app_store_button

google_play_button

Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

Step into an infinite world of stories

Listen and read

BBC Radio 5 Live

The Test Match Special team bring you the very best reaction, insight & analysis of the Ashes Test series with daily episodes from down under.

Test Match Special

Reaction as England are beaten inside TWO days in first Ashes Test at Perth.

Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan, former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath, and the BBC’s Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to England’s embarrassing defeat to Australia in the first Ashes Test at Perth. We also hear from England captain Ben Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and Australia centurion Travis Head.

The Ashes: England hammered in Perth

Reaction from a breathless first day of the first Ashes Test in Perth.

Simon Mann is alongside former England captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath, and the BBC’s Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew for reaction to an incredible first day of the 2025/26 Ashes. We also hear from Brydon Carse and the recovering Australia Test captain Pat Cummns – plus a stat attack from Andy Zaltzman.

The Ashes: England roar back on extraordinary opening day

The Men's Ashes are nearly upon us and the TMS preview features interviews with both Ben Stokes and Steve Smith, plus an exclusive chat with England Head Coach Brendon McCullum.

Ashes Eve - it's almost time

Eleanor Oldroyd is out and about in Perth for reaction to England naming their twelve-man squad for the first Ashes Test. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has his say on where the first Test could be won, England fast bowler Gus Atkinson looks ahead to the first match of the series, and Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt and TMS commentator Simon Mann dissect the twelve in England's squad. Plus, how could Australia line up after a hint from Australia bowler Mitchell Starc said he would bat at eight.

England name their 12 for first Ashes Test

Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum.
 
It won’t be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends.
 
Andy will reveal the answer the following day.

Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.

Daily Ashes Quiz: Most centuries scored

Ashton Agar talks through his remarkable innings at Trent Bridge in 2013, where aged 19 he scored a brilliant 98. Agar tells Stephan Shemilt all the details of a special day.

From The Ashes: Ashton Agar

Steve Crossman is joined by Mark Ramprakash, Jack Leach and Durham's Australian coach Ryan Campbell to look ahead to the opening Test of the Ashes series that begins on Friday in Perth. They will also be joined by Australian journalist Geoff Lemon.

They discuss the challenges of touring in Australia, the importance of the opening ball of the series, as well as the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two sides including; the leadership, spinners, pace attacks, and the Aussie top order.

Timecodes:
00:03:43 - expectations of the series
00:12:30 - The importance of the first ball of the Ashes
00:18:12 - Touring Australia and the phoney war
00:23:17 - What should England expect in Perth?
00:33:53 - Ben Stokes
00:45:40 - Australia without Cummins and Hazlewood
00:58:38 - Spinners
01:15:51 - England's pace attack
01:25:20 - Australia's top order
01:30:45 - Joe Root

The Ashes Preview

Daily Ashes Quiz: Centuries for nought

Eleanor Oldroyd chats to Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley, plus we have a look around the Perth Stadium as the countdown to the first Test continues.

It's Ashes week in Perth

Jonathan Agnew and Stephan Shemilt are in Perth where the men’s Ashes begins in just 5 days’ time. Ollie Pope joins us to talk about the pressure of cementing his number three slot and losing the vice captaincy to Harry Brook. Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie discusses the loss of Josh Hazlewood and a possible Ashes debut for Brendan Doggett and Aggers shares memories of previous Perth visits including playing tennis with the England captain and being seconded to bowl at England players in the nets.

Pope on the pod and Aggers in the nets.

Comedian, actor, writer and director Chris Addison takes a “View from the Boundary” with Jonathan Agnew at the Oval. 

Addison discusses watching the 2005 Ashes climax at the Oval, his admiration for England opener Tammy Beaumont and what it was like playing Ollie Reeder in “The Thick of It”.

View from the Boundary - Chris Addison

Listen and read

Other podcasts you might like ...