Stumped

Charu Sharma, Jim Maxwell and Nikesh Rughani are joined by Richard Sydenham who has written a book exploring what makes a cricketer tough and the physical and psychological aspects of it. He shares the stories from former players and what helped inform his 22 player list. Plus the Stumped team devise their own list.

21 year old Mayank Yadav won the player of the match award on his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Charu and Nikesh debate if he should be picked in the India T20 World Cup squad and the pressures surrounding the young player.

Photo: Australian cricketer Steve Waugh during the 4th Test Match between the West Indies and Australia in Jamaica, May 1995. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The fallout from Australia's series loss in India, as India captain Virat Kohli says the Aussies will never be his friends.

The charity sending cricket kit to Afghan refugees in Germany.

And England captain Joe Root on South Africa and the Ashes.

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The fallout from a fiery Test match in Bangalore as Virat Kohli accuses Steve Smith of bending the rules. Dawid Malan talks about bringing joy to Pakistani people by playing the Super League final in Lahore. And England captain Heather Knight on a game-changing year for women's cricket.

(Photo: Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Credit:Getty Images)

As Alastair Cook steps down as England captain, all eyes are on his successor-in-waiting Joe Root. We speak to Root’s England teammate and former housemate Gary Ballance about his credentials for the job.

We report from Cape Town on the launch of a new global Twenty20 League aimed at stopping the exodus of South African players to lucrative contracts abroad.

Fast bowler Kyle Abbott, who quit international cricket to join Hampshire, puts his side of the story.

Photo: Joe Root (Getty Images)

As Australia batsman David Warner achieves one of cricket's rarest feats with 100 runs in the first session of a Test match, we'll ask why it remains such a novelty in an age of big bats, flat pitches and Twenty20 run fests.

Meet the Melbourne comedian who is turning the world's best female cricketers into karaoke stars.

And the South African schoolgirl who scored 160 runs, while her team-mates made none.

Photo: David Warner (Credit: Getty Images)

Stumped highlights, from Chris Gayle to spot-fixing, via a blind cricket commentator from Zimbabwe.

Photo: Chris Gayle (Getty Images)

Stumped presenters Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma go head to head in a festive cricket quiz, hosted by Kevin Howells.

Photo: Shane Warne (Getty Images)

Hear a radical new theory about how a 50-year-old rule change may have caused more bowler injuries.

Virat Kohli's lifelong coach on his father-son relationship with India's captain.

And the Netherlands set their sights on the big time.

Photo: Mitchell Starc (Getty Images).

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by globetrotter and franchise cricket extraordinaire David Wiese. He has played in no fewer than ten different franchise cricket tournaments around the world and tells us how the different leagues compare. He also shares his thoughts on the future of leagues around the world and what it is really like playing in the Indian Premier League.

Plus Wiese speaks about playing cricket in America which prompts the team to lookahead to the T20 World Cup being hosted in the country and debate whether it will catapult the sport to new heights.

And we hear from a Stumped listener in Austria!

Photo: David Wiese of Saint Lucia Kings celebrates the dismissal of Jason Holder of Barbados Royals during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 25 between Saint Lucia Kings and Barbados Royals at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 11, 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Credit: CPL T20/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma debate the new rule in the Indian Premier League which allows two bouncers to be bowled in an over. They look at whether this rule is too bowler friendly and how this will impact tactics in the game.

Plus we are joined by South Africa umpire Marais Erasmus who has officiated in 82 international Test matches. In his first radio interview since retiring from international cricket he shares his story of how he got involved in umpiring after playing the game, if he has any regrets and if umpires should be mic'd up.

Erasmus also goes into detail about the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the Ashes in 2023 when he was infamously 'stumped' by Alex Carey and takes us behind the scenes to what happened in the lunch room.

He also details how it felt to stand in the 2019 men's World Cup final and the reason Angelo Matthews was 'timed out' in the 2023 men's World Cup.

If you would like to get involved in the show, why not send us a Whatsapp voice note? The number you need is +44 800 032 0470 and include your name and where you are from.

