Football Weekly – Ashes Weekly: Who Are the 100 Greatest Ashes Cricketers?

Podcast: Football Weekly (The Guardian)
Host: Max Rushden
Guests: Emma John, Ali Martin, Geoff Lemmon
Date: November 15, 2025

Overview

In this pilot episode of The Guardian’s "Ashes Weekly", Max Rushden is joined by cricket journalists Emma John, Ali Martin, and Geoff Lemmon for a lively panel discussion. The central theme: breaking down and debating The Guardian’s just-released "Top 100 Ashes Players of All Time" list, celebrating legends (and the controversies of list-making), and reflecting on Ashes history in the lead-up to the latest England-Australia clash. The tone is spirited, informed, self-deprecating—wry British banter at its finest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: England’s Chances & Ashes Vibes

• England in Australia: The panel reflects humorously on England’s poor record down under, but maintains a tone of hope for the upcoming series.

  • Ali Martin notes the “fresh game plan” for England—hyper-aggressive batting, deep pace attack—while warning about the challenge of bowlers staying fit.

    “England will be coming out with a fresh game plan… Hyper aggressive with the bat and with a decent battery of fast bowlers if they can stay fit. So it looks like a solid template for what should be a great series.” (Ali Martin, 02:26)

• Australia’s Aging Team:
  Geoff Lemmon jests about the Australian squad’s advanced age, but points out that older teams have triumphed before.

  “Old blokes win stuff, that's the Dan Christian motto and it may hold true here.” (Geoff Lemmon, 03:04)

• Personal Trauma Watching England in Australia:
  Emma John confesses to a dismal personal record watching England live, humorously hoping not to jinx the series further.

  “I’ve genuinely shed tears at the Wacker… so I’m just hoping for a happier time.” (Emma John, 03:54)

2. The Making of The Top 100 List

• List Methodology:

  • Voters (a split of English and Australian journalists) submitted Top 50s, points awarded in reverse order, scores aggregated.
  • The difficulty and subjectivity—especially for cricketers before WWII—are acknowledged. Stories, vibes, and statistics all play a role.

• Hilarious Omissions & Vibes-Based Voting:
  Geoff admits his fifth was “partly on vibes”, e.g., wanting to include George Bonnor for legendary hitting and stature, despite poor numbers.

  “Kind of on a vibe space …which names stir something in me… I really wanted to vote for George Bonner …he played in the 1880s, famous for being huge and handsome and smacking the ball...his numbers are shithouse, but he looked great.” (Geoff Lemmon, 06:32)

• Notable Absentees:
  Geoff highlights several shocking omissions (e.g., Ian Bell, Jack Blackham, Doug Walters) and ponders recency vs. nostalgia bias.

  “Jack Blackham played 17 different series against England...captained Australia in their first Ashes series win...still didn’t make the list. I’m outraged on behalf of Jack Blackham.” (Geoff Lemmon, 13:58)

3. Profiles of the Greats: Revisiting the Legends

• Historic Giants:

  • Jack Hobbs is praised for his incredible Ashes run tally—especially in Australia—and remarkable post-war improvement after serving in WWI.

    “The amazing thing about Hobbs’ story is he comes back from [WWI] an even better batter...he’s scoring, with his opening partner Herbert Sutcliffe, the majority of their runs.” (Emma John, 09:25–10:34)

  • Gilbert Jessop: Celebrated for historic fast-scoring, whose 76-ball Test ton remains a benchmark.

    “A 76-ball Test 100 which is England’s fastest in Test cricket...one of those great origin stories; a record that still sits there to this day.” (Ali Martin, 10:57)

• Australian Pioneers:

  • Warwick Armstrong: Not credited enough for tactical genius, according to Jeff, like opening the bowling with two quicks.

    “He invented new ball bowling. He said, ‘What if we just blow teams away?’...Cricket changed at that point.” (Jeff Lemmon, 21:40)

• WG Grace: Discussed for his mythic stature, but explained as properly-ranked in the lower third due to modest Ashes numbers and context.

  “His Ashes career wasn’t as extensive...He’s significant; the birth of the Ashes story doesn’t happen without him.” (Jeff Lemmon, 14:55)

4. Modern Heroes & Recency Bias

• 2005 Ashes Nostalgia:
  Max, predictably, wants to relive 2005—and questions the list’s ranking of those involved.

