Test Match Special - CWC 1 day to go: It’s time!

Episode Date: May 29, 2019

The day before the World Cup starts, Jonathan Agnew speaks to Eoin Morgan at the Oval about expectations, performing, and what he’ll say to the Queen. South Africa coach Ottis Gibson answers whether he’d be interested in the England job after Trevor Bayliss, plus Natalie Germanos and Dean Wilson give their thoughts on the World Cup opener.Then Aggers heads off to the World Cup launch party, and speaks to the great and good of world cricket, including Sir Viv Richards, Mahela Jayawardene, Azhar Ali, Jacques Kallis and Kevin Pietersen.

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Cricket World Cup. This is the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live. That's it. The West Indies have retained the battle. There's a mix-up. Oh, there could be a run-out. There will be a run-out. It's a tie. Australia is in the final. Here comes Van Bunger, up to Walter Hershey's. It's short. He goes for it. It's over the boundary. It's six-six is in the over. Australia have emphatically won their fifth World Cup by seven wickets. Hello, I'm Jonathan Agnew.

Welcome to the Test Match Special podcast on the eve of the 2019 Men's Cricket World Cup. Coming up in this podcast, we'll report on the World Cup opening party in the Mao. We'll hear from South Africa's coach, Otis Gibson. And at a moment, I'll be speaking to England's captain Owen Morgan. The TMS podcast, available every day during the Cricket World Cup. I wonder how relieved you are that finally you're almost ready to go. Yes. The anticipation has been building for some time. Our preparation has been building for some time and we're ready.

The first game of a World Cup always feels different. So the first day of an Ashes series or anything of that magnitude. So naturally I think it will feel different. But to get off and running, I think, is something we're itching to do. How are you going to try and keep things, therefore, if it does feel different, how you go try and keep things normal so you just go out and play that way you have been? I don't think things will feel normal. I think accepting that it will feel different

and focusing on short term as opposed to looking too far ahead. Try and stay in the moment as much as you can and only control what's in front of you. I think it's important for our guys. As far as fitness is concerned, I mean, you've got a bit of tape on there still. How are you doing? Yeah, I'm good.

This is only precautionary for fielding. It felt good. I batted for about a half an hour before the Afghanistan warm-up game. It felt better. and day on day it's obviously gotten better. So I'll be fully fit for tomorrow. And the others? Yeah, we've full bill of health, so 15 to select from.

And that's tough, isn't it? I mean, how do you leave those fellows out? You've all been together for so long, with the exception, of course, of Joffera, but to leave people out who have been on this journey is tough. Yeah, it is. I think the beauty of this is everybody is collectively working towards that one goal, and that's doing our best to try and win the World Cup

and on any given day hopefully myself and the selectors can select the final 11 that will give us the best chance of winning a game on any given ground against any given opposition we still need to perform really well but everybody within the 15 knows that everybody's saying your favourites

I've just said faft to proceed down there saying oh England are favourites is that a bit of a tactic do you believe your favourites to win yeah I think we do I think the tag is there for a reason. The level of performance that we've produced particularly at home over the last two years in particular

has probably lended us to being the favourites. That might change throughout the tournament. We'll more than likely come up against some difficult challenges and difficult games that we'll lose and have to come back from. But certainly going into the tournament, it's fine with us. As far South Africa's concerned, there's no Dale Stain, of course, which it won't upset you too much. under-achievers at this

in World Cups as we know but still it's a pretty tough start yeah it is they always have a strong side regardless of the performances that they've put in previous to a World Cup probably missing guys like A.B. DeVilleers and things like that but

they do have a very reputable team guys like DeKock, Amla Duplicey, Rabada very much household names when it comes to all three formats of the game so they're a very strong team I sat here as a very strong team I sat here as a very old fast bowler the other day

watching Roy and Bear snow batting okay against Afghanistan but I thought where do you bowl to these guys are they going to play like that against everybody or are there going to be times they're going to be more measured I'm actually thinking of the opening game I mean are they going to come out and play like that in those first 10 overs against everybody

I think the intent will be there whether the shots or the performance allows them to play like that will be determined by how well the opposition play and the wicked of course but our game has been geared towards pushing ourselves to the limit the whole time and if that means sitting in for five overs at any given stage

everybody right down from 1-211 knows that they have full trust of the change room in order to do that and equally if they feel like pushing the button they still have the full backing of the change room to do that and that does take real confidence isn't it to know that you can do it

and get out and not get a telling off or something. Absolutely. And I think that whole mentality has seen us go through a massive learning curve because you actually learn more about yourself and the limits that you put on yourself and the mistakes that you make and the onus that it is on yourself. So you almost become a better coach of yourself within that. And Trevor Bayliss has always said that the best coaches to come out of your playing career are the guys that you play with. And to have that one mentality that we're all playing with.

