On this week’s Stumped with Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta, we speak to Pakistan’s white-ball vice-captain Shadab Khan ahead of the Asia Cup. The 23-year-old says the tournament is ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup in October and claims that his team-mate and captain Babar Azam has now overtaken India legend Virat Kohli as the world’s best batsman across all formats of the game. Plus the chief executive of Cricket Namibia, Johan Muller tells us about cricket’s development and...
Aug 25, 2022•28 min
On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta, we speak to the self-proclaimed Universe Boss…Chris Gayle! The West Indies legend is the ambassador for a quirky new tournament called The 6ixty, which takes place in the Caribbean next week. We find out why we should be excited about a competition with some very peculiar new rules, including a mid-game fan vote on a free hit. We also get the 42-year-old's views on the future of cricket, plus we'll find out how long he wan...
Aug 18, 2022•30 min
Australia’s domination of the women’s game continues! Aside from winning both the T20 and ODI formats of the World Cup, as well as being the holders of the Ashes, they are now Commonwealth Games gold medallists! We find out what makes them so successful from bowler Megan Schutt. We discuss Trent Boult's decision to opt out of his international contract with New Zealand in order to spend more time with his family and play in domestic leagues around the world. Plus, we reflect on the life and lega...
Aug 11, 2022•32 min
On this week’s Stumped with Isabelle Westbury, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, how did Pakistan's women go from having never played an international match to the Commonwealth Games in the space of 25 years? We’ll find out the answer from journalist and author, Aayush Puthran, who has written a book on the subject. We'll also discuss whether the world's best cricketers could soon be contracted all year round by Indian Premier League franchises and what the impact of that would be on the internation...
Aug 04, 2022•33 min
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta are joined by the reigning One-Day international cricketer of the year, Lizelle Lee who explains why she chose to retire from international cricket in the middle of South Africa’s tour of England. The 30 year old reveals failing a weight test was a significant factor in her decision and says Cricket South Africa threatened to deny her an NOC to participate in the T20 leagues around the world. Lee, who’s shock decision means she misses out on the Commo...
Jul 28, 2022•33 min
On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma we look ahead to the Commonwealth Games with New Zealand star Suzie Bates. 14 years after representing her country in basketball at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, she says helping the White Ferns to medal in Birmingham would be a career highlight. Plus, after England's Test captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from one-day internationals, we debate whether players are being asked to play too much cricket. Image: S...
Jul 21, 2022•34 min
On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, we discuss Sri Lanka's heroic win over Australia to draw the Warne-Muralitharan trophy, amid a political and economic crisis within the country. Is the honeymoon period over for Australia captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald after they suffered their first Test defeat in their new roles? We speak to the newly appointed president of FICA, former Australia captain Lisa Sthalekar, on what it means to be the first wo...
Jul 14, 2022•30 min
On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta, are England the most feared side in Test cricket? After earning their fourth consecutive victory in the rearranged Test with India, the sky looks to be the limit for Brendon McCullum's side. We hear from former South African spinner Robin Peterson after Stuart Broad broke his record for the most runs conceded in one over in Test history. The England bowler conceded 35 runs with India captain Jasprit Bumrah at the crease. P...
Jul 07, 2022•33 min
On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, we’re joined by Australian international Lauren Cheatle as she eyes a return to cricket. After two surgeries to remove early-stage skin cancer and a fourth shoulder reconstruction, the 23-year-old is aiming to return for the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League in October. We reflect on Eoin Morgan’s international retirement, his legacy as a World Cup-winning skipper and ask whether Jos Buttler is the right man to...
Jun 30, 2022•36 min
On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta we ask whether you would rather miss the birth of your first child or have the chance to play in a World Cup? For Australian international Dan Christian that was a dilemma he had to consider. He joins us to discuss his book ‘The All-Rounder’, in which he documents a chaotic year of dodging Covid-19 and travelling the world playing cricket. Plus we’ll catch up with the chief executive of the Ukraine Cricket Federation, Kobus...
