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Mike Atherton joins Mark Chapman, Andy Zaltzman and Patrick Kidd to preview the Ashes series, while Shaun Udal gives his thoughts on the World Twenty20.

The Times Cricket Correspondent and a former England captain, Atherton recalls his experience of leading England in an Ashes series, reflecting in particular on the 1997 series during which Zaltzman and Kidd bunked off university exams to watch the games unfold. (For those who have forgotten, England lost 3-1 after raising expectations with victory in the first match.)

Looking ahead to the first Test in Cardiff next month, the team pay particular attention to England's superior spin bowling and explain how this could give Andrew Strauss's side a critical advantage in their attempt to win back the famous urn.

After England exited the World Twenty20 at the Super Eights stage, Shaun Udal reflects on the national team's inconsistency in the tournament and suggests we are seeing too much of the new format of the game. Atherton, however, is keen to defend the on-going competition and explains why it has proven a great success over the past fortnight.