Stumped

Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma discuss what is next for the International Cricket Council after Geoff Allardice resigned as Chief Executive. He leaves after four years in the role in order to 'pursue other challenges'. Allardice was appointed as Chief Executive in 2021 of the ICC and during his tenure has been involved in major developments including bringing the Men's T20 World Cup to the USA and the creation of the World Test Championship. The decision comes less than two months after India's Jay Shah became Chair and with the Champions Trophy due to get underway next month. The Stumped team discuss his legacy and who may be appointed in the role.Hobart Hurricanes have won their first Big Bash title largely thanks to lifelong Hurricanes fan Mitchell Owen who scored 108 in the final. Clint Wheeldon tells us more about the hometown hero and what this could mean for his cricketing career.Plus history has been made at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a Women's Test Match taking place there for the first time since 1949. The Test celebrates the 90th anniversary of Women's Test Cricket. We are joined by David Studham who is the librarian at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to tell us about their collection.Photo: Geoff Allardice, former cricketer and ICC chief during day five of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India at The Oval on June 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma ask where it all went wrong for England after they lost the Women's Ashes. We ask if changes need to be made after England lost the Ashes at the earliest possible opportunity and have now lost all five matches they have played in the series. Plus we are joined by South Africa Men’s Head Coach Shukri Conrad after his side made it to the World Test Championship Final. He tells us if he thinks a two-tier system is a good idea, shares his message to the Australia team and we ask him if South Africa should boycott the Champions Trophy? He also shares why he made Temba Bavuma captain and highlights the pressure that the captain faces.Photo: South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad during the day 1 of the 2nd Test match between West Indies and South Africa at Guyana National Stadium on August 15, 2024 in Georgetown, Guyana. (Photo by Daniel Prentice/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Zimbabwe’s first black cricketer, Henry Olonga, as we ask whether boycotts work in cricket?It’s in light of political pressure on England and South Africa to pull out of their matches against Afghanistan’s men at next month's ICC Champions Trophy. It's due to the Taliban regime's oppression of women, which includes a ban on playing sport. Olonga, alongside Andy Flower, took a stand against Robert Mugabe’s regime by wearing a black armband in the 2003 World Cup game against Namibia. It was to symbolise "the death of democracy" in the country. Henry's been living in exile from Zimbabwe ever since and told the programme the current situation has echoes of 2003 and that the International Cricket Council and international Governments should be the ones making the decision not to play, rather than the players. We also talk to Australia Ashes winner now commentator, Mel Jones, on the role she played on getting many of those women out of the country when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Mel’s also been involved in organising the team’s exhibition match which will be played ahead of the opening day of the Women’s Ashes Test in Melbourne later this month.Photo: Groundmen hold a large national flag of Afghanistan on the eve of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 10, 2023. Credit: (AFP via Getty Images)

Two-time Ashes winner Anya Shrubsole joins us to preview the Women’s Ashes. England will be looking to win the trophy for the first time in a decade on Australian soil. Anya tells us both teams will have a point to prove after their World Cup disappointments and she highlights the key players to look out for.The Stumped team debate whether there should there be a two-tier World Test Championship? It is being reported that the ICC are looking to make it into a two tiered competition, which would lead to the biggest nations playing each other more often. The plans could see India, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan in tier one. While the second tier would be made up of Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe - making a seven-five split across divisions.Plus, after Australia ended a ten year wait to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team discuss the significance of captain Pat Cummins and ask if India head coach Gautam Gambhir is still the right man to lead the side.Photo: Tahlia McGrath of Australia looks dejected as she leads players of Australia off the field following defeat to South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Semi-Final between Australia and South Africa at Dubai International Stadium on October 17, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the record breaking Test Match between Australia and India in Melbourne. The teams now play each other in Sydney with the series 2-1 in favour of the Australian side who will win the trophy for the first since 2015 if they avoid defeat. We debate the apparent unrest in the India dressing room and the potential retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Jim Maxwell says that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now bigger than the Ashes. Plus, we discuss whether South Africa deserve to be in the World Test Championship final after comments were made questioning their perceived easy route to the final.And we are joined by Ed Stoddart who is the CEO of Stuart Canvas productions. They manufacture hover covers, which are used around the world. Ed tells us about the significance of the technology and the impact of climate change. Photo: Yashasvi Jaiswal of India looks dejected after being runout by Alex Carey of Australia during day two of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