We're all learning this as we go along probably over the last four years, but have continued to get better and created a healthier environment for guys to learn. We talked about trying to keep things normal. You don't always go to Buckingham Palace the day before a one-day match. Now, what's going on there? Who are you going to meet? Yeah, I think we're meeting Her Majesty the Queen this afternoon, which is quite special. All the captains, I think, are going for a launch party or a set.

but I think we're meeting her which is quite very exciting what are you going to say to her I'm not sure I'm thinking about asking her about her horses to be honest she might have a couple of runners at Royal Ascot this year she does enjoy her

horse racing obviously spent a lot of time in the breeding side of it so thinking about that but you know something else might come out at the time we'll see good luck and good luck this summer I mean it's it's a huge opportunity

of English cricket isn't it it is it's massive ashes and World Cup year there's a great feel about things at the moment. Hopefully that continues. As a team we're extremely excited about giving an absolutely everything and whatever happens

happens. The TMS podcast available every day during the Cricket World Cup. Well I wonder if Owen Morgan did chat horses with Her Majesty. Let's speak to Dean Wilson from the Daily Mirror. He's been part of the podcast all winter. That's rather nice a line isn't it actually. He's going to

speak horses with the Majesty of the Queen. Yeah, it's fantastic. I think I mean Owen has long said that he never expected to be captain of England at a home World Cup. I don't think he ever expected to meet her match at all. So I think it just kind of goes along with how special this whole situation is, the World Cup at home, an England team in great shape, lots of confidence, lots to be happy about.

And having a little chat about the nags with her madge is a nice way to get it started. Special, but also he was very keen to say that they want to keep things as normal as possible. and that's not normal to go to Buckingham Palace for a game but I wonder I mean that is clearly how England are trying to play it aren't they yeah absolutely I think the way that England have managed to get themselves into this position they all know their roles they know how they train they know exactly what it takes to go into a game whether it's a world cup game or even just a series so they've got all that covered

but I think where Owen is really quite an impressive leader is that he's also open and willing to embrace the unexpected and to not get worried about things that may be slightly different. He's given the players enough confidence and responsibility, I guess, in their own games to be able to cope with whatever's thrown at them. So, yeah, even though they're going to the palace and there's going to be lots of different messages and, you know, people who come out at the woodworks looking for tickets and all those sorts of things, you know, things will be different around this World Cup. But he's telling the players to embrace it, enjoy it, you know, make that a part of the experience that you're able to look back on

because he's confident and he knows that the players have done exactly what they need to to get their cricket in the right shape and that's the important thing. It must give Joffa Archer mentioned here. I mean, to come into the team at such short notice and to show, well, such maturity as well. I mean, he, I think he's the most relaxed debitant I watched against Ireland that I've ever seen. But to come straight in and to be an instant pick and to players he has, this is a very talented, young cricketer. It's hugely talented.

I do agree that he does appear to be incredibly relaxed and taking it in stride. But I think that maybe is a little bit deceptive because there's no question that he's got a real, you know, backbone and steel behind him because, you know, he's made this journey.

You know, think about what it must be like for a young lad to, okay, he set his heart on being a professional cricketer, but he's left his home, he's left his family to come over to England and set himself up, okay, he's had Chris Jordan there as a real supportive mentor and best friend. But, you know, he's done a lot of this on his own. He's worked really hard to get here.

So he might seem really relaxed to all of us on the outside, but there's no doubt in my mind that this is a guy who's got a real character, a real backbone, and is really able to produce, you know, what we've seen so far on the field, which is high-quality performance. And it's nice to hear Owen Morgan actually say, yeah, I think we are favourites. rather than so often hear, oh, you know, we like to come up from behind and so on. But actually, here an England captain saying that, and to hear Fafter Plessy talking about, well, England is such an aggressive team.

I mean, it really shows huge advances that have been made in four years. Yeah, incredible, really. You sort of wonder sometimes whether or not, you know, whether things would have been different had they not had such success so early on. You know, they took this approach in that series against New Zealand, and they all kind of hark back to it as to, you know, how that was the, kind of starting gun for what came after. And, you know, if they've been bowed out for, you know,

200 and 250, rather than the sort of the 380s and 400s that they were getting, how difficult that would have been for them to kind of keep going. So, look, that's kind of, you know, Watts and Mabies and wherefores, whatever, but the

fact is that they've, they've gone on this road, they've stuck to the plan, they've had faith in the players who play this way, guys like Jason Roy, obviously Josh Butler and Mowin Ali, you know, a couple of them who were a part of the World Cup in four years ago. So we can't just say that this is a totally new team and totally new players. There's still a little bit of kind of hurt from that period four years ago.

