Test Match Special - England fall just short in high scoring semi-final thriller

Episode Date: March 5, 2026

India won an incredible match in Mumbai by 7 runs to knock England out of the T20 World Cup and set up a date with New Zealand in the final on Sunday. Jacob Bethell scored a brilliant hundred, but England narrowly failed in what would have been a record run chase. We hear from England captain Harry Brook, coach Brendon McCullum, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and player of the match Sanju Samson Plus, there’s analysis from Henry Moeran, former England bowler Steven Finn and former IPL player Abhishek Jhunjhunwala. And with the Women’s T20 World Cup now fewer than 100 days away we hear from England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

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And all the bizarre ways people are using. the internet. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live. Here comes Dubay, final ball of the game. It's been hit away into the offside. It's been hit away for six. But it is not quite enough.

India win by seven runs. It is India's game. They are heading to the final of the T20 World Cup. England head home. So India are heading to the T20 World Cup final to face New Zealand on Sunday in Ahmedabad after a game that saw one shy of 500 runs scored on a sweltering Mumbai evening. The flattest of flat pitches. India hitting 253 for 7 and England 246 for 7 in response with James.

Jacob Bethel scoring 105 of 48 but ultimately his efforts in vain as India make it through to the final of the T20 World Cup a night of high drama high run scoring but ultimately success for the tournament hosts and favorites so much to reflect on so many celebrations for India who have an opportunity to do what no side has done and win the trophy for a third time and retain the trophy as well and no host has ever won the T20 World Cup. So much on the line for India who have now booked their place in the final in Ahmedabad against the New Zealand side who will have watched on as fascinated as the rest of us by this extraordinary game of cricket. Stephen Finn Ash is winning fast bowler alongside me as is Abishik Jan Janjah

will get reaction from both sides shortly. But Stephen first of all England at the halfway stage set 254 for victory. always felt like it was going to be very, very difficult, but goodness me, they gave it a good go. Yep, gave it a good go. And I think you look at the fielding at Sharpeattel's two catches were a significant turning point and a big difference between the two teams was that catching Harry Brooks drop and the reprieve of Sanju Samson on 15 and him going on to make the runs that he did. Within the context of that first innings meant that India posted an unbelievably challenging total. but the way that England went about chasing it,

again, the opening partnership faltered and didn't make the most of the power play. But Jacob Bethel coming in at number four today, played quite stupendous, not really 105 from 48. And people batted around him with cameos from Butler, Jacks, Curran at the end, all threatened to drag that total in. And it felt as though England were in the game all the way through that second innings. It just felt as though they were within. in touching distance.

But then you factor in the Jasperik Bumra effect in the 18th over that he bowled that only went for six. So only go for 8.25 and over as he did today versus what everyone else has gone for. Again, it was a great effort on his part. A great, great fast bowler. So yeah, England will leave this game with disappointment

and think of what might have been, had that catch been taken inside that first power plan, how different it might have been, but ultimately India handled the pressure very well. They did and there was pressure. England did a brilliant job at applying that but in the end though they got close not quite close enough. Winning the toss selecting to field first England

and though the highest losing chase total in T20 International cricket that makes sense the highest total in the second in T20 international cricket unsuccessful if you see what I'm saying 73 boundaries the most ever seen in any T20 World Cup match the stats will keep on coming in we'll get some reaction for you shortly but England winning the toss bowling first getting the early wicket of Abashik Sharma second over for nine then Sanju Samson dropped and he is player of the match award

speaking to William Bishop none other than Sanju Samson for his 89 from 42 Sanju back to back half centuries back to back player of the match performances in a World Cup semifinal what does this mean yeah feels really great to be honest I kind of knew that I got some form going from the last game so I thought I need to continue I think it's not easy you find form at the crucial games for your country so I thought big game I need to make most of how I'm batting so I gave myself an

extra time I think calculated my innings a bit I prepared really well and I think things came off nicely got a bit lucky to start off and then yeah I think I just wanted to carry on I think knowing playing in Wangaday we know that score is stoppable here so I just wanted to get as much as possible runs as possible even 250 looked like a chaseable year and England played really well I think all credit goes to how they batted and we really had a great semi-final you talked a little bit about how your innings progress there how much more different is it chasing well as you did against the West Indies and now

setting this total up for your team yeah as I told before at the unit to I think assess the conditions I think You know, we have played a lot of cricket here in Wangkadeh, as I said before, chasing becomes a bit easier here. They won the toss, put us into bat. So we knew after the way we batted, I think the way myself and Ishan batted, the partnership which we had for after Abhishe got out, I thought that I think 250 should be, I think, possible here. So I think that's what we were talking about in the dressing room as well. So yeah, very happy how the team turned up today and all credit goes to just Prid Grumra.