Photo: Umpire Marais Erasmus ahead of presented with momento upon reaching his 50 Test alongside Aleem Dar, Chris Gaffaney and Jeff Crowe day two of the 2nd Specsavers Test between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 10, 2018 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

Royal Challengers Bangalore claimed their first Women’s Premier League title after beating Delhi Capitals in the final. We speak to former England captain Charlotte Edwards who won the tournament last year with Mumbai Indians.

Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Geoff Lemon all discuss Australia’s decision to withdraw from their men's T20 series against Afghanistan later this year.

And, with the Indian Premier League returning this week, we find out what it takes to spot the next IPL star? We speak to the Head of Talent for Kolkata Knight Riders, Abhishek Nayar.

Photo: Kolkata Knight Riders Head of Talent Scouting, Abhishek Nayar, speaking with spinner Sunil Narine. (Credit: Kolkata Knight Riders)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta celebrate England fast bowler Jimmy Anderson. Anderson has become the first fast bowler to take 700 Test wickets and reached the milestone in 187 Tests. He is only the third bowler in all of Test cricket to reach this milestone, with only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne ahead of him in the all-time list.

We are joined by Maccabees and 86TVs guitarist Felix White, who also co-hosts the Tailenders podcast with Anderson. He shares what it is like to share a stage at the London Palladium with the bowler and what makes him so special.

Plus with four new players reaching one hundred Test appearances, we debate the value of reaching the century milestone and ask if it still has the same significance as it used to?

Photo: James Anderson and Felix White (Credit Gregg James)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the retirement of New Zealand's Neil Wagner after his former teammate Ross Taylor said his retirement was 'forced'. Plus the team try and decipher why Australia and New Zealand play so few Test matches against each other. In the 78 years of Test match cricket between the two nations, Australia has played New Zealand just 60 times.

We are joined by former Ireland player Andrew White who earned 232 caps for his country and now men's national selector. He tells us about their first ever Test match victory, his hopes that this could ensure more Test matches are played and if a two-tier World Test Championship is needed.

We reflect on the first leg of the Women's Premier League in Bangalore and assess how the tournament is being perceived in its second season.

We want to hear from you and your thoughts on all things cricket which we'll play on next week's show, so give us your assessment of the state of the game. You can get in touch with your voice notes via WhatsApp. Tell us your name, where you're from and your views on +44 800 032 0470.

Photo: Ireland players and support staff celebrate securing the nation's first victory in Test cricket. The Ireland team beat Afghanistan in a one off Test match in Abu Dhabi. (Credit: Afghanistan Cricket Board)

Charu Sharma, Brett Sprigg and Nikesh Rughani all reflect on the Test series which has seen India continue their fine unbeaten home run and we ask if Shoaib Bashir has a bright future as he shines for England.

We also speak to Japan’s most capped player Shizuka Miyaji on retirement and how she now aims to inspire the next generation.

Plus, we take you on a tour of a cricket museum in Dubai with Shyam Bhatia.

Get in touch with your WhatsApp voice notes on +44 800 032 0470. Tell us your name and where you are listening from in the world.

Photo: Shizuka Miyaji (Credit - Japan Cricket Association)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all preview the second edition of The Women's Premier League. We discuss which players to look out for and whether Mumbai Indians can defend their title.

We also assess India's chances of sealing a Test series victory over England without their star pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah who has been rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi and we discuss how England will respond after receiving criticism following their heavy defeat in the third Test in Rajkot.

With the second edition of the Women's Premier League starting this week, it's not only the players' fortunes that could be transformed, in fact, it provides an opportunity for the fans to come together and watch the women's game. They are known as the Bucket Hat Cult, named after the group’s ‘uniform’ - a bucket hat in any colour or design. They are a fans group dedicated to women’s sports that are trying to make the stadium experience inclusive, enjoyable and accessible to all. We speak to the co-founder of the group, Parth Suri.

Photo: The Bucket Hat Cult at the Wankhede Stadium. (Credit: Parth Suri/Bucket hat cult fan group)

Mitchell Marsh has had an extraordinary couple of years from being recalled to the Australia Test team, winning the 50 over World Cup and being named T20 captain. Marsh has been telling Alison Mitchell how he got involved with a small charity that focuses on men’s mental health and how he supported a teenager whilst playing in the Ashes.