But they've brought it all together. They've kind of come to the boil at just the right time. And I think unlike perhaps the rugby team back in 2003, who you felt were at the peak, but just kind of holding on to their peak before going over the other side. I still feel like this is an England team on the up with more to achieve and more to come from them and I think we'll see it out there in the middle during this World Cup Yeah but I've answered my question

The nation expects, does Dean Wilson expect? Dean Wilson always expects and the thing is Dean Wilson really expects more of himself than anybody else But as far as the team goes Yeah I've seen a lot of cricket a lot of one-day cricket over the years. No England team has excited me more. No England team has got me turning up at a ground.

No, England team's played like this. Well, no, they haven't played like this. And expecting to see them win. You know, that's the other thing. Quite often, you know, you turn up to watch an England team and you're just not quite sure what you get. But this side has been a joy to cover over the last four years. years. They've been entertaining. They've been open. They've been engaging. They've been

everything really that you'd want from a national side. And I just hope for them for all the hard work that they've put in and all the joy that they've given us over the last four years that there's still, you know, at least six weeks more to come. From BBC Radio 5 Live. This is the TMS podcast at the Cricket World Cup. Let's look at the opposition. Stefan Schemelt has been speaking to the South African coach and the former England bowling coach, Otis Gibson. Do you know better than most how to prepare for a World Cup in England? I wouldn't say better than most.

I guess, you know, if you're English, you know exactly what to do, especially the way they're playing. I guess they know what they're doing. But it's nice for me to bring another team here, considering the knowledge and the experience that I have in England, and hopefully that knowledge and experience will come through over the next six weeks. Do you know better than most how to prepare to play against England? I thought that's where you were going.

Look at, you know, I've had two stinks with England. It's, you know, it's no secret, and I've enjoyed both of them. You know, and I know a lot of the guys in the dresser room, the style of play that they've, you know, that they've had the way they're playing at the moment. 2015, when Farby took over, I was very much involved in that for the first two years. You know, they've gone on two years since I've left and took it a step further almost, you know.

So, but I have a little bit of insight into the mindset and hopefully we can, we can prepare really well for them. Look, we won't go into the history of South Africa and the World Cup. But can you tell us a little bit about the expectation maybe back in South Africa going into this tournament? Well, South Africa is a sports mad country and, you know, rugby's won the World Cup already. The whole nation is rooting for the cricket team to do the same thing and win the World Cup. And, you know, we believe that we've got a team that is capable of winning the World Cup. We just have to keep that belief going and put it out on the field. You know, in the dressing room it is one thing, but it has to come out on the field

in the way that we play, the way that we carry ourselves, the way that we perform. And if we perform to our capabilities, then we believe that we have a group of players that are definitely capable of winning the World Cup for South Africa. You say the whole country's rooting for the cricket team. Do you feel a pressure to deliver that First World Cup? I don't feel pressure at all. I think at the end of the day, it's just cricket. If we play well enough to win, then I'm quite sure that we could win.

And if we don't, life goes on, eh? It's not the end of the world. But we feel very capable of doing just that. We feel very capable of winning the World Cup. And like I said, the way we carry it. yourself on the way we perform over the next six weeks we'll determine that. You said you enjoyed your time with England

there's a vacancy going at the end of the summer. Would you like to come back? I live here, so there you go, that's your answer. I live in England. I've been living in England for over 20 years now, so that's your answer. And are you prepared for your name to be linked

with the job? It's something that will come up, especially amongst English cricket fans as the summer progresses? My contract is up in September, so there you go, you know. I'm happy to be linked with any job because after September I might not have a job, so there you go. Well, that's Otis Gibson with Stefan Schemelt, and I'm delighted to say I'm joined by Natalie Jimenez. So we're part of the TMS team throughout the World Cup. And like everyone else, Natalie, I guess you're razor sharp and ready to go.

I hopefully razor sharp and ready to go. The plane round over here tired me out a little bit, but looking forward to the day. Tell me about South Africa. I mean, for goodness sake, I mean, are they still embarrassed a bit about this World Cup record and what's happened in the past? Or is dead and buried. Well, there's a question that's been asked of them a lot in the lead up to this World Cup. And Otis Gibson has said he feels no. He says he's tried to create an atmosphere where they're more relaxed. It's about having fun and not trying to be superhuman.