Jun 23, 2022•36 min
On this week's Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma look back at England’s dramatic final day victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Trent Bridge. We discuss Jonny Bairstow’s history-making second innings knock as he hit the second-fastest century by an England batter in Test cricket, making 136 from 92 balls. And we hear from Netherlands head coach Ryan Campbell, who in April was placed in an induced coma for seven days after suffering an unexplained cardiac arrest. Th...
Jun 16, 2022•33 min
Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma discuss the future of Test cricket following comments made by the ICC chairman, Greg Barclay who’s questioned the direction of the longest format of the game, particularly in women’s cricket. The team celebrate Joe Root’s milestone moment during the first Test with New Zealand at Lord’s, becoming the 14th player to reach 10,000 Test runs and ask if the former England captain could surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s run record. We wave goodbye ...
Jun 09, 2022•36 min
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by South Africa’s David Miller, days after he helped Gujarat Titans win the Indian Premier League in their first ever season. He tells us about the change in mentality which helped him to top the batting charts, the influence of his captain Hardik Pandya, and his hopes of winning the T20 World Cup later this year. We cross to Sri Lanka as Australia prepare to touch down for an all-format series in the midst of a political and economic cris...
Jun 02, 2022•36 min
On this week’s BBC Stumped with Charu Sharma, Alex Hartley and Jim Maxwell, we discuss the Indian Premier League as the competition reaches its climax. Who has caught their eye? Which franchises have failed to reach the heights expected of them? Has the introduction of two new franchises been a success? The team discuss the state of the women’s game. Is it the last year of the Women’s T20 Challenge before a possible long-awaited Women’s IPL is launched next year? Award-winning journalist Tim Wig...
May 26, 2022•30 min
Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma are joined by New Zealand legend Ross Taylor following his retirement from international cricket. We discuss Ross’ journey through the sport, his departure from the New Zealand captaincy, the high of winning the World Test Championship and the low of the 2019 World Cup final defeat. Plus we get his thoughts on the new England men’s Test coach – his former team-mate – Brendon McCullum. The team also discuss England’s new white-ball coach Matthew Mott...
May 19, 2022•32 min
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma react to Brendon McCullum's appointment as England's new Test cricket coach. The former New Zealand captain has signed a four-year deal to succeed Chris Silverwood, who left his position in February. The team speak to two-time World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole and find out whether the former England bowler is happy with her decision to retire from international cricket. Plus we meet Luke Georgeson, the all-rounder who switched his allegiance from New Z...
May 12, 2022•32 min
Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma find out more about the man touted as India’s next star. Umran Malik, an uncapped 22-year-old, has taken the Indian Premier League by storm with the fastest bowling and best bowling figures in the competition this year. The team attempt to learn what an NFT is and ask why we’re starting to see them in the world of cricket, as we speak to the co-founder of the world’s first licensed digital collectibles platform for cricket. We also react to the news...
May 05, 2022•29 min
On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma, we discuss the announcement of Ben Stokes as England’s new Test captain. The team meet Britain’s oldest cricket umpire, Keith Dibb who at 86 years old is showing no signs of slowing down. Dibb has even had surgery on his shoulders to ensure he can keep signalling outs and sixes! And Bhutan’s vice captain Anju Gurung tells us about her cricket journey as she prepares to take part in the FairBreak Invitational alongside so...
Apr 28, 2022•28 min
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Lawrence Booth, the editor of arguably the most famous sports book in the world. The 159th edition of the Wisden Almanack has just been released and Lawrence shares which cricketer has been named the leading cricketer of the year and women’s cricketer of 2021. Plus with the ever changing set up in English men's cricket we debate who should be the next captain and the next coach of the national side and which one should take priority. An...
Apr 21, 2022•36 min
Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Matt Clinch are joined by Australian superstar Alyssa Healy. She currently tops the ICC Women's One Day International player rankings and most recently smashed 170 runs in the World Cup final to help Australia win their seventh World Cup title. She tells us all about that final, how she felt playing her shots and how special it was to play after carrying drinks in the 2013 World Cup. She also tells us about the dominance of Australian cricket, the possibility of...
