managing director Rob Key 08:00 What changes? 13:40 Lessons learnt from the Ashes 16:40 Style of play 22:30 What will look different this summer? 25:52 The connection with County Cricket 30:08 Have management been swayed by the coach? 33:14 Is the setup a clique or cult? 38:40 Opinions on the review 44:27 Should have everyone kept their jobs? 48:23 County Cricket
Duration:00:55:19
History made at Hundred Auction
3/12/2026
We report on a historic two days with the first major sporting auction taking place in the UK as teams were selected for the women’s and men’s Hundred competition.
We hear from former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vetorri who’s coaching the newly named Sunrisers Leeds, World Cup winning bowler Anya Shrubsole who is part of the Southern Brave coaching set-up and Australian legend Meg Lanning who is leading another rebranded team the Manchester Superchargers.
And there’s analysis by Stephan Shemilt, Aatif Nawaz and two former Hundred players Steven Finn and Alex Hartley.
Duration:00:41:06
The 2026 T20 World Cup Debrief
3/9/2026
As the dust settles on India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup victories, Henry Moeran is alongside Matt Henry and Prakash Wakankar to discuss everything we can take away from the tournament.
How did India triumph? How can we assess England’s performance? Plus, who dropped the worst catch of the tournament
Duration:00:44:13
India thrash New Zealand for World Cup glory
3/8/2026
Henry Moeran is alongside former Ashes winner Steven Finn, former IPL star Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, and commentator Prakash Wakankar for all the reaction from Ahmedabad as India win the Men's T20 World Cup. Hear from player of the match Jasprit Bumrah, as well as Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma. Plus, both captains - Suryakumar Yadav and Mitch Santner.
Duration:00:47:46
England fall just short in high scoring semi-final thriller
3/5/2026
India won an incredible match in Mumbai by 7 runs to knock England out of the T20 World Cup and set up a date with New Zealand in the final on Sunday. Jacob Bethell scored a brilliant hundred, but England narrowly failed in what would have been a record run chase. We hear from England captain Harry Brook, coach Brendon McCullum, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and player of the match Sanju Samson Plus, there’s analysis from Henry Moeran, former England bowler Steven Finn and former IPL player Abhishek Jhunjhunwala. And with the Women’s T20 World Cup now fewer than 100 days away we hear from England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Duration:00:49:21
‘England have the best spinners in the World Cup’ - Vaughan
3/3/2026
Henry Moeran is alongside Michael Vaughan and Prakash Wakankar at a Holi celebration to look ahead to England’s T20 World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Plus, Sam Curran gives his thoughts ahead of the match at the Wankhede Stadium.
Duration:00:34:24
Jacks & Ahmed stun New Zealand in Colombo
2/27/2026
Daniel Norcross is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley and Aatif Nawaz for reaction to England's thrilling victory over New Zealand in Colombo. Hear from player of the match Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed, Harry Brook and Mitch Santner.
Duration:00:30:24
Brook century blasts England into semi-finals
2/24/2026
Daniel Norcross is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley and Aatif Nawaz for reaction to Harry Brook's incredible century which sees England reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Duration:00:31:50
No Balls: England 'solving problems' & we actually get some emails!
2/24/2026
Kate Cross and Alex Hartley discuss everything we can take away from the Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. We look at discuss England's ability to 'solve problems' in an untypically 'crickety' conversation. Plus, Crossy talks us through the winter training programme at Lancashire after she signed a new one-year deal.
Duration:00:31:33
Bowlers bail out England as they beat Sri Lanka
2/22/2026
Daniel Norcross is alongside 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley for reaction to England's victory over Sri Lanka. They discuss England's bowling performance after they got Sri Lanka all out for just 95 runs. Plus, Phil Salt reflects on his half-century which helped steer England to 146.
Duration:00:28:49
Can England win the Men’s T20 World Cup?
2/21/2026
As we reach the Super Eights stage of the Men’s T20 World Cup we look at England’s chances of lifting the trophy following an unconvincing group stage.
Simon Mann is joined by former England bowler Steven Finn, BBL winner Michael Carberry and IPL player Abhishek Jhunjhunwala plus we hear from England captain Harry Brook and vice-captain Jacob Bethell.
We also assess the chances of the other sides left in the tournament and ask if the current T20 World Cup format works.
Duration:00:54:39
Gayle’s Gangnam style as Windies win 2012 T20
2/20/2026
With the 2026 T20 World Cup being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka we look back at the first ICC World T20 to be held in Asia 14 years ago.
The 2012 tournament took place In Sri Lanka with their team defeated in a extraordinary final by the West Indies who claimed their first title which was celebrated in iconic style.
We look back at the event with Steven Finn who was the leading wicket taker for an England side who went into the competition as defending champions and TMS commentators Henry Moeran and Prakash Wakankar.
Duration:00:29:23
Behind the scenes at a World Cup
2/19/2026
Henry Moeran is joined by former England bowler Steven Finn and BBC journalist Matt Henry to find out what really happens behind the scenes at an ICC World Cup. Finn is the only England bowler to take a hat-trick at a men’s 50 Over World Cup and was also England’s leading wicket taker at the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012. Finn shares stories of life as a player when you may be sharing a breakfast buffet with the opposition before taking them on in a crucial encounter whilst Matt Henry explains what it’s like to cover a World Cup as a journalist.
Duration:00:40:20
Matthew Hayden’s damning thoughts on Australia World Cup exit
2/18/2026
Legendary Australia opener Matthew Hayden joins Daniel Norcross and Aatif Nawaz at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium just days after the Aussies’ defeat to Sri Lanka to give his damning indictment on the team’s elimination from the T20 World Cup.
Duration:00:34:03