Test Match Special - No Balls: Kate Cross's Barmy Army

Episode Date: September 11, 2024

Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are in Belfast after Kate secured her first series win as England captain. She tells us she is enjoying the responsibility of captaincy after taking six wickets in the opening match at the weekend. And we're joined by record-breaking batter Tammy Beaumont, after her latest ODI century.

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shish kebab. Flippin'ek. That's a swear word. Cross. Come doing round a wicket. Oh, that's... Boulder! Boulder, leaving a ball alone, Litchfield.

Think it's the one. bubble ball and it just nips back it jags back it's the nipbacker that is a beauty from kate cross an absolute seed that is a beauty from cross sorry sorry thought you were ready sorry you're ready hello hello and welcome back to know more as a cricket podcast with me kate cross and you Alex Hartley how are you cake crosses barbie army Kate Crasses, Barmy Army, series with four Kate Cross. I've heard. I've played two games of cricket, and all I could hear was you and Hen chanted that.

Cake crosses, Barmy Army. Small Barmy Army we had here. Yeah, just for two of us. There was a couple of No Bulls fans, but they never came to sit with me. So I don't know if they were embarrassed, whether they felt like they couldn't. Did you send anyone a pint over? No, no one asked for a pint. Oh.

Oh, you've missed the trickier, guys. I know, because I was on the pint. too. Grossie, series win, baby. Captain. Captain, yeah. It's been so much fun. I've really enjoyed it.

Obviously, winning helps. I think if we'd have been sat here and been north from two, I might not have enjoyed it as much. But yeah, it's been good fun. The girls have been unbelievable. Me and John Lewis, original John Lewis, technically,

not head coach John Lewis. We've given seven caps out. Yep. Six people? Six people. So, yeah, we've really made a dent. to English women's cricket history. I love that, but you've also been so dominant

with the two teams that you've played. Saturday, first game, sun was shining. Gorgeous day. Amazing day. Warm day. Good game, actually. Island, like, we're on top for a little bit as well, weren't they? How did you find that?

That was my probably most stressful bit. I was like, oh my God, I'm not equipped to do this job. And then it was so good having, like, I've got Tammy on the pitch. We've got Holly on the pitch. I really respect as a captain, obviously. she's captained me at Superchargers so I had a lot of people

that I could bounce ideas off which is very helpful but yeah there was definitely a moment and I was like what do I do here because we just couldn't break the partnership which is obviously cricket that's so normal

but when you're captain you're thinking like oh my God my decisions are now like affecting this so you brought yourself on you broke the partnership you got six for your first game as captain

yeah and then yesterday you got three for eight in four overs I you've broken loads of records in yourself like so many records and I've screenshot them all okay and you'll probably know them but I've got them all just in case and hypercourced has slid into my DMs so I can reel them all off okay right I'm listening so some stats to bombard Kate with second best ODI figures by an English woman Joe Chamberlain number one Joe Chamberlid

number one. Seven for nine she got against Denmark. We're doing our research, weren't we? You got six for 30. Best ODI figures by an England women's captain. Second best figures by any captain in women's ODIs. That's in the world. Second woman ever and first captain to take six wickets and score 30 plus runs in the same

ODI. Career best with the ball. Career best with the bat. This is only one game by the way. First England women's captain to take a wicket in the first over of an ODI. you then broke that because you took two wickets in an over in an ODI. You are now sixth all-time list A English women's wicket takers. In your last two games, this is before yesterday, you'd bowled 18.3 over, taking 12 wickets for 70 at 3.7.

that then went down because you got three for eight there is more there is more and then hypercourse comes in again she's now the first captain in women's ODI history to take two wickets in the first over of an innings and with a game to go you have already broken the record

for the most wickets by a captain in a three-match ODI series you also you also need two this is going to put pressure on your You need two wickets to become the second fastest English woman to 100 ODI wickets. Oh really? I didn't know that one. I knew all the other ones because they've all been thrown around on Twitter.

There's more. Honestly, there is more. But I can't he find them? Crossy. What can I say, are when you're on, you're on? I think captaincy might suit you. The captaincy thing. You also the third oldest bowler to take six wickets in a number.

ODI. That's good. That's a nice one to have. So when you want. I think you suit being captain. The captaincy thing, obviously the bowling, I know how to ball in one day cricket. So I was, I wasn't, not that I wasn't worried about it, but I knew that I wanted my role to stay the same regardless of captaincy. But I tell you where the captaincy really came in was when I went out to bat and I was like, I have to take responsibility here and I have to play well to like not lose this game of cricket. You got a career best with the ball and then a career best with the bat? It was so fun. Love batting with best. Love it. You're a freak. I'm not. I'm not. I'm just feel like I'm in a good place with my cricket. And we were actually

speaking about this the other day, weren't we? Like, happy minds make happy cricketers. And I feel I feel tired. It's the end of season. And obviously with the captaincy, there's just more responsibility and more to think about. Did you feel that responsibility with the bat when you went out? Because you were in a bit of trouble. That's what I mean. That was when I really switched on and was like, I have to do well here. If I had got a first baller, then I'd look like a really crap captain. Well, not necessarily a crap captain, but like, I'm always banging on about trying to bat higher up the order.

You can't bat higher up the order. We told you, you were too high the other day. Would I have got the, would I have beaten the record? I'm pretty sure you only need 30 and you've got 38 red. It's a shame. 36 balls as well. You haven't more than a runner ball. But yeah, it's just been so much fun.

And do you know what I've loved the most? is like the response that I've had from the team because sometimes I don't know you can just your voices heard more because you're captain and then when you have a day

like I did on Saturday you almost are like oh god it's about me and I didn't want it to be about me like there was five girls that day that had made the debuts they got to sing the England song

for the first time and have their first England win and it was so special there was family members there we did the obviously cat presentations at the start of the game but then we did the cat presentation

at the end of the game which has become a bit of a tradition now where the last debutante passes the cap on to the next debutante. Right. So all the family members come into the dressing room. So it was Bess Heath who'd last made her ODII debut

who then had to hand out another cap to five new players. So what, is it just one cap? Yeah, so it's like, you know, the baggy blue presentation caps. So like poor Holly Armitage will have had that cap for three minutes before passing it on.

Yeah. But the point of it is like you're passing on the cap to the next person. So obviously it was very unique because there was five debutante's. Best did really well. She did a speech just generally about what making your debut is

about and your England careers, etc. That cap then got passed on from Hannah Baker to Georgia Davis yesterday because of the Sparks connection, the Brummies, the Brummies together. So yeah, it's been a really special week. It's been really unusual and really unique,

but it's been so special and obviously to get the series win with a game in hand. And I think it was something like our seventh ODI series win in the bounce, happened before. It just goes to show that English women's cricket is in a really good place and you

always fear that when you retire it might not. You want to leave the team in a better place than you left it. Then you found it, sorry. Oh, don't worry, you will. But I don't know, there's always that worry that these girls, they just don't know what to expect at international level, but they've all come in and done well. So that's been like probably the highlight of it for me. So you've been absolutely outstanding in this series, but so is this person.

Should we have a listen? We've got a very, very, very special guest who's just walked into the team room. It's England's leading ODI run scorer with centuries, that makes no sense. It's really complicated. Tammy Beaumont! I was about to just be like, hang on, restart, restart. I'm not leading run scorer, nowhere near. are nowhere near.

Well, you've scored the most centuries for England in ODI cricket. Correct. Congratulations. How does that feel? I'm pretty tired today. It feels tiring. No, it feels amazing. Something I've probably known about for a while, that I was kind of joint.

