TMS legends Michael Vaughan and Phil Tufnell will line up against a team of cricket-loving celebrities put together by Greg James and Jimmy Anderson in a star-studded event for BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra in Derby next month. The TMS vs Tailenders challenge will take place at the County Ground in Derby on Friday 17 August. Spectators can apply for free tickets via a ballot on the BBC Shows and Tours website.
The Test Match Special team will be led by Ashes winning captain Michael Vaughan, while Greg James will represent Tailenders, the popular cricket podcast he fronts for BBC Radio 5 live alongside England star bowler Jimmy Anderson and musician Felix White. Joining them at the crease will be former England cricket heroes Graeme Swann, Ebony Rainford-Brent, Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway. Some of TMS’ best loved voices including Alison Mitchell, Simon Mann, Prakash Wakankar, Dan Norcross and Charles Dagnall will also join the team.
Celebrities joining Greg on the day include his fellow Tailenders presenter and ex-Maccabees guitarist Felix White, former Liverpool footballing ace John Barnes, McFly drummer Harry Judd, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke, Olympic gold medal winner Becky Adlington, comedian Mark Steel, Asian Network’s Yasser Ranjha, England visually impaired cricketing star Hassan Khan, Love Island’s Chris Hughes, Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, chef Tommy Banks and singer Laura Wright.
Greg and Felix present the hugely popular BBC Radio 5 Live podcast Tailenders, alongside top England bowler Jimmy Anderson. Taking a day off from cricket, Jimmy will join his Tailenders team to help coach from the sidelines on Friday 17 August, while the umpires on the day will be former Test Match official John Holder and World Cup-winning bowler Isa Guha.
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Controller Jonathan Wall says: “It will be great fun to pit the legendary TMS crew against the 5 live Tailenders podcast to see which programme comes out on top. Can the ex-England heroes come out of retirement to beat the eager amateurs? It’s all to play for!” Last year, a similar event to celebrate Test Match Special’s 60th birthday saw Michael Vaughan’s team beat Phil Tufnell’s side by six wickets in a final over thriller on the day after a lively afternoon of cricketing action.
The challenge will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and screened live on the Red Button and BBC iPlayer, with regular updates on BBC Radio 5 Live, on Friday 17 August from 4pm.