We look back at the best of Stumped in 2024, which gives you a chance to listen to some of the standout moments from the last twelve months including our trip to New York. The USA co-hosted the Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time and we spoke to fans from around the world about how cricket can grow in America. Plus, we spoke to Bryan R Caine who is an umpire in the United States about his love of the game and how it can develop in the future. We also hear from one of the greatest batters of all time, the West Indies legend Brian Lara who joined Alison in the commentary box at Lord’s. He shared what it meant to him when he scored 400 not out for his country and if he believes Test Cricket is sustainable long-term. New Zealand won their first ever T20 World Cup, when they beat South Africa in the final. All-rounder Maddy Green took us back to that special day and shared the emotion she felt about finally getting that winners medal around her neck. Plus, the Stumped team debate whether reaching 100 Test caps carries the same significance it used to? And arguably England’s greatest ever bowler Jimmy Anderson finally hung up his boots this year, when he retired from international cricket. He joined the team to talk about retirement, personal loss and what is next for both himself and England.Photo: Cricket fans cheer and wave the Indian flag during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium at Eisenhower Memorial Park in East Meadow, New York on June 9, 2024(Photo by J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss two international retirements after both Tim Southee and Ravichandran Ashwin hung up their bowling boots and ask how will they be remembered?Plus, after Ben Stokes suffers a reoccurrence of his hamstring injury, we look at the life of an international physio and how their workload is increasing. The Stumped team are joined on the show by Gloucestershire physiotherapist Kirk Russell, he was with the England team from 1998 until 2011 and also worked with Delhi in the IPL.Photo: India's Ravichandran Ashwin (C) celebrates after taking five-wicket haul during the third day of the fifth and last Test cricket match between India and England at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta reflect on a series of firsts for the England men’s team in New Zealand. They have clinched their first away Test series win in two years and their first over the Black Caps since 2008. Plus, Gus Atkinson took his first ever Test hat-trick in the win in Wellington. Plus we ask if Harry Brook’s remarkable away record can translate to the Ashes?After things got heated between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head in Australia, we debate passion versus professionalism.And the Stumped team are joined by captain of the England men’s Visually Impaired team, Ed Hossell, to ask whether the sport should be in the Paralympics in 2032?Photo: Harry Brook of England bats during day three of the First Test match in the series between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval on November 30, 2024 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images)

Australia versus India is a rivalry that has intensified over the years. As the two nations are currently involved in a five Test match series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we ask, is it now bigger than The Ashes? Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma all discuss how this sporting duel has evolved with cricket writer and author Gideon Haigh.Plus, Melbourne Renegades sealed their first Big Bash title after beating Brisbane Heat in the final. We'll reflect on that historic triumph for the Renegades.Image: Pat Cummins of Australia and Jasprit Bumrah of India pose with Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar following the coin toss during day one of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on November 22, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, the team speak to Rajasthan Royals CEO Jake Lush McCrum about the Royals signing Jofra Archer and 13-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the recent IPL auction. Lush McCrum also talks about if Rajasthan will add a Hundred franchise to their portfolio of sides. The team are joined by former Kolkata Knight Riders Team Director Joy Bhattacharjya for a wider look at the winners and losers from the IPL auction.We also reflect on the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after India beat Australia by 295 runs in Perth.Photo: Rishabh Pant looks on with his winners medal after India won the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 Final match between South Africa and India at Kensington Oval on June 29, 2024 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma speak to Australian spinner Nathan Lyon as part of them previewing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy that gets underway this week between Australia and India. Lyon also speaks about how much he has learnt from playing against Ravichandran Ashwin.Also ahead of the IPL auction they interview England fast bowler Gus Atkinson. Gus is in Queenstown for England’s Test Match series away in New Zealand that gets underway next week. The team also preview what will happen in that series. Photo: Australia spinner Nathan Lyon peaks with Stumped presenter Alison Mitchell ahead of the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth. (Credit: ABC Australia)

***This clip contains discussions and references to miscarriage. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org***On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Clint Wheeldon, the team look at what is next for the Champions Trophy after the hosts Pakistan claimed India has told the International Cricket Council they won't travel to the country to play in the event next year. James Anderson explains how he and his family dealt with personal tragedy, how best to bowl to Steve Smith and Virat Kohli and why he's decided to enter the 2024 IPL auction.Also an interview with Matt Drakeley, the Head of Talent Pathway at Somerset CC, about Somerset inviting female seam and spin bowlers from across the UK to attend a trial day with the opportunity to potentially join their women’s team.Photo: England's James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of India's captain Virat Kohli on the first day of the third Test match between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, on August 25, 2021 (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Brett Sprigg, former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim joins the team to discuss the fall-out from New Zealand's historic Test series win in India and what’s next for India's men as they prepare to head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Plus, former West Indies CEO Johnny Grave tells us how a new broadcast deal could help cricket in the region and welcomes West Indies women's return to playing Test matches from 2026 as part of the updated Future Tours Programme announced by the International Cricket Council.Photo: India captain Rohit Sharma during day four of the 4th Test Match between India and England at JSCA International Stadium Complex on February 26, 2024 in Ranchi, India. (Credit: Getty Images)

