"If we don't beat you, we'll knock your bloody blocks off"

In one of the most bitter and controversial Ashes series ever played, England set their sights on taking down Australian cricketing legend Don Bradman. Their method? A brutal, calculated strategy known as Bodyline - a tactic so aggressive it sparked outrage, strained diplomatic ties, and forever changed the spirit of the game.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward take you back to 1932 - was Bodyline a genius strategy or just plain unsporting? And why did it cause such a deep rift between two cricketing giants?

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We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com

Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpod

Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides & Adem Waterman

Producer: Sophie Penney

Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

Social Media Editor: Calum Scotland

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

Some of the most iconic victories have come after the longest waits.

England's historic Ashes victory in 2005 came after an 18-year drought. They famously secured the urn with a 2–1 series victory by drawing the final Test at The Oval.

2025 saw Crystal Palace end a 119-year wait for a major trophy, Newcastle United end a 56-year wait by winning the Carabao Cup, and, over in golf, Rory McIlroy ended one of the most agonising waits in modern sport by winning the Masters to complete the Grand Slam.

Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward bring you the story behind the 2005 Ashes triumph, Rory’s historic win and Amrullah, the horse who famously never won a single race despite competing 74 times over a 10-year career.

A little extra bonus to tie you over after Season 2, enjoy!

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com

Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpod

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

In the last episode of Season 2, as we gear up for the Ashes, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward bring you the story of Australian media magnate Kerry Packer, who all the current players should be thanking.

Packer turned the gentile game of Test cricket upside down as he signed the captains of England, Australia and the West Indies to what some called his 'rebel circus'.

For two years at the end of the 1970s, the traditional world of white flannels, red balls and polite applause collided with coloured clothing, floodlights, music and marketing - cricket was never quite the same again.

So how did Packer lure the best cricketers in the world? And how much of what we see today can directly be traced back to the drive, ambition and vanity of one Sydney businessman?

We hope you've enjoyed Season 2 of How It All Played Out. While we take a short break you can check out all our past episodes on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com

Get in touch on socials: @playedoutpod

Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

Producer: Sophie Penney

Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

Social Media Editor: Calum Scotland

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells