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

With England about to announce the squad for the first Test against Pakistan, Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss England's future under Joe Root, hired for a second term as captain. He himself sees enthused by the chance to work (later in the year) with new coach Stephen Fleming. But there ar major challenges ahead. Also in the episode Ben Stokes latest interview reviewed and we explore why some elite batters (in this case Jos Buttler - about to become the world's leading T20 run scorer) are in the psychological hold of certain bowlers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With declining numbers and rising costs, club cricket is at the crossroads. This is a live debate at the 150 year old Ealing Cricket Club with Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Chris Goldie, former Middlesex player and chairman of Richmond CC, covering many of the issues and some possible solutions. How to repurpose old pavilions for modern demands, and re-create that community feel to offset escalating costs. How to capitalise on growing junior sections and the development of the women's game. What formats to play. How to interact better with state schools. and the professional game. Why the survival of cricket clubs matters. #cricket #grassroots #clubcricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2 of our look at the leadership crisis in the England Test team we look at the runners and riders for the head coach's job. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann are joined by former England batsman and batting coach Mark Ramprakash and double Ashes winner Matt Prior to assess what a head coach's job actually is, who have been the best at it and why, how to manage fragile characters and big egos, and whether any English coaches are in the frame. Prior recommends Jonathan Trott and Ramprakash suggests Ian Bell. #englandcricket #coaching #testcricket #bazball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England are expected to announce Joe Root as the new Test captain. Although he is likely to do a better job than second time around, it also underlines the lack of alternatives. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann explore the list of successful England captains with two former England players - Matt Prior and Mark Ramprakash . They discuss what were the attributes of some of England's best Test match skippers and what assets you need now - in addition to a good team - to prevail in the modern game. This is the first of two podcasts on England's leadership crisis. Part 2 on choosing a Test match coach is released tomorrow. #cricket #testmatch #england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Being a county cricketer is a privilege enjoyed by the very few but it's a life that comes with a lot of pain as well as pleasure. The recently retired Surrey player Cameron Steel discusses with Simon Hughes the highs and the lows, the pressures, the strange characters, the messiest teammates, the best dressing rooms and the worst lunches, and the motorway service stations to avoid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An opening stand of 192 between Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett was the foundation of England's 387-3 - the highest score ever made in Odin at Lords. It proved to much for India despite the efforts of Rohit Sharma who answered critics of his continued presence in the team (and possible retirement) with 138 and the evergreen Virat Kohli. Simon Hughes, Simon Mann and Deep Dasgupta review the match and the series and are impressed by the re-emergence of this England odi side. #england #cricket #india Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The death of arguably the greatest all-rounder who ever lived - Sir Garfield Sobers - was announced today. Simon Hughes pays tribute to an incredible player and a remarkable man with two men from Barbados who knew him well - former Middlesex and England batsman Roland Butcher and former Worcestershire and Middlesex fast bowler Ricky Ellcock. They all grew up inspited by Sobers and have vivid memories of first seeing him on a cricket field and then getting to know him in later life. Sobers was the King of West Indies cricket. He may have passed away but he will live on people's memories for ever. He is immortal. Both Butcher and Ellcock have recently written fascinating books about their lives in cricket and growing up in Barbados when Sobers was still playing. Butcher's Breaking Barriers is here and Ellcock's Balls to Fly is here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With runs and wickets, India's Axar Patel seizes victory for India at Edgbaston in the first of three odis to continue England's poor run in this format. But as important as the cricket was the fundraising for the Prostate charity. It was Blue for Bob day in memory of the great Bob Willis who tragically died of prostate cancer in 2019. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann review the match and remember the impact Bob had on and off the field with his brother Dave, one of the founders of the charity which has raised more than £2.5m in aid of prostate cancer research. To donate text ten, twenty or forty to 70843. #england #india #prostate #blueforbobday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brendan Mccullum has been sacked as England Test coach. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss the decision and how he will cope having been removed from one job and retained in another (the white ball role.) One shambles is replaced by another. Plus the first ever women’s Test at Lords reviewed and an unusual new job for The Analyst #cricket #england #mccullum #womenstest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices