The Shackles Are Off - Cricket Podcast produced by England's Barmy Army

With England (two-time, ODI and T20) the defending WORLD CHAMPIONS.... it's a unique situation that we're facing.... trying to defend it and assert our dominance over the likes of New Zealand, India, Pakistan and Australia.... who will be dying to get their mits on the biggest prize of all over the next 52 days. Joining us on the podcast - and chatting to our very own Chuck Adolphy - is the skipper from England's heroics last time around in Eoin Morgan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE ABSOLUTE LEGEND that is Mark Wood joins Chris and Greggy to reflect on the Ashes summer that's just gone by.... and get ready... because you are guaranteed to have a proper chuckle. Woody talks about: Broady's spooky bail-swapping magic His thoughts on English sledging vs Aussie sledging Being there at the end at Headingley alongside Woakesy The fastest spells he's ever bowled How neither side is content with the way it ended He's mad as a box of frogs and we love him. Be sure to follow 'englandsbarmyarmy' on Instagram, @thebarmyarmy on Twitter (or X, lol)... and get in touch with the lads @jamesgregg7 and @chrismillard18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Millard and James Gregg treat this podcast like a therapy session. If you too are absolutely feeling shafted by the Manchester rain... THIS is the place to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Never in bloody doubt was it, that? 2-1.... Headingley delivers once again.... and the comeback is on. All hail Mark Wood, Chris Woakes and Harry Brook....! Joining Chris & Greggy is injured star batsman Ollie Pope.... who's recovering from a shoulder injury but seems in good spirts as he talks through how much cricket he watches, when he's expecting to be back... and what it was like when Crawley pasted the first ball of the series through the covers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lord's was.... well.... full of talking points. Chris and Greggy jump on (without the help of a pundit to add credibility to their discussion!!!) to discuss Lord's, Bairstow's stumping, Starc's dropped catch.... and the rest of the Ashes series. It absolutely stinks of 3-2 doesn't it?! Remember you can get in touch with both @jamesgregg7 @chrismillard18 or by emailing info@barmyarmy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greggy, Chris and the absolute legend that is Ryan Sidebottom chew the fat after an eventful (to say the least!!!) opening Test of the 2023 men's Ashes. The Aussies are 1-nil up but is that such a good thing for them? Are the England players going to be EVEN MORE fired up to dust them up at Lord's next week?? Plus the lads recap a ridiculous Ultimate Ashes Party from Day 1 on (Stuart) Broad Street. Remember to tweet the lads @TheBarmyArmy or @jamesgregg7 @chrismillard18 with any input, chat, stories or sledges! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE ASHES ARE HERE... and what a summer we have that lies ahead. We want your predictions, highest run scorer, highest wicket-taker and overall series scoreline. Barmy Army MD Chris Millard and sports presenter James Gregg are here, back and ready to bring you some cracking tales from the terraces, speak to some of the game's best.... and tell you all about how is best to follow the summer's action with the Barmy Army. ---------- Make catching the cricket part of an unforgettable break in Durham. From city, countryside to coast, get bowled over by this amazing county, with its award-winning attractions, fantastic food and drink and perfect places to stay. Start planning your getaway today: https://www.thisisdurham.com/get-bowled-over  Our social media handles across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram is @thisisdurham and our hashtag to use is #lovedurham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the best, if not THE BEST England cricket captain that there's ever been, Eoin Morgan, joins the podcast to chat through his new festival of cricket, his own career, the transition from red ball to white ball, and a few other meaty topics. A voice like velvet, who gives every question is upmost and undivided attention.... this is a belter of a pod. There's chat with Chris and Greggy as Chris prepares to head to Pindi, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Keaton Jennings has had a blinder of a year.... a triple, double and loads of 'normal' centuries for Lancs in the County Championship... earning him the highest-run scorer gong and with it... a spot back in the England Test team! One of the nicest, most humble people we've spoken to on the podcast.... he gives Greggy & Chris the lowdown on how he's feeling, what he's missed by not being in the squad, and who he's looking forward to meeting up with in Rawalpindi for that first Test. Oh, and who he's looking to avoid!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS OF BOTH WORLD CUPS. Doesn't get much better, does it? James Gregg and Chris Millard react to Sunday's heroics in excitable fashion... and are also joined by yet another walking, talking meme! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England thumped India by 10 whole wickets to reach the final of the T20 WC Down Under.... and will play Pakistan on Sunday with a chance to get the job done! Remember folks to check out barmyarmy.com if you want to come to our World Cup Final watchalong at Greenwood Sports Bar in Victoria, London! Hear also from the brilliant Ebony Rainford-Brent about the ACE programme, and all the opportunities that's providing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As England get past New Zealand... it's Sri Lanka standing in the way of Jos Buttler's men and the knockout stages of the T20 WC. Reece Topley's dad joins Chris and Greggy for a chat... and Ravi Bop pops along too, to give his final whistle verdict in Brisbane the other night! info@barmyarmy.com for any emails or correspondence @BarmyArmy on Twitter @englandsbarmyarmy on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a nice episode for you here, England legend Lydia Greenway joins us to chat about Fairbreak, punditry, and growing the game for girls... Barmy Army co-founder Paul Burnham is alongside (if you've not heard his stand-alone episode, scroll back and have a listen.... tales galore!)... and prior to that Chris and Greggy chat the World Cup, Pakistan, South Africa, Sixes.... and the darts. ------ We recorded this prior to the Ireland defeat in the T20 WC....! Promise!!! Well played lads....! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IT'S BEEN A WHILE. Sorry folks.... but to be fair, you've probably not missed us much for a variety of reasons, but we're telling ourselves that the main reason is that there has been so so so much cricket on. And how good did that Pakistan T20 series turn out to be? The small matter of the Word Cup starts next week, plus we have a Test series back in Pakistan to focus on too. We hear from a man that on the day of recording had just been named in that Test squad for the first time since 2016 in Ben Duckett... and we chew the fat about everything else with the Telegraph's Nick Hoult. --------- Remember to head to BarmyArmy.com for all the latest travel, tickets, news, podcasts and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

101 appearances for England across the two white-ball formats and a World Cup winners medal to show for his travails.... a pioneer in becoming a truly global franchise cricketer.... and somebody who has played cricket with and against some of the biggest names in the game.... Luke Wright joins the lads to chew the fat, talk IPL, PSL, BBL and the ill-fated Allen Stanford match. Into his 22nd season as a professional, Luke loves the game - settle in for a good quality chat with Chris and Greggy who are excited by the prospect of seeing cricket at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the coming weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The day after Super Jos Buttler is named as Eoin Morgan's successor as the England white-ball captain... we sit down with him and hear from him!! From the IPL to his chances of playing red-ball cricket again.... this episode is a belter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matty Fisher took a wicket with his second delivery in Test cricket in the West Indies on his debut.... what a way to do it... though let's be honest, long before that he was already a Barmy Army favourite after his interactions in the field with the fans... and the fact that he just looks like he LOVES every single minute of it. He's a great lad too... Chris and Greggy have a great long chat with him whilst unfortunately he's on the sidelines with yet another injury. But he's chipper, funny, engaging.... and could've chatted all day. He discusses debuting so young, playing for England and also of course gives us his ideal cricket tea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Pietersen the cricketer was one of the greatest players ever to play the game. He was brash, swashbuckling, creative, innovative, destructive, gritty and brilliant. Kevin Pietersen the pundit, commentator.... is still many of those traits listed above, but he polarises opinion far more than many would realise! Even so, just like he did in an England shirt, he wears his heart on his sleeve and never ducks a delivery. He's a great listen... and he's our guest on this week's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we ramp up the brilliant catalogue of star names in the game of cricket... one of the best blokes we've ever had on the podcast, former West Indies skipper Jason Holder joins us on The Shackles Are Off... discussing everything from the IPL to Amsterdam, Northants to sledging.  He gives us his favourite cricket tea, too.  Remember to get in touch with us info@barmyarmy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back on the trail... We're here on a new run of episodes talking to (now friend of the pod?!) and exciting young Lancashire quick Saqib Mahmood... who's loved his first experience of playing abroad with England in the whites in front of the Barmy Army. Saq talks IPL, playing for England, sledging.... and having the best batting average of any England player at the moment. FACT.  Get in touch with us as ever info@barmyarmy.com AND AS MENTIONED IN THE INTRO.... WIN A TRIP FOR 2 WORTH £2,000 to AMSTERDAM NEXT MONTH COURTESY OF Towergate Insurance! This amazing Barmy Travel package includes; * Guaranteed official tickets to sit with the Barmy Army for the first two ODIs   * 4 nights in a choice of 3★, 4★ and 5★ accommodation * Return international flights, plus airport & stadium transfers * An invitation to join our exclusive Barmy Travel Cricket Forum * The Barmy Travel Netherlands tour shirt * Welcome drinks on arrival Get a quote for a policy through Towergate Insurance for your home cover or travel insurance before 5pm on the 13th of May and you’ll be entered into the prize draw. Go to https://www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/towergate-insurance-and-barmy-army/ for your quote and your entry will be automatic from that link! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices