Doom and gloom / Hope and happiness

On the eve of the second men's Ashes Test at The Gabba - a venue England have not win at since 1986 - we assess the tourists' chances, the potential impact of Will Jacks of all trades and why Mitchell Starc is so potent with the pink ball.Plus remembering the great Robin Smith.

OK, so the 1st Mens Ashes Test did not go well. However it’s not over, there are still four Test matches to go, so time for some optimism.The Tailenders assemble to review the events in Perth and look ahead to the 2nd Test in Brisbane.Plus we meet Alex, an Aussie who flew from Germany to Perth to watch Day 3 of The Test, what is an ‘acceptable’ way to get out, Mattchin has some facts about The Gabba, and who are Jimmy’s favourite Aussies?

Tailenders News Alert: This podcast is available in audio AND vision - head to the BBC iPlayer to watch.The Ashes are nearly here and it’s time to officially get excited. Jimmy gives us the lowdown on the challenge England’s men will face in Australia and looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the Aussies.Plus need some ‘Ashes conversation starters’? Don’t panic, Mattchin is here with some Perth related facts - some of which might actually be true- to make sure all Tailenders are fully prepped for the biggest show in cricket.

After several weeks of delay Mattchin at last gets to debut his much hyped new quiz ’Send it up for Review’, complete with original music.Plus G Force gets to experience G Force, more Underrated Ashes Players and can someone call the I.T department please. From emails to Printers the Tailenders are having tech troubles.

Former England fast bowler Steve Finn is our special guest as he shares the high and lows of his Ashes career, including being part of the last England team to win in Australia and why his best spell was overlooked due to Stuart Broad. Plus Arise Sir Jimmy! It’s the first episode of Tailenders presented by a knight of the realm and we get the inside story of Jimmy’s trip to Windsor Castle - including which random footballer was at the afterparty?

Ashes fever is gripping the Nation (sort of) and everyone is doing their Ashes XIs, so we thought we’d jump on that bandwagon with our own.Plus Jimmy is getting ready to get knighted - but is King Charles a leg spinner or a seamer?Mattchin has another history lesson, more on the mysterious Phon Buntheon and can anyone stop Australia winning the Women’s World Cup?

Mattchin organises a surprise delivery that causes chaos - and injury - amongst the Tailenders.Plus 1990s adverts, more on Phon Buntheon, The Women’s World Cup, Contracts, Listener Feedback, ‘Little Yearns’ and what links Bob Dylan to scoring?

Our very special guest this week is Saracens, England and Lions legend Jamie George who talks about sharing a room at school with Sam Billings, how Cricket helps his line out throws, watching Kent and Essex, Rugby ‘Little Yearns’ and The Ashes.Plus Jimmy looks back at the International career of Chris Woakes and the mystery of Phon Bunthean.

The squad for the men’s Ashes has been announced and we’re getting very excited as Jimmy gives his reaction to the players who will head to Australia in November and battle for the urn. Plus memories of Dickie Bird, and Mattchin invites everyone ‘listening at home’ to come and network at his ‘Connection Convention’.

Mattchin has a new history-based feature that is most definitely not ‘something he just Googled and told us’.Plus another innings of ’The Anderson/Tendulkar Interview’, what’s better ’The Blast’ or ’The Hundred’ and did you witness a unique piece of cricketing history?