I think the world-class bowler, once-in-a-generation bowler, I think that's what. what he delivered today. I think this should go to him, actually. So I think if he didn't bowl that way and the death over us, I think I would not be standing here. So all credit goes to the bowlers, how they back themselves in the tough conditions.

Spoken as a true leader. What does this crowd mean to you guys tonight? Oh, wow. I think as you have witnessed here, sir, I think it's an unbelievable feeling to play in Wangkadee right from childhood. I think the way people support, actually, both the Indian team

and also the England team, I think there was real supporters of the cricket as well. So really enjoy playing here, but I think we wanted to put in a positive result for them, but very happy results actually made them happy today. I know a number of fans and supporters will be asking 97 and 89, you haven't quite gotten the 100.

Does that matter to you? I think not at all, sir. I think 100. I think you know 100 actually you can't actually score 100. It actually comes in the process of you actually, you can't actually. It's not a test game. It's not a ODI game where you can go up and down, up and down. Once you have got the start, you're batting first.

There is no other way. you just have to keep going hard, hard, hard. And once you, I think, end up on the right side, who knows, I think, which amount of runs I'm getting. So I'm very happy to get whatever I'm getting and very happy to contribute on the winning side for my country. And the country is very happy for you, Sanjou. Thank you very much for your time.

Very well done. Thank you. Sanchez, Samson, player of the match for India, having scored 89. I like that question. Aveshek, Judge Jumwalla. Well, you've scored 97, not out, and then 89. What about the 100?

But he rode his luck early on with that drop catch on 15, but played brilliantly well. India, they were so strong with the back, goodness, the number of runs we scored, scene scored. It was astonishing. Yeah, I mean, I don't remember witnessing a game like this, to be honest, in a World Cup semifinal, and it went close. And you need something like this. You want a game to go down to the wire.

You want the game to go that close for the tournament, for the support. just for overall for the cricket and it was an absolute sight to be honest what a game we had and this will be aged in people's memory not just in Wong Carey I think around the world who support cricket who are cricket fans

cricket lovers they will remember this game for a very very long time Henry well it's an immense privilege to have been here to watch it I have to say and the fans that are beginning to drift out heading towards Marine Drive will be parting long into the night not just because they've seen

an India win because they've seen an absolute feast of run scoring as well and there is no greater currency in this part of the world in T20 cricket than the currency of the ball flying over the boundary and we saw the ball going to all parts as 34 times the ropes were cleared a record for a T20 World Cup match just incredible hitting everywhere you looked but it's so often Stephen we look for certainty and narrowing at the end of a tour or a tournament where you can say, well, they lost and they didn't get through

because they were failings. I remember having that conversation with you after England were eliminated in Guyana from the last T20 World Cup. But they can leave tonight with their heads held pretty high, I think. Yeah, and I think within the context of that World Cup they played in 2024,

that they played poorly throughout the tournament, didn't they? They never looked like themselves. They didn't grow through the tournament and they didn't have a particular style of play it didn't feel, whereas the way that England have come through this tournament, the White Ball Series against Sri Lanka before winning both of those, stumbling through the group stage a little bit,

but still doing enough to get through, which is all you have to do, winning all three games in the Super 8s, and then losing here in a really high-scoring game to the strongest by-far team in the tournament. It's no shameful way to exit a world tournament. Yeah, the inquisition that was inevitable at the end of that last World Cup, last T20 World Cup that we covered that two years ago,

or less than two years ago, isn't it, 18 months ago? I don't feel the same here. I feel like England can be really proud about the way that they played. They just really regret that one drop catch from Harry Brooke. That literally is the turning point in the game. Do you think they win the game if he takes that catch, Steve? Well, I don't necessarily think they win it. It just changes the dynamic of it, doesn't it?

the way that India were able to control the way that they sent Shivamdube out to bat against the wrist spin and the left arm spin of Dawson. It means that it doesn't afford India the luxury to be able to move the chess pieces as they want to in that first innings. If you take early wickets, it puts pressure on that middle order to have to build an innings and it doesn't allow them to play with the freedom that they did that drags them to the total of 253. It probably settles beyond 200 still, but,

lot closer to the 200 mark than the 250 mark and in an instance like that it just means that everything has to go absolutely perfectly for England in the second innings for them to chase it and you have to factor in jasbrick bumra but the Akshire Patel's two catches that he took of harry brook and then will jacks wasn't it the two outstanding catches of people who have had excellent tournaments probably England's two best players in this tournament with the bat in hand until that Jacob Beth Linnings today was the difference in the game I feel. Yeah, on such moments games can turn, Abyshech.