But yeah, it's kind of... I feel like these days records are just... You set them to be broken by the future generations. Yeah, I can't wait for someone to overtake me, but yeah, I'm pretty happy. happy with yesterday. We were actually talking this morning because remind us when you got your ninth to join Lottie. Ages ago. So how's that been since then? Because if I was you I'd be striving to top that table. Like how has it been, has it been frustrating? Has it been something that's kept you going? Like how's it all felt knowing that you've won away from being

the best that we've had? Yeah, I think it has been a bit tough. I think particularly kind of becoming a bit of a one format player for the last couple of years with the ODIs. I think it's kind of put more pressure on that as such. But at the same time last summer, I felt like I contributed in the two ODIs in the ashes, which I think was important. And the way we wanted to play, I was pretty happy of how I played, even though I kind of got, I think, 40 and 60 or whatever. So it's a tough one because when you're opening the batting,

you're trying to set the tone for the team. I mean, it's not about personal accolades or personal scores, but at the same time, yeah, it's nice to get them at the same time. We saw yesterday, so, like, you're on 70. No, actually, you were on 80. Kempi was on 40, and I was like, then you were on 85, Kempi was on 65. Me and Hen looked each other, like,

is Kempi going to get there before, Tammy? Kempi gets out, you get to your 100. There's a big call through the speaker of you now leading ODI, century get us. You're going to get it right by the end of this part. It's so hard to say. And then, Tammy, the handbrake came off and my God, I swear you hit five falls

in the next over. You then went from 100 to 150 absolutely no time. Like that must have been quite nice. Okay, I've got there. I've got a bit of freedom here. Yeah, it was a little bit. I think also, I actually thought

I was chewing them a bit. But I had a little look last night. I actually faced like far less balls in that partnership. and probably actually played my role perfectly when someone can strike the ball like Kempi was yesterday my job was to get her on strike and actually, yeah, she did her job

and yeah, I genuinely thought at one point I was like, go on Kempi, overtake me on, show us how it's done but I thought she backed beautifully and then, yeah, it was actually what Kate said after I got to my 100 actually it was more important to have a set batter in that last 10 overs

and that kind of spurred me on because at that point my back had gone and I was, every time I swung I was getting a shooting pain down my leg but yeah what Kate said brought me back to life thinking like actually no this is the time to take it on and capitalise because that's what the team needed

and I also have some fun yeah it was fun at the same time she's so funny to back with you in Dunedin and I actually didn't know she got her hundred no I was out yesterday I was out yesterday for the hundred I was like I'm going to make you sure I had 10 if Kate Annie got out yeah so I got stranded on 95 in Dunedin

and I was got out to Mealy Kerr and we reviewed it, it was LBW. I was like, I don't think that was out. And Tammy's like, no, I don't think it was out. And it was like hitting middle of middle. I was like, oh my God, I'm so sorry Tammy. So yesterday I was like, I'm getting it to 100. Like I'm making sure that I'm going out.

That was when she's number 11. She's not number 11 anymore. Exactly. But she's so funny to battle it. So I've come out. I was like, Tam, you're doing amazing. She was like, why are you lying? I feel crap.

I'm chewing them. I was like, oh my gosh, she's 95 an hour, mate. I'm like, I wouldn't be feeling like that on 95 net out. So what's next for Tommy Beaumont? You've now got 10 centuries for England. Like, is there like, are you thinking about 12, 15? Or is it like, okay, I've got 10, I've broken a record, but as you say, it's not about the records, it's about the team.

Yeah, I think records are nice, but I think that's something you sort of, I don't want to think about until I finish and get to look back at lots of amazing things. I think for me it's about the team and what's next for this 50-over team in like a year's time. very big World Cup to come and also in Ashes in her way I've only ever won one but I didn't

really win it I think I've carried the drinks very well and played in a good draw at Wormsley so yeah I think for me like there's lots of lots of kind of team app plays that I'm desperate to to push for and whatever I'm contributing for that that's the main goal I mean I'll we're talking this morning about nat silver bruntz obviously excelled since she's married Catherine and there was that start about her stats before marriage and after marriage. You've recently got married. Are we thinking that now, now are you going to go? 20 centuries maybe?

I don't know, maybe. I mean, the first three months of marriage, my cricket was pretty average. Maybe I needed to get divorced. Don't tell Callum. No, he's cool. He's all good. He's safe.

But yeah, maybe. Maybe this is a turning point. Maybe, maybe. Right, okay. I want to know what it's been like for you because we know we're your friends. I know, I'm a friend, but everyone listening doesn't know, like, what has your journey actually been like? Because it's not

been easy, as it? And I know we're talking about you breaking records, and you're a fucking good cricketer, and you deserve all the records, but... Hang on, can you swear on the BBC? Of course she can. Yeah, we're getting beat out. But the last, like, four or five years, and like, getting drops from the T20 team, like, it's not been easy, as it?

Well, I don't even think it's the last, like, four or five years. I think it's been my whole career. Well, you have, but you've been on the first. She'd been on the pub before and talked about. I remember how good your story was about getting to number one and being the best ODIBata. And that was a great story. So anyone should go back and listen to that episode

because it was excellent. Continue. But yeah, I think, I don't know. I guess that kind of sums up my whole career is kind of whenever you get knocked down, you just get up and go again. I actually probably struggled with the whole people calling me resilient. I think I just don't give up.

There's just a difference. Like, if you just endure enough rubbish, You come back around and that kind of is what it feels like with my career that I've just put up with a lot. You must love the game to carry on and to keep going. Yeah, I guess so. I think for me I've always said if I felt like I had more to give or was still good enough to do it, I'd keep trying. So yeah, I guess that's kind of where I've been for a while. Do you think you say putting up with all the crap, do you think that's what's got you here to be top of the tree?

Yeah, I think so. I think any, when you listen to any sports person that's kind of one of the, I'm not saying I am, but you speak to anyone that's got to the top, they've almost always had some sort of like adversity to come across, come against and at some point found it tough and had to go through those times and work out, you know, and come back stronger each time. And yeah, I guess that's probably what's made it here. And I think being an opening batter as well, I think like there's so much out of your control, like, I think it's always difficult, like, you know, the first ODI got a ball of my name on it, and it was an absolute peach from all Apprendiast, and, you know, you think you're going to play Ireland, you should just be able to knock out as many as you want, but that's, that's cricket for you, and that's why it's a real leveller, and that's why it's a tough game, it's a tough mental game, but, yeah, I guess. I always just think, like, the best athletes, like you said, the ones that have got the stories to talk about, they've always had a bit of a point to prove, and I feel like if

that's something that you feel, then that's what's spurred you on and kept you going for so long and ultimately going to make you go down as one of England's greatest ever but us. Yeah, I think for a long time I had, I always wanted to prove a point and almost like the more I got put in a corner, the more I wanted to prove. But I think the last couple of years, like I kind of feel like I don't have to have, I don't have to have to prove something anymore. Like if I can just, I've done it, I can finish tomorrow and my record will be my record and what I've done, I've done. So now I can just do it for me. I can do it for my family. I can do it from teammates.

I don't have to prove anything anymore. How's it been, this is for both of you actually. This is like a transitional period. You're here in Ireland and you two are the grandmas of the team. City players, Alex. Sorry, senior players. As we say that time, he's got a hot water bottle wrapped around her waist for her back. How's it been playing with the younger girls?

Is it like, oh God, we're old or is it like actually this is really exciting because of all these young girls coming through? I've found it exciting, I think. I think when you took me and Kate out of it, well, I think I had like 10 times more caps than anyone in that first game and you had like five times more, which is pretty crazy really to think that. But I think watching the way that they've played and it's really exciting. I think, you know, you think of the names that aren't playing in this Island series

and actually seeing the way the girls have gone about it. I think it's great to see and it kind of makes sure. you feel like whenever we do leave the cap behind it's going to be in a great place because you know these these girls are coming in and playing the way that we know they can play like straight away i think from my point of view like all of that but it's seeing how the girls like the enjoyment that they've got from doing well and like i've really remembered what it was like getting my cap and how nervous i was and like you don't know what your international career is going to look like and me and time you've obviously been very lucky that we've managed to play for

a lot of games but like what's georgia davis's story going to be like she started yesterday and we were here for her and i think that's when i knew i was going to captain and obviously me and time you're both senior players in this group you just want to create memories for these girls that they don't walk away from this series going well that's not quite what i thought it would be like i want them to come away from it going i want more of that i want to keep striving and making sure that no one gets that takes that cap away from me now it's there's forever to be fair and you've taught a few girls how to split the G with the Guinness. What a trip.

