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The TMS Podcast, classic view from the boundary.

Hello, Jonathan Agnew here welcoming you to another classic view from the boundary from

TestMatch Special. Today we're going back to late August 2013 and to the Oval. Within

on having already won the ashes, Alistair Cookside looking to make it a 4-0 series win.

The first three days of the game had seen big centuries for Shane Watson and a certain

Steve Smith as well as a test debut for England's Chris Wokes.

Come the fourth day and Saturday the Saturday the test was completely washed out as rain

circled South London and refused to go away. That didn't stop our guest, however.

Paul Merton is a writer, comedian, actor, radio host, travel presenter, and perhaps best known

as one of the captains in the long running series Have I Got News For You. He's also

a passionate cricket fan and hotfooted it across London when he heard he might be needed

on air rather sooner than he expected.

I was at home at about five past twelve expecting to be interviewed at half past one today.

And I suddenly heard I was listening to the coverage and the commentary and filling the

time in and you said, I'll lunch break is at 12.30 so I suddenly thought you might need

me.

So I jumped out of the bath and held a cab the two are very close and hence I'm here.

So it's a wet bathwater.

It's a bit rainy as well but it is all of the way.

It's quite heavy out there. You get the feeling looking at the outfield there that it's

going to be tricky today.

...