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Test Match Special

No Balls: 50 Shades of Grace Harris

15 Jan 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.031 - 25.38 Unknown

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

0

28.364 - 36.755 Alex Hartley

Al, we've got to issue a swear warning because you are an absolute potty mouth. Not another one. And you need to remember that your grandma listens to this. She does.

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36.795 - 42.162 Unknown

She also abuses me on social media. But don't worry, we beep it out. So your kids can listen. And Grandma Jean.

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47.349 - 59.035 Kate Cross

First ball, castled. Now I'm celebrating for Crossy. That one was for Crossy. That was a beautiful delivery. The wobble ball again from Kate Cross and that is such an important wicket. Kate Cross in for the hat-trick ball.

0

60.377 - 85.114 Unknown

Oh, that was so wide. Hello and welcome back to No Balls, the cricket podcast with me, Alex Hartley and you, Kate Cross. Hello, donkey. We got our time zones wrong again. We did, so I need to just make a public apology. My internet's rubbish. I'm in a pub on a golf course in Dubai because I'm on my holidays and we have got a guest.

85.895 - 96.087 Alex Hartley

And you're on your date of roaming, so anything could happen. Anything could happen. And if we could do a quick GoFundMe page for Alex's phone bill for the next month because she's going to need to pay it.

97.214 - 99.439 Unknown

Please, thank you. How are you, Crossy?

100.201 - 110.987 Alex Hartley

I'm good, Al. I'm good. I'm in Navi, Mumbai, in the middle of India, doing a little bit of commentary, and it's been good. It's been full on. Has it? It's been good. Yeah, it's been good.

111.068 - 125.489 Unknown

When you were like, oh, I'm not at home on those weeks. I was like, where the hell are you? You're like commentating. I was like, commentating on what? You're at WPL? And I was like, do you know what? You've got the best of both worlds. Last year you played in it. Year before you commentated. Year after you've commentated. I know.

Chapter 2: What are the implications of Alyssa Healy's retirement for Australian cricket?

233.592 - 234.393 Alex Hartley

We'll have a quick chat.

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234.634 - 238.08 Unknown

I actually just want to hear from our guest, to be honest with you, because she's great.

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238.801 - 256.688 Alex Hartley

Yeah, let's get her in. Okay, everyone. I'm so excited to say that we've got an RCB current player on the podcast. We've got Grace Harris. Welcome, Grace. Thanks for having me. Thanks for having me. I should say Australian international as well. Sorry. No, no.

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256.748 - 258.551 Unknown

I like RCB better. That one's fine.

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258.651 - 260.894 Alex Hartley

Yeah. Nice. How are you doing?

262.395 - 278.714 Unknown

I'm going good. Going good. A little rest day today. So excited to be on the podcast to do something in Nabi, Mumbai. Something entertaining. I did think when Crossy was like, I'm going to ask Grace to come on the pod, I was like, if she's got a day off, she's probably not going to be doing much else. Yeah, yeah.

278.734 - 292.689 Unknown

Nah, I haven't been getting up to too much, but we do have a pretty intense period coming up with three games in four days. So I think a rest day right now is ideal. So happy to have a chat, really.

292.99 - 299.397 Alex Hartley

Yeah, you can have a chat with us about all things RCB. How's your sleep schedule? Because mine is messed up.

299.377 - 322.549 Unknown

i have changed my alarm in the mornings to quite later pretty much midday it's at 11 30 currently and um not often do i actually sleep in that much but i've been going to bed at about 3 a.m post uh a good celebration in the team room recently so at least we've got the things to celebrate which is enjoyable

Chapter 3: How does Grace Harris feel about the intensity of RCB's fandom?

385.259 - 393.528 Alex Hartley

And just as the song's about to start, she bolted off the stage and left me up there to sing. Was it Hero? I need a hero. That one.

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393.768 - 396.03 Unknown

Adelaide. Was it Adelaide in Chinatown?

0

396.15 - 400.956 Alex Hartley

Adelaide, yeah. We found a good karaoke bar in Chinatown. Was it you that sang Titanic? Was that you?

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401.397 - 406.267 Unknown

No, I think I did Adele rolling in the deep maybe. I didn't hit a single note.

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406.728 - 420.137 Alex Hartley

Of course. But I really love it. They're the best karaoke's. They're the best karaoke's. We've lost Al, but she'll join us in a minute. Grace, how are you finding RCB? Because obviously UP last year, well, last couple of years, haven't you? How's RCB? Bigger franchise?

420.117 - 448.549 Unknown

Oh, look, I didn't – UP, obviously, very brand-new franchise, right? I absolutely loved our owner there, Janisha. She was such a lovely owner. We had really good management, like good coaches and everything in the three seasons that I was involved with UP. But being a brand-new franchise – Probably didn't expect how intense the fan base can get for an RCB.

448.589 - 462.519 Unknown

So I think over my time too, it's a lot more intense than in Oz anyway. So for UP, I even got a burger sent to my room in Mumbai one season. How many have you had this year?

