Hit For Six

Michael and Rob are joined by current Stumped Podcast producer and former BBC Live Text writer Sam Sheringham. The trio chat about what makes the Live Text on BBC so successful, reminisce about the disastrous 2007 Cricket World Cup, and discuss the  challenges of balancing the international cricketing calendar in a world of franchise T20 leagues.

Injuries, nerves, cricket and yoga - four things this week's guest knows all about! Michael and Rob are joined by former Sussex seamer Lewis Hatchett to hear about his remarkable journey to becoming a professional cricketer, and to find out how he hopes to help current athletes tackle both the physical and mental challenges of sporting competition.

Michael and Rob chat with The Independent's sports writer Vithushan Ehantharajah. The death of print journalism, the hegemony of T20 franchise leagues, cricket's response to BLM and much, much more is covered in this fascinating discussion on Hit For Six.

Episode 2 of the new series sees Michael and Rob speak to fellow University of Warwick alumni and TMS Producer Adam Mountford. Tales from the summer's International Cricket bubble, the lucky break that got him into broadcasting, and reflections on the free-to-air television debate are all served up in this lively and good-natured interview with the man who runs cricket radio broadcasting for the B...

Hit for Six is BACK!! Michael and Rob catch-up with former England wicketkeeper and current Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon. They chat about Nico’s career, life as a county coach during lockdown and reflect on the future of the sport - including the challenges of match-fixing and corruption. Passionate about the game and always up for a laugh Nico also has a couple of cracking anecdotes t...

It certainly wasn't the summer we were expecting but, despite the Coronavirus pandemic, it's been a fine summer of cricket to reflect back on! In this penultimate episode of the season, Rob and Michael pick over England's disappointing series defeat to Australia before discussing their player and moment of the summer, and briefly previewing the Bob Willis Trophy Final between Somerset and Essex.

Following a highly entertaining series victory over Australia in the T20s and with the ODI series in full swing, Michael and Rob spent Saturday morning reviewing England's white ball success. From the outstanding form of David Malan to who should be picked for the T20 World Cup next year, and of course how good Adil Rashid really is, the pair cover the major talking points coming out of the limite...

Earlier this year, Rob and Michael selected their England Test XI of the 21st century. A team full of some of the biggest and best names English cricket has ever produced. But what about some of those lesser known and quickly forgotten players? Those one test wonders and stop-gap selections?  Joined by Nick Harris and Linus Pardoe, Rob and Michael go about selecting an alternative England XI made...

Michael and Rob are joined by cricket lover and Pakistan fan, Murtaza, to review a thrilling first test between England and Pakistan. The trio reflect on who played well, who underperformed, and how that leaves the rest of the series. Michael also finds time to make yet another plug for Adil Rashid to return to the test arena, and there is also a brief discussion on Ireland's victory in the final...

It's safe to say that cricket in 2020 is now in full swing! Domestic cricket has returned in the form of the Bob Willis Trophy, recreational cricket is up and running, and England have finished one Test series and are about to start another. In this episode, Rob and Michael review England's 2-1 series win over the West Indies, briefly chat about the first Ireland ODI and discuss which Pakistan pla...

Michael and Rob review the first two Test matches of the England-West Indies series and look ahead to the decide at Old Trafford on Friday. They discuss who has impressed, who has disappointed and who should England select going into the winner-takes-all final match of the series!

This time around Rob and Michael are joined by cricket writing, playing and broadcasting legend Vic Marks! After a very successful playing career with Somerset and England, Vic became the cricket correspondent for the Observer, and has remained writing for both them and the Guardian ever since. A much-loved contributor to Test Match Special as well, it's safe to say that Vic is one of Michael and...

In just a few days cricket will return as England take on the West Indies at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. In this episode, Rob and Michael are joined by a triumvirate of Dom Wood, Freddie Larkins and Henry Bowen to discuss England's chances and select their very own XI for the first Test of the series...

This week, Rob and Michael are joined by former England opener and Worcestershire legend Tim Curtis. Tim scored over 20,000 First Class runs in a hugely successful professional career in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and until recently held the position of Vice President at Worcestershire CCC. Highlights and lowlights of his own career, and the state of domestic cricket in England are the topics...

Former England Test Captain, Sky Sports Pundit, and Times Cricket Correspondent. Our special guest for this week needs no introduction... He's watched every player we've selected in our XI on countless occasions and so was perfectly placed to review our dream England side from the past 20 years. In this episode, he gave his thoughts on our selection and threw a few of his own names into the mix as...

Rob and Michael are joined once more by Freddie Larkins as they look to fill the final three spots in their dream England XI of the past 20 years. It's time to select the seamers. Who will be the three men chosen to lead England's attack? Will they play safe, or is an unexpected selection waiting just around the corner?

"Behind every great side, there's a great...spin bowler", or something like that! Joined by spin wizard and former President of the University of Warwick Men's Cricket Club, Robert Kraus, Michael and Rob decide who will fill this pivotal position in their England XI of the past 20 years.

The top 6 has been selected - Cook, Trescothick, Vaughan, Pietersen, Root and Stokes - and now it's time for the all-important position of wicketkeeper. England haven't been blessed with a glut of great glovemen over the past 20 years, so it's all up for grabs! Who will be the pairs' choice behind the stumps?

This is the one you've all been waiting for! Rob and Michael are joined by their respective fathers, Anthony Stileman and David Kynaston, both lifelong cricket lovers and strongly opinionated on all matters relating to the English Test side. It's the middle-order up for discussion this time around, who will join Kevin Pietersen in the "Boiler Room" of our fantasy England XI from the past 20 years.

Number 4, traditionally the place of the best batsman in a Test side, is the place up for discussion in this episode. Joined by Aldershot fan and Jonathan Trott enthusiast Sean, Rob and Michael have a number of potential candidates to weigh up. But there can only be one player selected in this most crucial of positions in their fantasy England side...

Number 3 is the glue to a good batting line-up. So who have Rob and Michael selected as their chosen adhesive? Joined by Freddie Larkins to help them make this crucial decision. Will it be the obvious choice? Or will there be an early surprise selection in this composite England Test XI?

Who will join Alastair Cook at the top of the order? That's the question on the table as Michael and Rob hold their 5th podcast of the Coronavirus lockdown.

Over the next few weeks Rob and Michael will be selecting their composite England XI from their living memory. Up first is the all-important position of opener. Who will be their rock at the top of the order?

Rob and Michael reflect on England's winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa. Who established themselves as England regulars, who failed to deliver, and where does it all leave England going forward? Plenty to discuss, despite the current lack of cricket, in this third Lockdown episode.

In this second Lockdown episode, Michael and Rob look back to that wonderful Sunday in July when England won the 50 over Cricket World Cup for the very first time. They also discuss whether Coronavirus may spell the end of the County Championship as we know it!