Two big names from two remarkable stories in Test cricket are on the programme.New Zealand’s men created history by securing their first ever Test series victory in India - ending India’s run of eighteen consecutive Test series wins at home over a dominant period of twelve years. Rachin Ravindra, Player of the Match from the opening Test of the series, tells Alison there is nothing like a Test win for your country, how he was inspired by the ‘golden generation’ of New Zealand cricket - and his hopes of meeting Sachin Tendulkar.Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood tells Stumped how they arrested a slump in fortune to earn an incredible come-from-behind win over England - their first series win at home in nearly four years. Masood talks about the team finding “balance in the middle of chaos”, the precarious nature of captaincy, and the future of dropped batting star Babar Azam.Alison, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all reflect on the recent success for both New Zealand and Pakistan.Photo: General view of play during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week's Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma speak with World Cup winner Maddy Green, who celebrated her 32nd birthday on the day of the final. She tells us what New Zealand’s victory means to the country, as well as discussing how they defied expectations to triumph in Dubai.We reflect on how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was won, pick out the most memorable moments from the tournament and discuss cricket's omission from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, despite having featured in Birmingham last time out.Plus, the team discuss some of the more unorthodox methods of preparing a wicket. It’s after industrial fans, patio heaters and wind breakers were all used on the pitch in Rawalpindi ahead of the third Test between Pakistan and England.Photo: New Zealand's players celebrate with their winning trophy at the end of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup cricket final match between South Africa and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on October 20, 2024. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

As India and England fail to reach the last four of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the inquest into their exit begins. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss where it all went wrong, and ask if anyone can stop Australia defending their title.Scotland returned from their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood joins the team to talk about her experience of playing in the tournament for the first time, what she’s been able to learn from facing the top-ranked teams in the world, and why being a role model is so important to her.Plus, we find out more about the garden shed invention which changed the shape of spin bowling. Matthew Pryor, son of the inventor Henry, joins the team explain how Merlyn came to be and how it’s helped teams master the conditions in the sub-continent.Photo: Abtaha Maqsood of Scotland warms up prior to the the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match between Pakistan and Scotland at The Sevens Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell is alongside Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell to discuss the effects on women’s cricket in Bangladesh, with the country not hosting the Women’s ICC T20 World Cup. Bangladesh cricket writer Tawhid Qureshi gives his thoughts on how the domestic game in Bangladesh would have benefited from the spotlight that hosting a World Cup brings, and how Bangladeshi players need more pathways to the professional game.Ali, Jim & Charu reflect on Joe Root becoming England’s men’s leading run-scorer in Tests and on his compatriot Harry Brook scoring a triple century in the first Test in Multan against Pakistan.Plus, they find out more about cricket’s inventors and innovators by talking to Stuart Robertson – the inventor of T20 cricket.

Alison Mitchell is alongside Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell to discuss Pakistan hosting England in a three-test series, which begins on 7 October.Alison speaks to Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie ahead of the series with the new coach looking to turn around Pakistan’s fortunes, with just two wins in their last thirteen Tests. He talks about wanting to instill belief in his squad, as well as managing his captain Shan Masood and improving the squad’s fitness.Plus, Ali, Jim & Charu find out the origin of one of cricket’s iconic techniques - the ‘Googly’.Photo Credit: Pakistan men's test team head coach Jason Gillespie speaks to the media at National Bank Cricket Stadium on July 07, 2024 in Karachi, Pakistan. (Photo by Muhammad Sameer Ali/Getty Images).

We are less than a week away from the start of the Women's T20 World Cup. Defending champions Australia are aiming to make it four wins in a row.West Indies were the last nation to lift the World Cup before Australia embarked on their era of dominance. We speak to all rounder Deandra Dottin who was part of the 2016 West Indies World Cup winning team and she explains her reasons for reversing her international retirement ahead of the tournament.Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma also discuss the possible return of England's Ben Stokes to white ball cricket.Photo: Deandra Dottin of West Indies celebrates her unbeaten 112 during the ICC T20 Women's World Cup Group A match between West Indies and South Africa at Warner Park on May 5, 2010 in St Kitts, Saint Kitts And Nevis. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma speak to the international captain turned Ultramarathon running cricket coach, Johan Botha, on his passion for endurance running.The team also discuss India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal who is chasing history in the World Test Championship. Plus, Ireland captain Gaby Lewis joins us on the programme to reflect on their historic victories over England.Photo Credit: Johan Botha image four, Bridgetown, Barbados 8th May, Johan Botha of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Michael Lumb during the ICC World Twenty20 Super Eight Match between England and South Africa played at the Kensington Oval on May 8, 2010 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)