We also discuss the significance of the historic Test between Australia's women and South Africa plus Australia became world champions at Under 19 level for the fourth time after beating India in the final.

Image: Mitchell Marsh of Australia celebrates reaching his century during Day One of the LV= Insurance Ashes 3rd Test Match between England and Australia at Headingley on July 06, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Yashasvi Jaiswal became the third youngest player from India to score a Test double century at the age of 22. With the series against England finely poised at 1-1, we hear from Jaiswal’s childhood coach Jwala Singh.

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma also speak to Angus Brown, who represents England Men’s Physical Disability cricket team after their five-match tour to India this week ended in a 3-2 defeat.

Image: India batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates his double century during day two of the 2nd Test Match between India and England at ACA-VDCA Stadium on February 03, 2024 in Visakhapatnam, India. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

West Indies all-rounder Kevin Sinclair tells Alison Mitchell that Test cricket will live for "a very long time. We have an in depth interview with Kevin on the programme after West Indies won a Test in Australia for the first time since 1997.

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all discuss how India will respond to losing the opening Test against England and we also find out more about England's hero Tom Hartley after his match winning performance in Hyderabad.

Image: Kevin Sinclair of the West Indies celebrates taking the wicket of Usman Khawaja of Australia during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and West Indies at The Gabba on January 26, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

With the rising stars of the cricketing world showcasing their talent at the Under 19's World Cup in South Africa, we ask, can India's youngsters retain their title? Hear from vice captain Saumy Pandey who is often compared to Ravindra Jadeja.

As the five match Test series begins this week, we discuss how India will cope without their superstar Virat Kohli for the first two Tests against England? Kohli withdrew due to personal reasons.

We'll also react to the Big Bash final in Australia where Brisbane Heat secured their second title.

Photo: Saumy Pandey of India celebrates the wicket of Carson McCullough of Ireland during the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup South Africa 2024 match between India and Ireland at Mangaung Oval on January 25, 2024 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all react to West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph's dream debut in Test cricket. Joseph struck gold with his very first delivery, claiming the wicket of Steve Smith who was opening for Australia for the first time in a Test match.

The iconic Adelaide Oval scoreboard has been in use since 1911 and is the only manual scoreboard still in use at a major Australian sports venue. We hear from Trevor Manuel who is a Tour Ambassador at the ground.

Plus, with the T20 World Cup just months away, we'll be asking whether India have found a new gem in all-rounder Shivam Dube after his stellar performances against Afghanistan.

Photo: Shamar Joseph of the West Indies walks from the field after taking five wickets in the first innings during day two of the First Test in the Men's Test match series between Australia and West Indies at Adelaide Oval on January 18, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all react to Ellyse Perry's historic achievement of reaching 300 caps for Australia during the Twenty20 series victory over India.

After all the hype and speculation, we'll also discuss Steve Smith replacing David Warner as Australia's Test opener despite never batting in the position in his 16-year first-class career.

The second edition of the SA20, South Africa's premier T20 competition, is underway. We speak to South African born Netherlands cricketer, Roelof Van Der Merwe, who won the competition last year.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards - go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo Credit: Ellyse Perry of Australia during day five of the LV= Insurance Women's Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Trent Bridge on June 26, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell are in Sydney for David Warner's final Test match for Australia before he retires. They discuss who will replace him as opener and Charu Sharma tells us if he thinks Warner is the best Australian to play all three formats of the game.

How can Test cricket remain a valued form of the game? The Stumped team debate how they would save Test cricket and discuss the viability of the format after South Africa announced seven uncapped players in their squad to face New Zealand next month, including captain Neil Brand. Plus Jim shares his thoughts on the World Test Championship.

Women's Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana joins us as Bangladesh prepare to host the Women's T20 World Cup in October. She discusses their domestic structure and what impact hosting the tournament will have for the country.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards - go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo: Pat Cummins of Australia lifts the ICC World Test Championship Mace during day five of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India at The Oval on June 11, 2023 in London, England. (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

We look back at the best of Stumped in 2023. This is another chance to hear some of the standout moments from 2023 including a powerful interview from South Africa wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta. She entered rehab after battling with her alcohol addiction and won a runners up World Cup medal only a few months later.

