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It’s Not Just Cricket’ is a podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about cricket, but not just cricket! Azeem Rafiq - the man who rocked the sport in 2020 with his seismic revelations of racism - and experienced broadcaster Matt Kabir Floyd take an opinionated look at the big stories affecting world cricket and other sports on and off the pitch. A British Pakistani from Barnsley and an Anglo Indian from London, the two of them certainly don’t agree on everything and are more than happy to vociferously argue their point. Using their widespread contacts in sport and politics they bring in regular guests of note to help debate the topics of the day. Nothing is off the table! New episodes every Wednesday and look out for other ‘bonus episodes’ throughout the week.
113 Episodes
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Jamie Smith starts the county season with a scintillating hundred but can he play for England if he's not keeping for Surrey? Has James Rew jumped ahead of him in the queue after his early season form? Is Emilio Gay a contender to open the batting or will his technique be a problem at Test level? Plus - why do batters turn down singles and should Rajasthan Royals be taken very seriously this year?!
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Plenty of England Test players have points to prove which could make for one of the most fascinating starts to a county season in years. Crawley, Duckett and Smith are all under the microscope, find out which of those Azeem thinks is most likely to keep his place. Then it's at look at who's impressed early on in the IPL and the controversies that are already blighting the PSL. Stand by for an admission from Azeem on ball tampering that will change the way you look at how a ball is shined forever!
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The boys react after it's announced that Rob Key and Brendon McCullum will keep their jobs and Azeem springs a big shock by saying he has applied for the vacant England Selector's role! Plus, how India's new T20 approach could have a big impact on this year's IPL.
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After Liam Livingstone gives an explosive interview criticising the England hierarchy, the boys discuss if this is just sour grapes from a dropped player or does it highlight more worrying concerns about the way things are done by this England set up? If McCullum and Key stay in their posts, what needs to change to get England back on track? And some final thoughts on The Hundred squads - could we be in for a Southern Brave double this year?!
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It's an historic couple of days for The Hundred as it holds it's first ever live player auction. Does Abrar Ahmed getting bought by Sunrisers Leeds prove that Pakistani players are not barred from being selected? Is The Hundred now the leading women's competition in the world? Which squads are looking the most complete?
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T20 World Cup Semi Final week! New Zealand demolish South Africa but was this really another choke from the Proteas? Is this finally the Black Caps' time? Would England be stupid to even think about dropping Buttler? Do Harry Brook's side really have a better spin attack than India, as Michael Vaughan says? Lots of questions to be answered, have a listen!
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Azeem and Matt look at the thorny issue of Pakistan players potentially not being selected on purpose for The Hundred - even if it was true, how could it be proven? Would the ECB actually be able to do anything about it anyway? At the T20 World Cup, England march into the Semi Finals courtesy of a truly sensational knock from Captain Brook - despite being nowhere near their best they are now just 2 wins away from glory. Meanwhile, all of a sudden, run away favourites India find themselves in the last chance saloon - could they really get knocked out of this home World Cup before the Semis?!
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The boys reflect on the big stories to come out of the T20 World Cup group stage. Should we not be surprised that Australia have been knocked out? Was South Africa v Afghanistan the best T20 match of all time? Is England's top batters not performing yet a good sign? How have the associates and smaller Test nations closed the gap on the big boys? Plus - Azeem and Matt argue over who they think will make the Semi Finals!
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Michael Carberry is back in the studio with Matt to pick through his long career before the discussion turns to race issues in cricket. Never one to mince his words, Carbs delivers some fascinating insight into why he thinks reports on racism make no difference and why we shouldn't forget about classism in any chats on race.
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The ICC have a big decision on their hands after Pakistan refuse to play India at the T20 World Cup. The boys discuss why this has happened, what the ICC might do to try to force the situation and what might happen next. Plus - England's part time spinners put on a show, why Azeem feels sorry for Harry Brook and one of the most bizarre stumpings you will ever see!
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Top man Michael Carberry pops into the studio to tell us what he's been up to since retirement, why Joe Root should be in England's T20 side and which side he reckons could upset India and the World Cup.
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It's been a good few days for England as Harry Brook turns on the style and the T20 team start well. Azeem is also impressed by what he's seen at the Under 19 World Cup - are England's next generation ones to really keep an eye on?
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This week the boys discuss a clash of alpha batsmen Steve Smith and Babar Azam at the Big Bash and whether Smith should be in Australia's T20 World Cup squad. Plus, Azeem names the batter he thinks shouldn't be in England's squad and has Virat Kohli already hit a record that will never be beaten?
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Azeem is back and the boys go through the main candidates to take over from Brendon McCullum when he finishes. Would it be a mistake to go for a disciplinarian? Should it be an Englishman? The Big Bash is bringing in a Designated Batter next season - a batter who doesn't have to field - is this the dream job or something that isn't needed? Plus, some of The Hundred team name changes are revealed...get ready for a new look competition this year!
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Cricket writer and correspondent Tawhid Qureshi gives us the lowdown on how relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated rapidly. What will happen if Bangladesh continue to refuse to play in India at the T20 World Cup?!
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Radio X DJ and cricket nut Toby Tarrant joins Matt in the studio to address an assortment of random issues - how can The Traitors TV show make cricket more watchable? Will Ben Stokes still be Test captain at the end of 2026? Will barring the players from having lunch help speed up the over rate?! Do nepo babies need a union? An eclectic mix....
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As 2025 comes to a close the boys reflect on England's first Test win in Australia for 15 years. The pitch wasn't great, but was the groundsman made to carry the can for some pretty bad batting? Then it's on to handing out the first ever 'It's Not Just Cricket Awards' for 2025...most importantly, who will win the Booby Prize?!
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Azeem and Matt have different takes on the interviews given by Brendon McCullum and Rob Key in the aftermath of England's Ashes demolition. They then clash on England's Noosa trip - did England enjoy themselves too much or do these things only get highlighted when you are losing? Either way, is it now 2 Test matches for the England leadership group to show they can take the team forward and avoid the chop?
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England show some spirit but are staring down another Ashes defeat, even after ditching BazBall in the 1st innings. Will Jacks does his best but he's only a part time bowler - will England never be a top Test team again until they find a top level spinner?
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A better day for England but did Australia miss the chance to bury their opposition?
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