The Commentary at Home Podcast

Bill Ribbans has been a doctor and orthopedic surgeon for over 40 years and has treated some of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen in world sport. Bill has written about his experiences of working in elite sport in his new book, “Knife in the Fast Lane”. He chats to Mark about the book and how medicine and treatment in sport has changed and developed especially in the professional era.

Renowned sports psychologist, Michael Caulfield chats to Mark about his career, working with elite sports teams and his sporting influences. He also discusses leadership and joins us from the Scotland Rugby bubble as they prepared for their Autumn Nations Cup game against France.

After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Kevin Webber has run marathons all over the world to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer and his story is truly inspiring. Kevin has raised thousands of pounds through his efforts and his fundraising page and more information can be found at Https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kevin-webber9

Mark is once again joined by the Deputy Sports Editor of the Sunday Times, Nick Greenslade for the second part of their interview. Nick’s first book , “The Thin White Line..The Inside Story of Cricket’s Greatest Scandal “ has just been published and tells the story of the infamous no balls at Lord’s in 2010. In the last episode, Nick shone a light on how the News of The World broke the story which eventually led to Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif being banned and sent to prison. In this episode Nick discusses the aftermath of that Test Match and why he decided to write the book.

Deputy Sport Editor of the Sunday Times, Nick Greenslade chats to Mark. Nick’s first book , 'The Thin White Line: The Inside Story of Cricket’s Greatest Scandal' has just been published. It's a gripping and forensic account of the spot fixing scandal at Lord’s in 2010. Nick shines a light on how the News of The World broke the story which eventually led to Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif being banned and sent to prison. Next week Nick will discuss the aftermath of those 'three no balls' back in 2010.

Mark chats to bowling coach Stuart Barnes. They discuss Stuart’s bowling career for Gloucestershire and his move into coaching with the county he played for; coaching at Surrey; working with Somerset and being in the BioSecure bubble with Somerset this summer. Stuart chats about working with some of the best bowlers in the world and as always the podcast was recorded over French Toast and coffee.

Mark is joined by the Test Match Special Producer, Adam Mountford. Adam discusses what it’s like being in charge of an institution, talks about life in the bio-secure bubble and driving Wasim Akram through the covers under the Media Centre at the Ageas Bowl.

Surrey CCC Academy Director Gareth Townsend chats to Mark about producing Surrey and England players. Gareth also talks about his break into First Class cricket thanks to Martin Moxon’s testicles.

Mark chats to cricket writer, journalist Raf Nicholson about the Women’s game. Raf discusses how she fell in love with cricket and how she became one of the most authoritative writers on the women’s game.

Richard Bedbrook, the Regional Director of the South East Stars, chats to Mark about the return of the women’s game and the start of the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Richard also chats about his time as the Performance Manager on the Surrey Academy and Head Coach of the Surrey Stars.

The latest episode includes all the best moments of commentary with Mark's daughter Isabelle and his Mum. From Nasser’s coin toss at the Gabba, to David Gower’s first ball in Test cricket, this episode is a reminder of where all this madness started.

Mark chats to artist Paulette Farrell about her wonderful cricket paintings and drawings, and how they have enabled her to become a full-time artist. Paulette’s work is now seen across the world and she has painted the likes of Jofra Archer, Heather Knight, Glenn Maxwell, Sachin Tendulkar and our very own Mark Church. In fact, her painting of Mark playing cricket recently won an award from the ICC. You can see Paulette’s work at her website www.paulettefarrell.com

This week Mark looks at the brilliant live streaming service on county cricket and the Bob Willis Trophy. He's joined by Ben Warren from Somerset and Jon Surtees, Adam Corbett and Jack Wilson Mumford from Surrey to talk about the future of domestic cricket coverage. And it’s all recorded from the County Ground in Essex and a Tesco’s car park in Chelmsford. The glamour.

Back in the commentary box at the Kia Oval, Mark is joined by the Digital Editor of The Cricketer, Sam Morshead. Sam chats about his career from interviewing Paolo Di Canio to becoming an expert on video games during lockdown.

This week’s episode comes from The Kia Oval as commentary returns to an actual commentary box. Surrey have played Middlesex in both the men’s and women’s game and the microphone has been switched back on. Our guest this week is Scott Read , the BBC’s voice of Lancashire cricket. He discusses winning a competition to get his career off the ground and what it has been like being back at live sport.

With county cricket getting underway again this week, Mark chats to Surrey batsman Scott “The Badger” Borthwick about returning to the middle. Plus, the BBC’s Kevin Hand talks about being the “voice of Middlesex “ and returning to the commentary box after lockdown.

Presenter, broadcaster and writer Melinda Farrell chats about her journey into cricket journalism and her cricketing travels across the globe. Plus Isabelle commentates on a very fast delivery from Shoaib Akhtar.

Test Match Special’s very own Daniel Norcross chats about his journey from his sofa to the TMS commentary box and his deep love of all cricket broadcasting. Plus commentary from Isabelle on that over from Wasim Akram in the 1992 World Cup Final.

Cricket writer and broadcaster, Adam Collins chats about his move from politics to cricket journalism - and his cricketing marriage to Geoff Lemon. Adam also tells us about buying the commentary rights to a Test Series on his credit card and his passion for cricket commentary. Plus Isabelle and I relive Jack Leach’s single in the Ashes Test at Headingley last year.

Sports Feature Writer for the Independent, Vithushan Ehantharajah talks all things cricket, including life in an international press box. Plus another moment of classic commentary at home with Isabelle.