And there was just a feeling around the ground as that catch went down, oh, this could be problematic. And then 89 of 42 balls really did emphasize that from Sanju-Sampson. Yeah, I think we will talk a lot about the boundaries and the fours and the sixes and the amount of run being scored in this game. But I think this game was won because of the fielding. Because of those two catches, as Finney mentioned earlier,

Aksha Patel and the ground fielding. I think England at least have given 7 to 8 runs through Miss Field, which India didn't. India were excellent in the field. They took all their chances, even the final runout from Hardik Pandya to get rid of Jacob Bethel. They're all small things, but it makes such a huge impact in the game. And also a special mention to Surya Kumaryada for his captaincy,

the way he used Jasped Boomra. And to have that courage to have two different bowlers, last two overs and the way he just used his resources I think he did an excellent work with his captaincy as well yeah and little moments like that and ensuring that the extras are minimized and in a high scoring game it can be the small margins that that really do get you over the line there were 12 extras in India's innings 13 in England's but in that sense it wasn't too much of a difference but it was just little moments in the field that you do feel there was a significant difference that did help India get over the line.

At no points in the game were England favourites according to win predictor. And for most of the innings in the run chase, it was around about 95 to 98% in India's favour. So the fact that England got as close as they did seven runs, the margin of victory in the end, is a remarkable credit to England who lost early wickets, Phil Salt for five. Then as well as that, they saw Harry Brooke out for just seven, 38 for two at that point. Josh Butler scored 25 off 17, but never really looked fluent. But they kept ongoing. Will Jacks, Tom Banton with good contributions and sort of keeping that momentum going.

Sam Currant quite managed to find his rhythm with 18 or 14. But we will get more into the conversation around Jacob Bethel shortly. with the second highest score at this World Cup only behind the 100 that Canada Samra scored against the finalist New Zealand the 110 that he scored but 105 from Jacob Bethel is an astonishing effort it has to be said he played supremely well given the fact that the pressure was on the wickets had fallen and that he was able to keep that momentum going with 105 of 48 deliveries

only run out in the end scrambling that single that he was trying to make into two and he couldn't quite do it. And in the end, it was the runout that saw the end of his innings. But it was a brilliant, brilliant performance from Bethel. And 280 runs in the tournament, of course, a big contribution of those coming today. But absolutely sensational effort from Jacob Bethel. We're just waiting to hear from the captains I can see at the far end of the ground. Harry Brooke and Suria Kuma Yanav getting ready to get stuck into the

post-match presentation alongside Ian Bishop so we will be hearing reaction shortly we'll also hear from Brendan McCullum at some stage England head coach who's future well I think there'll still be question marks around it but it's not quite as decisive a result in this game one well the other really to tell us what that future will necessarily look like but but that's perhaps a conversation for another day because there is so much to digest from this game perhaps Rakhash Makash Makkah is going to join us in just a moment as well. But our semi-finals are concluded. South Africa have been beaten by New Zealand by nine wickets.

India have beaten England by seven runs. And so it is a New Zealand-India final to be played in Armadabat. Here is Harry Brook alongside Ian Bishop. From the captains now, congratulations to India. They progress to the final of this ICC men's T-20 World Cup a win by seven runs. Harry Brooke, England's captain. is here with me. Harry, just on reflection, if we start from the top,

conditions here look very good, there's no due whatsoever. As you reflect on the toss and choosing to feel as you did as a team back in 2024, what are your thoughts? Yeah, we just thought that there might have been a little bit of hold early on with the pitch being fresh.

And, yeah, we're expecting probably a little bit more spinning the first innings, but yeah, it slid onto the bat nicely. They played extremely well. and that all of our lads should be so proud of the way that we played tonight and throughout this competition. It didn't look as though the expectation of your standards in the field where you would have loved it tonight. Would that be correct? Yeah, absolutely. And I'll hold my hands up and say that I made a big mistake there dropping Samson

and yeah, catches and matches with matches that old famous phrase. And unfortunately, it just didn't go our way in the field tonight. Another day it comes off. From a bowling perspective, how did you see it? Were there anything on reflection that you would have been hoping that it would have gone better with the ball? Just mis-execution here and there. We probably didn't execute as well as we could have done. The Indian batters are some of the best batters in the world.

And if you mis-execute to some of them, it goes out of the park. So we probably didn't execute as well as we could have done. But like I say, we gave it a red-hot crack and, yeah, unfortunately we were on the wrong side. Yeah, you were in it there for a long time there with the bat almost right down to the end and Jacob Bethel. Yeah he was absolutely unbelievable I think he's going to earn some serious money in his career and he's going to have a hell of a career with England and yeah he's he showed the world how good he is tonight unfortunately we were on the wrong side but that

earnings is an extremely big positive to take away from this competition and to see him go out there in the manner that he did taking it to them from ball one and like I said showing the world what he can do as you reflect on the tournament as a whole, having had to go over to Sri Lanka and be here, come back here. What are your thoughts? I think we had a good tournament, to be honest. Like I said a second ago, we should be extremely proud of the way that we played. I said the other day, we're never out of games, and that proved again tonight,

chasing 250. Other teams could have just folded and crumbled away, but we stuck to it the whole game and we gave it a red-up crack, like I said, and unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of it tonight. Harry, thank you very much for your time and all the best as you go forward. Cheers. Big thanks to England's captain Harry Brooke, Sudio Kumar Yadav. We'll join us. Sky, what's the overriding feeling heading into the final now against New Zealand?

I mean, it's an unbelievable feeling, obviously, playing in India, leading such a wonderful side and World Cup happening in India, going to Amdabad playing that final. I think it's a special feeling for all the boys. From a batting perspective and the way that your team went about it, Sanjo Samson, etc. I think he knew what he wanted to do as soon as he went into bat. Even when the wicket fell, he knew the wicket was good, so he kept pressing the pedal. And the way he batted, I think the team required that from him.

It was all due from all last year, all the hard work he was doing, and it was a special knock today. Did you see 250 as being where you needed to be? Oh my God, I just told Harry that how much more do we need to score against you guys? But then at the end of the day, it was a good wicket. The way they batted, I don't want to take credit away from them as well. I think they were always in the game, always in the chase. But the way Bumra, Ashdip and all the other bowlers, they pulled the game, I think it was unbelievable. Sanju Samson, when he was here a few minutes ago, said he would gladly have given the man of the match medal to Jasprey Bumra.

Absolutely. I mean, you know how capable he is, what he's done over the years for India. And he did the same thing today, raised his hand again, showed character, pulled the game away from them, and I think it was a special bowling performance. Axa Patel's catching. Oh my God. I think we need to give a little bit credit to our fielding coach as well, T. Dilip, I think the way he's been taking the boys during all the practice sessions, having that fun, fun, fun sessions.

And I think boys are responding really well, taking their time even after their personal skill sessions, personal milestones, to do that extra bit for the team. I think that's been shown on the field as well. It looked as though you went a long way to keeping a left-right combination. Shibandube came ahead of you. Your thoughts on that? I think see in this team, I think till number three, everything is settled. We don't know, we didn't want to change anything.

But then as soon as we saw Rashid bowling from one end, I think Dubai was a perfect matchup. Even if I would have got a 50 or 100 in the last game, if it was needed for the team, it was a perfect call today. Got tied at the end there. Were you nervous? Very nervous. If someone would have checked my heart rate, it would have been easily 16, 175 plus. But then it's part of the game. Wonderful game, wonderful semifinals. All behind now. Very happy to go into the finals. And this crowd here, how much of an energy push did they give you here at the Wang Kedi?

I think the moment we entered, the moment we started warming up, it was already 75-80% full. It says it all that they badly wanted India to do well today. Even though we batted first, I think they were really happy with the way we did. Very happy, hopeful, hope we gave them a good show, a good game into the finals. Very happy feeling and I'm sure everyone will be excited as well. Yeah, final thought on that in the final defending champions? Definitely in India, going for the title, there will be pressure, there will be nerves, but then the boys and the sole support staff will be excited as well.

Sky, thank you very much for your time. Congratulations and getting to the final on all the best once you get there. Thank you. Cheers. Thoughts for the two captains chatting to Ian Bishop down there. At the far end of the ground, we'll get on to some of the individual England performances shortly across the tournament. But what about Jacob Bethel, who, what, six months ago, had not scored a professional 100.

All the conversation was about the fact that, oh, you know, who's this guy that's getting all of these opportunities? He's not scored 100 in professional cricket. He's now joined a very, very small group of people, Stephen Finn, to have scored hundreds across all three international formats. He is some talent. Well, the second England player in a week to join that club, Harry Brooke, doing it just last week with that 100 against Sri Lanka.

And today, Jacob Bethel does it at 22 years. years old having not made a hundred for anyone but England in professional cricket. It's quite ridiculous really but the player that the management and the selectors and the ECB told us that they saw when he was selected some thought in an accelerated manner 18 months or so ago to play in the England team is being fully vindicated with some of the innings that we're seeing. He's calm under pressure. He's calculated that the way that he manages those situations belies the years that he actually has playing the professional game and he looks someone who is just going to play international cricket as long as he wants to and the way that he speaks as well he seems to me to be

a future England captain you've spoken to him a number of times Henry and I'm always impressed with the balanced answers that he gives and he's got an incredible career ahead of him in in all formats of the game and as harry brook said abyshek he's going to earn an awful lot of money but yeah Goodness me, it was a statement in it. The world of the modern cricketer, honestly. And I told Sini, I tapped him on the shoulder and said to him, I'm not sure if that's what he's eyeing for. Yes, you will make a lot of money if you keep playing cricket like that.

And we all know that in modern day, the amount of franchise cricket there is. But, I mean, we can see how special he is. And to have such a calm head over that shoulder at such a young age, You don't see that sort of players very often. They come in, you know, it takes time for players like that to come to any side. You talk about India, you talk about England, you talk about Australia. And, yeah, and England, I think they've done an exceptional job to see that talent early and then expedited everything for him and put him in that space where he can mature a lot quicker,

being among some of the best, being among the guidance of the likes of Root and everyone else, and which has helped him immensely. You can see already the way his career is progressing, the way he's maturing in all formats, and what a talent. And the way he batted today, honestly, is one of the most special innings you will see in this format for a very long time.

Yeah, it was a brilliant knock, really was, 105 or 48. What about the report card for others across this tournament then? Because it's been good from some, less good from others. I think it's fair to say. Will Jacks has been superb with bat and ball. 226 runs at an average of 56 with the bat and then with a ball more than useful with his

offspin as well with nine wickets. Stephen he's been a real bright point for England. Yeah, fantastic and playing a role that he's not particularly used to doing or not used to doing at all in domestic cricket. In franchise cricket he opens the batting or bats in the top three and is very useful and more better than useful. He's an outstanding player at the top of the order and he's a lot of the order and he's He's had to adapt his game to suit the circumstances here and has done it brilliantly fulfilling that all-rounder roll-down at number seven, asked to come in and be selfless with the bat and bold tricky overs as well in the power play and on the 20th over today as well for England.

So, yeah, an outstanding series for him. I would imagine he still has aspirations to bat right at the very top of the order for England, as that is where he truly does his best work. But in a role that he's not that familiar with, he's been outstanding in this world. and probably on balance for performances consistently throughout the tournament has been England's best player and that's backed up by the four player of the match performances. Somebody that has struggled quite badly is Josh Butler who at 35 years old now he won't have many ICC tournaments left in his career but yeah by his standards Abyshek a really disappointing showing eight matches just 87 runs scored an average of just under 11 and a high score 26.

I think nobody will be more disappointed than him. We all know that how high a standard he sets for himself. And probably he'll never have another tournament like this in his career. And that happens to a lot of great cricketers, a lot of top cricketers. He's been absolutely phenomenal in whiteball cricket for England. One of the greatest in whiteball cricket for England, we can easily say that. So that can happen to players, and especially in this format, because it comes so thick and fast that you don't really have the time to go and work your game out

in the net or you don't really get a breather because it keeps coming at you. And also you don't have the time to give yourself time. Because you've got to go out there and bat with aggression. You've got to make full use of those six overs when you're batting in the power play. So those things don't really help when you're out of form in this format, especially. In other formats, you do have time to spend a bit more time out there in the middle. But this format requirements is different. And he's not somebody who will bat for himself.

He'll always go out there and try his best for his team and try and give them a good start. and he is the first to stand up Stephen, you know him very well he's somebody that you've played a lot of cricket with to stand up and say that you know I haven't contributed and I'm really frustrated about it Well that would be the thing that hurts him the most I think You can take having bad performances

But if the team's winning or you'll find him ways to Contribute in different ways But yeah he's His runs at the top of the order One of the reasons why England are so dangerous in whiteball cricket And for him having not Not to do that throughout this tournament as Abashchek said that no one will be more disappointed than he is.

He has had little periods like this throughout his career. So does it seem like an ominous sign for him? I don't think so. But he still, to me, seems motivated to play for England and has tournaments left in him where he can propel England to the heights that he has done in the past. So, yeah, disappointing. No one will be more disappointed than him,

but I think more to come from him in the future still. Joffar Archer has had a mixed tournament a few really encouraging spells but ultimately I think it'll be a little disappointing 11 wickets taken but an economy rate of close to 10 and over was very expensive in the game today four overs 1 for 61 though he'll feel a little hard done by

that Sanju Samson has dropped off his bowling on 15 is he still the force that he once was Abashet, do you think? I think, yes, but we know that it's difficult to bowl in India. On those absolute belters, it's hard for any bowler. And the amount of runs who have been scored with him bowling in the power player and the back end, he bowls at the two most dangerous times a bowler can bowl. So it's always going to be difficult.

And with Indian pitchers and his pace, I just feel that it makes batting a lot easier for batters to just use his pace. Yes, he does try his slower deliveries and stuff. But I just think, yeah, it's difficult in India. India, but at the same time, he didn't look the best what we have seen Joffre Archer to be in the past. Yeah, I think that probably feels fair. Finney, he's not quite scaled the heights of the sort of bowler that you could almost bank on in the same way that you could, to a degree with Jasperit Bumra, maybe four or five years ago before the injuries.

Yeah, it's really hard to quantify, honestly. T20 cricket, in tournaments like this, when you do bowl at the most tricky times, it's so hard. to quantify and compare. I think Bumra is streets ahead of any other fast bowler in the world for his awareness, his disguise of deliveries, his ability to execute under pressure. I think even the other best bowlers in the world, there's their level and then there's Bumra's level, which is above that. So to compare anyone to him, I think, is unfair.