  “How are they not all in? Where’s Geraint Jones? Where’s Simon Jones?” (Max Rushden, 16:38)

  • Ali and Emma explain that list required voters to include players from across eras to guard against recency bias, though it can “work the other way”: modern feats are sometimes undervalued compared to legends.

• Flintoff’s Iconic Yet Fleeting Impact:
  Ali notes that Flintoff’s extraordinary 2005 series punches above his otherwise short and uneven Ashes career.

  “What Flintoff did in that 2005 series, as man of the series, ending a 16-year wait, that is such an iconic moment.” (Ali Martin, 17:54)

• Joe Root Debate:
  Geoff bluntly calls Root overrated at 47:

  “He’s made a lot of runs, but he’s never...been the decisive player in an Ashes series. Really, that 2015 is the one time.” (Jeff Lemmon, 20:06)

5. Captaincy, Wicketkeepers & the Limits of Stats

• Captaincy Underappreciated:
  Ali argues Michael Vaughan (68) & Andrew Strauss (68)—both pivotal series-winning captains—are underrated, perhaps because their leadership is harder to capture than stats.

• Wicketkeepers Overlooked:
  The panel bemoans the absence of Alan Knott, Jack Russell, and others (while noting that Adam Gilchrist’s run-scoring, not his keeping, secured his high ranking).

  “Any list where you can have Jack Russell and you don't have Jack Russell is a disgrace.” (Max Rushden, 23:31)

6. The Top 10 – One by One (Timestamps ≈ 27:35 onwards)

10. Herbert Sutcliffe

• Often overshadowed by Jack Hobbs but a prolific scorer in his own right.

“He may have made it look more painstaking, but he’s not riding anybody’s coattails.” (Emma John, 28:00)

9. Allan Border

• Lauded as the “heartbeat” who rebuilt Australian cricket through sheer will and longevity.

“He wasn’t the most talented, but he was the most bloody-minded...he would not stop trying to win.” (Jeff Lemmon, 28:33–29:41)

• Max quips, “He just looks so Australian.” (29:41)

8. Steve Smith

• Transformed from “joke all-rounder” to peerless batsman, legendary for his 2019 redemption arc and Ashes productivity. Highlights his unorthodox style, mental toughness, and historical run-making.

  “774 runs in seven innings… No one has had an Ashes series like that since Bradman.” (Geoff Lemmon, 31:13–32:44)

7. Jack Hobbs

• Previously discussed (see above).

6. Steve Waugh

• Emma provides vignettes of crushing English hopes, particularly his twin tons at Old Trafford in 1997, with Geoff supplementing with key stats.

“That's the kind of, that's the heartbreaker that Steve Waugh is. That's how he killed English spirits.” (Emma John, 34:27)

• Geoff: “Yeah, 177 not out... backs it up at Lord's with 152 not out, consecutive tests.” (25:13)

5. Dennis Lillee

• Celebrated for artistry, aggression, and comeback from injury, with a career that would have seen more wickets if not for political divides of the era (“World Series years”). His partnership with Jeff Thomson is declared legendary.

“The flow of the run, the shape...and the incredible competitiveness that made him able to come back from injuries…” (Jeff Lemmon, 35:56)

4. Glenn McGrath

• Lauded for relentless, metronomic skill—a “siege weapon” who “just didn’t fail.”

“The excellence of execution…simply too good for a generation of England batsmen.” (Ali Martin, 36:08)

• Emma: “Castles will crumble, empires will fall, and McGrath will just still…” (Emma John, 36:50)

3. Ian Botham (Top Englishman)

• Embodiment of English Ashes spirit; immortalized for Headingley '81 and subsequent feats; Ali predicts his legend will endure for centuries.

“For an entire generation of English people, it's Botham that kind of drives their love and passion for the sport.” (Ali Martin, 39:08)

2. Don Bradman (see below for debate) 1. Shane Warne (see below for debate)

7. The Don Bradman vs. Shane Warne Debate (40:07–47:57)

The most contentious point: Bradman's mythical status (stats bordering on supernatural, the only player England had to invent a tactic to stop—Bodyline), versus Warne’s transformative effect, skills mastery, and iconic moments that “transcended the sport”.

• Bradman’s Omission by Two Voters:

  • Geoff fumes over two voters omitting The Don altogether from their Top 50 (“performative nonsense”). Result: Warne edges Bradman by 120 points, having never been ranked below #3 by anyone.

