Forward Defensive Podcast
@forwarddefpod.bsky.social
Cricket podcast covering the international and county game - run by Matt Howes
https://linktr.ee/forwarddefensivepod
https://linktr.ee/forwarddefensivepod
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The Forward Defensive Cricket Podcast
Podcast · Matt Howes · The cricket podcast that likes to tackle the latest news from the front foot. In every episode, Matt will analyse what is happening at the international and county levels. Get...
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First baller for Duckett. That should settle that.
Having been so good in 2024 and early 2025, Duckett has had a stinking winter.
Having been so good in 2024 and early 2025, Duckett has had a stinking winter.
Banton has been England's best batter this series. Played the spin brilliantly, managed both chases well, and did so in a role he's not used to doing.
I'm sure England will be keen to get Duckett in the side but there's no reason he should be in ahead of Banton
I'm sure England will be keen to get Duckett in the side but there's no reason he should be in ahead of Banton
February 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM
First baller for Duckett. That should settle that.
Having been so good in 2024 and early 2025, Duckett has had a stinking winter.
Having been so good in 2024 and early 2025, Duckett has had a stinking winter.
Banton has been England's best batter this series. Played the spin brilliantly, managed both chases well, and did so in a role he's not used to doing.
I'm sure England will be keen to get Duckett in the side but there's no reason he should be in ahead of Banton
I'm sure England will be keen to get Duckett in the side but there's no reason he should be in ahead of Banton
February 1, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Banton has been England's best batter this series. Played the spin brilliantly, managed both chases well, and did so in a role he's not used to doing.
I'm sure England will be keen to get Duckett in the side but there's no reason he should be in ahead of Banton
I'm sure England will be keen to get Duckett in the side but there's no reason he should be in ahead of Banton
David Gower *really* doesn't rate Will Jacks' bowling 😂 two games in a row I've heard him bashing it
January 27, 2026 at 2:39 PM
David Gower *really* doesn't rate Will Jacks' bowling 😂 two games in a row I've heard him bashing it
Under pressure from Brook and Root, this is a proper England level of wheels off by Sri Lanka
January 27, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Under pressure from Brook and Root, this is a proper England level of wheels off by Sri Lanka
Can't get my head around watching Root play spin in Asia. It looks so easy when his teammates make it look anything but.
Almost like everything is in slow motion. I'm not breaking any news here, Root is obviously good but nothing makes me want to bat more than watching this
#SLvENG
Almost like everything is in slow motion. I'm not breaking any news here, Root is obviously good but nothing makes me want to bat more than watching this
#SLvENG
January 27, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Can't get my head around watching Root play spin in Asia. It looks so easy when his teammates make it look anything but.
Almost like everything is in slow motion. I'm not breaking any news here, Root is obviously good but nothing makes me want to bat more than watching this
#SLvENG
Almost like everything is in slow motion. I'm not breaking any news here, Root is obviously good but nothing makes me want to bat more than watching this
#SLvENG
January 24, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Had a long drive yesterday so listened to Talksport's coverage of England Vs Sri Lanka. It's like a dream where all the roles are familiar but everything is just slightly off.
It wasn't bad at all but it also doesn't have the relaxation quality TMS does
It wasn't bad at all but it also doesn't have the relaxation quality TMS does
January 23, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Had a long drive yesterday so listened to Talksport's coverage of England Vs Sri Lanka. It's like a dream where all the roles are familiar but everything is just slightly off.
It wasn't bad at all but it also doesn't have the relaxation quality TMS does
It wasn't bad at all but it also doesn't have the relaxation quality TMS does
I'm really excited to see more of this England U19 squad playing County Cricket in 2026.
Mayes and Rew should be regular fixtures for Hampshire and Somerset. Both are so classy with the bat
Mayes and Rew should be regular fixtures for Hampshire and Somerset. Both are so classy with the bat
January 21, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I'm really excited to see more of this England U19 squad playing County Cricket in 2026.
Mayes and Rew should be regular fixtures for Hampshire and Somerset. Both are so classy with the bat
Mayes and Rew should be regular fixtures for Hampshire and Somerset. Both are so classy with the bat
One of the most interesting things about McCullum's coaching and the media reaction is how Broad talks about it.
As one of the very few media members who has been a part of it, we should probably put some stock in it Vs someone who retired 10/15/20 years ago
As one of the very few media members who has been a part of it, we should probably put some stock in it Vs someone who retired 10/15/20 years ago
January 9, 2026 at 9:03 AM
One of the most interesting things about McCullum's coaching and the media reaction is how Broad talks about it.