Would he have wanted more? Absolutely. He'd have wanted to have those couple of match-winning performances. That's what every player dreams of when you come into a world tournament. will he look back at it at sometimes is he could have used different options yes probably but he did take wickets in the power play England

took 18 or 19 I think they had one today didn't they so 19 throughout the tournament which is the second most of all the teams to play in the tournament and he'd have been a big part of that as well so again I think the thing you look at with Joffa is what's his pace like and his pace when he was bowling his pace on deliveries was still up over 90 miles an hour

So yeah, there's nothing from an injury perspective and being affected by injuries that's bothered his pace. He will live to regret forever and a day, Harry Brooke, putting that catch down. I've no doubt. What about his tournament just finally in terms of England contributions? Because there was the one brilliant hundred. But I think as a captain, Stephen, given the winter that he's had in so many different ways, I actually think he's had a pretty good tournament as skipper. I'd agree with that.

Yeah, I think the times as well when the team have been under pressure, he's stayed calm and think back to that in the Nepal game where Nepal should really have won it. What did they need 10 or 12? 10 off that last over, wasn't it, I think? And we were there watching it in the one Kady Stadium thinking

this could be disastrous for Brooks' captaincy after the New Zealand fiasco after the ashes. And he managed to stay calm in that moment. He grabbed the ball, commanded the situation made sure that Sam Cairn was happy with the plans and Curan executed for him which the captain has to trust his bowlers in that situation

I think he's become more eloquent as a captain throughout the tournament again you've talked to him quite a lot you could attest to that I think if I'm on the money and the innings that he played against Sri Lanka moving up to number three opening partnership faltering he grabbed that game by the scruff of the neck and scored that 100 and England improved definitely improved throughout the tournament

the white ball series win both of them both 50 over and T20 against Sri Lanka and the buildup to this World Cup again is a is a significant thing for him and his captaincy so there's been a lot to like unfortunately for him the thing that people will remember and the thing that he will remember for weeks

if not months to come is that white Cucabra ball floating towards him from the bat of Sanju Samson at mid on and he will wonder and everyone will wonder how didn't he catch that because it was so simple. But it was and you never know what's going through somebody's mind and what's in their

eye line, all of those things, but no doubt he will be thinking about that for an awfully long time. So to wrap things up then, England, we sense have had a decent enough tournament without necessarily coming to any definitive conclusions about the direction for coach and everything else. What about the final then? Because it's a New Zealand side that come filled with confidence after that nine-wicket win over South Africa and Calcutta and an India side that have got through some near misses and scrapes, but head to Ahmedabad filled with the joy of having come through this test, Abash. Yeah, I think New Zealand will be very confident. The way they played against

South Africa, it was just something you don't really see. see very often in a semi-final for a team to win with that much conviction. And for India, yes, if you win a game like this, Henry, you're always going to be buzzing with a lot of confidence going into the final, the way they won against West Indies and now winning against England in such a crunch game. So again, when you go to the final, it's all about who can deliver better on the day. Yeah, we know that there's so much skill in both sides, there's so much talent, they've got the depth, they've got everything.

team needs, but it all boils down to who can execute their plans better on the day. Yeah, and that's the point, isn't it? It's on the day, who is going to be able to provide that opportunity to get over the line and play that match-winning performance? That's the question, Stephen. Who do you fancy for that final? Well, I fancy India, but New Zealand played such an amazing game against South Africa when they were the underdogs

and New Zealanders and their cricket team seem to love playing in those situations and upsetting the party. The one thing, India, the players who played in that World Cup final was it two and a half years ago in Ahmedabad when Australia beat them,

there may be a few bad memories about that and they'll be very wary of that situation but India are favourites, I mean the way that they've played here, the fact that they've got Pumra India are the favourites but New Zealand looked really, really good in that semi-final and anything can happen.

It's a game of T20 cricket. Someone can have a day out and that wins the game. Well, thanks to Stephen Finn and Abashik, John John Wollah for now. Let's get some reaction from the England head coach. Brendan McCullough must mean speaking to BBC sports Matt Henry. Brendan, some game.

Can you try and sum it up for me? 500 runs in a T20 international semi-final and a World Cup semi-final you don't often see that I thought it was an outstanding game of cricket obviously we travelled a little bit with the ball but the conversation that we had at the halfway mark

as we felt it was about 20 above par it wasn't 50 or 60 above par we thought if one or two of our guys were able to get in it was certainly achievable and in the end we came within seven runs of beating a very good Indian team in their own conditions in the most hostile stadium

arguably in the world and that's a fine achievement. It's obviously disappointing that we're not getting a crack in the World Cup final, but there's a lot to be proud of. And as coach and as leaders within the side, immensely proud of the fight, the fortitude, and the skill and the connectivity that the lads had throughout. It wasn't to be tonight, but we weren't too far away.

