The Forward Defensive Cricket Podcast

Just one quiet week of English cricket is impossible right now. In this episode, Matt dives into all the fallout from a dramatic 3rd Test Match against New Zealand. Ben Stokes's retirement has thrown this England cricket team into chaos, and there are calls for the coach and Managing Director to be sacked. Matt also has a rant about the social media fixation with Ben Foakes being wicket-keeper...

It has been another hectic week in the height of summer for the England cricket team. In this episode, Matt goes through the results of the ECB and Cricket Regulator findings into the Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson nightclub incident before going through the dismal display in the 2nd Test Match against New Zealand. He then dives into each of the new faces in the England side to rate their performance...

What a week it has been. England are still suffering the fallout from Stokes and Atkinson's night out. In this episode, Matt talks about the 5 changes that England make ahead of the 2nd Test Match against New Zealand. He goes through the 3 debutants, and Matthew Fisher's first game for 4 years in a wild 10 days for English cricket. Also in this episode, he dives into round 8 of the Rothesa...

We have a LOT to talk about! In this episode, Matt runs you through what happened in the First Test Match of the English summer between England and New Zealand. He also dives into the breaking news that Ben Stokes might retire after ANOTHER nightclub incident... In County cricket, we have reached a 3-week break in the Vitality Blast, so Matt dives into the current standings after 6 matches. PLUS,...

In this episode, Matt dives into the numbers from the last 3 seasons of county cricket to work out who the best bowler is. Isn't it just the guy who takes the most wickets? Well, not according to this. Also, Matt uses a brand new statistical model to work out who the rising star bowlers under the age of 23 are. Who do you think is the best bowler in county cricket? Did anyone not make the top...

It has been a busy week since the last podcast! In this episode, Matt starts by diving into the recently announced England Test Squad for the series against New Zealand. He then runs his eye over Yorkshire's demolition of Surrey, Somerset being denied by rain against Sussex, and Louis Kimber's substitute heroics for Northamptonshire. Also, there's a look at the career of Liam Dawson af...

It was all about batting collapses this week in the Rothesay County Championship. They defined multiple games that twisted and turned. In this episode, Matt dives into Ryan Hadley's improbable 200 ball vigil as a night watcher, Ethan Bamber's England case, Somerset's title challenge already being over, AND just how wild Division 2's battle for promotion is. Get in touch with the show on social med...

Have Somerset already surrendered their title challenge? Their defeat to Yorkshire is the Game of the Week as Matt reviews week 5 of the Rothesay County Championship. This episode covers a range of topics: Did Lewis Gregory deserve more England caps? Ollie Robinson makes his England claim with the bat? Liam Patterson-White is the new Ashley Giles Hapless Kent finally win What is going wrong at Der...

This week, Division 1 of the Rothesay County Championship served up a run fest, but luckily, Division 2 gave us plenty of action. In this episode, Matt goes through the options that might make teams try to win games and confirms his love of Emilio Gay as England's next Test Match opener. Get in touch with the show on social media @forwarddefpod or by email forwarddefensivepod@gmail.com Audio F...

Just the eight sides in action this week in the Rothesay County Championship, so in this episode, Matt goes deep into the game of the week between Hampshire and Somerset. He discusses whether Tom Abell should have played for England next to Joe Root and whether Sonny Baker is closer to making a Test Match debut than expected. But before all of that, substitutes in cricket, good or bad? Let us know...

The Rothesay County Champion woke from its round 1 slumber for a brilliant round of matches. In this episode, Matt looks at the game of the week as Lancashire defeat Derbyshire, and two MORE options for England at the top of their order. James Anderson has still got it Ben McKinney stakes his claim Is Asa Tribe the latest Ian Bell? Sonny Baker continues to burst with potential Who stood out to you...

The Rothesay County Championship is back! And while Round 1 wasn't full of wins and losses, it did give players the chance to start staking their England Test Match claims. In this episode, Matt breaks down five players that he believes should be grabbing the attention of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Who will replace Zak Crawley? How do you fit James Rew in the England team? Have England f...