No, I very much failed at that. Very much failed that. So they taught me, you know, keep me young. Okay, we're in Belfast before we let you go tell me. Do you like Guinness yes or no? No, I keep trying. I keep trying to like it, but I just don't. I'm sorry to all the Irish listeners.

Grossie, do you like Guinness? I do, but I've got to be in the mood. Okay. I don't like it either. I think it tastes like coins. Just a little caveat. I don't like any beer or cider. So that's true.

Anyone from the West Country is going to hate me too. So it's all good. I just don't like that kind of drink. Tammy loves a gin and tonic for anyone that wants to get her. Gin and tonic for getting the most centuries springling. Well, you did it! Tammy, you are a bloody great cricketer and thank you for joining us for 10 minutes. You're great.

Go and rest your spine. Go and get back in bed. Thanks, Tam. I'll get there eventually. The most ODI centuries for an English woman. Well done. It's quite hard. It's the getter. I don't know how you were getting run get her in there.

Because she got loads of runs. She's a getter. She's a run getter. 150? I forgot to mention to Tammy that the relief on her parents' face yesterday was like something that I'd never seen before as well. Like she's finally done it. Yeah.

I imagine for the parents watching your daughter go and become the best at what she does must be... Well, they've waited a while, haven't they? That's what I was trying to get out with that question. It felt like she had the opportunity to get that record a long time ago and then it's been a bit stagnated since then, but obviously she's done it now, so it must be, like you said, just such a big relief. So you've got one ODI left.

Yeah, we play again tomorrow. God, these games are coming thick and fast. They are, aren't they? So probably today by the time this podcast comes out, which is fine. Oh, it's Emma Lam! Hello, Emma Lam! Hi! Come on in, come on in.

Do you want have a chat on the podcast? I'll just get my washing there. Come and say hello. Hi, I don't know. You know what to say. We're just talking about Tammy Beaumont being England women's leading ODI, Rungetta. It's a prick-full of it. You've clearly just come back from Vizio.

Yeah. How's the body? Actually, fine. Oh, perfect. I feel great for this time having. How are you spending your day off? I'm not sure. I might do a bit shopping later.

There you go. We're just talking about the game's coming thick and fast, but there's always time for shopping. Yes, always. Get your washing. Bye. I really like your track suit. I forgot what we were saying. Yeah, me too.

yeah the games are coming thick and fast you've come over to belfast you and hen had a little trip a no bull's trip the content on that account was unbelievable that day yeah there is so much more content to come because we accidentally went on a night out Saturday and celebrate you as a person you as a captain and you breaking records and there's so many videos so many photos we had so much fun we had a great time some people the no balls fans would be

loving it they all know we went out because there was many tweets being like oh we're going to have fun in belfast like obviously we were um i've not asked you how are you i'm good i'm really good i'm getting ill i'm sick um i had a brilliant weekend so so glad i came on so glad you came like i've messaged 10 this morning just saying like my week would not have been half as special without you two here because obviously to like to captain your country's pretty special i got my family here but to have you two best mates in the entire world here what i'm watching as well was so good. Do you know what really like stuck with me is the fact

that nobody was surprised I was here like do not like all the girls they were like they weren't all like oh what you doing here they're all like how are you nice to see you how's the flight I'm like obviously I was gonna be here well a few people asked me if she if you were working I was like no no she's coming over as a friend there's a best mate to support me which actually we've not had a great amount of time or you don't have a great amount of time to do that you came and watch the Superchargers game this summer but it's been so nice to actually have some support over here.

Oh, I was just to watch your Captain England. Couldn't miss it. So cool. Can't miss it. Should we go upstairs? I think we should, you know. I know who with? Come on.

