Advertise on podcast: Once Upon a Time in the Ashes

Peter Martin was selected for the 6th and final Test of the 1997 Ashes at the Oval. It was to be his 8th and final Test for England and despite being on the winning side, he found it a ‘bittersweet experience’. ‘Digger’ takes us through his international career, which also included 20 ODIs, and his long and successful time with Lancashire. Art, Athers, Anderson and much more besides.

Mike Smith played his only Test for England in the 4th Test of the 1997 Ashes at Headingley. Find out the inside story of that Test, including Graham Thorpe’s dropped catch, the controversy around Mike’s selection ahead of Andy Caddick and why his captain, Mike Atherton, took a shine to his bowling in the Headingley nets. Plus he shares his memories of his trophy-laden career with Gloucestershire.

Jo Angel, of Midland Guildford  and Western Australia, replaced Peter McIntyre in the Australian side for the 5th Test of the 1994-95 Ashes series in Australia. It was to be his 4th and final Test for the national side and it would come at his home ground, the WACA in Perth. Jo tells us about chaotic debuts, a thrilling series againt the West Indies, AK-47s in Pakistan and getting 'barbecued' in both innings in his one and only Ashes Test.

Peter McIntyre played his one and only Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval in the 4th Test of the 1994-95 series. Peter tells us about his cricketing rivalry and friendship with Shane Warne, his restorative trip to Magic Mountain after a South Australia Sheffield Shield win and the ‘real’ ball of the century when he snared the Indian captain, Sachin Tendulkar. All this and much more.

Steve Watkin was unbeaten in his three Tests for England. In his one and only Ashes Test at the Oval in August 1993, he ripped through the Australian top 3 in the second innings to set up a famous England win. Steve tells all about etching his name into Ashes history, playing with and against the great Viv Richards and his long and successful career for Glamorgan.

John Stephenson and Alan Igglesden were the 28th and 29th players selected by England for the 1989 Ashes series. John tells all about his one Ashes Test at the Oval and his subsequent near misses in terms of international selection. Alan, who played his one Ashes Test alongside John in that game, tragically passed away in November 2021. His brother, Kevin, joins us to take us through his life and legacy.

Greg Campbell joined his Tasmanian team-mate, David Boon, on the 1989 tour of England and played his one and only Ashes Test in the first match of the series at Headingley. Greg reveals what it was like to play in that star-studded, all-conquering side...and to room with Merv Hughes.

Australian team manager, Ann Mitchell and one Ashes Test wonders, Annette Fellows and Karen Read, join us for a special episode celebrating the Jubilee series between Australia and England in 1984-85. The only 5 match Test series in the history of the women’s game. And what a dramatic, see-saw series it was, culminating in a decider at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.

Like our previous guest, Murray Bennett, Dave Gilbert played his one Ashes Test at the Oval in the 6th Test of the 1985 series. Dave reveals how he went from a 10 year old boy in the crowd at the SCG during the 1971 Ashes to playing on the biggest stage for his country. It’s a cricketing journey that takes in New South Wales, the Essex and Lancashire leagues, Tasmania and Gloucestershire, via kangaroo courts and tied Tests.

Murray Bennett was selected for the 1985 Ashes tour to England under the captaincy of Allan Border. He played his one Ashes Test in the final game of the series at the Oval. This was his third and final Test for Australia, following two against the West Indies in 1984-5. From St George, Sydney to Ramsbottom, Lancashire, this is his story.

It's a delight to welcome Jonathan Agnew of Leicestershire, England and TMS to the show. Jonathan played his one and only Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1985. His Test debut againt the indomitable West Indies side during the 'Blackwash' series of 1984; his late call up to the tour of India the following winter; and some memorable and daunting moments at the MCG. All this and much more. It's an episode not to be missed.

Arnie Sidebottom fulfilled many a child's dream by playing football for Manchester United and cricket for Yorkshire. He played his one and only Test for England against Australia in 1985. He's joined on the podcast by his son, and fellow Test cricketer, Ryan, and his captain during that Ashes series, Mr David Gower.