Women's Cricket Chat

Where to start with our guest this week?!  Rounding out Season 9, we’re buzzing that we’re joined by broadcaster extraordinaire Mel Jones. Following a hugely successful time as an international cricketer, this legend of the game has since become one of the most recognised voices around the world of cricket. From starting out in the backyard with her grandparents, Mel has now been there, done that and got the T-shirt (and medals) and chats to Georgie and Alex about her amazing story as a cricketer, a role model and an all-round legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to people we don't want to take on in an arm wrestle, Ami Campbell is right up there. The former PT worked her way through the ages up North, even captaining Mark Wood along the way, and is now a power-hitter at Central Sparks and Manchester Originals. Georgie and Alex caught up with the self-professed gym lover about her cricket journey and taking the leap to going pro and Ami spoke openly about her diagnosis with ADHD this year and the impact this has had on her life and her cricket. Plus, we delve into the match-making abilities of Phoebe Graham aka Cupid.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever packed your Starbucks uniform in your cricket bag for tour so you can head to work straight away when you get back? Seems mad right? Well, that's exactly what this week's guest, former Netherlands captain Esther de Lange, had to do so she could pay her way as an international cricketer. Georgie caught up with Esther, who now works for the ICC as Development Officer for Europe, about how she found cricket, life as a Dutch international, her journey in the sport, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded before the WBBL, Georgie and Alex caught up with Kiwi bowler Jess Kerr. Having started out her sporting journey as a running prodigy, medical issues kept throwing hurdles in her way. However, where athletics wasn't an option, cricket provided the opportunities. We chatted to Jess about overcoming those setbacks, being inspired by her sister, and proving that nothing and no one can stop her. Since recording, she and her Mealie have played AGAINST each other for the first time...have a listen to hear how Jess was feeling ahead of this... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She may have grown up in Orange, but Phoebe Litchfield looks fully at home in green and gold. Thanks to the beauty of social media, this young star went viral at a young age when some of her batting in the nets was caught on video. She went on to make her Sydney Thunder debut aged just 16 and has since made her Australian debut in all three formats including being part of the Australian cohort for the 2023 Women's Ashes. Georgie caught up with Phoebe to chat about everything she has already accomplished, playing alongside her heroes, being part of Fairbreak, what it was like to get her baggy green (what number was it Phoebe....can you remember yet?!), and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 9 is upon us. Can you believe it? To kick off this season we have someone who is pretty good at kicking a football as well as hitting a cricket ball and putting the fear into any batter who steps out of her crease. It’s Thunder Captain and wicketkeeper Ellie Threlkeld. The young captain chats about choosing cricket over football, the growth of the women’s game, her journey to this point and how she is chasing her dreams of playing for England. Plus THAT century to cap off the final game of a crazy season with Thunder. Alexandra and Georgie caught her just in time before she headed off for some well-earned R&R in Ibiza with Sophie Ecclestone and Alice Capsey. Beach cricket anyone?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She may be just 17 but Mahika Gaur has already been tipped as a future star of fast bowling. The left-arm pacer made her international debut for the UAE aged 12 having first been inspired to start bowling when watching Shane Warne play in the IPL. Since then, she has grown (quite literally) into a tall seamer who was spotted by Lancashire during a tour to Dubai and has since made the move to train, play and complete her education in England. This year she signed her first pro contract, played for England A and now has her sights set on a future with England. She caught up with (Auntie) Georgie to chat about her journey, the opportunities she's had, where she hopes to go, and what the future has in store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Travelling the world playing and watching women's cricket....sounds like the absolute dream! Where do we sign up? That's exactly what this week's guest Jenny Thompson is doing. Having spent years playing and writing about cricket, this adventurer is now travelling here, there and everywhere learning about all different cultures playing cricket and taking her bat wherever she goes. She caught up with Georgie after the two previously met in Hong Kong and then Jersey, to chat about her trip so far, including discovering a school where you get extra credit if you play cricket...YES PLEASE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years women and girls have had to play cricket in men's pads, clothing and helmets. Nothing fitted properly, nothing was female-specific and it seriously impacted participation and performance. This is where the female cricket store and Lacuna Sports are here to save the day. Georgie and Alex caught up with former England cricketer Lydia Greenway and the genius ladies behind Lacuna Sports Leigh and Katie to chat about what they are doing to break down this barrier and the stunning kit they are providing for female cricketers. And YES we want it ALL!! On the eve of the Ashes Test match we chat about all things women's kit, period concerns and so much more.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thrilled to bring you this week's episode with someone who has danced on stage with Katy Perry...it's the speccy-taking, cap wearing, hard-hitting Aussie all-rounder Erin Burns. Braving the English "summer" Burnsy has already lit up the RHFT and CE Cup this year and is right at home with the Central Sparks. Having previously had a stint with Birmingham Phoenix, she is back in Brum for a second time and is clued up to all the best coffee spots (all Aussies can sniff out a good coffee from a mile off.) Georgie and Alex chat to her about all things franchise cricket, the indomitable Aussies, THAT MCG final, making cricket a place for everyone, and so much more.