Stumped

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss Virat Kohli's World Cup record breaking semi-final performance. Kohli helped India reach the final by becoming the first player to score fifty One Day international centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record. They also ask if India have been challenged so far and can they claim the ultimate title in their own backyard?We also look back on the Men's 50 Over World Cup with our Stumped awards. We debate the stand out moment, the best player, the emerging star and which team or performance has been the most disappointing?Plus we look at Sri Lanka's suspension from the Independent Cricket Council.Photo: Virat Kohli of India celebrates after scoring a century, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar for the all time most ODI centuries during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 Semi Final match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium on November 15, 2023 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell is joined by the Chief Executive of the ICC, Geoff Allardice. He is challenged on the plight of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team who fled the country when the Taliban regained control in 2021. Allardice also tells us about cricket's inclusion in the Olympics and the future of the One-Day format. (Geoff Allardice spoke to Stumped before Sri Lanka was suspended by the ICC due to being "in serious breach of its obligations as a member".)Plus Jim Maxwell and Prakash Wakankar pay tribute to the most successful captain in the history of cricket. Australian Meg Lanning has announced her international retirement at the age of 31 after winning seven World Cups.And the team look back on an eventful week in the Men's Cricket World Cup after Sri Lanka player Angelo Matthews became the first player in international cricket to be 'timed out'(Photo: Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager - Cricket Operations speaks during the ICC Annual Conference at the InterContinental Hotel on June 30, 2018 in Dublin, I

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta are joined by Catherine Dalton who is the first female coach in the Pakistan Super League. She will also be the first female fast bowling coach of any professional men’s team when she joins the Multan Sultan's. She tells us about the significance of the role, why she did not have any reservations about taking the job and the differences between coaching men and women.Plus we discuss the Men's Cricket World Cup so far and ask where it is all going wrong for England? We also look at how Australia will cope without Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell and ask if Afghanistan can realistically make it to the semi-finals.    There has been some controversy surrounding the lack of both DRS and third umpires in the Women's Big Bash League so we ask if cricketer's are too reliant on technology?Photo: Catherine Dalton of Ireland steers the ball with Dilani Manodara of Sri Lanka looking on during the Women's ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 match between Sri Lanka and Ireland at th

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta are joined by Afghanistan assistant coach Raees Ahmadzai. He was part of the Afghanistan team that progressed to the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifiers. In 2010 he retired from playing and took up a coaching role within the team.He tells us the secret to their success after their two shock wins over England and Pakistan in the Men's Cricket World Cup.Plus, we pay tribute to former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi who died this week aged 77 and look at the influence of Virat Kohli on the current India team.Finally we reflect on Glenn Maxwell's record breaking century for Australia and South Africa's Quinton de Kock who has scored his third century of the tournament.Photo: Mujeeb ur Rahman of Afghanistan celebrates the wicket of Harry Brook of England during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 between England and Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Delhi, India. (Credit: Getty Images)

Please note: This programme contains discussions about alcoholism and references to mental health. 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. www.befrienders.org Alison Mitchell speaks to South Africa wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta who went into treatment 12 months ago for alcohol abuse, to the point she said she was ‘drinking to die’. Fast forward two months and she lifted a runners-up medal in the T20 World Cup. Jafta shares her story in a powerful interview.Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell join Alison Mitchell to reflect on India versus Pakistan and debate if India are the favourites for the Cricket World Cup. We also discuss crowd numbers and the two shocks of the tournament so far.And last time cricket was in the Olympics was in 1900 when it was a team from Great Britain who won gold. Five players in the squad were from Castle Cary

How do you mentally prepare to win the Cricket World Cup? Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell speak with the man who helped mastermind India’s 2011 World Cup victory on home soil – Paddy Upton. The mental conditioning coach takes us inside the psyche of the victorious team, discusses how to prepare to face your biggest rivals and outlines how he motivates some of the game’s greats, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Also this week, the team discuss how they mentally prepare for commentating on cricket’s biggest matches.Plus, we meet the 21-year-old record breaker who just smashed a 29-ball century at the Marsh Cup to register the fastest hundred in one-day cricket. Jake Fraser-McGurk’s record eclipses South Africa great AB de Villiers' previous record of 31 balls. He joins the team to explain what it felt like to break the record and his ambitions to represent Australia in all three formats of the game. (Photo: India player Sachin Tendulkar and mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton during Indian team

Over the next 46 days, the sport's biggest tournament will showcase the world's top ten 50-over teams and with India starting their campaign against Australia, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta all look ahead to the mouthwatering clash. Plus Tim De Leede, the Netherlands most capped player with 237 appearances, joins us on the programme. He’s featured in three previous World Cups, including the 1996 tournament where India were the co-hosts. 27 years later, Tim's son, Bas is a key member of the Netherlands squad and embarking on his very first World Cup.Have you ever wondered whether there is a connection that ties Mahatma Gandhi to cricket? Author Kausik Bandyopadhyay joins us to discuss his book, the story of the forgotten partnership. 'Mahatma on the pitch - Gandhi and cricket in India'.Photo: A general view of the Cricket World Cup during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023. England & New Zealand Net Sessions at Narendra Modi Stadium on October 04, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. (Credit: I

Pakistan’s Nida Dar discusses her incredible year. The 36-year-old has become captain of the Pakistan Women's team, made her 100th ODI appearance for her country and broke into the top ten of the ICC All Rounder rankings. She tells Stumped about her journey to the national team and how vital next year’s launch of a Women’s Pakistan Super League will be for the growth of the sport in Pakistan.Plus Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell react to India winning their first cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. It’s been described by Jemimah Rodrigues as one of the biggest achievements for the women’s team after they beat Sri Lanka by 19 runs in China. Also with the Cricket World Cup only a week away and the biggest names in the sport descending on India, they discuss which players will shine and who has a point to prove.IMAGE: Nida Dar from Pakistan reacts to bowling Maddy Green from New Zealand as Suzie Bates from New Zealand looks on during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between New Zealan

Stumped’s Alison Mitchell is joined by South Africa's wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock to discuss why he has decided to retire from one day cricket after the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Plus he explains why he likes to avoid being in the limelight and his reasons for not ‘taking the knee’ with the South Africa team at the T20 World Cup two years ago. De Kock tells Stumped that players ‘are not just pawns to Cricket South Africa’ and ‘are becoming their own bosses’.Also on the programme, Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma reflect on India ending their five year title drought after thrashing Sri Lanka to lift the Asia Cup title.Picture: Quinton de Kock of South Africa A looks on before the tour match between England Lions and South Africa A at New Road on June 29, 2017 in Worcester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

In a month where South Africa's women's team toured Pakistan for the first time, we speak to interim captain Laura Wolvaardt about how she is adjusting to the role after a difficult period for South Africa with a number of retirements, including Lizelle Lee.and Dane Van Niekerk. She also gave her reaction to the fact that international match fees for women will match men for the first time in South Africa.Virat Kohli looked back to his very best as he hit an unbeaten century to guide India to their biggest win over Pakistan in one-day internationals. Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Sunil Gupta all reflect on the Asia Cup clash and the surprise decision to add a reserve day.Photo: Laura Wolvaardt of the Strikers bats during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval, on November 20, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (CREDIT: Mark Evans/Getty Images)

On Stumped this week, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma speak to 16 year-old Vaishnave Mahesh who has become the youngest player, male or female to take 50 T20 international wickets and she’s still at school. The United Arab Emirates leg break bowler is also the youngest female cricketer to represent the UAE in 50 T20 international matches. Vaishnave chats about taking the record breaking delivery whilst representing her country in the T20 World Cup Asia qualifiers in Malaysia and her old teammate Mahika Gaur, who swapped her international status from the United Arab Emirates to England. With less than 4 weeks to go until the start of the Cricket World Cup we react to hosts India announcing their squad, with the inclusion of KL Rahul, despite not playing a competitive cricket match since May due to injury. Will this squad help India win a third world title with only one recognised spinner? The panel discuss. We’ll discuss the weather affected Asia Cup and why the world should be scared of Pakist

Sunil Narine, the Trinbago Knight Riders spinner has made unwanted history by becoming the first cricketer to receive a red card during a Caribbean Premier League match. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the new rule and whether we could see this being introduced in the Indian Premier League.The legendary England bowler Anya Shrubsole joins Stumped to reflect on the perfect final match as a cricketer, winning her maiden Hundred women’s title for Southern Brave. Anya also discusses the lack of female coaches in the game and whether they should have more support. Anya also reacts to The England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to ensure that England women’s cricketers will receive the same match fees as the men.Photo: A red card (Credit: Getty Images)

A post-match football game against the opposition, a beer, and a limousine drive up a mountain. That’s how New Zealand fast-bowler Neil Wagner celebrated his side’s incredible victory over England in February. Wagner took James Anderson's wicket to beat the tourists by a single run earlier this year, and two weeks later he ran alongside Kane Williamson in their final-ball victory over Sri Lanka. He joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta to share what it’s like to be at the heart of two of the greatest ever finishes to a Test match. Plus, with England and New Zealand set to face off in a warm-up series for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, we’ll get Wagner’s views on who the favourites are for the tournament.We preview the Asia Cup, which finally gets under way next week following months of doubt over its location. The tournament was originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan, but last year the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Jay Shah said that it would need to be held in

As recently as three years ago Spencer Johnson was working as a greenskeeper in Australia, supplementing his income as he recovered from a nightmare spell with injuries. Doctors had doubts over whether he would even be able to run again. Fast forward to the present day and he has just been called up for Australia’s T20 matches against South Africa, with a place at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup still a possibility should a compatriot sustain an injury. He joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta to share his story and hopes for the future. Having played in the inaugural Major League Cricket series in America, could a stint in the Indian Premier League be on the cards?The team react to England men’s Test captain Ben Stokes’ decision to end his one-day international retirement and play for the reigning champions at the World Cup later this year. We also discuss the impact of his return on Harry Brook, who has been left out of the England squad for their matches against New Zealand as a result of Stok

Four-time Ashes winner Lydia Greenway joins us to discuss how she’s been working on the design of the first performance shoes for women cricketers in the UK. Due to be launched in January, Greenway says it’s a much needed development for the women’s game and may help with the prevention of injuries.With under two months until the start of the Men's Cricket World Cup in India, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma react to Australia's preliminary squad with some surprise selections including the omission of Marnus Labuschagne.We also reflect on the Twenty 20 international series between West Indies and India.Photo: England's Lydia Greenway leaves the field after being dismissed by Ellyse Perry of Australia during day two of the Kia Women's Test of the Women's Ashes Series between England and Australia Women at The Spitfire Ground on August 12, 2015 in Canterbury, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images)

The England vice captain Ollie Pope joins us to reflect on a dramatic Ashes series. Pope was ruled out of the contest after dislocating his right shoulder in the second Test. He discusses his recovery and the influence of Stuart Broad on his career. Plus, he reacts to England being docked World Test Championship points for a slow over rate during the Ashes series.Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all reflect on a pulsating Ashes series which finished all square at 2-2 after Stuart Broad on his 167th and final Test clinched victory for England in their fifth Ashes Test.The USA Correspondent for Cricinfo, Peter Della Penna also gives us his verdict on the first edition of the Major League Cricket tournament which concluded this week with MI New York lifting the trophy.Picture: Stuart Broad of England holds a stump following Day Five of the LV= Insurance Ashes 5th Test Match between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on July 31, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Is the two-match ban given to India captain Harmanpreet Kaur by the International Cricket Council sufficient? Jim Maxwell doesn’t think so. On this week’s Stumped, Jim states that her behaviour following her dismissal in a One Day International against Bangladesh brought the game into disrepute and he advocates for a year-long ban in addition to her being stripped of the national team captaincy. Harmanpreet hit her own stumps with her bat after being dismissed and criticised the umpires in the post-match presentation. Australia have retained the men’s Ashes after rain decided the outcome of the fourth Test with England. Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim discuss whether poor conditions are an inevitability that Test cricket has to put up with, or whether there’s a way around it. Plus, we meet England’s youngest ever international cricketer. Leanne Davis left exam revision behind to make her debut in an ODI against South Africa in July 2000 as a 15 year old, but she only played once more for her country

We’re heading to America to meet the co-owner of a Major League Cricket franchise. Anand Rajaraman is an entrepreneur who has sold businesses to Amazon and Walmart, as well as being an early investor in Facebook. His latest start-up is the San Francisco Unicorns and he aims to make cricket a mainstream American sport. The first question is: Why has he named his team after a mythical creature?Plus, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by England fast-bowler Kate Cross following the conclusion of a thrilling Women’s Ashes. After losing the first Test and T20 of the multi-format series England looked down and out, but managed to rally and draw the series. Unfortunately for them, Australia retained the Women’s Ashes as they were the holders. We get Kate’s thoughts on her side’s performances and whether the structure of the series needs to be reviewed.Image: Ali Khan and Nosthush Kenjige of USA make their way off following the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023 9th and 10th Pla

Alison Mitchell is joined by Clint Wheeldon and Sunil Gupta to reflect on an exhilarating Ashes series across both the men’s and women’s game, with more thrills still to come. England looked down and out in the women’s multi-format series after losing the one-off Test at Trent Bridge, but they have rallied and inflicted three consecutive defeats on the reigning world champions Australia. One win from the remaining two one-day internationals would be enough for the tourists to retain the urn, but England have the momentum.Meanwhile, the men’s Test series is delicately poised. A win for the hosts at Old Trafford would level the scores at 2-2 going into the fifth and final match at the Oval, but similarly to their female counterparts, Australia only need to draw the series to ensure that they won’t be relinquishing the Ashes. The team give their predictions on which way it will go.Plus, Teja Nidamanuru joins us after helping the Netherlands qualify for their first 50-over World Cup in 12 years. The occasion will

Where has it all gone wrong for West Indies? Charu Sharma, Jim Maxwell and Nikesh Rughani discuss the decline of a once-great cricketing nation as they failed to reach the World Cup in India later this year. The two-time champions were beaten by Scotland, Netherlands and Zimbabwe in qualifying matches and won’t appear at a men’s 50-over World Cup for the first time ever. The third Ashes Test between England and Australia is under way at Headlingley but the controversy of Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal in the second Test at Lord’s continues to linger. Jim gives his view on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s claim that the visitors went against the spirit of cricket.Plus, we pay tribute to Steve Smith as the Australian plays his 100th Test match having just become one of the quickest batters to reach 9000 Test runs.Image: HARARE, ZIMBABWE - JULY 01: Shamarh Brooks of West Indies makes their way off after being dismissed during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023 Super 6 match between Scotland and W