Cricket is boring. Or at least, that’s what most people tell me until they sit down and watch an episode of Midsomer Murders. There’s something specifically British about mixing a polite, sun-drenched sporting event with a brutal, cold-blooded killing. Midsomer Murders Last Man Out delivers exactly that, but if you think it's just a repeat of the show’s earlier foray into cricket, you’re mistaken.
This isn't Dead Man’s 11.
Originally airing in 2017 as the third episode of Series 19, this story brings DCI John Barnaby and DS Jamie Winter into the high-stakes, surprisingly sweaty world of C10 cricket. It’s a faster, louder, and significantly more commercialized version of the game. It’s cricket for people who don’t have five days to wait for a result. But in Midsomer, speed usually just means the bodies pile up faster.
The plot kicks off when Leo Henderson, a star player for the Causton Lancers, is found dead in the practice nets. He wasn't just hit by a ball; he was hammered by a bowling machine set to a lethal speed. It’s gruesome. It’s inventive. Honestly, it's classic Midsomer.
The Mystery Behind Midsomer Murders Last Man Out
What makes this episode stand out in the massive catalog of the show is the return of a familiar face. Jones. DS Ben Jones, played by Jason Hughes, makes a comeback, but he’s not the sidekick anymore. He’s undercover.
Working under the name Jack Morris, Jones is investigating match-fixing. This creates a brilliant friction. You have Barnaby trying to solve a murder while Jones is trying to protect his cover and solve a massive financial fraud. They’re bumping into each other, stepping on toes, and keeping secrets. It’s a dynamic we rarely see in the show because the hierarchy is usually so rigid.
The village of Lower Devington is the backdrop. It’s beautiful, obviously. We’ve got the thatched roofs, the rolling greens, and a local pub that looks like it hasn't seen a renovation since the 1950s. But the tension is modern. The conflict between the traditional "Village" cricket style and the flashy, money-hungry C10 league is palpable. It’s a classic "old world vs. new world" trope that the writers use to hide the actual motives.
Money. It’s almost always about money or revenge. Sometimes both.
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In Midsomer Murders Last Man Out, the list of suspects is actually quite long. You have the team owner, the disgruntled former players, and local villagers who hate the noise and the crowds. It’s a crowded field.
Why the Cricket Setting Works Every Single Time
Cricket is a game of statistics and silence. It provides a perfect foil for a detective. In this episode, the sound of the bowling machine is the only thing heard over the dead man's last moments. It’s eerie.
Neil Dudgeon plays Barnaby with his usual dry, observational wit, but Nick Hendrix as Jamie Winter really shines here. Being the "new guy" while the legendary Ben Jones is lurking around creates a great sense of professional jealousy. Winter wants to prove he’s the better sergeant. Jones just wants to get the job done without getting killed by the Russian mob or whatever match-fixing syndicate he’s tracking.
The episode doesn't just stick to the pitch. We go into the lockers, the private offices, and the messy domestic lives of the players. Leo Henderson wasn't a saint. He had secrets. His wife had secrets.
The show has always been great at showing that the "perfect" English countryside is actually a breeding ground for repression and rage. When you force people to be that polite for that long, someone is going to snap. And in Midsomer, they snap with a cricket bat.
Casting and Characters: A Deep Dive
Let’s talk about the guest stars because that’s usually where the killer is hiding.
- Jason Hughes as Ben Jones: Seeing him back was a massive treat for long-term fans. He’s grittier here. The undercover life hasn't been kind to him.
- Susan Jameson as Germaine Troughton: She’s a veteran of British TV and brings a certain gravitas to the village dynamics.
- Andrew Knott and Natasha Little: Both deliver solid performances that keep you guessing.
The interaction between Barnaby and Jones is the highlight. There’s a scene where they meet in secret—very "cloak and dagger"—and the chemistry is still there. It reminds you how much the show changed when Jason Hughes left, and having him back for even one episode felt like a homecoming.
