Tailenders

Following the shock announcement of Ben Stokes’ retirement from International Cricket, Greg, Jimmy and Felix try to make sense of a dramatic week at Trent Bridge. So many questions…..Why now? Who will be the new Captain? What next for Baz? Will Ben change his mind?
Why are talking about legendary photographer Martin Parr and Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Plus the joy of watching New Zealand play and history made for Ireland.

Despite it being 200 degrees and Sharky insisting all fans and air con are turned off (it’s too noisy) the Tailenders assemble to review the Mens 2nd Test between England and New Zealand, heap praise on Matt Henry, marvel at Joe Root’s 14,000 runs and ask is it ok for Rock Stars to wear shorts?
Plus some Stat Bombs from Andy Zaltzman, Mattchin’s mystery holiday meeting, and can the Tailenders community help Issy Wong finish her World Cup Sticker album?

The Tailenders assemble to discuss events on the pitch, off the pitch and the pitch itself following a dramatic 1st men’s Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s. Plus who will get the nod for the 2nd Test at The Oval,  Mattchin and Issy preview the Women’s T20 World Cup that starts today and the joy of rain breaks.

Is the IPL, the biggest franchise tournament in World Cricket, becoming boring, predictable, too batter friendly and in need of a shakeup?
Plus a lookahead to the 1st Mens Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s - can England bounce back from their Ashes defeat?
The return of ‘General Cricketing Sadness’, A.I. Slop, a very ‘high concept’ quiz from Mattchin and why ‘Untenable’ might be word of the summer.

Jonty Rhodes, one of our favourite cricketers ever and arguably the best fielder the game has ever seen, is our very special guest this week. A whole generation of cricket fans, including us, grew up watching Jonty do things on a cricket field that had never been seen before - extraordinary catches, diving stops and ridiculous run outs - a proper pioneer. In a wide ranging interview we cover his career highlights, the players he now admires, the art of fielding, THAT 1999 World Cup Semi Final, investing in franchise cricket, coaching in the IPL and crucially which character in ’The Lion King’ does he most resemble? Plus Mattchin is back with a ‘Jonty Rhodes’ inspired quiz.