We've got a same within our side. Yes, you're fiercely competitive and you're desperate to win. But if you are going to be beat, make sure you're hard to be beaten. and I thought we were tonight against a good side. There were so many moments in the game. Are there any in particular you put it down to, the fact that you came out on the wrong side? Yeah, I think, to be honest,

I've been watching India play throughout this World Cup and their fielding has been, I think it's fair to say, probably below par, for them to come out with two world-class catches tonight, Axel. And then on the boundary road, I mean, that was the separation between the game, really. one of those the one on the rope goes for six and he got a tie ballgame i guess it's it's pretty simple

but you know they made big plays and big moments and fair play to them and um but overall i was i was happy with the lads and i've been happy and proud of their campaign right throughout we've seen some special things from jacob bathl and his brief so far international career how good was that and where does it rank oh look he's an incredible talent right he's There was a punt taken on Beth early. Yes, he was identified as a special player and a player for the future. And sometimes it takes a gamble to try and introduce someone like that early enough and be brave enough to do so. And the selectors and all the scouts, they all identified him early and said, we think he's got something.

At what age are we going to see it? We've got no real idea. But he's just continued to grow the more he's come into international cricket. to get a brilliant 100 like that in a World Cup semi-final and the most hostile ground against the pre-tortemate favourites. It takes an immense amount of skill, but also a huge amount of belief in yourself and also your tactical acumen.

And then you look back on his hundred he got at Sydney in an Asher series to come in and to do that. He is a special player. A lot's been thrown at him from us in this early stage. put him in position of captaincy when the team went to Ireland and he thrived in that even at such a young age and behind the flare and the bling there's a very serious and committed cricketer

who he's thorough in his research and his preparation and then he uses his flare when he gets out on the field so he's got a huge future and he's a strong leader has emerged within the dressing room and that's I think that's also acknowledgement of Harry's captaincy too he's got a lot of young men now who are believing in the direction this team's heading and they're stepping up and performing and they're assuming leadership roles within the side and that is the ultimate mark of leadership

I think is allowing those around you to grow and to develop and to feel as if they have a significant input into how things run within the setup so a huge a huge positive there as well he I think brookie's been superb he's obviously had a tough couple of months but he's a tough lad and his his tactic raccoon is outstanding and he's a very strong leader and his best user in front of him. But he's certainly stepped up in this tournament and given this side of real identity. What's next for you? It's been a long winter. What comes next? I'm going to go home, watch some, hopefully some fast horses and play some average golf and sort of allow after what's been a tough, demanding but also there's some missed opportunities.

and a lot of satisfaction about what some of the things that have been achieved over the last four or five months as well. But I'll do what always do and sit back and reflect and give it the time to land and then start assessing what went well, what needs some improvement and what plays do you make to be able to ensure that you keep progressing and developing as a side. So I'm enjoying the role and join the role across all formats and I'd love to carry that on. but over the next couple of weeks it would be a matter of trying to find the fastest horse and trying to make a few birdies. Do you expect to be in position when it comes, we've got three months now until England play again? Do you expect to be head coach of England when that comes around?

Look, I'd like to be. I think it's a great job. A great job when I say that's because you're working with some of the most talented players in the world. I'm not saying it's a great job because it's a lark. I'm saying it's a great job because you're working with some of most talented players in the world with an organisation that is very well struck. well run and is incredibly well supported and behind the scenes by the fans and in the history that sits within English cricket.

So look, it's an absolute privilege to be in the position over the last three and a half years. And I feel like we've made some significant improvements across the various formats. Yes, we've missed some opportunities. But I think this team has got a real opportunity over the coming years to continue to improve and hopefully finish what we started. I'd love to be a part of it. Have you had conversations yet with any of the people above you at the ECB in? Or do you expect them to happen?

And when do you expect them? Oh, look, over the next couple of weeks I'll get home and play some golf and watch some horses. And as I say, I'm enjoying the job. I'd love to still be in the role and we'll see where things are in the coming weeks. Thank you. Thank you. So England's men end up just short of reaching the T20 World Cup final. but the women's side will have a chance this summer

with a home tournament beginning in fewer than 100 days now. That lion mark was celebrated with events across the country this week, including at Edgeburston, where Stefan Schemelt spoke with the England captain, Nat Siverbrunt. It's 100 days to go to the World Cup. Have you got a date sort of circled in your calendar? How are you sleeping at the minute? The sleep is a bit broken at the minute, but probably not due to the 100 days to the World Cup.

Yeah, due to the small baby not wanting to be asleep the whole night. But yeah, I mean, obviously 100 days ago feels a bit closer and a bit more real. Obviously the season's almost upon us, so yeah, that excitement is starting to build. As you rightly say, you've got lots of other things to occupy your mind. But I guess you'd only be human, wouldn't you, if you didn't allow your mind to drift to that World Cup and what it will be like to be a captain of an England team at a Home World Cup? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I guess I did that a little bit in the 2017 World Cup just to let my mind wonder to see what it would be like in my mind, you know, being in that final and if we were to win it. So yeah, I suppose those same thoughts have been going through my mind a little bit.