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Interestingly, the episode also deals with the physical toll of the sport. We see the injuries, the aging players desperate for one last payday, and the pressure of the "big league." It adds a layer of realism that balances out the somewhat absurd nature of the murder method.
Addressing the Match-Fixing Subplot
Match-fixing in cricket is a real-world issue. It’s plagued the sport for decades, from the Hansie Cronje scandal to various T20 league controversies. By bringing this into Midsomer Murders, the writers grounded the episode in a contemporary anxiety.
It wasn't just about a guy who hated another guy. It was about an entire system of corruption. Jones is looking at the bookies and the shadowy figures in the stands. This expands the scope of the episode beyond just a local feud. It makes the stakes feel higher.
The twist, when it comes, is satisfying. I won't spoil the identity of the killer for those who haven't caught the reruns on Acorn TV or ITVX lately, but it’s one of those "it was right in front of you" moments. The motive tracks. The clues are sprinkled throughout—if you’re paying attention to the background noise and the subtle glances between characters.
Misconceptions About Series 19
Some fans claim Series 19 is where the show started to lose its "weirdness." I disagree. Midsomer Murders Last Man Out proves that the show can still be eccentric without being a caricature of itself.
The death by bowling machine is peak Midsomer. It’s practical, it’s strange, and it requires a certain level of cold calculation.
Another misconception is that the new Barnaby (John) isn't as good as the old Barnaby (Tom). Look, John is different. He’s more academic. He has a psychology background. In this episode, he uses that to pick apart the fragile egos of the professional athletes. It’s a different vibe, but it works.
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How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re planning a rewatch, pay attention to the subplots involving Sarah Barnaby and the baby. It provides the necessary "normalcy" to contrast with the chaos of the investigation.
You can find this episode on:
- Acorn TV (US/Canada)
- ITVX (UK)
- Pluto TV (often has a dedicated Midsomer channel)
Watch for the scene where Winter tries to show off his cricket skills. It’s a rare moment of levity for a character who is usually very buttoned-up. Also, keep an eye on the scoreboard. Sometimes the numbers tell a story the characters aren't ready to share yet.
The Legacy of the Cricket Episode
Why do we keep coming back to cricket in Midsomer?
Because it represents the ultimate "ordered" society. Rules. Whites. Tea breaks. When you introduce a murder into that environment, the contrast is jarring. It’s the visual equivalent of a bloodstain on a white linen suit.
Midsomer Murders Last Man Out is a top-tier episode because it honors the past (with Jones) while embracing the future of the show. It’s fast-paced, the stakes are genuinely high, and the resolution doesn't feel like a cheat.
If you’re a fan of the cozy mystery genre, this is essential viewing. It’s got enough grit to satisfy the procedural fans but enough "village charm" to keep the traditionalists happy.
To get the most out of your viewing experience, here are the steps you should take:
- Watch 'Dead Man’s 11' (Series 2, Episode 3) first. It’s the original cricket episode. Seeing how the sport and the show have evolved over twenty years makes the Series 19 entry much more impactful.
- Track the Ben Jones arc. If you haven't watched the seasons where he was a regular, his return won't carry the same emotional weight. He was the heart of the show for a long time.
- Research C10 Cricket. While it's a fictionalized version for the show, it's based on the real rise of T10 and The Hundred. Understanding how much these formats changed the culture of the game helps you understand the killer's frustrations.
- Check the background actors. Midsomer is famous for its recurring background players. See if you can spot any "villagers" who have appeared in other episodes as different characters. It's a fun meta-game for die-hard fans.
The show isn't stopping anytime soon. With Series 24 and beyond in development, the world of Midsomer continues to expand. But "Last Man Out" remains a standout moment in the later years of the franchise, proving that you can't ever truly leave the village behind. Not even if you’re Ben Jones. Especially if you’re Ben Jones.