It's going out there, doing your best, but enjoying the game. And Fafti Pleasier said exactly the same thing. And I think they've just about managed to get away from most of it. But some of it, obviously, it's always going to be there. It's going to linger a little bit. And at home, do people, again, have a bit of faith in this team? I think they do have faith in them because they enjoy the youngsters that have come through, the likes of Cahisorabata and Aidan Markram, and they look at those youngsters and think,

well, there's a bright future for South Africa. But you always hear, obviously, the criticism that comes through. Look what they've done in World Cups. It's hope they at least get through to the final this time. Those comments will always come up. But I think the faith is there, and especially because of Faftuplecy, but in a way, I guess they miss A. B. de Villiers as well, so that also always comes up. No, we don't have A, B. Maybe we're not going to be good enough.

So I think the faith is there, but it's not an all-round 100%. We're behind you, sort of South African type of attitude, as we call it, Girs, in South Africa. It's interesting listening to Diplasia. It seemed to me like he was deliberately trying to keep aspirations under the radar, realistic, should we say. He said today also leading up to the game that he would prefer to be, not be the favourites necessarily. He's not a lot of talk about South Africa, and he feels that's a better way for them to go into the tournament. They can just come into it, relaxed, and maybe surprise one of the favourites in England, maybe one of the favourites. And they feel that that's the better way to go about it.

And they feel that's better for the style of play and for his leadership as well. Now, Dale Stain, we have watched him actually bowling in the nets of it today. So it doesn't look as if he's sort of fatally ruled out of the World Cup, but it's a real blow that he's not playing in this first game. It is a blow because you don't quite know the extent of it. And it's a shoulder problem that's been there for a while. And it's a bit of a freak injury as well. It's not a normal shoulder problem. So they've obviously been working on him really hard.

He's seen a specialist as well when he went back home after the IPL. And they say he's coming along. He just hasn't come along enough. And he may only play against India, which is South Africa's third game already. So that is a concern as to whether or not he'll be ready. But if South Africa could get off to a good start and he does get ready, obviously that works in South Africa's favour. And so the implications selection-wise, what are you expecting? I'm expecting they're going to bring in somebody like Chris Morris.

I would think he would come in for Dale State. and probably even open the bowling as well for South Africa. He's done it before. He's done it quite successfully. The question is, who's going to be bowling at the death? They've enjoyed using Delstan at times at the death, so now they've got to change that around a little bit, and as to who is going to sort of come in as that strike

bowler. It'll put a lot of pressure on Kakisorabara to now do everything, and I think that's a little concerning for South Africa, because he's had his own injury problems as well, and it's a lot of pressure to put on a youngster. But I think Chris Morris, he gives you a little bit of an X factor. Yeah. Bar is interesting. I mean, he's had to grow up so quickly, hasn't he?

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, if you think he made his debut just after the 2015 World Cup against Bangladesh. He took a hat trick. He's got the best figures for South Africa and the one-day internationals. And somehow he's just done it seamlessly. And if you talk to him, he's sort of very unassuming character, very quiet, and he likes to spend time by himself. He says it's difficult to go to the shop and buy a loaf of bread nowadays because everybody knows who he is. But he's just come into it so beautifully and so easily as well.

It's almost like the pressure never gets to him. He looks very relaxed on the field. But he's put together performances that obviously have won games. South Africa and big ones as well. And a couple of players who probably won't see again after this, Hashimamla. Imran Tahir, the oldest man in the tournament, of course, but still plenty of energy.

Absolutely, plenty of energy, indeed. We're going to have the retirements of J.P. Doermany and Imran Tayah, they've already said they will retire from the one-day format. And Thaya wants to carry on with the T20s. JP might as well and play some T20 leagues around the world, but he's not going to play domestically. Hashimamla, I think he wants to carry on a little bit longer.

We're not going to see him at another World Cup, it's highly unlikely. But he says he wants to carry on a little bit longer. He's got a central contract with CSA as well. So we'll probably see him carrying on, maybe even in the test format as well. But yeah, I think he knows that the time is near. And realistically, it's the last thought. Where do you see South Africa going?

Can you see them qualifying for the semis? I can definitely see them qualifying for the semis. From a point of view of competition, obviously it's very strong in this format, and some of the teams are really closely matched as well. I feel that the leadership of Fuff Duplice and the way he's led the team the last few years has put them into a really good position and he's he just his man management skills are excellent he knows how to manage each of the players and he brings out the best in them without putting too much pressure on them and i feel from south africa's point of view they

could definitely make the semis and maybe surprised some people who think that there's no chance of making the finals i think that we could see them on the finals on the 14th of july well i bet a dash because like owen morgan i'm due at the palace for the opening world cup party the tms Podcasts available every day during the Cricket World Cup. So we've made it down from the Oval to the Mall, where the opening ceremony is taking place, and guess what, it's raining. And it has been all half to do.

I feel so sorry for the organisers. There's an enormous white inflatable cricket ball set in the middle of the mall. All the flags are flying from every nation taking part in the World Cup. Lots of legends, former players, have been put up for us to chat to. So you'll be hearing shortly from, well, with Richards, Kevin Peterson, Mahala Jarl Wardner, Pat Cash, interesting comments he made about the Australian cricketers at the moment. Jacques Callis, Yaron Blake, the sprinter, Asa Alley.

Let's start, though, with Love Islands, Chris Hughes. I've been to KP earlier, and I think the weather's okay tomorrow, so I've been rumoured, but yeah, we'd rather it rain today than tomorrow, we don't want any delays, so... But you're playing today, aren't you? Yeah, we're playing today, yeah, we just had a little practice hit. We've got a game at 5 o'clock, and yeah, I'm teamed up with Peterson, so we're going to give it a spank for the England boys

and hopefully go out. It's a good bit of fun. Because it is, I think you do play cricket at a reasonable level, isn't you? Yeah, I used to, I was at Gloucester. I played county level for four years when I was younger and then I played district cricket after that and play locally at my local club,

Boughton Vale and the Cotswolds and yeah, really enjoy it and that's a great game and yeah, love playing it, I miss it actually because I don't get to play it as often as I used to, obviously, because Saturdays with working commitments but I absolutely love the sport and I'll be getting my way down

to as many games I can over the next month And look who's here, Kevin Peterson. Long time. I know, and you're playing. You're playing today. I'm playing in the rain. I wouldn't have played normally, but yes, playing in the rain. I don't play golf in the rain, I guess.

Why the hell am I playing cricket? I was going to ask you that question. What are the rules in it? It's playing on the mall. It doesn't happen very often, though. Six and out. Six and out. Story of my career.

When did you last hit a ball? When did I last hit a ball? PSL. No, I played gully cricket. I played a lot of gully cricket in India during the IPO. Right. Yeah, that was a lot of fun. Just playing gully cricket?

Gully cricket is just jumping out of a car, walking into a street, and just taking part in a couple of streets with the kids on the street. And it's one of those experiences where you look at it, you think about it, you talk about it, and I just thought, no, I'm going to do it. I'm going to get out of my car and I'm going to go and play cricket with kids on the street. And it was amazing. What sort of ball back? They were so good.

It was tennis balls, but the talent was remarkable. I hardly hit a bull. They knocked me over that many times. I wasn't very good. I don't believe you. It's a sort of enthusiasm we want here, isn't it? I mean, do you think this summer, it'll never be quite like it is an India here, of course, but do you think this is a summer, a real opportunity for English cricket to, I know, find some new life, find the new spark. I guess I hope so I think England needs to win I think we found that spark in 2005 when we won that Ashes series you can talk about it you can think about it

you can cry about it you can scream about it you can play this wonderful game but unless you win it's just going to filter off the difficulty is there's some big football coming up the European Championship the European Championship the Champions Trophy the Champions League final on Saturday

so when you're up against those kinds of big football tournaments then there's issues to try and find the back pages. We were lucky in 2005. We found those front pages, those middle pages, those back pages. But the opportunity's there. The opportunities there. They're number one ranked in one day cricket, so they should go ahead and do the business,

whether they will with the pressure and with everybody in England and the media saying they've already won the tournament. It's that difficult, you think? If people are talking up like that. Yeah, it is. It is difficult. trial by media it is it's very very difficult

so yeah that home ground advantage is something where the guys are able to get away and go home in between games so that definitely helps but also you know and you realise you realise when you're finished that actually when you're at home even when you're in the middle of a tournament

you're not at home because mentally you're still on the game so you don't give your family that home time and I know now finished that when you're at home you're at home mentally at home you're engaged with what's at home but those little breaks are going to be key and vital for England to just go back and get their energy. But the one thing that stands England in great stead is that they have a captain and a backing

staff that allow them to fail and they backed when they fail. And I think that's just been the point of difference over the last few years. So joined now by Jacques Callis, of course, one of the leading all round of our generation, but now boots hung up and watching spectating wise. What are you expecting from South Africa? I mean, they're starting it all off against England, of course. Yeah, I think for the first time they come to a tournament where they haven't got the favourites label around their neck and I think it's a good thing I think it's a great space for them to be in

look within the change room and that I'm sure that they'll have the belief that they can win it so they'll have their own pressures but it's nice that they don't have those pressures from the outside and playing against probably the favourites in England tomorrow

they'll be in a very different place where they'll have a lot of pressure on them so it's a good time to catch them but they're a good side in England and yeah I think it's be a great start and it'll be nice to judge for the defence of the tournament yeah explain pressure to me Jacques

because it's interesting. I mean, Owen Morgan says, yeah, we're favourite. They're accepting that they are. Is that a good thing if you're in that position to play with that confidence, or is there always that little worry that something could creak and give way? I think they're a good enough side to be able to go out there and say it, we are our favourites. And they probably are, to be fair. They've played some really good cricket. They're a well-balanced side.

The guys know their roles. So nice to hear that they've accepted it. But, you know, cricket's a funny old game. All sports, when you're playing these big tournaments, Things don't always go according to plan, and I'm sure along the way there will be one or two tough situations that they'll be in. So it'll be interesting to see how they play those situations and how they come out and how they deal with it. It's a good thing, isn't it? I mean, whatever happens tomorrow, the team's all out of it. I mean, whoever wins or loses tomorrow.

That's the nice thing about this format is that the sides that are consistent over the tournament will go through. And if you have one or two bad games, it's not going to set you back and knock you out the tournament. So I like the format. it gives the best sides the best opportunity to making it through. Well, joined now by a true World Cup legend, Mahela Jaya Wardner, from Sri Lanka, of course. I'll always remember that lovely innings of yours in Mumbai, Mahala. It wasn't quite enough. Do you still look back on that in anguish?

Yeah, I mean, to be honest, like right now, you know, probably almost 10 years later, I look at it and said, you know, it was something special. But like you said, you know, it would have been brilliant if he had managed to cross the line. but we came across against a very good Indian unit that day and they were better team but we've enjoyed each and every opportunities we had in the World Cups and that group of players that Sri Lanka had we were very consistent through a period of 15 years or so

so thoroughly enjoyed all those memories and right now it's about the current crop and looking forward to a very good World Cup in England Yeah. How do you feel about Sri Lanka at the moment? There's a lot going on behind the scenes as well, isn't there? I mean, I'm not going to drag you into the corruption side of things, but it feels a bit unsettled at the moment, Sri Lankan cricket. Well, Sri Lankan cricket always been unsettled.

So one good thing is, like, usually the team finds their own way to come out of that and perform. So I've got money on them doing the same thing. We've got a good group in the sense, got some experienced players. So on their day, they are match winners, and they just need to come to the party. I mean, in a format like this, you need four, five wins to get to that top four slot. So you take one game at a time and see where the opportunities are, you know, and then play the brand of cricket that Sri Lanka is used to playing, rather than doing something different.

So I still have a lot of confidence in the boys, just put everything behind of themselves, what has happened in the last three, four months, and just concentrate on this tournament the next six weeks. It would be brilliant. I was watching Jason Roy and Johnny Bairsto the other day playing in the warm-up game against Afghanistan and I immediately went back to Jaya Saru and Kaloatarana because that was kind of the way that they started things off

in that famous World Cup. No, absolutely. I think England has found a really good formula, especially when it comes to the batting group, a really good mixed match of players with different ability who understands their roles in the unit. So they've been playing some really good cricket You know, you just have to continue to do that in a home World Cup.

You know, that's going to be the big question. Can they, you know, keep themselves calm and, you know, execute a good workup and execute that for six weeks? But, you know, they've done it in the past, in the last year. And they'll be definitely one of the favorites to go all the way. And the guys who are doing that at the top, the middle order and the bowlers, quite excited to see Joffra getting an opportunity as well. That gives them that bit of X-factor in that bowling attack.

So far, you know, they look the real deal, but you still have to execute. The TMS podcast at the Cricket World Cup. People who watched the Test Match special match of a couple of years ago, remember someone coming in, running in about 100 yards to bowl the first ball. You ran in a bit faster than you bowed, Joanne, if I'm honest, but you're a serious cricket, aren't you? Yeah, definitely. I still played. And I'm happy to be here, you know, for this wonderful World Cup, you know,

the biggest in cricket. I'm happy to be here. And how about the Wendy's? because I'm backing them, you know. I think they're going to go well on this tournament. They're going to do really well. You know, I think, to be honest, it's going to be a surprise World Cup

because no one, everybody in great form, to be honest. And to see Weston's play like that yesterday in the warm-up game, they're in great touch. The ball in a little bit shaky, but they're in great touch. Chris Gale. Now, there he is. He's not running as fast as you did, Johan.