462.619 - 462.679

Oh.

463.418 - 477.854 Unknown

None this year so far, which has been outstanding, only because I reckon they don't know where we're staying, okay? But usually you are in town, flags out the front, everything. And I was like, oh, I think we could be a little bit more incognito here.

Chapter 4: What strategies does Grace use when opening the batting with Smriti Mandhana?

633.485 - 647.824 Unknown

And they've got a good bowling line-up too. And I thought, you know, just with Dee Dots is over, I was thinking like, oh, it's a short boundary. You know, I've been batting on off stunt recently anyway for a moving ball, just to have better access and just see if I can reach one.

0

648.485 - 654.172 Alex Hartley

Grace, you made her cry. You hit her for 32 in an over and she cried.

0

654.192 - 655.795 Unknown

I didn't intentionally.

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656.175 - 657.437 Alex Hartley

Do you feel bad about that?

0

657.917 - 675.49 Unknown

Should we address it? I love hitting international bowlers. If I was an Australian player, I would have checked in if it was an Australian player or a friend. But international bowlers, I'm like, yeah, how good is this? I'm not a clubby. I'm lacking a skillful player.

676.651 - 689.309 Alex Hartley

Yeah, nice. What's it been like batting with Schmitty? Because when she does the toss, Grace, I don't know if you recognise this because you might be warming up, but as soon as she speaks into the microphone, the whole stadium just cheers and you can't hear anything.

689.389 - 696.479 Unknown

Yeah, she doesn't even have to do the toss. She just has to walk out for the toss and the whole stadium cheers. You're like, oh, Schmitty's made it to the ground. That's good.

696.96 - 698.963 Alex Hartley

She's here. We've got our captain.

699.179 - 716.456 Unknown

No need to worry, everyone. Our opening batter's here. Nah, she's very, like, I did say to Smitty when she said, when the coach actually tapped me on the shoulder and was like, you know, you're going to be opening? And I thought, oh, I better face a new ball at training, you know, like, but I haven't cracked it.

Chapter 5: How does Grace Harris handle the pressure of playing in the WPL?

1045.891 - 1051.077 Alex Hartley

And if you're in the form that you're in, obviously, if you're in the form that you're in, surely you might be getting the opportunity.

0

1051.647 - 1056.24 Unknown

Oh, yeah, like, I'll take it.

0

1056.561 - 1060.031 Alex Hartley

So you've not had any chats about it, basically? No, I haven't had any. You've given nothing away?

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1060.051 - 1069.772 Unknown

Listen, she's only just announced her retirement. I feel like I'm just going to be like, oh, hey, Grace. Ritchie's out. Grace is there digging the grave. She's like, get in there, mate.

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1070.593 - 1072.356 Alex Hartley

Grace has convinced Healy to retire.

1072.817 - 1074.259 Unknown

We have to pick a captain first.

1075.381 - 1077.143 Alex Hartley

Oh, yeah, you're putting your name in the ring?

1077.183 - 1091.071 Unknown

No, no thanks. I'm still a pi-fi worker in this squad. I still fly and play. There's no way you're 32. Yeah, mate. Yeah, I just act like I'm 18.

1092.212 - 1096.318 Alex Hartley

Oh, my God. Yeah, OK. Who's this 32-year-old you're talking about? Is that Mooney?

Chapter 6: What insights does Grace share about the differences between WPL and WBBL?

1410.038 - 1447.188 Unknown

Klaas Olsson's customer service. We have a news that concerns all of our customers. Week 2 and 3 are not the latest weeks of the year. On the contrary, we now offer a 30% discount on Northlight's roof and table lights. And in addition, a minus 20% discount on lamps. Klaas Olsson. I'm a supporter of flags. It turns out time is finite. Government doesn't want to be involved in this.

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1448.291 - 1457.221 Unknown

I do not think the candidates are fruit loops. Match release. Urgent questions. Subscribe to the podcast and you'll get the best bits every day from around 5 o'clock.

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1457.502 - 1465.135 Alex Hartley

Listen on BBC Sounds. Grace, you're talking like a true tactical captain here. Feels like there's a spot available for that World Cup.

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1465.255 - 1486.121 Unknown

I just, I like. I like that side of the game, that thinking side of the game, and I can get around when there's a game plan. Like with CA, if they want to pick an extra pace bowler and a batter needs to fall out, I'm more than happy to go like, yeah, it's me because we've got that stacked line-up. I don't bowl for CA. I bat number eight.

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1486.161 - 1504.187 Unknown

Like play, you know, Darcy Brown or whatever comes in as that extra pace bowler for conditions. But I love the way – So you don't feel – No, like... If there's a reason. Yeah, I wouldn't feel like **** in a team if we're playing a style of play that I can get around.

1504.507 - 1531.213 Unknown

But if you just keep your wicket, you make 130 every game, you're like, we might beat some teams, but you're not going to beat the best ones. Whereas I can get around like T20 style cricket when it's, you know, you take the wrist here or you line up your particular bowler or you can get out playing a certain style shot and instead of saying, oh, you know what you should do?

1531.233 - 1550.84 Unknown

You should bump that along the ground and run one. No, you shouldn't. You just execute better because if you want to hit a 66 metre six, you only have to hit the ball out, not up. So like what do you do? Misexecute your shot. But play the exact same way next game and we destroy it. So that's how I like it. I can get around that, to be fair, because it's good to watch and I hate watching cricket.

1553.728 - 1559.925 Unknown

I kind of. If it's the European League and they're on those concrete wickets, oh, I actually love that song.

1560.665 - 1563.008 Alex Hartley

You don't watch that. Please don't tell me you watch that.

Chapter 7: How does Grace perceive her role within the Australian team dynamics?

1873.057 - 1901.244 Unknown

They require a lot of energy, a lot of effort. You know, the Australian women's cricket team, it's prided itself recently on athleticism to try and make sure that you finish those series fully fit or at least be able to give a lot in them. So... Yeah, I guess maybe just being that little bit older, Midge is probably, and I guess she also might have a taste of what life is like.

0

1902.145 - 1906.393 Alex Hartley

She said that, didn't she? Oh, yeah. Said she's got to work on her golf because Mitch got a hole in one.

0

1906.433 - 1929.498 Unknown

Yep. Then I get sometimes I feel like there might be that time where, you know, if you're enjoying stuff more away from cricket than you are at cricket, I feel like you should probably pull up stumps then. Like if you have something else to look forward to, post-cricket field. And it's not to say that you won't miss a lot of aspects of cricket because it is good fun.

0

1930.019 - 1951.441 Unknown

And, you know, you miss your teammates and whatnot. But I feel like if you're like, I think I'd rather be on the golf course or I'd rather be here, then... Fair play. Days enough. Yeah. What was she actually like as a captain, Grace? Because to play against, she is an absolute nightmare. And she's one of those players that everybody actually hated at the start of her career.

0

1951.682 - 1970.876 Unknown

They're like, oh my God, that Alyssa Healy. Now everybody loves her. She's actually one of the best people. And we said when she came on the podcast, you're actually annoyingly likeable. She was like, I'll take that as a compliment. But what is she like as a captain and as a person? She's just genuine, I guess, with Midge.

1971.998 - 1979.312 Unknown

I feel like you could kind of just say anything and I'm pretty rogue in a lot of meetings.

1979.332 - 1980.594 Alex Hartley

No, you're not.

1980.875 - 1981.075

I'm sorry.

1981.055 - 1999.101 Unknown

Who's told you that? I can be pretty rogue with a lot of stuff that I say, but Midge, she just kind of goes like, oh, yeah, Harry, we'll take that on board or I can see your point or whatnot. And sometimes she just might be like, listen, shut up. You're like, yeah, fair play.

Chapter 8: What are Grace's thoughts on the evolution of women's cricket?

2545.928 - 2567.931 Unknown

Maybe go on like Have You Been Paying Attention? I love that show. We don't have that. No, we haven't. It's like, you know, they get the news. Or what do you guys do? Nine out of ten cats does countdown or something. Oh, okay, okay, yep. Yeah, stuff like that. Yeah. Producer Jack has just asked, are we going to see a Grace versus food, Grace?

0

2567.971 - 2579.768 Unknown

And it reminded me of when we actually did a Grace versus food, when it was the England Academy versus the Australian Academy back in, what, 2012 or something? When I was about 80 kilos heavier.

0
0

2581.973 - 2583.036 Alex Hartley

We've all been there, Grace.

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2583.076 - 2603.527 Unknown

It was Grace versus Holly Armitage to see who could eat the most donuts, and they both got an absolute... 24 donuts in one sitting. I can do that. They taste so good. And just wash them down with, like, a good drink and you're good to go. Nothing too filling, but, like, donuts.

2603.567 - 2604.188 Alex Hartley

Nothing fizzy.

2604.509 - 2618.832 Unknown

Yeah, nah, they're good. They're real good. I don't know. What about those spicy foods? Like, spicy foods, a little bit iffy. Like, I could try it, but I can tell you right now, I already sweat just standing still. So, like, wedding post to Hidden Chili.

2618.812 - 2634.373 Alex Hartley

Do you remember when you came to training that time and you'd had your entire face threaded and you were like, it's good, but now my sweat just gets in my eyes. That's one thing I've never done again. I'm not surprised.

2634.353 - 2654.843 Unknown

I walked into a beautician and I was like, oh, I'm just going to get my eyebrows done. And then she's like, oh, to get your face threaded. And I was like, yeah, yeah. And there's a trainee, first of all. And I thought, oh, well, it's for development. You can do it. You can do it. It'll feel real nice. And then they threaded my whole face and I was like, it did not feel nice.

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