Test Match Special

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has caused a stir by suggesting the County Championship is replaced by a red ball franchise competition. Kevin Howells gets reaction from the ECB managing director of County Cricket Neil Snowball. They also discuss whether the T20 Blast is getting the attention it deserves with the emphasis on the Hundred and what lessons are being learnt following the Azeem Rafiq racism revelations.

England bowler Kate Cross is in India taking part in the Women’s T20 challenge, hopefully a forerunner of the women’s IPL. She’s joined by World Cup winner Alex Hartley who’s been enjoying mixed fortunes back in the ranks for the Thunder side playing in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. They answer your questions, set a new challenge and find out who Alex mistook for Hugh Grant on a train and why Kate was perturbed by pictures of Radio 1 and Tailenders host Greg James in the bath!

Kevin Howells presents a tribute to Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds who has died in a car accident at the age of only 46. We hear from TMS commentator Jim Maxwell on his Australia playing career and recent work as a commentator. Plus we discuss his contribution to the English county game hearing from his captains at Gloucestershire, Kent and Lancashire, Jack Russell, David Fulton and Mark Chilton.

After a short break England bowler Kate Cross and World Cup winner Alex Hartley are back with tales from the start of their cricket season, tuk-tuk buying fathers and playing cricket with Ed Sheeran and Bear Grylls. Plus they answer your questions and hear about your LBWs, Little Bit Weirds.

Alison Mitchell and Ebony Rainford-Brent look at the accessibility of cricket, and what can be done to engage more with people from all backgrounds and whether we should be feeling optimistic, or pessimistic about the direction of travel.We chat about the challenges of finances and what needs to be done to support younger players trying to fund their youth career.Scotland international Abtaha Maqsood also joins the team to discuss cultural differences and how the game has changed since she started playing.And Ian Martin, the ECB’s head of disability cricket, explains the launch of the ECB Disability Premier League.Topics:3:45 - Tom Brown, a researcher from Birmingham City University, on representation 14:30 - The ACE Programme18:20 - Reporter Jamie Reid speaking to youngsters at an ACE session21:00 - Troy Henry part of the ACE Programme25:15 - Finances in cricket 30:30 - Abtaha Maqsood, leg spinner with Birmingham Phoenix40:30 - Ian Martin, Head of Disability Cricket at the ECB

Jonathan Agnew is joined by former England spinners Phil Tufnell and Vic Marks to reflect on the resignation of Joe Root as England captain. We also hear from two men who know Root very well, Yorkshire’s interim director of cricket Darren Gough and former England captain Michael Vaughan.

England bowler Kate Cross and TMS commentator Alex Hartley are reunited in the UK a week after the World Cup final where England were defeated by Australia in a high scoring game. They reflect on the match and the tournament as a whole both on the field and in the commentary box. Plus an update on whether the “hunky umpire” is going to join the pod!

Kevin Howells is joined by two former England coaches, Paul Farbrace and Peter Moores, who are now involved back in the County game. They look ahead to the domestic season and ask if Championship cricket should be getting the criticism it is receiving because of the failures of the England Test team.And Kevin is joined by fellow commentators Nikesh Rughani, Mark Church and Emily Windsor to find out which teams will be challenging this season in the men’s and women’s game.

Alison Mitchell is joined by 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, Henry Moeran and Stephan Shemilt to review Australia’s 71 run World Cup Final victory over England.Plus we get reaction from England captain Heather Knight, Australia’s captain Meg Lanning and the England head of women’s cricket Clare Connor.

Kate Cross has just helped England to the World Cup final, and quite rightly is ready to tell NBTCP listeners how it happened. Alex is rather excited, just so you're warned...

England bowler Kate Cross and 2017 winner Alex Hartley discuss the Women's World Cup up to now and look ahead to the knockout matches. Plus, how should you butter a sandwich?

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are joined by former England captain Nasser Hussain to discuss the current Women's World Cup and his stellar career as a player and broadcaster.

After a tough start to the World Cup, England bowler Kate Cross and Alex Hartley chat through what needs to change. Plus, former teammate Lydia Greenway joins the pod.

As cricket comes to terms with the death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne at the age of 52, Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew and former England spinner Phil Tufnell to remember his life and career.Former team-mate Stuart Law, friend Pat Cash and Hampshire chairman Rob Bransgrove discuss what made Warne so special. They also hear from Mike Gatting, the man dismissed by Warne’s ‘ball of the century’.Australia captain Pat Cummins and England captain Joe Root also pay tribute to the man who took 708 test wickets, while cricket writer Geoff Lemon explains why Warne was a role model for a generation of young Australians.TOPICS: 2.37 – Jonathan Agnew and Phil Tufnell discuss Warne’s life 4.59 – Geoff Lemon on Warne inspiring a nation 15.32 – Joe Root and Pat Cummins pay tribute 21.40 – Mike Gatting remembers Warne’s ‘ball of the century’ 29.26 – Stuart Law on being a team-mate of Warne 41.27 – Rob Bransgrove on Warne’s legacy at Hampshire 45.32 – Pat Cash on being Shane W

England bowler Kate Cross and World Cup winner Alex Hartley look ahead to this year's tournament. Plus, it turns out Alex remembers pretty much nothing from her success in 2017...

Kate's preparing to play in her first World Cup and the excitement is building. For Alex, it's quarantine and trying to keep herself entertained. Plus, a return for Danni Wyatt.

England stars Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt join Kate and Alex for a fascinating chat about life and love as international athletes. Look out for a VERY competitive quiz.

England Kate Cross is in quarantine in New Zealand ahead of the World Cup and Alex Hartley is in Melbourne recovering from commentating on a rollercoaster Women’s Ashes. They review the series and ask if England can beat Australia in their World Cup opener in March. They also answer your e-mails and there’s some revenge among the LBWs.

England bowler Kate Cross and World Cup winner Alex Hartley reflect on the near miracle of Manuka. Kate has the inside story of one of the most dramatic Tests of all time and Alex explains how she coped with the tension in the TMS commentary box. Kate talks us through how she ended up saving the game in the middle and what the dressing room was like at the end of the match. And Kate and Alex even have time to answer some of your e-mails.

After countless requests England batter Danni Wyatt (finally!) joins the podcast to preview the Women's Ashes, reveal how Virat Kohli reacted to her twitter marriage proposal, explain why her attempt to be Tarzan aged 10 helps her hit the ball to different areas of the ground, and why she once showered with a tubigrip on her face. There's some cricket chat in there too.