The announcement of new England central contracts was a wonderful payday for some of England's burgeoning young players and a warning to others who only received one year deals. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann consider the winners and losers and also review the tenacious performance of Australia's thirty-somethings as with resilience, perseverance and enduring skills they grind the life out of South Africa in the first Test Durban.

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In this episode, Australian cricket legend and coach Justin Langer shares insights on changing cricket techniques, leadership, mental strength, and his personal journey, including a powerful story about overcoming fears and the importance of fundamentals in sports and life.

He explains to Simon Hughes what it was like taking over the Australian team after the sandpapergate scandal and revisits the famous scene of him kicking over the dressing room waste bin during the 2019 Headingley Test. We also explore the difficulties of finding Test quality opening batsmen - worldwide - and preview the forthcoming Test series between South Africa and Australia starting on Friday.

This podcast is brought to you by Rothesay - your future in safe hands. For more information on Rothesay's support of Test cricket click here

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The forthcoming Test series between South Africa and Australia pits some of the world's finest fast bowlers against each other. But who is the most valuable fast bowler in the world? Simon Hughes and Simon Mann discuss this with data expert Ahyan Sikandar who has modelled different ways of evaluating fast bowlers - best 'per ball', best 'team' player and 'most 'valuable.' So who comes out top?!! And who, surprisingly, takes lots of wickets but seems to diminish the impact of his teammates? This podcast is in association with Claude - Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/ANALYST.

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Covering the climax to the Rothesay County Championship, Simon Hughes pays a visit to Hove to watch Sussex's battle with holders Nottinghamshire. He also hears the energetic plans from Sussex’s new chairman Ed Warner to make the county the pride of the south coast again, assisted by some of the county’s finest ex-players like Matt Prior. Clearly they mean business.

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England's exciting young fast bowler Sonny Baker shares insights into his rapid rise in international cricket, his approach to bowling fast and swinging the ball, and his training and recovery routines. He explains how he adapts to conditions, his influences, and how his trusty Asthi bone broth keeps him in peak condition. He also reveals his highlights of the summer, why he's loving the older ball and how he practices his devastating yorker.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sonny Baker's Summer Highlights

02:51 Journey from Debut to International Success

03:16 Influence of Mark Wood and Team Energy

05:40 Bowling at the Oval and Swing Techniques

07:45 Science of Swing and Ball Seaming

09:40 Personal Ball Selection and Tape Technique

12:53 Bowling at the Moment of Impact and Key Deliveries

14:48 Impact of Conditions and Strategy in Bowling

19:19 Body Care, Nutrition, and Recovery Routine

22:33 Use of Bone Broth and Nutrition Tips

26:40 Bowling Technique and Mental Preparation

30:17 Adapting Line and Length in Real Time

36:23 Death Bowling and Key Wickets

41:49 Bowling at Mitchell Marsh and Fast Bowling Skills

44:24 The Origin of the Yorker and Practice Tips

47:50 Future Plans, World Cup, and Franchise Tournaments

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England's final act of the longest, hottest cricket season in memory was to crush feebl Sri Lanka by the colossal margin of 223 runs. It doesn't entirely camouflage England's long-form deficiencies but it was an impressive finish.

The two Simon's discuss the current state of the England cricket team,, who are the winners and losers, how their three to follow fared during the season, reflect on a tight Rothesay County Championship tussle and reveal the extraordinary evolution of the reverse sweep with the man who founded it.

This podcast is supported by Rothesay - for more information on their support of English cricket click this link

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A superb bowling performance by Warwickshire seized an innings victory over Leicestershire to claim their ninth County Championship title. Ethan Bamber was star finishing with 69 wickets for the season but there were other stars too. Simon Hughes watches the final chapter at Edgbaston sat amongst the Bears faithful fans and infiltrates their celebrations to speak to some of their heroes including Bamber, Rob Yates and captain Ed Barnard.

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11 points behind Rothesay County Championship leaders Warwickshire in the final round of games, Somerset's chances of a first-ever title were slim. Now after a tough first day at Surrey's and Dan Lawrence's expense, and with Warwickshire demolishing Leicester for 125, they are hanging by a thread. Simon Hughes spent the day at Taunton sampling the atmosphere and hearing from two great Somerset stalwarts Vic Marks and Craig Overton.

This podcast is sponsored by Rothesay - Your Future in Safe Hands

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On the day Mark Wood announced his international retirement on his home ground, England trumped Sri Lanka in the first of three odis. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann commend England on a solid performance to defeat a timid Sri Lanka by 89 runs,. Later they pay tribute to the passion, determination and fortitude of Mark Wood to overcome a catalogue of injuries and take 250 wickets for England in all competitions with some of the fastest deliveries ever seen in this country. Woody gave it everything and the exhilarating sight of him charging in will be sorely missed.

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Ethan Bamber's 60 wickets this season is having a major impact on Warwickshire's Rothesay County Championship title drive. Bamber's 6-26 routed Essex and sent the Bears to the top of the table. The Bears now lead Somerset by 11 points with one round of matches to go.

Bamber, from an acting family, moved from Middlesex in 2025 and discusses the advantages of playing at Edgbaston rather than Lord's, how he has learnt to accept the plaudits for his consistent wicket-taking and how he would really like to be Allan Donald for. a day. He also nominates his ace-snaffler second slip Rob Yates as the Rothesay Safe Hands award winner.

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The 21 year old debutant Razaullah, who was selling vegetables with his father in Pakistan last week, demolishes Englands unsuspecting attack with a scintillating lower order assault containing a remarkable nine sixes. It was reminscent of Shahid 'Boom Boom' Afridi and capped a trying day for England of missed chances, one dimensional bowling and finally some determined Pakistan resistance. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann reflect on what England could have done better and Matt Prior dwells on the one high point of England's day, the keeping of Jordan Cox.

To support Capital Kids Cricket and our annual match for the Peter Hughes Foundation visit ⁠peterhughesfoundation.org

Toyota, ECB’s Principal Partner, have a fantastic free fundraising platform to help grassroots/local cricket clubs - The Toyota Good For Cricket Prize Draw. There are £200,000 worth of prizes on offer including three new Toyota cars and money can’t buy experiences.  To enter you go to www.toyotagoodforcricket.co.uk find your club and buy Prize Draw tickets to support them. 100% of the money raised goes straight to your nominated club. The draw runs from 00:00 on 31 March 2026 to 23:59 on 30 September 2026. Open to UK residents aged 18+. Ticket bundles start from £5. Free entry route available. T&Cs apply.

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