But yeah, I suppose it feels far enough away that you can do that. So the focus on obviously the here and now and all that sort of stuff, I think we'll start once the training starts. I guess that block of preparation that we want to get going with. I want to say it's an opportunity and that can mean lots of different things, obviously to win it like you've just mentioned, but also for the game in this country. So when I say that the World Cup is an opportunity, I know what does that mean to you?

I guess at the moment that would be lifting the trophy, but like on a broader scale, I guess drawing back to 2017 again, at that time we thought, wow, this is really going to like accelerate. women's cricket like how it is now is it's just going to be leaps and bounds from where it's going to go and then we're like what nine years later and you can't even imagine how it was back there and I suppose so to I guess for the ceiling not to be too low really and the game can go wherever it wants to really after this this tournament and I'm hoping that we sort of get a

euro's moment almost and yeah I guess there's opportunity in that as well You mentioned a Euros moment. Have you seen, you ask me it's hard not to see, what happened with the lionesses and the red roses when they have success in this country and think, God, I want a piece of that. Yeah, I mean, to experience the things that they experienced, self-turbously winning their tournaments is just amazing.

So, yeah, as a women's sport fan, putting myself in their shoes at that time was really, really special. So, yeah, to have that chance to do that. this summer, yeah, it's almost unthinkable about, I suppose, where you can go with it. So I'll have to damp and down that excitement by the time we get there, I think. Do you know that England have won every Women's World Cup that has been played in this country? I learnt that in a previous interview, actually, today. So no expectations, obviously, should already just happen.

Yeah, I mean, that's obviously an incredible record that we have. And, yeah, hopefully we can draw on some of those experiences. We'll know obviously a few of those players are still around the game. So yeah, hopefully we can draw on those and use that to our advantage. Where's the balance of power in global women's cricket at the moment? We know that New Zealand are the defending T20 World Cup champions. India won the last 50 over World Cup. Australia are going through their own sort of transitional changes.

Where is that and where does that leave England in terms of being in the mix to lift the trophy? I think that makes things quite open to me. things quite open to be fair. I guess we saw in the last T20 World Cup there were different teams in the semi-finals and yeah that makes for a really exciting time. I guess T20 cricket is a game that can change really quickly and yeah if a really good team have a bad day that could be the end of that so T20 cricket can be really fickle but I guess the openness of women's cricket at the moment in the world is a really exciting part and yeah hopefully we can see some brilliant games capture the imagination of the fans that do come to watch and

yeah hopefully have a great time this summer. If I talk about legacy is that is that a straightforward thing to discuss or quantify? So when you think back to 2017 was there a legacy to that tournament? Did women's cricket in this country get that quite right? To me I always think legacy you more think about after you've like finished playing the game almost. Like when you're in cricket when you're still playing you're in the moment and you're you know riding the highs of your own performance of the team of the you know the the time in the world I suppose so I think the acceleration was a little bit

slower after the 17 World Cup but where we are now is I guess we have seen in other women's sports that so many things can happen so yeah I think we're at a really exciting time in the game we talk about I know the in the game and the franchise leagues and those sorts of things. It's 100 auction next week. Do you think that the England women's, I don't know, WhatsApp group is going to be a bit lively while that auction is going on? Yeah, I think so. I think it will be tricky for the girls who are in the auction.

I suppose with that uncertainty about what's going to happen. I know when we had the auction for the first WPL, that was a bit of an awkward time between everyone. everyone we had a game in the in the T20 World Cup on that day and so some people found out what was happening before the game some people afterwards so the whole day felt a bit weird but yeah I guess with quite a lot of our team knowing what what they're going to be doing in the hundred next year hopefully everyone can be really supportive of those girls who are in the auction and yeah I suppose it's just a really exciting time for our sport here yeah I'll certainly be cheating and as a team it's just under a year

since you and Charlotte United as the new leadership group. What have you been pleased about in terms of the progress that you've made and where is there still work to do? Yeah, it's funny because we actually haven't been together all the sides since the World Cup late last year. So it has been a while. But I think the moves that we have made, I think is certainly in the honesty around our group and the openness to challenge. And I think we can push that even further to, I suppose, put ourselves in a great position

to be able to adapt as a side when you're being challenged on the pitch. So that's, I suppose, what we're practice for. I'm thinking that's, I suppose, where we can make some more moves this early season. And, yeah, I suppose put ourselves in the best position we can for having that tournament started. Well, that was Nat Siverbrunt with Stefan Schemilt.

Thanks to Stephen Finn and Abashik Janjohn-John Waller. That's it for this episode of the TMS podcast. Make sure that you're subscribed. So you never miss an episode. just hit the subscribe button on BBC sounds and TMS back on air 115 on Sunday for India against New Zealand from the Narendra Modi Stadium we'll be there in Armidabad

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