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Georgie and Alex catch up with broadcasting star, meme maker, tiktoking legend, and all-around fantastic human Melissa Story. When Melissa first pulled on the headset to commentate a Southern Vipers game two years ago, little could she have guessed what the next few years would hold. A keen cricketer herself, the opportunity to take up commentary was too good to miss. As if she wasn't already busy enough training to be a solicitor and playing cricket, the young rising star has now become a mainstay of the airwaves across women's and men's cricket and is fast establishing herself as the future of broadcasting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Georgie and Alex sit down to chat with South African legend Mignon du Preez. From hitting 258 aged 12 to making her debut aged 17 to captaining her country in all three formats, the batting superstar has been around the circuit and proved herself at every level. Now retired from international cricket, she still features in franchises all over the world as well as turning her hand to commentary and working behind the scenes with FairBreak (as well as playing in it and winning in 2023). She shares the stories of her career, the ups and downs, the growth of South African cricket, the heartbreak, the celebrations and so much more. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode Georgie and Alex chat to Marie Kelly - one of the Blazin' Squad (only listeners over a certain age will get the reference 😆). Marie is our second ambidextrous pod guest after she had a more productive lockdown than those of us making banana bread and taught herself to bowl with her left hand. We chat all things Warwickshire, working her way through the ages, and what the professional contracts have done for her cricket career especially after she took time away at uni believing when it was 'England or nothing'. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opening up season 8 Georgie and Alex chat to the magnificent Hen Cowen. We all know that a cricket team is about more than just the players and when it comes to England's women, Hen knows this better than any. They have been the team's communications manager since 2017 seeing them win a World Cup on home soil and being the go-to person for all things media in the subsequent frenzy. Have a listen to their story into the role from journalism, being able to share poignant moments with players and friends, and what it meant to be able to embrace their true self, last year coming out as trans non-binary. On the day of release, Eurovision is just around the corner and there was no one better than this super-fan to kick of season 8. SIDE NOTE: This pod was recorded 30 mins later than originally planned because queuing for Eurovision tickets was a priority and not a single one of us is apologising for that! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we've got a real cracker for you. Fresh from the Under-19 World Cup, Georgie and Alex sit down with England women's Under-19 head coach Chris Guest talking all things coaching in the first edition of the tournament and what it was like to be part of it. We saw the incredible success of England's players as they stormed to the final under his watchful eye - and with three kids at home, it was actually somewhat a holiday for him too! When he's not coaching the Under-19's, he heads up the recently branded Blaze side (formerly known as the Lightning regional side). 2023 will be their first edition in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards cup so the hopes are that a new brand will bring new successes. Listen through to find out how close he came to a VERY different career all because of a life-changing sandwich in the back streets of Melbourne. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgie and Alex sit down with the father of Fairbreak Shaun Martyn. We chat all things Fairbreak inlcuding the recently announced expansion to a SECOND tournament in the USA 🇺🇸 We also chat to Shaun about the inception of Fairbreak, where the idea came from and the innovative idea to have the flags on the shirts so you know what country each player is from - it's like a geography lesson at the same time! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fatima Sana is a name for your cards. The 21-year-old may be all smiles, but with ball in hand the Pakistan bowler is a threat to any batter. She was named the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the year in 2021 in recognition for her talents and her potential and she has since continued to impress both for Pakistan and in franchise sides around the world. We were thrilled to have her as our first Pakistani guest as she chatted to Georgie and Alex about her rise through the age groups, the highlights so far, and what the future has in store. If her career so far is anything to go by - there is a lot still to come. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Women's cricket in PNG is on the rise. And it's not just because of their fantastic kit. Australian Kath Hempenstall has been at the helm of the women's side since September 2021 and has already made a huge difference to the women's national team. Georgie and Alex caught up with the former Perth Scorcher to see what she's been up to in PNG, the hopes and prospects for the side and the dream of World Cup qualification... listen out for Georgie's tattoo promise and so much more! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've bagged another Aussie! This week it's someone who brings the (Queensland) Fire and never feels the (Brisbane) Heat. Yep, you guessed it, Georgie and Alex have been chatting with Georgia Redmayne and occupying her recovery time after a season ending injury in the WBBL. Not only is she a super cricketer, Georgia is a qualified doctor  - helpful for self-diagnosis. She chats all about her injury, an Aussie call-up, franchise cricket, and winning awards along the way. She's determined to get on with her rehab and we can't wait to see her back out on the pitch without the ankle boot accessory. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 2 is a cracker with South Africa’s Sinalo Jafta (hence why it’s that little bit longer!) Georgie and Alex chat to international wicket-keeper about her cricket dreams and what it’s been like riding the rollercoaster with South Africa over the last few years including playing in the landmark test match in England. She was incredibly open about her struggles with mental health and spoke with such wisdom and honesty about finding herself in a difficult place due to the sport she loves as well as sharing news of her charity work with the Sinalo Jafta 10 Foundation (link here: https://sj10foundation.co.za/)  and what she hopes to achieve.  It really is a MUST LISTEN. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womens-cricket-chat/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices