After a tricky start to 2025, Yas Rana, Phil Walker and Kate Mason discuss the culture in English cricket before previewing the Champions Trophy, which gets underway this week. Mark Butcher speaks to Yas ahead of the tournament, and Durham's young batting star Ben McKinney joins the show to chat about his winter with the England Lions. There's also a snippet of Jo Harman's excellent interview with Carl Hooper, exclusively available on Patreon. *Apologies for any audio issues as we adjust to life...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney preview the 2025 Women's Premier League, discuss the progress being made for Afghanistan's women and ponder what the sale of The Hundred actually means. 0:00 Intro / 1:12 WPL / 14:52 Afghanistan / 20:50 The Hundred sale / 30:35 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket teams by breaking down barriers and creating supportive and inclusive spaces. Help transform the game, head to metro...
Feb 14, 2025•33 min
Yas Rana, Phil Walker and Mark Butcher discuss England's worsening white-ball struggles. In what was Brendon McCullum's first assignment as full-time white-ball head coach, Jos Buttler's side claimed just one win from eight games on a chastening tour of India. There's also chat about India's incredible strength, Australia's Test series victory in Sri Lanka, some huge names missing the Champions Trophy and more. 0:00 Manual / 1:35 Intro / 2:38 What's wrong with England? / 22:09 The balance of Eng...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min
It's finally over. England's Ashes nightmare ended with an absolute thrashing in the MCG Test as Australia secured a comprehensive 16-0 whitewash. Yas Rana, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney try to make sense of a miserable few weeks for England. 0:00 Intro / 1:19 Lauren Winfield-Hill / 22:13 Women's Ashes, part two / 42:25 U19 World Cup / 47:48 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket teams by breaking ...
Feb 06, 2025•52 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Phil Walker reflect on India's 4-1 T20I series victory, including a controversial concussion sub, Abhishek Sharma's stunning century and some very ordinary England batting. Later on there's chat about the ongoing sale of The Hundred, the latest developments around two-tier Test cricket, Australia's thumping victory against Sri Lanka and more. Somerset's Tom Banton speaks to Katya Witney about the ILT20 and his England ambitions, while Mark Butcher joins the show to disc...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Katya and Yas on day three at the MCG and what might come next for England. In association with Metro Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 01, 2025•21 min
Katya, Yas and Ben on a miserable second day for England as Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney punish a sloppy fielding display. In association with Metro Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 31, 2025•19 min
Katya and Yas on the opening day of the MCG Test where Australia carried over their dominance from the white-ball leg of the tour. In association with Metro Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 30, 2025•17 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and ESPNCricinfo's Matt Roller discuss England's T20I series against India so far, picking their best XIs and reviewing some of the standout performers from both sides. Elsewhere in the show there's chat about West Indies' win in Pakistan, a thrilling Big Bash final, the sale of The Hundred and more. Mark Butcher joins the show to chat about the ongoing T20I series, while Katya Witney speaks to Dan Lawrence about his time in the ILT20, the franchise circuit and England ambi...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 30 min
It's gone from bad to worse over in Australia for England, who find themselves 12-0 down and on the verge of a humiliating clean sweep heading into this week's Test at the MCG. Yas Rana, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney discuss another tough week for Heather Knight's side, the gulf between the two teams, a potential new captain and more. 0:00 Intro / 1:26 Lauren Winfield-Hill / 27:03 England's batting / 28:29 A change of captain? / 32:21 World Cup qualification / 33:02 U19 Worl...
