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Stumped

BBC World Servicewww.bbc.co.uk

The weekly cricket show from BBC Sport in association with ABC and Akashvani.

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Episodes

Pakistan to play at T20 World Cup - but refuse to face India

With the T20 World Cup starting on Saturday 7th February, Pakistan will take part but have refused to play against tournament co-hosts India. We hear from Pakistan cricket journalist Shahid Hashmi on what this means for the global game. And 2025 was a record breaking year for New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy who received his maiden senior World Cup call up and was selected for the upcoming Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jacob joins us on the programme. Image - LAHORE,...

Feb 05, 202635 min

Men's T20 World Cup: Bangladesh replaced by Scotland

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta are joined by Bangladesh cricket journalist Tawhid Qureshi who reflects on The Tigers decision to withdraw from the tournament after the ICC rejected a request to move their games from India to co-hosts Sri Lanka. Bangladesh had cited safety concerns amid growing tensions between the countries. The ICC refused, saying there was an "absence of any credible security threat". Scotland have replaced Bangladesh so we hear about their preparations from Cric...

Jan 29, 202637 min

Steve Waugh on investing in a new European T20 Premier League

A new European T20 League has been launched which will be owned by some of the sport's biggest stars. Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma are joined by one of the owners, former Australia captain Steve Waugh who tells us why he has decided to get involved in franchise cricket. Plus, the co-founder of the league, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan says he hopes it will become 'the largest T20 league in the world". The men’s T20 World Cup begins on the 7th of February in Sri Lanka and ...

Jan 22, 202638 min

Alyssa Healy to retire: Elyse Villani on her Australia teammates legacy

Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta reflect on the career of Australia great Alyssa Healy after she announced that she will retire from all formats of the game in March. We are joined by her former teammate and fellow World Cup winner Elyse Villani who shares what she believes Healy’s legacy is and her captaincy style. Villani also tells us how she transitioned from player to commentator and why she made her decision to retire from playing in the Women's Big Bash League. The fourth editi...

Jan 15, 202638 min

The Ashes: Matthew Hayden on what's next for England and Australia?

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden for our post-Ashes debrief. He tells us if Travis Head should continue opening for Australia, why Steve Smith is so prolific in the Ashes and if he can see England captain Ben Stokes return to Australia in four years' time. Plus, the fourth season of the Women’s Premier League begins on the 9th January, so we assess how the five teams are shaping up, the impact of the tournament on cricket in In...

Jan 08, 202636 min

The Ashes: The epic 125-day journey from England to Australia

Hear from Tommy Lamb, an 18-year-old who traveled 125 days from England to Australia without flying to witness the Ashes, recounting a motorbike accident and his incredible experiences. The panel then assesses the pivotal final Ashes Test, discussing potential Australian team changes, key players like Smith and Khawaja, and England's injury concerns and management pressure. Finally, they look ahead to 2026 cricket events, focusing on the growth of women's cricket and share New Year's resolutions for improving the sport.

Jan 01, 202627 min

The Best of Stumped in 2025

We look back at the best of Stumped in 2025 which gives you a chance to listen to some of the standout moments from the last twelve months, including our trip to India. We hear from former India captain Anjum Chopra on what it meant to her to witness history being made, when India women won their first ever Cricket World Cup. Plus when Alison Mitchell was in Guwahati, she spoke to the Secretary of the BCCI, Devajit Saikia, who told her how the Women's Premier League has been integral in growing ...

Dec 25, 202538 min

IPL auction, WBBL review and Ashes controversy

Millions of dollars have been spent as the IPL 2026 mini auction was completed. It was the uncapped Indian players who stole the spotlight with franchises spending large amounts of money on raw potential, so the team debate raw talent versus experience and why all-rounders are so sought after. This comes after Australian Cameron Green has become the most expensive overseas player in the history of the IPL after Kolkata Knight Riders bought the all-rounder for approximately US$2.8 million. The Wo...

Dec 18, 202533 min

Ashes 2025: Matt Prior on Wood, wicketkeeping and winning down under

It is all about the Ashes as Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma assess where it went wrong for England in the second Test match at Brisbane and ask how that performance will impact Adelaide and the rest of the series. We are joined by three-time Ashes winner and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. He reacts to Brendon McCullum’s comments that England were ‘overprepared’, tells us how the Ashes winning team he was involved in back in 2010/11 prepared and compares the wicketkeepi...

Dec 11, 202535 min

Ashes 2025: What makes the pink ball special?

With the ongoing day-night Test match between Australia and England, Nikesh Rughani, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma debate the success of the format and ask if it could be seen as a gimmick if more countries don't start playing them? We hear from Aaron Briggs, who is a data analyst for the ECB and did a PHD on the aerodynamics of swing bowling at Cambridge. He tells us what makes the pink balls so different. With the five Women's Premier League teams locked in for the new season, we look at the...

Dec 04, 202535 min

Ashes 2025: Gillespie on Bazball, bowling and Brisbane

After the first two-day Ashes Test match since 1921 and an Australian victory to leave the hosts 1-0 up in the series, Alison Mitchell, Corbin Middlemas and Charu Sharma are joined by former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie. He shares where he thinks it went wrong for England, if they should be playing against the President’s XI, if Travis Head should be the new permanent opener for Australia and the proficiency of the hosts in pink ball Tests. Plus, South Africa beat India by 408 runs to ...

Nov 27, 202533 min

South Africa win first Test in India for 15 years

We celebrate South Africa’s first Test win in India for 15 years, and Charu Sharma tells us what India will look to do differently to ensure they do not lose the two-Test series. The Ashes is upon us, so Nikesh Rughani and Jim Maxwell discuss how pivotal the first ball of the series can be. We hear from former Australia opener Justin Langer and from England psychologist Gilbert Enoka on its significance. Plus, the Indian Premier League have announced their release and retention lists for next ye...

Nov 20, 202533 min

England Ashes winner Steven Finn on the secret to winning the urn in Australia

With just one week to go until the Ashes in Australia begins, we hear from England captain Ben Stokes and debate how both teams are shaping up and which team has got their preparation ‘correct’ after all the criticism. Plus, three-time Ashes winner Steven Finn joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma to talk about his new book, what this current team can learn from their predecessors and the constant pressure surrounding fast bowlers. And with the format announced for cricket at the O...

Nov 13, 202537 min

India win their first Women's Cricket World Cup

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are celebrating India women’s first ever World Cup victory! Former India women’s captain Anjum Chopra tells us how she felt at the winning moment, what it was like to be in the commentary box and what it means to all the former players who have paved the way. We also hear from Radha Gupta who is a member of the Bucket Hat Cult who are a loud and proud supporters’ group of India women’s cricket. She says being at the DY Patil stadium in Mumbai and wit...

Nov 06, 202534 min

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine on incredible ODI career

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine who has just retired from ODI’s following the White Ferns exit from the Women’s World Cup. She looks back on her career, tells us about her experience of this World Cup and what is next for her. India have made it to the semi-finals of a home World Cup, so we ask if their success is down to the Women’s Premier League and hear from Gujarat player Sayali Satghare on how the WPL helped her earn her maiden ...

Oct 30, 202531 min

Climate change: Is cricket facing its ‘ultimate test’?

On this week's Stumped, with Alison Mitchell, Matt Clinch and Charu Sharma, we take a closer look at how climate change affects cricket. England batter Maia Bouchier tells us about the physical and mental effects of extreme heat; that's after she contributed to a recent report which warns that players at all levels of the game across the globe are being placed at increasing risk due to playing in extreme conditions. They discuss the latest from the Women's World Cup and ask what can be done to m...

Oct 23, 202544 min

Harmanpreet Kaur: How was India's captain discovered?

On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta, we hear more about how India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur began her cricketing journey. Kaur was born in Moga, in the north of India and was coached by Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi. His son Yadwinder, who also coached her, explains how his father first spotted her talent, and how she's grown into a player to step up for her team, most notably after scoring 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup. The women's world cup is reall...

Oct 16, 202538 min

How did Sachin Tendulkar's intervention help India captain Harmanpreet Kaur?

With the Women's World Cup underway, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Prakash Wakankar take stock of the opening week of the tournament. We speak to former India captain and ICC hall of famer, Diana Edulji to find how the Mumbai Cricket Association's talent hunt is helping to grow the women's game in the city. She tells us how a phone call to legend Sachin Tendulkar helped current India captain Harmanpreet Kaur secure a job in the railways. Plus, we head to a skills camp for girls to see how the...

Oct 09, 202535 min

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and the Women’s World Cup

Alison Mitchell is in Guwahati and Mumbai to sample the sights and sounds as the long-awaited Women's World Cup gets underway. Joining Alison are the ABC's Brett Sprigg and Akashvani's Charu Sharma. We speak exclusively to BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia about the growth of women's cricket in India, and whether handshakes will be exchanged ahead of India's match against Pakistan in Colombo. Plus, President of the Assam Cricket Association, Taranga Gogoi, tell us about the prestige of being asked ...

Oct 02, 202538 min

Ashes fever builds as Asia Cup tensions bubble over

There are tales of two rivalries on this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma: As England coach Brendon McCullum names his 16-man squad for the Ashes in Australia, the Stumped team discuss white ball captain Harry Brook's promotion to vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. There's a surprise in the bowling department, as Will Jacks returns as England's second spinner after a three-year absence, plus is this England's most hostile bowling attack since 1970? We reflect o...

Sep 25, 202541 min

India v Pakistan: The row rumbles on

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma react to the fallout following India's seven wicket over Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Our build-up to the ODI Women’s World Cup continues and we hear from former Pakistan captain turned commentator Urooj Mumtaz. She tells us how she thinks Pakistan will fare in the tournament, her thoughts on captain Fatima Sana and tells us if she thinks Pakistan and India should play each other. Plus we are joined by 18-year-old Tommy Lamb who is travelling from Manch...

Sep 18, 202535 min

India and Pakistan prepare for Asia Cup clash

After months of uncertainty, the Asia Cup got under way this week in the United Arab Emirates, having been in doubt following cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan in May, which disrupted the IPL and the Pakistan Super League. That led to speculation whether India would play matches against Pakistan. The Stumped team look ahead to the clash and discuss the competitive balance of the competition and whether any team in the tournament can genuinely challenge India. Our build-up to the W...

Sep 11, 202531 min

From farm to fours: Meet South Africa's rising star Annerie Dercksen

Our Women’s World Cup countdown continues, and this week we focus on South Africa. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by all-rounder Annerie Dercksen who tells us about how she went from growing up on a farm and learning about cricket in the newspapers to being voted the ICC women’s emerging cricketer of the year 2024. She also shares what it was like having Dane Van Niekerk as part of their training camp and how the team has been inspired by the Proteas winning the World T...

Sep 04, 202529 min

'Watch us Smile' Can New Zealand women win another World Cup?

Our Women’s ODI World Cup countdown continues and this week we are hearing from New Zealand Head Coach Ben Sawyer who tells us how their latest T20 World Cup win inspired a generation. He also shares the impact that captain Sophie Devine has had on the team. Plus, we head to Guernsey whose men’s team are hosting a tri-series this weekend against Finland and Switzerland. We are joined by their Chief Operating Officer Richard Headington to hear how the sport is developing at grassroots level. Phot...

Aug 28, 202532 min

The T20 franchise race behind the IPL

Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss the race to be the second biggest franchise tournament behind the Indian Premier League. SA20 commissioner and former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says they 'want to be the biggest league outside the IPL'. Yet with Australia's Big Bash looking for private investment and Indian owners taking majority shares in some Hundred teams, which franchise league can say it's legitimately the most appealing for the world's best cricketers? We continue...

Aug 21, 202537 min

Charlotte Edwards: England head coach on World Cup hopes

Our build-up to the Women’s World Cup in India continues and this week we are focusing on England. We hear from Head Coach Charlotte Edwards who tells us if she thinks they can realistically win the tournament, whether their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will bowl and the significance of spin bowler Sophie Ecclestone. Plus, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Kent and Oval Invincibles player Tawanda Muyeye. He came to England as a refugee and now harbours hopes to represent th...

Aug 14, 202533 min

Alana King: The queen of spin on the Hundred and World Cup

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma reflect on the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and debate their standout moments. They discuss how Shubman Gill has elevated himself in the eyes of the Indian public and celebrate the heroics of Chris Woakes. Plus with eight weeks to go until the Women's World Cup in India, we will be hearing from a representative from each of the eight countries competing to discuss their prospects. This week it is Australia's Ashes hero, spinner Alana King! Photo: Alana ...

Aug 07, 202539 min

Is India's head coach Gautam Gambhir feeling the pressure?

Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell discuss whether India head coach Gautam Gambhir is feeling the pressure. It's after he was seen arguing with the Oval's head groundsman, Lee Fortis, ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Out of their last 10 matches ahead of the Oval test, India have lost six and won two. We also ask what long term impact Ben Stokes' shoulder injury may have on England after he was ruled out for six to seven weeks. We debate where Joe Roo...

Jul 31, 202537 min

Should the World Test Championship finals always be held in England?

***This episode contains references to suicide and depression. 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, Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the decision to award England the next three World Test Championship finals. Is England the natural home for the even...

Jul 24, 202545 min

How does West Indies cricket recover from Test humiliation?

On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, West Indies slumped to an historic 27-all out against Australia - the lowest score recorded in Test cricket since 1955. Following their humiliation, the WIndies cricket board called an emergency meeting but what will that do to help turn around their fortunes? The team discuss what's next for Test cricket in the Caribbean. Plus, in 2013, Puja Pabari, who had never followed cricket and didn’t understand the game, married I...

Jul 17, 202537 min
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