Lauren Agenbag. Let's do it. She's been on field for two games, Lauren. Alex and Kate, Kate and Alex, have been listening to your podcast now for probably a year and it's genuinely one of the best podcasts I've ever come across. I've listened in order because I'm not a psychopath

the bread knife doesn't need cleaning after every use and not another one has become part of my daily vocabulary. Not another one. Were you like that yesterday? Oh my God, we didn't even talk about so sorry, this is diverting back, right? We were in hospitality yesterday

because we got tickets to hospital. We had lunch. I went for a poo because post-lunch poo came back and you'd taken three for yeah well it's a nippy pitch well you like not another one not another one

through some pretty dark moments recently for me your friendship banter and amazing insight into the game of cricket especially the women's side of the game and watching it grow and grow season on season has been such comfort and I cannot thank you enough now to my question sunglasses

I went to the Phoenix game against the supercharges in the hundred and Cross's sunglasses are wild. I may be over-egging this a bit, but they legit aren't sunglasses. They're welding masks. What's wrong with a pair of Raybans or something? There must be some benefit for wearing what essentially is a pair of ski goggles at Long Gone.

They are ski goggles. They're fashion now. The only reason you've got them is because it's fashionable. Yeah, and they don't look good. None of the big glasses I think look good. But you've got a pair? But do you remember those really, they were Adidas ones that everyone used to wear,

the real small ones, that looked a bit like swimming. coming got goals. They were fashionable for a while so it'll come in and out. Yeah, it's just, it's literally just a fashion thing. They're getting bigger as well. Yeah, they are. Adam Zampa tried to bring their little ones back then they, and they do look cool. This one is called Captain Cross and

Odd Bulls. Greetings, Captain Cross and cheerleader Hartley. I'm sure, right? You're fair enough I am. Medium time listener, first time emailer. My wife and I listen to the podcast every week. We're also working through the back catalogue of the originals on Spotify. I'm never going to look at elephants at Chester Zoo in the same way.

We haven't done anything wild like that for a while. No, we haven't. We've been a bit tame, haven't we? We've got the golf day coming up. Oh, yes. We were lucky enough to meet Crossy and Worcester in June, but my wife, Jules, had the unfortunate moment of calling your podcast, The Odd Balls podcast. I remember this. She will kill me for saying this.

To try and get a few brownie points back with her, it would be great if you could wish her a happy birthday for 13th of September. She is my rock and I wouldn't be without her. the world. I think I must be her LBW. Talking of comms, here's a question for you. No names need to be mentioned, but have you ever been doing commentary with someone

and just thought, what on earth are you talking about? How do you professionally get around that? Yeah, obviously. Obviously, a lot of people say things for headlines and stuff, and, like, you have to. Like, I'll say something about someone

and I know it's going to end up as a headline, but you've got to give your opinion. But the thing is, as a commentator, summariser, pundit, as long as you have something to back up your ideas. So if I said, test cricket should be played with a blue ball because of X, Y, and Z. There's my opinion. You could say, no, it should be played with a yellow ball, X, Y, and Z. Yeah, you're allowed to have opinions and you're allowed to disagree with people.

The one thing that I struggle with in commentary is a bad breath. Oh, that's a nice bet. in that because you're so close to people is if people got bad breath but back to the opinion thing I think it would be really boring if you disagreed with someone but because you're on air agreed with them like

the best discussions you hear are that their discussions like you don't have to be right or wrong in them but having everyone's opinion like how I see the game might be different to how you see the game me and Holly actually on the pitch the other day I was talking about I needed to get Maddie back into the attack

so I was going to bring her but then it would mean that she was bowling into the wind and I wanted a seema to ball into the wind and Holly was like, see, as a spinning captain who, yeah, captain who bowls spinning, I would look after my spinner in that moment but because I'm a seamer, I was looking after the seamer in that moment.

So we just see the game differently and that would, we'd have both made different decisions in that moment. Life would be so boring if we all got on and agreed with everything. Yeah, but I've never, I can't remember a moment where I've gone what on earth are you talking about?

No, to be fair. No. there's been moments where I've gone oh no that's actually incorrect because I have the information based on being the England women's team or whatever but nothing I can't remember anything that's happened where I've gone God what's happening

but a very very happy birthday congratulations another birthday well done another trip around the sun another trip around the world oh it's not the third I thought we were in October it's still September so it's still her birthday so 13th of September happy birthday from your favourite

odd balls podcasters yes a question about crowd size This is from Ryan. Hello Kate and Alex. I was at Rachel Hayhoe Flint Trophy game between the Northern Diamonds and the Southern Vipers last Wednesday, which was a fantastic game decided on the last ball.

However, there was barely anyone at the game, probably due to the fact it was a work and a school day. To ask a question, does the lack of a crowd impact the players on the pitch in any way or does it not even register? Cheers, Ryan. I think for a long time it didn't register with us, did it?

Because we were so used to not playing in a crowd. Whereas when you get used to playing in front of a crowd and you know that it's a home crowd and they're on your side, you love it. Yeah. I think it's more now for me that a bigger crowd affects me more in a good way. In a good way.

Not having a crowd doesn't affect me other than I sit there going oh this is a bit disappointing. Because you want people to watch women's cricket and follow the games and follow the teams. But that's something that I think I'm hoping that the tier one system next year does

that we get, obviously we're playing in the Vitality Blast now. That got announced last week. Hopefully the crowds become aligned a little bit like they have done in the 100. So if you support Lancashire Lightning, you support Lancashire Thunder. Apart from the Blaze, but don't even get me started. Yeah, you're annoyed about that, huh? I'm really annoyed. It kept me up at night. I'm really, really annoyed at it because I think it looks stupid.

Crossie, congratulations. The series isn't over. The T20 series is to come. Yes. Weekend doubling, baby. Weekend in Dublin, you enjoy that. If you win all five games, I thought it was six. So what, is it two T20?

Two T20. Saturday, Sunday. They've cancelled one of them, I think, because this schedule's had to be tight in a little bit. Ah, that makes sense. Right. Probably because the weather. It's now 11 degrees here.

You might be, have the best winning percentage of any captain ever for England. So good luck, because that would be great, wouldn't it? Oh, we've got. It would be so good. Never lost the game for England. Oh, not me, just playing two games and taking nine wickets for 38 runs.

Quick maths. Quick maths. Good for me. It's probably wrong. No, it was right. 30 in the first game, not eight in the second. Oh yeah, well done. Easy, I can do that. Good luck for the rest of the trip. Thank you, by the way, for my card. Alex gave me a card this morning. It's a report card to my teacher, but my teacher has been scribbled out and it says England's captain. So report card to my England captain. Teaching has been crossed out and captaincy has got an A plus. Listening has been crossed out and bowling has got an A plus. Standing has been crossed out and batting has got an A plus and helping has been crossed out and boozing has got an A plus and I got a 10 out of 10. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, you did. Yeah, you did. Good love for the rest of the trip. Love you bye. Love you bye. Oh, email us on. Noballspodspodcast at BBC.com.com.com. It's so good. They said it twice. Also, please do email us because we had two this week. And also, me and Alex are going on a little holiday at the end of this year. So we'll do one more after this island series and then we might do a little shenanigans one.

after the whole day. That'd be fun. Cross comes in, round the wicket. Boulder, Boulder, leaving a ball alone, Litchfield. Think it's the wobble ball, and it just nips back, it jags back, it's the nipbacker. That is a beauty from Kate Cross, an absolute seed. That is a beauty from Cross. Hello, I'm Greg James.

Felix White. Hello. And that is England's greatest ever bowler, Jimmy Anderson. Hello. Felix, what can people expect to hear on Tailenders? A loosely cricket-based chat

and we've probed Jimmy about not meeting Dalai Lama. Jimmy, what's your favourite thing about Tail Enders? I like hanging out with you guys and listen to you talk about cricket and then putting you right

when you get everything. Thanks for your support as ever. We also have some very special guests every now and then. Stuart Broad, so they're running into bowl and I'm going to, oh, it's interesting the skippers bowing the top end and you're bowling on this thing

because you're going to get a drop time I love it That's Tell Enders Listen now on BBC Sounds Go well