Tailenders

Our very special guest on this week’s Podcast is Rugby Legend (and occasional Cricketer) Lewis Moody. On the pitch he captained England, represented the British and Irish Lions and won the World Cup, European Cups and many league titles.  In 2025 he was diagnosed with MND and since then has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and vast amounts of money to try and combat the disease. In a wonderful, wide ranging interview we cover everything from his ‘cricketing credentials’ - pretending to be Jonty Rhodes, bowling fast beamers at batters heads and being a proper Tailender - to living with MND, dealing with adversity and the power of ’the human spirit’. Plus guitar lessons from Jonny Wilkinson, why he wanted to write his latest book and some amazing advice for parents of kids who play sport.

Find out what happened on arguably the most surreal day in the history of Tailenders.  A game of Cricket on the Mall with Prince William, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Brian Lara, Sourav Ganguly, Ajinkya Rahane and a full compliment of Tailenders. Who was bowled first ball, who was smashing it everywhere, what was Fe chatting to Prince William about when they were stood in the slips together and is the heir to the throne any good at cricket? Also Harry Brook and Joe Root discuss the busy winter schedule coming up and working with new coach Stephen Fleming, plus Prince William has a very important message concerning Sir Jimmy!

Emilio Gay, England and Durham batter, is our very special guest this week. From meeting his cricketing hero Dwayne Bravo when he was just a kid to making his England test debut this summer, Emilio reflects on his cricketing journey so far. Plus, he takes us into the dressing room during THAT extraordinary test match at Trent Bridge versus New Zealand when Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket, explains how he deals with nerves and reveals his favourite cricketers. Also Mattchin is on hand with a ‘brand new format’ that helps us get to know Emilio 'even better'- including what is his ’special, niche talent’?

‘You’re Mark Wood bowling from the top end……..’  A look back at the career of one of our very favourite cricketers - Mark Wood, who this week announced his retirement from International Cricket. His best wickets, matches, spells and, of course, how he became a legend of Tailenders via Mattchin’s' Instagram Lockdown Quiz’ that went very wrong! Plus as the County season comes to an end Felix headed to the The Oval for one final time this summer and Mattchin returns with one of his classic quizzes, ‘County House’.

This week we’re joined by one of our favourite cricketers Kate Cross, who announced her retirement from the game earlier in the summer. She looks back at her playing highlights, how she got into the game, how women's cricket has changed and what’s next for her. Plus can she survive Mattchin’s latest Quiz ‘ Cross Examination - 24 minutes in Police Custody’ which is based around some of the more ‘unusual’ parts of her career?