Stumped

Alison Mitchell brings you the best of Stumped in 2021.The show features an interview with the former West Indies cricketer and commentator Michael Holding on his book which documents the racism he has suffered and seen throughout his life.Plus you can hear a classic Stumped debate on the term 'outs' instead of 'wickets' and hear from the first woman to be made President of the Marylebone Cricket Club, Clare Connor.Photo: Commentator Michael Holding before the second day of the third test between England and India at Headingley on August 26, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss the chaotic start to the second men's Ashes test including Australia's captain Pat Cummins being forced to miss the match due to being deemed a close contact of a Covid-19 case. We reflect on the warm welcome Steve Smith received as he stepped up again to lead Australia, and if it was the right decision by England not to select Mark Wood or a spinner.Plus we're joined by the captain of Team USA, Monank Patel ahead of their historic upcoming series against Ireland who will become the first full member nation to tour the US. Patel discusses what impact being chosen to co-host the men's T20 World Cup in 2024 will have on the growth of the game in the United States.Photo: England's Jos Buttler during the first day of the second test match at the Adelaide Oval. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss Pat Cummins' first match as captain of the Australian Test side in the Ashes, the omission of both Stuart Broad and James Anderson for the first Test match and if technology should be better at spotting no-balls.Plus what’s the future of cricket’s coin toss? After two thirds of the T20 Men’s World Cup matches were won by the team that won the toss we are joined by Professor Haris Aziz who has come up with a new theory which he says would make the coin toss fairer.Photo: Australian captain Pat Cummins celebrates with team-mates after dismissing England's Chris Woakes during the First Ashes Test Match at The Gabba. (Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja to discuss their run in the men’s T20 World Cup. He tells us that he spoke to captain Babar Azam about how to get India player Rohit Sharma out and what more needs to be done to ensure they win a final soon. Plus he shares his hopes for a women’s Pakistan Super League and how the decision by England and New Zealand to call off their tours made them feel 'used and binned'. Plus we look ahead to the men’s Ashes series, debate team selection and give our series predictions.Photo: Newly-elected Pakistan's Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and former team captain Ramiz Raja smiles after addressing a press conference at the cricket academy in Lahore on September 13, 2021. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) (Photo by ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)

With less than two weeks to go until the men’s Ashes begins Alison Mitchell, Geoff Lemon and Charu Sharma react to Tim Paine stepping down as Australia captain, how it was handled and what this means for the team going forward. Plus we are joined by South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp who will be playing in the final of the WBBL with Perth Scorchers. She shares her experience of joining the Scorchers after six years with the Sydney Sixers, tells us how her experience of winning the inaugural Hundred competition will help her in the final, how the competitions compare and shares her thoughts on former South Africa captain AB de Villiers decision to retire.Photo: Tim Paine looking solemn (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell react to Australia winning the Men’s T20 World Cup and present the Stumped T20 awards for the best player, stand out moment, biggest surprise, and biggest disappointment of the tournament.Plus, former cricketer turned sports psychologist, Jeremy Snape, joins the team to discuss what it takes mentally to be a winner and tells us about the different mindsets needed from a World Cup Final to a match with a fierce rivalry - like the Ashes.Additional note: This week's Stumped was recorded before Tim Paine announced his decision to step down as Australia Test captain.Photo: Australia captain Aaron Finch lifts the ICC World T20 Trophy with teammates after defeating New Zealand in the final in the UAE. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week's Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell examine the fallout from the racism scandal which has engulfed Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the sport over the last few weeks. The team speak with John Mehrzad QC, who has been involved in conducting independent reviews in sport, to find out what is best practice when it comes to dealing with complaints of racism or harassment in sports organisations. Mehrzad was the only lawyer on the cultural review of British Cycling, chaired the governance review of the British Equestrian Federation and chaired the review into UK Athletics’ handling of allegations concerning athletics coach Alberto Salazar. Plus we’re also joined by Derbyshire player Anuj Dal, who is Vice Chair of the Professional Cricketers Association and part of their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group. He discusses how the PCA is working with players at all levels to educate them about racism and inclusivity and how the union supports its member when allegations are made.

Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell debate where it has gone wrong for India in the men’s T20 World Cup, if South Africa are peaking at the right time and whether England or Pakistan are the tournament favourites.Plus we are joined by the General Manager of the Big Bash Leagues in Australia, Alistair Dobson. He tells us how Covid has impacted the WBBL, the significance of having Indian players in the competition and how preparations are going for the men’s Big Bash League beginning next month. We also speak to Will Gaffney who set up the Bat For A Chance foundation which helps underprivileged children from around the world enjoy cricket.Photo: Credit: India captain Virat Kohli cuts a dejected figure following his side's 10 wicket defeat against Pakistan during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. (Image: ICC via Getty Images)

We are joined by England Ashes winning coach Andy Flower who is now Afghanistan consultant for the Men’s T20 World Cup. He tells us about the pride that the Afghanistan players have to play for their country and his reason for wanting to be involved with the team. He also tells us his hopes to coach an IPL team in the future and gives his predictions on how the men's Ashes will play out with Ben Stokes back in contention.Plus Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell discuss the main talking points from the Men's T20 World Cup so far including how India will recover from losing to Pakistan and South Africa's Quinton de Kock choosing not take a knee in their opening match against the West Indies.Photo: Andy Flower, Coach of Afghanistan looks on ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 25, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

On this week’s episode, Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell react to the speculation that Indian legend Rahul Dravid looks set to replace Ravi Shastri as head coach of the national team after the T20 World Cup and discuss what Shastri’s legacy will be. Plus in the wake of comments made by India all-rounder Hardik Pandya about how money is extremely important for pushing a player to succeed in professional cricket, the team discuss the role of money as motivation.With the Men’s T20 World Cup up and running we go behind the scenes in the Irish camp and speak to Shane Getkate. He is a reserve in the team and will tell us about the mood in the side and also his comeback story from cardiac arrest to playing for Ireland. Finally, in 1994, a well-known chocolate brand created an advert in India which would become iconic - it saw a woman sat on the side-lines of a cricket match watching her male friend score a winning boundary and then running onto the field and dancing with delight. But fast forward to 202

We discuss the finale of the Indian Premier League and after Virat Kohli played his last game as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, the team look at how his tenure as captain will be remembered.We speak to the Chairman of Oman Cricket, Pankaj Khimji who tells us how he feels about hosting the T20 World Cup, how the country has prepared and his predictions on how far his team can go. And as part of Black History Month in the UK, we hear how the African Caribbean Engagement programme (ACE) is aiming get more British black people playing cricket and improve the number of black professional cricket players in the UK, which has declined by 75% in the last 25 years, and is at less than 1% at recreational level.(Photo: Khawar Aliof Oman is congratulated after taking the wicket of Namibia’s Zane Green during a ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm up match between Oman and Namibia. Credit: ICC/Getty Images)

South Africa and Delhi Capitals’ fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has told BBC Stumped that ‘bio-bubbles aren’t sustainable’ in world cricket and something must change.Rabada, who made his IPL debut four years ago as a 22-year-old, has risen to become one of the most successful bowlers in world cricket and a role model for young South Africans. He joined Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell to discuss his development as a player, what it’s like to be coached by Ricky Pointing and his hopes of lifting the Indian Premier League trophy with Delhi Capitals, after losing last year’s Final.Also on Stumped, we discuss another week of speculation around the future of the Ashes, what will happen next and we hear from West Indies legend Michael Holding who claims England showed "Western arrogance" by cancelling their tour of Pakistan.Photo credit: Kagiso Rabada of South Africa walks off for lunch after he took the wicket of Jonny Bairstow of England during day three of the 4th Test at Supersport Park on January 24, 20

Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell speak with incoming Marylebone Cricket Club president Clare Connor about becoming the first woman to take up the role in the 233-year history of the club. She discusses her hopes of using her one-year term to modernise the club to ensure better gender parity. Connor also remains the managing director of women’s cricket at the ECB, and discusses the “unbelievably disappointing” cancellation of England joint men’s & women’s tour of Pakistan which she says was “absolutely the right decision at that time”. The team also hear from one of the busiest women in cricket - Emily Windsor - who juggles a full time job working for the National Health Service in the UK, cricket commentary for the BBC and playing for the Southern Vipers in the South of England. Last week she was named player of the match in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy final and reflects on the Vipers win.And we reflect on England all-rounder Moeen Ali’s decision to retire from red-ball cricket, and in the

We discuss the fallout from England withdrawing their men and women from their October tour to Pakistan and what consequences it could have for international cricket. We talk about Virat Kohli's decision to step down as Captain of India's T20 side and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. We also hear why boycotting Afghanistan cricket might not be the best option for women's cricket in the country in the second part of our interview with Tuba Sangar, the former women's development manager at the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Plus we’re joined by cricket historian and blogger Bill Ricquier to discuss his England men’s all-time greatest XI, as featured in his new book, The Immortals of English Cricket.Photo credit: Newly-elected Pakistan's Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and former team captain Ramiz Raja speaks during a press conference at the cricket academy in Lahore on September 13, 2021. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) (Photo by ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)

On this week’s episode, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell hear from Tuba Sangar, who up until just a couple of weeks ago was the women's development manager for the Afghanistan Cricket Board. She tells the team about her fears for the safety of her players, the future of women’s cricket in Afghanistan, and what it was like leaving her home and her job behind.They also speak with Punjab Kings and Australia bowler Nathan Ellis, whose remarkable two-year journey from playing club cricket continues with the chance to play in the Indian Premier League, which resumes in the UAE, and discuss the fall-out from the fifth Test between England and India. The match was called off just two hours before the scheduled start of play due to Covid concerns in the India camp.Photo: Members of Afghanistan's first national women's cricket team take part in a training session in Kabul. (Credit: SHAH MARAI/AFP via Getty Images)

We discuss the latest on what the future might hold for cricket in Afghanistan after speculation over whether the women's team will be able to play under the new government.We also find out how some refugees from the country are being made to feel welcome in the UK thanks to a cricket match organised by Newport Pagnell Town Cricket Club.Plus we reflect on the Test series between England and India, and discuss MS Dhoni's role as a mentor for the India T20 World Cup squad. And we learn more about the Disability Premier League in England, which is currently being trialled and is described as a "world first" with players from three different impairment groups playing together for the first time.Photo description: Afghan girls play cricket on the school grounds in Kabul on December 28, 2010. (Photo credit: SHAH MARAI/AFP via Getty Images)

Isabelle Westbury, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma hear from former Australia bowler Michael Kasprowicz who has been involved in developing the SmartBall, which measures speed, spin and power and is currently being trialled in the Caribbean Premier League. We ask what the players make of it so far and when we could see it being used more widely across international competitions.We find out more about Brazil's ambitions to qualify for the Women's T20 World Cup in 2023 with their captain Roberta Moretti Avery. Plus we remember Dale Steyn’s greatest moments as the South African announces his retirement from cricket and discuss the pressure on India’s Virat Kohli both with the bat and his captaincy as the Test series against England continues.PHOTO: Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz, shows the match ball to spectators after taking five wickets, on day two of the first of three Tests against Pakistan at the WACA ground in Perth, 17 December 2004. (Credit: GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images)

We're joined by the head of The Hundred women's competition, Beth Barrett-Wild to discuss its success and what's next for the tournament.With all eyes on the third Test between England and India, we find out more about the Pataudi trophy they're competing for, named after one of the biggest stars in the history of Indian cricket.And we look at the latest situation for Afghanistan's cricketers.PHOTO: The Oval Invincibles celebrate victory with the trophy after The Hundred Final match between Southern Brave Women and Oval Invincibles Women at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 21, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Getty Images)

Afghanistan bowler Naveen-ul-Haq discusses the ongoing political situation in his home country, what the future holds for the national team and whether they will compete at the Twenty20 World Cup in October.We hear how the Afghan Cricket Association, which normally supports players in the UK, has redirected its efforts to providing emergency aid.Plus, we reflect on India’s win over England in the second Test, discuss the T20 World Cup draw and look ahead to the final Test between West Indies and Pakistan, after a thrilling first victory for the home side.Photo: Captain Naveen Ul Haq of Afghanistan and his team mates line up for their national anthem prior to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Afghanistan at Hagley Oval on January 25, 2018 in Christchurch, New Zealand Credit: Getty Images

Ian Watmore, ECB Chair and head of the International Cricket Council's Olympic working group, joins us to talk about the bid for the sport to be included at Los Angeles 2028 and the beginning of the Hundred. Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell discuss the injuries affecting England's bowling options heading into the second Test against IndiaAnd we'll hear how the inaugural British Gorkhali League is promoting cricket amongst British Nepalese players. Photo: The torch is lit at the Los Angeles Coliseum as the city was officially named as host of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)