Let's be honest. But do you think he's going to play a big part in this World Cup? Definitely he's going to play a big part. I said to him, I'm looking for a tree. 300s. Oh, right. Yeah. I think I want him to top the scoring because I think this is going to be his last workup and

he wants to leave it with a bang. And he's looking in immaculate touch. He's hitting the bar pretty well from the IPL and coming over. He's in a scintillating farm. How important is it for the West Indies? We're obviously very fixed here in England about this summer here. But for the West Indies cricket we saw when West Indies beat England in the Test Series, no definite re-igniting of interest and passion for cricket in the West Indies.

Are you getting a sense? of that? Yeah, definitely. I'm happy what they did. They fire everybody on the board and new persons in. So I'm happy for that. The Western days, they were in great spirit. The chemistry is good. I see how they play England in the test match and in the one day. I sort of where the guys are in great spirit. So I'm happy. Here's a bit of a bolt from the bluest Pat cash with your Aussie shirt on. I do indeed. Yeah. Are you a cricket man, Pat? I am. Yeah. I've grown up watching cricket. Actually, it was probably my number two sport. Ozzy rules was number one. is for a lot of us in Melbourne

and yeah cricket was number two tennis sort of came yeah it came a third and I just being a seasonal sport of cricket and football that tennis was sort of just bit by bit took over and took over and so always followed it I mean it was just a fantastic era to sort of grow up with Thompson and Lily and the chapels and you know etc etc so it was it was very exciting you know and then and then this course there was you know the one

a series started coming through Kerry Packer brought all that in and so it was it was really exciting to grow up in that sort of era and see that the uh and I still love the test test matches and the one days I haven't really grasped the 2020 yet um but uh there's time there's time yeah yeah what was the young pat cash a bowler batsman what did you do um I did everything I try to everyone but I was bowler or a batsman you know half a decent half a decent eye and so yeah I'd like to do both at you know a school captain team tapped in at the age of under 13s or whatever the hell it was so it wasn't exactly it was exactly top level cricket but I probably could have gone there

but I loved it you know first one if you got if you got to school early enough you could get into into into the nets oh an early game yeah early while you just you know you bat your bowl and and so I used to always get dropped off early get the equipment bats out and the ball and I was the first one there and I think my enthusiasm got me through the captaincy though I didn't know how to place a field at that stage they go through the old the old book and you know you got schoolboy cricket and you got seven slips you know I didn't know so well that's what these guys do how important is it for Australian sport and cricket that they

go well this summer pat do you think I mean after the year they've been through and you know the sort of destruction really of Australian cricket and the way it Australian sports fans have looked at their cricketers. How important is it that they go well? Well, you know, I think it's obviously hopeful, but, you know, we love our cricket. You know, this is what most people have grown up like me have watched the cricket all summer.

You know, tennis comes on and off and other sports do, but the cricket's just there. The TV's just on permanently. And, you know, we're a proud nation, and I think we're very, very embarrassed by, you know, what went on. I think, you know, I think all the politicians, everybody summed it up pretty well. It's a national disgrace, but, you know, people make mistakes, and, you know, we move on. You know, it was a head-shaking moment for just about everybody.

I think, I don't know how many texts and tweets and everything, all my mates back home is going, can you believe what this just happened? And we, you know, it was, it was embarrassing. But, you know, we move on, we make mistakes. And so I think, you know, but I think, I think the guys involved are really keen. to make amends and so you know for us to come out you know they're going to get a hard time when they play here and then to be honest they deserve it but they you know I think you know we'll get on and that's a good way for them to put their head down and really show them show what's up

what's you know show what they're about as as sportsmen and and it is I think quite a challenge personally won't you I mean to actually take it yeah yeah absolutely 100% but you know sometimes that's not a bad thing you just knuckle down and say and it toughens you up you know it's when you play davis cup or whatever as i have done away from home and you've got the screaming people the people screaming and and every time you're just about to hit a serve the whole whole crowd are coughing you know they're doing that sort of stuff you know and it's not like we're in the we're in the middle of a field we're about five feet away from the crowd so you know but it toughens you up makes you tougher so look i think it's it's important that we we do well it's um it's it's one of our national

and, you know, I believe that they will give it a real crack. Let's get to Pakistan for you then, and Azat Ali is here, fresh from success with Somerset, by the way. That was a thrilling victory for you. Yeah, definitely. We are very pleased, and everyone was really happy because it was a big day for us, and we won after a long time, so everyone was really happy. Now, let's talk about Pakistan, because they've had a few problems, haven't they, recently. How do you see their chances in this World Cup?