    “This is a guy who made over 5,000 Ashes runs...and they're like, Nah, not top 50. That is some performative nonsense.” (Jeff Lemmon, 41:24)

• Arguments for Warne at #1:

  • Ali: Warne mastered cricket’s toughest skill (leg-spin) and was “so far ahead,” dominating Ashes after Ashes, impacting victory after victory with skill and psychological warfare. Even in defeat (“life falling apart off the field”), he took 40 wickets in 2005.

    “For me it was Shane Warne is the greatest Ashes cricketer of all time.” (Ali Martin, 44:43)

  • Emma: Notes both men defined eras; but Warne’s charisma, humor, and pop culture impact are unique.

    “…did Bradman do it on a diet of pizza and beer and did he end up going on I'm a Celebrity and getting bit on the head by an anaconda?” (Emma John, 46:39)

  • Both chose Warne as their #1, with Emma suggesting the two “should share” top billing as generational icons.

• Bradman's Myth and Legacy:

  • Geoff delivers a mini-lecture on Bradman’s myth: repeated comebacks, tactical prowess, and endurance (e.g. captaining recovery from 2-0 down to 3-2), but acknowledges Warne brought “narrative” and charisma.

    “It's not just numbers ...he captains the only side that has ever gone 2 nil down in a 5 test series and won it.” (Jeff Lemmon, 47:18)

  • Emma: “No one ever laughed about Bradman. He was no laughing matter. …That was one of the things that tempted me to put Warne over Bradman; this sense of personality …the sport is ongoing and is moving.” (Emma John, 47:57–49:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “His numbers are shithouse but he looked great. Like he’s a good story.” (Geoff Lemmon on ‘vibe picks’, 06:32)
• “Run out a player who was gardening…sort of bare Stow. This is, this is very much original…” (Jeff Lemmon, describing WG Grace’s gamesmanship, 15:49)
• “You can have great Ashes careers, or you can have individual moments. That’s the beauty of this talking point.” (Ali Martin, 17:54)
• On Jack Russell’s exclusion: “Any list where you can have Jack Russell and you don't have Jack Russell is a disgrace. And I am cancelling my subscription.” (Max Rushden, 23:31)
• “Old blokes win stuff, that’s the Dan Christian motto and it may hold true here.” (Geoff Lemmon, 03:04)
• “Did Bradman do it on a diet of pizza and beer and did he end up going on I’m a Celebrity and getting bit on the head by an anaconda?” (Emma John, 46:39)
• “You talk about double acts before…Lillee without Thomson doesn’t quite occupy the Pantheon…” (Geoff Lemmon, 35:56)
• “There are so many parts to [Bradman’s] story… in the way that Warne does, where they’re the central character in half a dozen Ashes series…” (Jeff Lemmon, 47:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:26] – England’s Ashes hopes, Australia’s aging team
• [04:47] – How the Top 100 list was compiled
• [06:23] – On vibes-based votes and classic omissions
• [08:08] – Jack Hobbs’ Ashes career and postwar return
• [13:58] – Geoff’s outrage at early era player omissions
• [16:38] – 2005 Ashes heroes & recency bias
• [17:54] – Flintoff’s place and the “moments vs. careers” debate
• [20:06] – Why Joe Root is overrated, in Geoff’s view
• [23:31] – The wicketkeeper controversy
• [27:35] – The Top 10 rundown begins
• [31:13] – Steve Smith’s Ashes reinventions
• [34:27] – Steve Waugh as the “spirits killer” for England
• [36:08] – Glenn McGrath (“siege weapon”) and bowling mastery
• [39:08] – Why Botham is the ultimate English Ashes hero
• [40:07 onwards] – Bradman v. Warne debate (highlight quotes and voting controversy)

Conclusion

Why listen? If you love Ashes cricket, or just the art of ranking sporting greats, this episode provides a hugely entertaining blend of debate, history, data, and affectionate mockery. Hosts bring both expert insight and genuine fan enthusiasm, while always poking fun at themselves (and their own team’s heartbreaks).

Great for:

• Anyone wanting a fun, informed walk through Ashes lore (with plenty for both English and Australian listeners).
• Those interested in the stories behind the stats.
• Fans of light-hearted panel debate with real knowledge, history, and warmth.

Missed Ads, Intros, Outros: All content recapped focuses only on the substance of the show.