Round six of the Rothesay County Championship is in the books, and all the sides have now played five matches. In this episode, Matt looks back at the last ball finish between Essex and Yorkshire, Surrey's continued struggles, and Lancashire's dramatic week. He also ponders if England has found not one but two potential all-rounders in Ben Kellaway and George Hill, and discusses Nottingham...

After a mostly dry start to the season, rain finally played a part (well, it is April after all), and only two matches did not finish in a draw. There was still plenty of quality cricket played in round 3 of the Rothesay County Championship. In this episode, Matt delves into Ethan Brookes doing his best Ben Stokes impression, highlights the farcical scene at Lord's, and asks, 'What is goin...

Round 2 of the Rothesay County Championship backed up a wonderful week 1 with another group of pulsating matches. In this episode, Matt goes through Warwickshire's one-wicket victory over Durham in the game of the week, talks about how Sussex have grabbed his attention and put themselves in dark-horse title contention before casting his eye on the historic defeat of Worcestershire at Headingle...

The Rothesay County Championship is back! In this episode, Matt recaps the brilliant battling display of Worcestershire against Somerset in the game of the week. He then dives into the performances that caught his attention and a couple that disappointed him. The episode starts with a brief discussion about Harry Brook's appointment as England Men's White Ball Captain. Read Andrew Miller&#...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Aaron of The County Cricket Podcast to discuss Division 1 of the County Championship in depth. They go team-by-team, breaking down their strengths, weaknesses, key players, and hot prospects. Will Surrey win their 4th title in a row? Or will Somerset finally break their duck? Get in touch with the show at forwarddefensivepod@gmail.com or @forwarddefpod on social...

You might have forgotten about it but the ICC Champions Trophy is back. In this episode, Matt goes team by team breaking down their chances, key players, and their biggest weaknesses. The best eight ODI sides are battling for the title, and it looks incredibly even on paper... Except for India looming like the final boss of a video game. If you want to listen to your team then check out the time s...

T20 World Champions India have continued their dominant run by brushing aside England at home. Is this the dawn of India's 20-over domination? Despite the change of coach, England's familiar failings against spin and inflexible fast bowling remain. In this episode, Matt looks at what changes they could have made and why they came up short. Get in touch with the show forwarddefensivepod@gma...

The dust has settled on one of the most hyped and highly anticipated Test series of all time between Australia and India. Despite it coming down to the final game, is Indian Test cricket at a crossroads? The struggling form of their star batters, new talents failing to pick up the baton, and a bowling attack that relies on an all-world talent. That is the anatomy of a side heading for a rebuild or...

England had already won their first series in New Zealand since 2008 and were looking to seal a 3-0 clean sweep but the Black Caps wanted to give Tim Southee a perfect send off. In this episode, Matt looks at how the tourists floundered to their second 400+ run Test Match defeat of 2024, asks is Southee gets the respect he deserves, and ponders what England do with Ben Stokes after his latest inju...

In this episode, Matt looks at how England have secured a first Test series win in New Zealand since 2008 as they hammered their hosts to win the second Test match. Brook, Bethell, and Duckett blasted away, while Root notched his 36th century. The bowlers blew the Black Caps away as Gus Atkinson claimed a hattrick and Brydon Carse continued his brilliant debut winter. Not even a counterattacking h...

Does England have a new superstar? Jacob Bethell made a debut 50 batting put of position as his stock continues to rise. In this episode, Matt analyses the first Test Match between New Zealand and England. The hosts look to continue their hot streak after winning in India, while the tourists aim to bounce back from their own trial by spin in Pakistan. Harry Brook and Brydon Carse gave England an e...

England bounced back from their ODI series defeat by claiming the T20 series 3-1. In this episode, Matt runs through the impact of a coin toss, the stunning return of Saqib Mahmood, marvels at Jacob Bethell, and wonders what England's best T20 side would be. Get in touch with the show @forwarddefpod on social media. Music from Pixabay Audio File Title: Chill Hip Hop Audio File URL: https://pixabay...

An inexperienced England lost their 3rd successive One Day International series at the hands of the West Indies. Given all the key players missing how much did we learn? In this episode, Matt looks at how England's debutants fared, Liam Livingstone's key role, the West Indian pace attack, and more. Get in touch: forwarddefensivepod@gmail.com Follow on social media: @forwarddefpod Music from Pixaba...