Global, the Media & Entertainment Group, has today launched a brand new ten-part original podcast series – Legends of The Ashes – the series launched on Global Player and all major audio platforms earlier today (Thursday 15th June.)
Vicky Etchells, Head of News and Factual Podcasts at Global:
“We are thrilled to launch this new Global Original Podcast about the longest-lasting international sporting contest in the world, just as England and Australia are about to renew their iconic sporting rivalry. We’ve had a brilliant team of storytellers producing Legends of The Ashes which features the biggest names in Ashes history talking about the greatest moments, compèred by the incomparable Stephen Fry. It’s a must-listen for all cricket fans.”
Hosted by lifelong cricket fan and current Marylebone Cricket Club President, Stephen Fry, and written by Simon Hughes, a man known throughout cricket as The Analyst for his unique work in explaining the game, the series features contributions from a host of legendary names in Ashes history and launches on the eve of the 2023 series.
The Ashes remains the longest-lasting international sporting contest in the world – a battle between two great rivals for the ‘urn’ and the new series looks back at some of the greatest moments since its inception in 1882.
Across the ten episodes the Global Original Podcast will delve deep into the stories that make the England versus Australia Ashes rivalry what it is, hearing from cricketing royalty in the shape of Lord Botham, Sir Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and modern-day heroes such as Stuart Broad and Steve Smith.
Host, Stephen Fry:
“Across 10 episodes, we will hear from many of the stars who have illuminated the Ashes series over the decades – the dramas they have been involved in and the legends they have created. How sweat, blood and tears have been shed, jubilation and despair felt, and lives radically altered in the constant quest for its reclamation.”
Amongst the ten episodes, the show’s guests discuss moments that will live forever in Ashes history including ‘Botham’s Ashes’, the ‘Ball of the Century’ delivered in 1993 by the late, great Australian legend Shane Warne, and the ‘Bodyline’ series of 1932/33 – one of the most volatile contests in sporting history.
The megastars of the rivalry, such as Don Bradman, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff and Shane Warne, come under the microscope as does ‘The Greatest Series’ in 2005 and the ‘Summer of Stokes’ the last series held on English soil, plus many more iconic moments brought to life through archive, music and candid interviews with the greats of the sport.
Simon Hughes:
“This is the first definitive audio series dramatising the special matches, moments and characters of the greatest sporting rivalry there is, with new and revealing insights from the players at the heart of these brilliant battles. It is a rivalry that transcends sport and creates true heroes and villains.”
All episodes of Legends of The Ashes are now available on Global Player
Legends of The Ashes episode list:
Episode 1 – The Greatest Series Ever Played (2005)
Episode 2 – Megastars (ft. Don Bradman, Ian Botham, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and Shane Warne)
Episode 3 – Bodyline (1932/33)
Episode 4 – Bodyline II (1974/75)
Episode 5 – Botham’s Ashes (1981)
Episode 6 – The Ball of the Century (1993)
Episode 7 – Australian Bullies (2001)
Episode 8 – English Conquerors (2010/11)
Episode 9 – The Perfect Pairs (ft. Lillee and Thompson, Warne and McGrath, Anderson and Broad)
Episode 10 – Summer of Stokes (2019)
