The Analyst Inside Cricket

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, senior ICC TV director who has directed a number of major events including World Cup finals and trained some of the most familiar voices on the airwaves. This is the first episode of a 2-part series and we are supported by SumUp - Making Tax Digital. For more information visit https://www.sumup.com/en-gb/business-account/making-tax-digital/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 bowling 92 mph rockets. The final qualifying place is still in the balance, to be decided this weekend. Can the precocious teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pull off another astonishing innings for the Rajasthan Royals. Probably given his last remarkable innings... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 which many of the world's great runmakers bats have come, including Sachin Tendulkar's. From October cricket bats in adult cricket do not have to be made from only one complete piece of willow as they have been since pretty much the beginning of time. When the new law has been introduced you’ll be able to use laminated bats – that basically can be made of several pieces of wood. This interview with Guy and Will Foskett reveals why the change is being made, what effect it will have and what you should look out for when choosing a new bat. And if you want to see how it all happens for yourself go to the Analyst YouTube channel and watch the video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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, how did Harry Brook take 3-11 and why is there no electrician at Taunton to fix the floodlights. This podcast is in association with SumUp - visit https://www.sumup.com/en-gb/business-account/making-tax-digital/ for more information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 fall guy from the Ashes, plus Will Jacks, while Jofra Archer was not considered as he is still at the IPL (mind you so are Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed.) Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse the selections and predict England's likely starting XI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 and overcoming the disappointment of his two one day international appearances last year. Also how Bone Broth and a meat-based diet has got him faster and fitter and which star player he would love to be for a day. For more information on Asthi Bone Broth visit www.weareasthi.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 of scores, Zak Crawley's fate is sealed. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann lament the fading of his star, and consider the likely replacements. They also discuss the astonishing hattrick on debut by Glamorgan's Tom Norton, Josh Tongue's continued hostility with the ball which caused England teammate Gus Atkinson to summon a concussion substitute, and which spinner, if any, will get the England call-up. This podcast is in association with SumUp and Making Tax Digital. Visit https://www.sumup.com/en-gb/business-account/making-tax-digital/ for more details Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Emilio Gay who each have two, the plight of bowlers sympathised with and Kent's blocking their players viewing their social media accounts assessed. This podcast is also viewable on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some classic duels took place in the IPL this week. Virat Kohli v KG Rabada, Shubman Gill v Josh Hazlewood, Jos Buttler v Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi against everyone. Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta convey the exhilaration of watching such talent on show, and marvel at the conflicting emotions and unbridled passion of Kohli himself. For more on Sooryavanshi's unique gifts visit The Cricverse on Substack . This podcast will also be available on The Analyst YouTube channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zak Crawley suffered another disappointing return in the latest round of Rothesay county championship matches. Three top order players - Dom Sibley, Emilio Gay and Haseeb Hameed - stepped up with centuries in he last couple of days. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann run the rule over the contenders and assess their pros and cons as they try to assemble England's likely batting order for the first Test in just over a month's time. Plus - dowe need DRS in county cricket? After last weekend's experiences several batsmen - including Crawley - would say definitely yes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Indian Premier League is almost halfway through as Simon Hughes and Deep Dasgupta assess the successes and failures of the tournament so far. With 24 totals over 200, batsmen capable of hitting the ball more than 100 metres, and Jofra Archer whizzing them down at 93mph it is certainly no place for the faint-hearted. But the 15 year old sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanchi is still strutting his stuff even as the 44 year old MS Dhoni is about to make his belated re-entry. This podcast is also viewable on The Analyst YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Tom Abell's nerveless 100, Somerset get home against Hampshire to extend their lead at the top of the County Championship. The match featured impressive performances by England hopefuls James Rew and Sonny Baker. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the weekend;'s action and answer listeners questions including could Rew open for England, will England consider Sam Cook again and can you pick England players from division 2? This podcast is available to view (with match action) on YouTube. Click the link here - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hampshire’s Nick Gubbins, 70 not out overnight, joins the podcast to explain how Hampshire took control of the championship match against leaders Somerset. It was a day when Hampshire's impressive seam attack pressurized Somerset into mistakes. Also in this episode, Sonny Bakers promise assessed, James Rew’s prodigious talent admires, the luncay of the new substitute rule and the most eccentric quick bowler in county cricket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Middlesex, one of England's strongest and oldest counties, has been brought virtually to its knees financially and performance-wise over the last five years. It is the only county that doesn't own its ground. Simon Hughes listens at the club AGM to rescue plans and the proposal to develop a new venue that it can call 'home.' Also in the episode Ben Stokes recent comments on the Ashes reactions back home, and we discuss the fiasco of the new substitutes rule in county cricket. #cricket #middlesex #england #lords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Hughes spends the day at Hove watching Sussex overcome Warwickshire in a battle of Little and Large to become the only club in the country to have won both their opening championship games. A 140 run partnership between Sussex new boys Jack Leaning and Tom Price see them home. Head coach and former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace explains how passion and focus allied to smart acquisition enable Sussex to perform beyond their financial means. Also discussed: who should open the batting for England, how captaincy has helped Ollie Robinson, and are coaches too soft? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sunday's big IPL clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, featiring some of the biggest names in Indian cricket - notably Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah was instead dominated by an Englishman, Phil Salt, who walloped 78 off 36 balls in an opening stand of 120 with Kohli. RCB captain Rajat Patidar continued his outstanding tournament with a blistering fifty, and 240 was too much for Mumbai Indians. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review another run spree at the batting friendly Wankhede Stadum. #cricket #ipl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Smith adds a second authoritative hundred to his season's output in partnership with a rehabilitated Ollie Pope against a modest Leicester attack at the Oval. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann report on another Surrey run spree and assess the failures of some of the other batting contenders for Zak Crawley's England opening spot, with one outstanding exception - Ben McKinney's unbeaten 214 for Durham v hapless Gloucester. #countychampionship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first round of County Championship matches featured two totals over 500, five draws and a number of batsmen filling their early-season boots. Jamie Smith was one, promoted to number three by Surrey. What do we read into that and what else did we learn from those first matches? Simon Hughes and Simon Mann consider the entrails ad celebrate the continued excellence of the 43 year old Jimmy Anderson as he passes the 1150 first class wicket mark. #cricket #countychampionship #englandcricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preview of the (Rothesay) County Championship title race, for 136 years the hardest-earned trophy in cricket. The season lasts 178 days at the end of which we will know if anyne can topple Nottinghamshire from their pedestal. Simon Hughes, who won 4 championship titles with Middlesex, is joined by Simon Mann and Surrey all-rounder and columnist CAMERON STEEL, to discuss: - the runners and riders, stinging April catches, the new substitute rule, whether Dom Sibley can oust Zak Crawley's from the England opening spot and some yound (and older) thrusters to follow. #cricket #england #countychampionship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some brilliant slower balls from Lungi Ngidi lures Lucknow Super Giants to 141 all out in the IPL. Delhi Capitals revive from 26-4 to take an excellent win in our first live watchalong of the tournament. Simon Mann and Simon Hughes comemntate on the last five overs and recap the first five matches of the competition, highlighting the early dominance of the batsmen, the remarkable 15 ball 50 of the 15 year old Vaibhav Suryavanchi and the bowlers finding some much needed help more recenrly. #ipl #cricket # Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices