At the moment, we’re all enamoured with cricket, thanks to India digging in and out-saucing the Aussies Down Under, with all the elements against them, one down, without their captain and a host of first-choice players, at the Gabba, and yet completing one of the great comebacks in one of the great Test series. We understand the need for a further fix for the most enduring of sports.
“It was meant to be in all honesty, it wasn’t supposed to go this well. It was only ever going to be a ‘six episodes and see how it goes lads’ type thing.” Two years on, the Tailenders podcast has gone way past a century.
Greg James has proven to be one of the best Radio One presenters to ever steer the heralded Breakfast Show slot, with his unyielding, unapologetic onus on connecting the listener with the station, putting a bit of glitter on the ordinary working day, making each member of the audience feel a vital component of both his and the station’s success. That isn’t an easy feat. His shift doesn’t stop at 10:30 am, however. And he’s not alone.
Greg is joined by England’s greatest-ever bowler, Jimmy Anderson, and The Maccabees guitarist, Felix White, with an alternative (and sometimes musical) look at cricket in this jovial weekly show delving into a carousel of cricketing chat. It’s so affable and easy-listening, it’s even lazy to use the cliché that you don’t even have to like the sport to enjoy it. From that improvised, ten-cent jingle, you know what you’re in for.
Upon hitting 99, James commented on the show’s surprising longevity. “I want to say thank you to two of my very best mates, Jimmy and Felix,” said the amiable Radio One man, “No matter what else we have on, there’s always time for a Tailenders record. And let me confirm to you that the friendship you hear on the pod very much spills over into real life. Two of the kindest p***-takers you could ever wish to meet.
“An enormous thanks goes also to Mattchin, the greatest addition to my life in the last few years.”
He is of course referring to occasional cult hero guest, ex- Bristol City youth team player turned shoe salesman, the man who calls the Little Master ‘’Uncle Sach’, despite having the most tentative link to the greatest cricketer of all time, Mattchin Tendulkar.
Tailenders has been a brilliant listen for several years but has served a greatest purpose during lockdown. With recent episodes enthusiastically discussing Australia’s first defeat at The Gabba since 1988, it’s a regular catch-up with mates when that has otherwise proven to be impossible.
“It helps all of us through life, and this podcast was always meant to show that - to be the ultimate celebration of all the reasons why we love cricket,” said Greg, “It’s a true privilege to hear why you all adore the game as much as we do.”