As one of the very few media members who has been a part of it, we should probably put some stock in it Vs someone who retired 10/15/20 years ago
As one of the very few media members who has been a part of it, we should probably put some stock in it Vs someone who retired 10/15/20 years ago
Sort of glad #TheAshes are done and the daily flogging and flip flopping by the English media is over.
Remember the Will Jacks should bat at 3 discourse? Remember how 4 innings ago England set Bethell up to fail?
I get it, there's a lot of time to fill but it's all so reactionary
Remember the Will Jacks should bat at 3 discourse? Remember how 4 innings ago England set Bethell up to fail?
I get it, there's a lot of time to fill but it's all so reactionary
January 8, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Sort of glad #TheAshes are done and the daily flogging and flip flopping by the English media is over.
Remember the Will Jacks should bat at 3 discourse? Remember how 4 innings ago England set Bethell up to fail?
I get it, there's a lot of time to fill but it's all so reactionary
Remember the Will Jacks should bat at 3 discourse? Remember how 4 innings ago England set Bethell up to fail?
I get it, there's a lot of time to fill but it's all so reactionary
Reposted by Forward Defensive Podcast
Introducing the Women's County Cricket History Project - a website that provides details of all recorded women's county cricket matches that took place under the Women's Cricket Association (between 1930 and 1996).
womenscountycrickethistoryproject.wordpress.com
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womenscountycrickethistoryproject.wordpress.com
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Women's County Cricket History Project
womenscountycrickethistoryproject.wordpress.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Introducing the Women's County Cricket History Project - a website that provides details of all recorded women's county cricket matches that took place under the Women's Cricket Association (between 1930 and 1996).
womenscountycrickethistoryproject.wordpress.com
1/2
womenscountycrickethistoryproject.wordpress.com
1/2
Crawley and Pope behind Root... Because of course they are 🤣
Does show just how much Test cricket England plays compared to all other nations (and how they have stuck with players)
Does show just how much Test cricket England plays compared to all other nations (and how they have stuck with players)
Joe Root, 35 today, is by far the top Test run-scorer of this decade so far 🔥
December 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Crawley and Pope behind Root... Because of course they are 🤣
Does show just how much Test cricket England plays compared to all other nations (and how they have stuck with players)
Does show just how much Test cricket England plays compared to all other nations (and how they have stuck with players)
Aus complaining about a Smith non decision, followed by Smith being given out in a similar fashion to which Carey wasn't... Script writers are a little too predictable
(I've seen neither decision. I'm going off media reporting)
(I've seen neither decision. I'm going off media reporting)
No problem with Carey not walking, acting smug about it in the press conference after when the tech has failed (rather than the opposition burning all their reviews) feels a little off.
Issue is the tech. Why do Aus use a different ultra edge to everyone else? And how did it fail so badly?
Issue is the tech. Why do Aus use a different ultra edge to everyone else? And how did it fail so badly?
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Aus complaining about a Smith non decision, followed by Smith being given out in a similar fashion to which Carey wasn't... Script writers are a little too predictable
(I've seen neither decision. I'm going off media reporting)
(I've seen neither decision. I'm going off media reporting)
No problem with Carey not walking, acting smug about it in the press conference after when the tech has failed (rather than the opposition burning all their reviews) feels a little off.
Issue is the tech. Why do Aus use a different ultra edge to everyone else? And how did it fail so badly?
Issue is the tech. Why do Aus use a different ultra edge to everyone else? And how did it fail so badly?
December 17, 2025 at 10:07 PM
No problem with Carey not walking, acting smug about it in the press conference after when the tech has failed (rather than the opposition burning all their reviews) feels a little off.
Issue is the tech. Why do Aus use a different ultra edge to everyone else? And how did it fail so badly?
Issue is the tech. Why do Aus use a different ultra edge to everyone else? And how did it fail so badly?
Felt like ages since I've woken up to a load of BBC wicket notifications and wondered how on earth that has happened. I've missed it.
Still think this England team should be able to win matches in Australia 😬
Still think this England team should be able to win matches in Australia 😬
December 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Felt like ages since I've woken up to a load of BBC wicket notifications and wondered how on earth that has happened. I've missed it.
Still think this England team should be able to win matches in Australia 😬
Still think this England team should be able to win matches in Australia 😬
England lost again. England played badly again.
How is this any different to other Ashes tours? Acting like England were winning while playing "traditionally" is disingenuous.
1 win in 17 prior to Stokes.
Should the players adapt to situations better? Yes.
Media reaction is overblown.
#Ashes
How is this any different to other Ashes tours? Acting like England were winning while playing "traditionally" is disingenuous.
1 win in 17 prior to Stokes.
Should the players adapt to situations better? Yes.
Media reaction is overblown.
#Ashes
December 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM
England lost again. England played badly again.
How is this any different to other Ashes tours? Acting like England were winning while playing "traditionally" is disingenuous.
1 win in 17 prior to Stokes.
Should the players adapt to situations better? Yes.
Media reaction is overblown.
#Ashes
How is this any different to other Ashes tours? Acting like England were winning while playing "traditionally" is disingenuous.
1 win in 17 prior to Stokes.
Should the players adapt to situations better? Yes.
Media reaction is overblown.
#Ashes
Pretty much. Despite bowling about as badly as is possible, England dropped their chances to be close to parity on 1st innings.
When the moment comes, this side has continually shown they don't have the winning mentality.
When the moment comes, this side has continually shown they don't have the winning mentality.
A frank admission from Ben Stokes after England went 2-0 down in the Ashes 👀
![When the gameis on the line, [other] teams are able to handle that pressure better than us](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ty3k2zrcrvhbkcy755dkt3tt/bafkreiefkxf6mrt72jcn2jcvszd6fy53k5nhwsmlnrkmcek6lnlzcjrmra@jpeg)
December 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Pretty much. Despite bowling about as badly as is possible, England dropped their chances to be close to parity on 1st innings.
When the moment comes, this side has continually shown they don't have the winning mentality.
When the moment comes, this side has continually shown they don't have the winning mentality.
Switching on for the first time today and from the highlights England have bowled too short.
Lots of cuts and pulls. Really rate Carse as a bowler, he's so much better than being a short ball bully.
Big session, couple of wickets quickly and they're back in this game
#TheAshes
Lots of cuts and pulls. Really rate Carse as a bowler, he's so much better than being a short ball bully.
Big session, couple of wickets quickly and they're back in this game
#TheAshes
December 5, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Switching on for the first time today and from the highlights England have bowled too short.
Lots of cuts and pulls. Really rate Carse as a bowler, he's so much better than being a short ball bully.
Big session, couple of wickets quickly and they're back in this game
#TheAshes
Lots of cuts and pulls. Really rate Carse as a bowler, he's so much better than being a short ball bully.
Big session, couple of wickets quickly and they're back in this game
#TheAshes
I know that getting out ramping would look bad but Prior can't say "Brook is the 2nd best batter in the world" without acknowledging that he has got there and averages 55 batting in that exact manner
#TheAshes
#TheAshes
December 4, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I know that getting out ramping would look bad but Prior can't say "Brook is the 2nd best batter in the world" without acknowledging that he has got there and averages 55 batting in that exact manner
#TheAshes
#TheAshes
Cricket is Undefeated when it comes to this sort of stuff.
Football tried to compete when Blackburn v Ipswich was called off with 10mins to go and they decided to replay it IN FULL. But nothing comes close to cricket
Football tried to compete when Blackburn v Ipswich was called off with 10mins to go and they decided to replay it IN FULL. But nothing comes close to cricket
A controversial finish at #WBBL11 😯
Sydney Thunder needed just three runs from 13 balls when umpires abandoned their match against Adelaide Strikers due to rain, which was no heavier than it had been throughout the chase.
Report: bit.ly/3Kp0GPL
Sydney Thunder needed just three runs from 13 balls when umpires abandoned their match against Adelaide Strikers due to rain, which was no heavier than it had been throughout the chase.
Report: bit.ly/3Kp0GPL
November 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Cricket is Undefeated when it comes to this sort of stuff.
Football tried to compete when Blackburn v Ipswich was called off with 10mins to go and they decided to replay it IN FULL. But nothing comes close to cricket
Football tried to compete when Blackburn v Ipswich was called off with 10mins to go and they decided to replay it IN FULL. But nothing comes close to cricket
As well as Travis Head has played, this has been a shocking bowling display. From the moment he hit the first leg stump half volley for 4, England have utterly imploded.
They haven't made Head (or any of the Aus batters) play good balls. There hasn't been a plan
#ashes #TheAshes
They haven't made Head (or any of the Aus batters) play good balls. There hasn't been a plan
#ashes #TheAshes
November 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Forward Defensive Podcast
Cricket Starter Packs are now live.
Part 1 - the original
go.bsky.app/Uq6tVD6
Part 2 - the follow-on
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You don't have to be a member to follow
Part 1 - the original
go.bsky.app/Uq6tVD6
Part 2 - the follow-on
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November 26, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Cricket Starter Packs are now live.
Part 1 - the original
go.bsky.app/Uq6tVD6
Part 2 - the follow-on
go.bsky.app/12FSHyh
You don't have to be a member to follow
Part 1 - the original
go.bsky.app/Uq6tVD6
Part 2 - the follow-on
go.bsky.app/12FSHyh
You don't have to be a member to follow