You can listen back to our trip to Mumbai for the inaugural Women’s Premier League and Charu’s interview with Delhi Capitals and India player Shikha Pandey. She tells us of the new talent emerging in the country.

Australia won the Men's 50 Over World Cup in India thanks largely to their captain Pat Cummins. Cummins has been Australia skipper for 18 months now and we hear from his former teammate Trent Copeland.

Stumped also returns to Lord’s when Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta spoke to former Australian coach Justin Langer who told us about his memories of playing at the home of cricket. Plus we hear from the creator of the viral cricket episode of Bluey and enjoy a classic Stumped debate on the use of red cards.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards - go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo: India's Shikha Pandey (L) celebrates with teammate India's Richa Ghosh (R) after the dismissal of Australia's Beth Mooney (not seen) during the semi-final T20 women's World Cup cricket match between Australia and India at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on February 23, 2023. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Stumped's Jim Maxwell has been a part of ABC for 50 years. He joined the organisation at the age of 22 in 1973 as a trainee and has now commentated on over 300 Test matches. Jim shares how he started his commentary career with Alison Mitchell and Charu Sharma, he also tells us about his favourite moments that he has witnessed and the advice that he would give his younger self.

The team are also joined by former Australia bowler and a player who has shared the commentary box with Jim for many years, Kerry O'Keeffe. Kerry gives us insight into how the pair met, if he has ever known Jim to be tongue-tied and what they get up to both on and off air.

Plus we celebrate another Australian star. Nathan Lyon is the third Australian after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to take 500 Test wickets and the eighth man in history. Kerry O'Keefe takes us back in time to when he first saw Nathan Lyon bowl and shares some of the secrets to his success.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards - go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo: Jim Maxwell commentates on ABC Radio during day four of the Test match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 10, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell are in Perth as Australia take on Pakistan in the opening Test match of the Australian Summer. They are joined by Sunil Gupta from New Delhi and discuss David Warner's 164 in his final series before retiring from Test cricket. Warner is now fifth on Australia's all-time Test run-scorers list after passing Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke. We debate the importance of the century amid recent criticism from ex-team-mate Mitchell Johnson.

Plus we hear from Australia captain Pat Cummins on the importance of loyalty in the team and discuss the news that Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has chronic kidney disease.

We reflect on the Women's Premier League auction which saw uncapped India fast bowler Kashvee Gautam and Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland picked as the most expensive players. We also look at the stars who missed out.

And we are joined by the former Sri Lanka captain, Duleep Mendis who is now head coach of the Oman. He shares their plans to field a team who are all born in the country. He also looks back on his time as team manager when Sri Lanka won the World Cup on 1996.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards - go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo: David Warner of Australia celebrates after scoring a century during day one of the Men's First Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Zimbabwe’s Anesu Mushangwe who has just won the Women's Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers. She became the first player from Zimbabwe to win the title and tells us how she learnt how to bowl throwing lemons. Anesu details her journey from growing up in Zimbabwe and falling in love with cricket, to moving to Australia and playing with her idols and all the obstacles in-between.

The team discuss the row that has broken out in Australia with former bowler Mitchell Johnson questioning whether former team-mate David Warner should be given a "hero's send-off" in the Test series against Pakistan. They debate Johnson's comments and assess Warner's global profile.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards – go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo: Anesu Mushangwe of the Strikers celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket of Tahlia Wilson of the Thunder during the WBBL match between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers at Cricket Central, on November 21, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Credit: Getty Images)

Charu Sharma, Jim Maxwell and Nikesh Rughani preview the Women’s Big Bash League final. They discuss the dominance of the Adelaide Strikers captained by Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath who have won 11 out of 14 matches. They will be playing their final against the Brisbane Heat at the Adelaide Oval for the first time and are hoping for a record crowd.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that India will be a 'serious challenger' in next year's T20 World Cup. The team debate whether they think he is right and the reasons behind his comments. They also discuss the ongoing Men's T20 series between India and Australia.

And the team react to the news that Rahul Dravid will continue as India head coach and if this is the best move.

Stumped has been nominated for Best Cricket Podcast in the Sports Podcast awards – go to sportspodcastgroup.com to vote.

