The Country of Test Cricket

Writer, comedian, broadcaster, documentary maker, presenter and all round genius Sir Michael Palin joins Greg, Jimmy and Felix for a very special episode of Tailenders. In a wide-ranging interview he discussed his career with Monty Python, his legendary travelogues including his new series on Nigeria, his films and his love of cricket. Included are tales about George Harrison, Keith Miller, watching cricket around the world, his first job at the BBC and the perils of eating rotten camel meat. Plus, what happened when Jimmy was invited to meet the Dalai Lama.

On day one of the County Championship we were invited into the boardroom at Lord's to sit down with ECB Chair, Richard Thompson, the boss of English Cricket. Topics included cricket in state schools, TV deals, The Hundred, racism and cricket, the development of the women's wame and THAT presentation to Jimmy in India.

The County Championship is back so we headed to Lord's to celebrate everything that’s great about county cricket. This episode includes an explanation of how the competition works, the difference between Kookaburra and Dukes balls, hybrid pitches, the standard within the game and whether day one of the County Championship is like Xmas Eve, Xmas Day or New Year's Eve. Plus we’re joined by TMS Producer Adam Mountford.

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Brian Lara, Richie Benaud, Stephen Fry and Andrew Strauss, The Tailenders assembled at Lord's to deliver the 2024 Cowdrey Lecture. Greg, Jimmy and Felix were joined on stage by guests Stuart Broad, Isa Guha and Mark Nicholas.

We’re live(ish) from The Shardnado for The Hundred Draft with special guests Nasser Hussain, Charlotte Edwards, Grace Ballinger and Sam Billings. Plus Mattchin has created an easy to understand ’supermarket based’ guide to the draft and it’s inner workings.

Our Jimmy gets his 700th Test wicket - not that you’d know it from his typical, understated reaction -  but despite this we’re determined to celebrate this never to be repeated cricketing milestone, even if he’s not! He tells the story behind number 700 -  the wicket of Kuldeep Yadav, his on field ‘chat’ with Shubman Gill and how this England team can develop in the future.  Plus comedian, poet and writer Tim Key joins us from Dharamsala for a fans perspective of watching cricket in one of the most beautiful grounds in the world, Mattchin updates us on his new cricketing career and lots of random facts about 2003.

A full review of the Men's 4th Test between India and England and a look ahead to the final match in the series. Plus Mattchin revives one of his classic quizzes so we can ‘get to know’ some of the new faces in the England team and discover who is the biggest prankster, who has good fashion sense and who likes country and western music. Also tattoos, trilateral listening and tour stories from Felix.

A full review of the 3rd Men's Test between India and England, Dibbly Dobbly chat, more cricketing birds plus Mattchin has created a quiz format that somehow manages to combine an Indian cricket legend with the West country dialect.

The extension is going to get built in the 'house that wickets bought'! We hear the full inside story of the second Men's Test between India and England including how a former coach helped with Jimmy’s run up, praise for England’s young spinners, THAT wicket of Sharma, the new ‘Nighthawk', how India were 'on edge' and the perils of facing England’s batters in the nets. Plus Mattchin reveals how he became cricket’s premier influencer.

Sunday was arguably the greatest day of Test Cricket ever so we’ve brought together an ensemble cast including England bowler Issy Wong, Cricinfo Writer Vithushan Ehantharajah and Tom Hartley’s former teacher for an emergency podcast!We have all the expert analysis you’d expect from Tailenders including cheese, cats, mice, mouthwash, drunken nights out, Latin phrases, Troy Deeney, GPS, McDonalds and Whitney Houston. Plus Greg has a very special message for Felix.