Jan 29, 2025•45 min
A dominant performance from Australia as they clean sweep the T20I leg of the Ashes. England great Charlotte Edwards joins the show and answers questions from our live audience at East Molesey CC in Surrey. In association with our partners at Metro Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 25, 2025•20 min
Yas Rana and Phil Walker discuss India's convincing victory against England in the first T20I, an England Lions century for Rocky Flintoff and Phil responds to Fox Sports, who took exception to WCM's Test XI of 2024. There's also Mel Farrell's brilliant interview with Will Smeed, as well as Mark Butcher on the start of the white-ball Bazball era and Pakistan's win against West Indies. 0:00 Intro / 2:13 India vs England / 20:19 Mark Butcher / 31:17 Phil responds to Fox Sports / 40:51 England Lion...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 12 min
England's winless run in the Women's Ashes continued, losing the second T20I by six runs on DLS. Katya and Yas discuss an entertaining but ultimately frustrating game for the tourists – one that saw proceedings brought to an early end by a downpour during the final over. Head over to our Patreon channel to listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/c/WisdenCricket In association with Metro Bank: metrobankonline.co.uk/cricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Jan 23, 2025•21 min
Australia have officially retained the Women's Ashes at the earliest possible opportunity, winning all three ODIs and the first T20I. Yas Rana and Lauren Winfield-Hill chat about another dominant Australia performance, England's disappointing campaign and more. 0:00 Intro / 1:18 Australia / 7:05 England / 14:25 Sophia Dunkley / 17:50 Time for change? / 23:53 Alex Hartley / 32:24 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket t...
Jan 22, 2025•36 min
England's Ashes dream is officially over after Australia won the first T20I in Sydney by 57 runs and took an unassailable 8-0 lead. Katya and Yas react to the result. Head over to our Patreon channel to listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/c/WisdenCricket In association with Metro Bank. Fancy hosting a Women's Ashes watchalong at your local cricket club? Find out more and enter here: https://bit.ly/MBAshesWatchalong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...
Jan 20, 2025•17 min
Australia are just one win away from retaining the Ashes after an 86-run win in Hobart helped them clean sweep the ODIs. Ben and Yas react to another disappointing defeat for England. Head over to our Patreon channel to listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/c/WisdenCricket In association with Metro Bank. Fancy hosting a Women's Ashes watchalong at your local cricket club? Find out more and enter here: https://bit.ly/MBAshesWatchalong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
Jan 17, 2025•20 min
Three weeks into January 2025, it’s awards time! Yas Rana, Phil Walker and Ben Gardner reveal Wisden’s best Test innings and spells of 2024, as well as the magazine’s Test XI of the year. Mark Butcher joins to chat about James Vince’s decision to quit first-class cricket for the PSL, there’s an exclusive interview with Dan Worrall, a round-up of all the franchise T20 leagues going on at the moment and much more. 0:00 Intro 1:05 Best innings 29:43 Best spells 44:35 Best Test XI 55:47 Mark Butcher...
Jan 16, 2025•2 hr 8 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney reflect on England's disappointing start to the 2025 Women's Ashes, losing the first two ODIs. 0:00 Intro / 1:01 England's approach / 12:13 Conditions / 16:13 Reasons for optimism / 27:00 Heather Knight & Jon Lewis / 30:47 Ireland vs India / 33:30 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket teams by breaking down barriers and creating supportive and inclusive spaces. Help transform...
Jan 15, 2025•37 min
Australia are 4-0 up in the Ashes after successfully defending 180 in Melbourne as England fail to get over the line in a chaotic run chase. Katya and Yas react to an extremely entertaining game. Head over to our Patreon channel to listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/c/WisdenCricket In association with Metro Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jan 14, 2025•21 min
Ben and Yas react to the first ODI of the 2025 Ashes. Australia go 1-0 up in Sydney. You can listen to the full episode on the Wisden Patreon channel. In association with Metro Bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 12, 2025•13 min
Yas Rana and Lauren Winfield-Hill preview the 2025 Women's Ashes – which gets underway this weekend – before Katya Witney is joined by a very special guest in Nat Sciver-Brunt, England's all-format superstar. 0:00 Intro / 1:11 Women's Ashes preview / 27:28 Nat Sciver-Brunt interview / 44:12 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket teams by breaking down barriers and creating supportive and inclusive spaces. Help transfor...
Jan 10, 2025•48 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Phil Walker reflect on the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which saw Australia win the SCG Test and take the series 3-1. There's chat about both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's struggles, Jasprit Bumrah's workload and what the triumph means for this generation of Australian players. Elsewhere in the show there's discussion about the ICC's reported plans to introduce a two-tier system for Test cricket and calls for England to boycott their Champions Trophy fixtu...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Yas Rana and Lauren Winfield-Hill discuss the auction dynamics of the WPL compared to other franchise competitions, before Katya Witney is joined by Karunya Keshav to conduct a deep dive into the state of Indian cricket. 0:00 Intro / 1:17 WPL dynamics / 19:44 The state of Indian cricket / 50:00 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket teams by breaking down barriers and creating supportive and inclusive spaces. Help tran...
Jan 04, 2025•54 min
Our final podcast of 2024, and two Boxing Day classics to review. Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Mark Butcher react to Australia's thrilling win against India at the MCG, as well as South Africa's victory against Pakistan which saw them secure World Test Championship final qualification. There's also chat about whether the WTC is actually good, there's finally an update on the 2025 Champions Trophy and England have announced a squad for that tournament. 0:00 Intro / 1:05 Australia vs India / 7:54 Sam...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner, Katya Witney and Lauren Winfield-Hill react to the announcement of England and Australia's Ashes squads. There's also discussion about the tour's relentless schedule, the Test being played last and whether it's time for the format of the women's Ashes to change. 0:00 Intro / 1:13 Scheduling / 12:06 Warm-up matches / 16:35 Time for a change? / 20:37 Australia / 27:57 England / 33:45 Format / 40:39 Future of women's Tests / 46:38 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in...
Dec 29, 2024•51 min
It's our Christmas special! 🎄 Phil Walker, Yas Rana and TNT Sports' Kate Mason discuss Australia's new opener before reflecting on some of their favourite players, moments and matches of the year, as well as some of their biggest gripes. We're recording another show – our last of 2024 – between Christmas and New Year. Thank you for all the support this year! 2025 promises to be a big one... 0:00 Gullivers Sports Travel / 0:45 Intro / 3:50 Resolutions / 6:15 Australia / 14:01 Players of the year...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney react to England beating South Africa by 286 runs in Bloemfontein – their first Test win in a decade. Also on the agenda is India's white-ball series against West Indies and the Women's Premier League auction, while Lauren Winfield-Hill joins Yas to review the Test. 0:00 Intro / 1:10 Lauren Winfield-Hill / 13:40 South Africa vs England / 28:02 India vs West Indies / 33:29 Women's Premier League auction / 44:44 Outro The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in c...
Dec 20, 2024•49 min
Yas Rana, Phil Walker, Ben Gardner and Mark Butcher react to England's thumping defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton, and reflect on England's 2024 as a Test side. There's also chat about the drawn Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Brisbane and Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from international cricket. 0:00 Intro / 1:28 New Zealand vs England / 12:32 Why do England collapse so often? / 20:36 England's 2024 / 32:07 New Zealand / 38:53 England Lions / 40:53 Mark Butcher / 57:03 Wisden Cricket Monthly ...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 46 min
Loads to get through on this week's show. Yas Rana, Ben Gardner and Katya Witney reflect on England's 2-1 ODI series victory against South Africa and look ahead to the one-off Test, starting on Sunday. There's also chat about the WPL auction and Ireland's series in Bangladesh. Lauren Winfield-Hill joins Yas to discuss the continued pay inequality between the men's and women's Hundred, as well as the emergence of a new Australian white-ball star. 0:00 Intro / 2:08 The Hundred pay inequality / 12:...
Dec 14, 2024•57 min
Yas Rana, Phil Walker and Katya reflect on England’s thumping of New Zealand and Australia’s dominant performance against India in Adelaide. There’s also chat about the race for the World Test Championship final and a new issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, while Mark Butcher joins Yas to discuss Zak Crawley, Harry Brook and England’s top seven conundrum. 0:00 Intro / 1:42 Brydon Carse / 12:45 Harry Brook / 16:20 Ollie Pope / 22:49 Jacob Bethell / 30:19 England’s top seven / 41:50 Gus Atkinson / 43...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 58 min