Photo: Tahlia McGrath of the Strikers celebrates with teammates after dismissing Ellyse Perry of the Sixers during the WBBL match between Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval, on November 18, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Sunil Gupta look back at the Men’s 50 Over World Cup final and debate if Travis Head will be the next superstar of Australian cricket. He sits amongst legends Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist as only the third Australian man to make a century in a World Cup Final. We also discuss who will be the next generation of India cricket stars.

Plus Pat Cummins has had a standout year as captain of Australia winning the World Test Championship Final, retaining the Ashes and now winning the 50 Over World Cup. We get an insight into the man himself with his former New South Wales teammate and former Australia player Trent Copeland. Trent tells us what Pat was like in the dressing room and whether he always thought Pat would be a natural leader.

And we debate the introduction of a stop clock in cricket. Will this speed up the game or is it a gimmick?

Photo: Australia captain Pat Cummins is presented with the trophy by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister for India and Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia after winning the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 Final between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. (Credit: Getty Images)

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, Ireland. Credit: Patrick Bolger-ICC/Getty Images)

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 the IS Bindra Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Mohali, India. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

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 Cricket club in Somerset so, with the news that cricket will be played at the 2028 Olympic Games, Stumped will hear from Paul Stanley who is their club treasurer and historian.

Photo: Nadine de Klerk of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka with team mate Sinalo Jafta during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup group A match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Newlands Stadium on February 10, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Credit: Getty Images)

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's practice session. Credit: Hindustan Times/Getty Images)

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: ICC via Getty Images)

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 Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval on March 26, 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Credit: Peter Meecham/Getty Images)

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 Pakistan's pace attack. Plus, we’ll hear from Lydia Carrington, Edgbaston Sustainability Manager in charge of the Go Green game. Last weekend’s T20 match between England and New Zealand was the ground’s first international match run solely on renewable energy.

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 a neutral venue, stating “we can't go there and they can't come here.” As a result, four matches are taking place in Pakistan with the rest hosted by Sri Lanka, including next week’s match between Pakistan and India.

Plus, Alison Mitchell speaks to the captain of the England Women’s Visually Impaired team, Kathryn Jelfs-White. Kathryn is currently leading her country in the team’s debut appearance at the IBSA World Games.

Image: New Zealand's Neil Wagner celebrates taking the final wicket of England's James Anderson to win during day five of the second cricket test match between New Zealand and England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP) (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)

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 Stokes’ inclusion.

Plus, we learn about the man with the highest first-class batting average in cricket history. Norman Callaway played one match for New South Wales in 1915 and scored 207 runs, but he went to fight in World War I shortly after and died in battle at the age of 21. Australian historian Ross McMullin has told Callaway’s story in his book ‘Life So Full of Promise: further biographies of Australia’s lost generation’, and he joins us to share more details about his life.

Image: LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Spencer Johnson of Oval Invincibles in action during The Hundred match between Oval Invincibles Men and London Spirit Men at The Kia Oval on August 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson - ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

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. 23 years on, she’s living in Adelaide working in the non-profit sector, helping young people affected by cancer.

Image: Harmanpreet Kaur of India cuts a dejected figure following the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Semi Final match between Australia and India at Newlands Stadium on February 23, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

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 Playoff match between USA and UAE at Takashinga Cricket Club on July 06, 2023 in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

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 mean more than most for the middle-order batter as the tournament is being hosted in the country of his birth, India. He tells us about moving to New Zealand as a six-year-old, playing in England and working a full-time job to support his cricket career.

Image: England players Mark Wood (r) and Chris Woakes celebrate victory after day four of the 3rd LV= Ashes Test Match at Headingley on July 09, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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 West Indies at Harare Sports Club on July 01, 2023 in Harare, Zimbabwe. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all react to the landmark review into cricket in England and Wales, which says racism, sexism, classism and elitism are "widespread" throughout the sport.

We also ask, how England can find a way back against a dominant Australian team in the Women's Ashes.