well obviously we haven't played up to our potential in recent past so yeah it dented our chances but I think the squad still have the potential to produce goods so I still back my team and if they can peak at the right time and I'm sure they can still lift the World Cup 2019 well the last time it was played this way of course Pakistan came almost from behind actually way back in 92 you probably didn't born then to actually win it the famous victory from So maybe that'll be a good omen for you. Well, Pakistan is a team like that. They can turn things around because we have done it in the past.

And I'm sure that we can do it again. Psychologically, we can lift ourselves because sometimes, you know, teams who doesn't do well, they kind of don't pick themselves up very well. But Pakistan is one of those teams where even though they're not going well, they can pick themselves up and produce some magical performances. Tell me about the game against India because unfortunately, Pakistan Indian matches don't happen often enough these days. But Old Trafford, big open ground, it's going to be a great occasion, isn't it?

Yeah, it's another opportunity for the fans to watch Pakistan India game and hopefully be a good one. And I always feel sports is above anything. And whoever wins, I think as sportsmen, we would just want to watch a very good game and hopefully as a Pakistani, at the end, we want to win. But, you know, it's a very hard game to watch. Everyone, both sides of the countries, everyone wants their team to win. So it's a little bit extra pressure of that game, but hopefully it's a good one.

Yeah, but it's important to get the two countries playing cricket again. Yeah, I think sports is bridges between countries, and I think personally that it's just sports just go on, and yeah, it's good for everyone. And last of all, our great friend, Viv Richards, how are you feeling? It's freezing. Oh, man, what's new about this climate? I know, I'm sorry. But it's great to be here, great to be here. I was watching those old highlights again the other day. It was raining somewhere, and there you were, those amazing runouts,

the Great West Indies teams, winning those early World Cups. They're pretty special these events, aren't they? It is, because of the fact that, is it four years, that you have a chance to play? And I guess when you have such little minimal chances of opportunities Whenever you get your chances You must make good use of it And all those who are assembled here for the World Cup

That's the way they should be thinking That who knows Four years is a hell of a long time You may never be here again Or never even be picked So now that you have it You grab it with both hands Because you never know whether you'll be back

And these are some of the thoughts I think the thought process That's how it should be Yeah, absolutely. And how about the way in this is, Viv? I mean, they're making some good signs there on there. I think we've got a good enough team.

I think we have a team that is powerful enough. And apart from maybe Chris Gale, you know, who's in the team at present, who may be a little bit immobile in the field at times, there are some other good guys who can make up for that, the Pollards, the Russells. And I just believe that it can be achieved

but they've got to believe that they've got to believe that. How would you bat, well not you necessarily but how would the batsman bat with Chris Gail at the moment who can't run very fast but he's just smashing sixes? I mean it's quite balanced isn't it. Well it isn't about maybe you're going to look and try and push for twos and trees and all that sort of stuff

that may be off the list but at present I think some of the things that maybe because of Chris and this would be his last tournament I guess there are things that you can motivate yourself for

and here is one of them oh the world boss yes he's making it or the universal boss it's um making a you won't be here anymore so we'd like to give him a good send-off he himself maybe

would like to get a good send-off in terms of his performances and things like that and I think that if he's focused enough and if everyone tells me how good these wickets are at present especially some of the practice matches well we are in for a hell of a tournament

I was in your part of the world last week Viv and they're getting very excited about the World Cup are you feeling that as well? I'm feeling it I believe that we can do it I believe we can do it and if you notice they're not making much noises it's just they'll be quietly getting their things done when we lost

that practice match against Australia there's a few talks at home I listen to a few of the sports sports program. But then after that, they came back, what they did against New Zealand, 4, 20, whatever. That's huge. But all this practice must be fulfilled at some point. But it's nice to be in a great fame of mind in order for you to accomplish these things. The TMS podcast at the Cricket World Cup. So we're all set. Our coverage on Sports Extra starts at 7 a.m. with some special programs ahead of the opening game. Don't forget every ball of

every match. We'll be live on test match special with in-play video highlights via the BBC sport website and app. Don't forget we'll have a TMS podcast every day of the tournament and also look out for special editions of the Ducera podcast and tail enders. We can't wait. The TMS podcast at the Cricket World Cup. Download and subscribe via the BBC Sounds app for a new episode every day. Thank you.