Legends of the Ashes

In the last episode of Season 2, as we gear up for the Ashes, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward bring you the story of Australian media magnate Kerry Packer, who all the current players should be thanking.Packer turned the gentile game of Test cricket upside down as he signed the captains of England, Australia and the West Indies to what some called his 'rebel circus'. For two years at the end of the 1970s, the traditional world of white flannels, red balls and polite applause collided with coloured clothing, floodlights, music and marketing - cricket was never quite the same again. So how did Packer lure the best cricketers in the world? And how much of what we see today can directly be traced back to the drive, ambition and vanity of one Sydney businessman? We hope you've enjoyed Season 2 of How It All Played Out. While we take a short break you can check out all our past episodes on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!We'd love to hear from you! Email us: [email protected] Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpodExecutive Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie Penney Video Producer: Sam Trudgill Social Media Editor: Calum Scotland Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al RiddellDirector of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Welcome to The Sports Agents, a twice-weekly podcast hosted by two of the UK's top sports broadcasters, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman.With new episodes available every Tuesday and Thursday, starting 5th March.

In the summer of 2019 England hosted the Cricket World Cup and the Ashes. 48 one-day internationals and six Tests in 14 crazy weeks, it was the stuff of dreams for all cricket lovers. And every dream needs a hero. Step forward Benjamin Andrew Stokes.After his heroics in that chaotic World Cup final, things looked to be taking a turn for the worse when Australia were about to go 2-0 up in the Ashes at Headingley. But Stokes bowled his heart out to stop the Aussies obliterating England and then played one of the greatest ever Test match innings with the bat to see his side home by one wicket.Stuart Broad reveals what was going on in the England dressing room as that incredible innings unfolded and why Ben Stokes’ leadership and personality were so vital. Australia’s coach Justin Langer and star player Steve Smith as they recall the feeling of the game slipping away from them. And Ian Botham gives us his verdict on the man that may well turn out to be “the next Botham”.

Many Ashes series have been won by pairs of great bowlers. In this episode, the most potent combinations – from Lillee and Thompson, Botham and Willis, Warne and McGrath to the most recent deadly duo, Anderson and Broad.James Anderson and Stuart Broad explain how they work together to methodically analyse conditions and opponents and recognise when they need to do the heavy lifting and cover for their mate.Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne discus the importance of building pressure as a pair and how they would come together to strangle the opposition. Ian Chappell also gives a telling insight into managing a pair of bowling aces, in his case Lillee and Thompson. He reveals how he first had to get them to stop competing with each other in order to get the best from them.

England planned their 2010/11 campaign in Australia, where they had not won a series for 25 years, with military precision.The strategy of captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower was based on patience, stamina, consistency and making mountains of runs.The Ashes were sealed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when England bowled Australia out for 98 on Boxing Day in front of 90,000 Australians.Key participants Andrew Strauss and Graeme Swann explain how it was done and why it had nothing to do with a military-style bootcamp in a German forest shortly before the series started.We also learn how the team’s signature celebration, the 'sprinkler dance' was born on the dance floor of an Australian nightclub.