With the second Test coming from the Home of Cricket at Lords, Alison Mitchell speaks to Australian legend Merv Hughes and former England pace bowler Angus Fraser on their favourite Ashes memories

And, the creator of the children's cartoon programme Bluey, Joe Brumm joins us to discuss why they included cricket into one of their episodes and how the sport is inspiring young children.

Picture - Bluey (Credit ABC)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the drama of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston - from Ben Stokes’ shock first-innings declaration, to Pat Cummins’ match winning performance with the bat to what’s next for England’s bowlers.

Plus Australia’s Usman Khawaja tells Alison Mitchell just what it was like being in the away dressing room when Cummins’ scored the winning run.

And with the Women's Ashes series underway, we hear from former England cricketer Katherine Sciver Brunt on what the sporting rivalry means to her and she calls for a worldwide effort to ensure international cricket thrives.

(Photo: Australia batsmen Nathan Lyon (l) and Pat Cummins celebrates after winning the match during day five of the LV= Insurance Ashes 1st Test Match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 20, 2023 in Birmingham, England. Credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta meet at Lord’s to look back on the World Test Championship final and preview the upcoming Ashes series.

We’re joined at the home of cricket by former Australia opener and coach Justin Langer, who reveals the player he thinks will be the key in the men’s Ashes, what it’s like facing the very first ball of the series, and how he’s finding life after coaching.

Plus, ex England captain Clare Connor discusses her experience of being the first female president of the Marylebone Cricket Club, and tells us about the work that the club’s charitable arm is doing to improve lives all over the world.

On this week's Stumped, Jim Maxwell and Alex Hartley are at The Oval where the ICC World Test Championship Final is taking place between Australia and India. They are joined by Charu Sharma and reflect on a dominant batting display from Australia including an unbeaten 146 from Travis Head. They also debate the decision made by India to drop Ravichandran Ashwin and whether it was the right one.

The team react to the return of Moeen Ali to Test cricket for the Ashes after Jack Leach was ruled out due to a back stress fracture. Plus, how much of an advantage could Australia have in the Ashes, with former England head coach Andy Flower now among the visitors ranks in a consultancy role?

And we are joined by Kuwait's Maryam Omar who is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of playing in the Women’s Big Bash. This year she lined up alongside Sana Mir, Shabnim Ismail and Katherine Sciver-Brunt for the Sapphires squad at the Fairbreak Invitational tournament and tells us how her journey began.

Photo: Travis Head of Australia interacts with Steve Smith as he reaches his century during day one of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India at The Oval on June 07, 2023 in London, England. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma reflect on arguably the greatest Indian Premier League final ever and ask whether MS Dhoni should retire now after winning his fifth title with Chennai Super Kings? The final spanned three days after heavy rain on Sunday meant the final was held on Monday which was the reserve day. It finished at 1:35 on Tuesday morning.

Plus after Alison Mitchell’s trip to Uganda we are joined by Consy Aweko who captains the Uganda women's team to hear how cricket was established in the country and the challenges that they face. She also tells us how successful the team have been recently and their maternity policies.

Jim Maxwell shares his thoughts on how big a loss it will be for Australia in the upcoming Women’s Ashes without their captain Meg Lanning. Lanning will remain in Australia because of medical reasons.

Photo: Captain MS Dhoni of the Chennai Super Kings after their victory against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 29, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week's Stumped we are joined by one of the fastest bowlers in the women's game, Shabnim Ismail who has just retired from international cricket. South Africa made it to the 2023 World Cup Final at home in Cape Town but were narrowly beaten by Australia.

In a revealing interview Ismail says that if players like Lizelle Lee, Mignon Du Preez, Trisha Chetty and Dane Van Niekerk were playing in the final, then they could have won the World Cup. All four of the players have retired from international cricket in the last twelve months.

We look ahead to the final of the Indian Premier League, ask whether Chennai Super Kings can win the title for the fifth time and discuss Gujarat Titan's star player Shubman Gill.

And the team debate whether Australian bowler Michael Neser should be in the Ashes squad.