Apr 14, 2022•32 min
Did you know the Rajasthan Royals have a cricket academy based in Cornwall, South West of England? That’s right! On this week’s BBC Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell are joined by Sean Hooper, the head coach of the new academy, to discuss how the affiliation with the IPL franchise came about. We also discuss Australia’s dominance in the women’s game, after beating England in the Women’s World Cup Final, plus we discuss The Hundred draft and whether the format has global appe...
Apr 07, 2022•32 min
On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell. We remember Australia cricket legend Shane Warne after his emotional memorial service. Plus we preview the Women’s World Cup Final. Can Australia can win nine matches out of nine to lift the trophy? Have England peaked at the right time? Sunil Gupta also tells us the reaction to India’s early exit from the competition. After England men were beaten 1-0 against the West Indies we ask if it is the right time to appoint a new...
Mar 31, 2022•35 min
The Indian Premier League begins this weekend and Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Sunil Gupta preview the latest season by analysing the two new teams entering the competition and debate how the Royal Challengers Bangalore will fare without Virat Kohli as captain. Plus with a much changed England Test team currently facing the West Indies in the Caribbean, we head back to 1953 when the action was not quite as amicable. Who Only Cricket Know tells the story of the second most controversial tour...
Mar 24, 2022•32 min
Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss whether England have left it too little too late in the Women's World Cup and whether Australia are the real deal. Deandre Dottin, Harmanpreet Kaur and Mignon Du Preez are just some of the biggest names to sign up to a brand new women's cricket tournament featuring players from as many as 36 countries including Bhutan, Vanuatu and Germany. The Fair Break Invitational is a women’s T20 cricket tournament which will be played in Dubai and contes...
Mar 17, 2022•33 min
A week on from when news first broke about Shane Warne’s sudden death Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma pay tribute to the 'King of Spin'. He was known as cricket's greatest ever leg-spinner, arguably cricket's greatest bowler and surpassed only by Sir Donald Bradman as Australia's greatest cricketer. Shane Warne took 708 Test wickets, the second most of all time, in 145 matches across a stellar 15-year international career. Keeping wicket to Warne from 1999 through to the end of his...
Mar 10, 2022•39 min
A 2018 interview with Australia's legendary bowler Shane Warne, who has died from a suspected heart attack aged 52. Australian legend Shane Warne takes a look back at his cricketing career, from taking 708 wickets in 145 Tests for Australia to bowling the most famous delivery of all time: the Ball of the Century. Photo: Former Australia and Rajasthan Royals player Shane Warne poses for a photo in 2019. (Credit: Getty Images for Rajasthan Royals)
Mar 04, 2022•37 min
As the Women’s World Cup gets underway Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell hear from the Chief Executive of the competition Andrea Nelson. She tells us about the challenges that this tournament has thrown her way, the increase in prize money, domestic women’s cricket in New Zealand and the legacy that she hopes will be left behind. Plus, as Australia's men tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998, we preview the series and ask how much of a test this will be for both sides. With the...
Mar 03, 2022•32 min
Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell speak to the chief executive of the Ukraine Cricket Federation, Kobus Olivier, as Russia launches a major military assault on the country. Olivier has been working to secure Ukraine associate member status from the International Cricket Council, which he says could be just months away. Plus the Stumped team also discuss the latest changes to the structure of India’s men’s Test cricket team, with Rohit Sharma named as Virat Kohli’s captaincy successor...
Feb 24, 2022•29 min
After IPL auctioneer Hugh Edmeades collapsed on the first day of the IPL mega auction our very own Charu Sharma stepped in to take over. Charu tells Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell all about the experience. Plus we debate which teams came out on top, how the new franchises will fare and why some players weren't selected. Australia World Cup and Ashes winner Alex Blackwell joins us to discuss her new book Fair Game which outlines the battles she faced on and off the cricket pitch as the first ope...
Feb 17, 2022•34 min
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the resignation of Australia Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer. They look at his legacy and the power play between himself and his players. Plus this week they are joined by John Buchanan, the former Australia coach from 1999 to 2007 who lead the side to multiple World Cup and Ashes wins. He also coached Justin Langer during this time and shares his experiences of him as a player and who his front-runners are for the vacancy. England have chosen...
Feb 10, 2022•31 min