Photo: Photo: Shabnim Ismail of South Africa celebrates taking the wicket of Shamima Sultana of Bangladesh during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Bangladesh at Newlands Cricket Ground on February 21, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Credit: Getty Images)

Jim Maxwell catches up with Marcus Harris, who has been named in Australia’s squads for the World Test Championship final against India and the upcoming men’s Ashes series in England. Harris discusses competing with David Warner and Usman Khawaja for an opportunity to open the batting, explains why Steve Smith’s stint in the County Championship is of benefit to England just as much as it is to Australia, and rebuffs Stuart Broad’s claim that Australia’s win in the 2021 series is “void”.

We also get Harris’ thoughts on England dropping wicketkeeper Ben Foakes from their Test squad to face Ireland at the start of June to make room for the return of Jonny Bairstow.

Plus, Scotland’s Lorna Jack joins Jim, Charu Sharma and Nikesh Rughani to discuss becoming one of the first female cricketers in the country to receive a professional contract. Jack’s played almost 150 times for Scotland over a 16-year career. Away from cricket, she’s a police officer in Glasgow.

Image: Marcus Harris of Australia poses before an Australian Nets Session at Adelaide Oval on December 15, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Following crunch talks in the United Arab Emirates, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Najam Sethi tells Alison Mitchell that there is still hope of holding the Asia Cup in Pakistan.

The location of the Asia Cup has been in doubt for some time. Pakistan are due to host the tournament in September, 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 a neutral venue, stating “we can't go there and they can't come here.”

Sethi says he has presented a hybrid model to Asian Cricket Council members, which guarantees that India would not need to play any matches in Pakistan with even the final being played in a neutral venue. Sethi says that if an agreement cannot be reached there is “a very distinct possibility” that Pakistan’s government will prevent the national team from travelling to India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in October.

Sethi, who is currently chairman on an interim basis, says he expects to continue in the role for a three-year term and one of his plans is to launch a women’s league. He says he’s already in the process of sanctioning almost one billion rupees for the development of women’s cricket in Pakistan.

Also on Stumped, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta pay tribute to the careers of England’s Katherine Sciver-Brunt and South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail, as the fast bowlers both announced their retirement from international cricket.

Plus, we’re re-joined by former cricket journalist Jenny Thompson, who is travelling around the world to experience women’s cricket in as many different countries as she can. Since we last spoke with her in March, she has ticked off Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea and Papua New Guinea.

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the volume of short format cricket. While the Indian Premier League continues to flourish, there is speculation that the ECB could be about to axe The Hundred in the UK in favour of a more sustainable T20 competition.

Cricket Australia have increased its salary cap in the Big Bash League to lure the top talent to the league, due to a number of overseas players quitting the league mid-season for the T20 tournaments in the UAE and South Africa. So how many competitions is too many?

We hear from Australia and Sussex player Steve Smith on playing in the County Championship and whether he will change his style of batting in the Ashes.

Plus we are joined by the first female member of ground staff to work at an international venue in England. Meg Lay works for Gloucestershire Cricket Club and tells us about the importance of getting more women involved in the game.

Photo: Lewis Gregory and Luke Wood of Trent Rockets celebrates victory during the Hundred Final match between Trent Rockets and Manchester Originals at Lord's Cricket Ground on September 03, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

It's been a rollercoaster of a journey for Ireland since securing Test status back in 2017.

Ireland have lost all five Tests they have played but this week, made history by posting their highest Test score of 492 against Sri Lanka.

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta react to this achievement with Ireland's head coach Heinrich Malan.

Following Mickey Arthur's appointment of Director of Cricket for Pakistan, we discuss how it will work combined with his current role as coach of Derbyshire in the County Championship and if it is a sign of how coaching will change with dual roles?

We also discuss the return of Ajinkya Rahane to India’s Test team for the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia.

Image: Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan before the Men's T20 International match between Ireland and New Zealand at Stormont in Belfast. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma are joined by Lawrence Booth, the editor of the Wisden Almanack. As the 160th edition is published he discusses the Wisden awards and how the book is still relevant in a digital age.

Plus Sachin Tendulkar turns 50 this week. We hear from the man himself on his career highlight and the team share some of their stand-out memories of the Indian legend. His son Arjun Tendulkar made his debut in the Indian Premier League this week meaning that the Tendulkar's are the first father-son duo to play in the IPL.

And we pay tribute to Aunty Faith Thomas who has died aged 90. She was the first Indigenous woman to play for Australia in any sport and represented Australia in an Ashes Test.

Photo: Sachin Tendulkar is seen during the Indian Premier League Final match between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, India. (Credit: Getty Images)

Charu Sharma, Brett Sprigg and Nikesh Rughani are joined by New Zealand umpire Kim Cotton. Kim became the first female on-field umpire to stand in a men’s international between two full-member nations. She tells us how this historic moment felt, her journey to becoming an umpire and how she is paving the way for the next generation.

Plus, with the Indian Premier League in full swing, the team discuss how the tournament has unfolded. And one of Australia’s most influential player agents, Neil Maxwell has said the next phase of the IPL revolution would have players asking for permission from their Indian owners to represent Australia, not the other way around. The team debate their thoughts on whether this will happen.

And with two months to go until the men's Ashes begins, Brett Sprigg assesses the mood in Australia.

Photo: Match Umpire Kim Cotton signals during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final match between Australia and South Africa at Newlands Stadium on February 26, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

We hear from West Indies captain and WPL winner Hayley Matthews. She tells us that playing for her country is still her ‘number one priority’ and she speaks about the Fairbreak Invitational and the calibre of associate players in the competition.

We discuss a landmark week in Australia where Cricket Australia have announced an increase in payments for all centrally contracted cricketers, with female players now set to become the nation's highest paid women's athletes in Australian team sport.

And is there still a place for the physical booklet in cricket/sport when we are in a digital age? We ask this question to Ian Marshall who is the editor of the Playfair Cricket Annual. And the team debate their different preparation techniques for commentary.

Photo: PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 19: Hayley Matthews of West Indies plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup group B match between Pakistan and West Indies at Boland Park on February 19, 2023 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Jan Kruger-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Please note: This programme contains discussions about mental health and references to suicide. For more support, go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1NGvFrTqWChr03LrYlw2Hkk/information-and-support-mental-health-self-harm

On this week’s Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma speak with WPL winner and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr. She tells us why she thinks Mumbai’s success in the inaugural competition is a pivotal moment for the women’s game, and explains why she’s a mental health advocate. Last year Kerr took a seven-month break from the sport to focus on her mental wellbeing and founded the website Out of the Rough to share stories and help others. Kerr explains why it’s important to normalise conversations and remove stigma around the subject. As the IPL gets underway, the team look ahead to the 16th edition of the competition and ask if anyone can challenge the defending champion Gujarat Titans. How will Brian Lara fair as the new Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach? And we discuss the fitness of England Test captain Ben Stokes.

Plus, as Stumped turns 400, we take a trip down memory lane to look back at the most memorable moments over the course of the show’s seven years (and counting).

Photo: Amelia Kerr of Team New Zealand prepares to bat prior to a T20 match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped, our very own Charu Sharma flies out to Mumbai to visit some of the game’s biggest stars as the inaugural Women’s Premier League reaches its finale.

First up is Australia captain Meg Lanning, who has just led the Delhi Capitals to the first ever WPL final. She tells us that the competition is “on another level” to anything else she’s experienced, and discusses her five-month break from sport in which she worked in a café.

Charu then catches up with India all-rounder Shikha Pandey, who says the introduction of the WPL means “India will probably go on and win that World Cup title”. Pandey spent ten years working as a squadron leader in the Indian Air Force, which she says shaped her as a person. She discusses the “immense pressure” on young girls in the country and hopes that the coverage of the WPL will inspire parents to encourage their daughters to pursue cricket.

Image: BBC

We speak to Afghanistan women’s cricketer Firooza Afghan who fled the country following the takeover of the Taliban in 2021 and now resides in Melbourne, Australia. The 18-year-old, says the team have not yet received any support from the International Cricket Council and hopes that they will take action to enable them to represent Afghanistan from their base in Australia.

After scoring his first Test century since November 2019, is Virat Kohli finally returning to form? The former India captain has scored over 100 in the main three formats of the game in the last six months, having endured a century drought in the three years prior. Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell praise his performance in India’s final series match with Australia and look ahead to the World Test Championship final between the two sides in June.

Plus, are New Zealand rivalling England to be Test cricket’s great entertainers? Within the last month, New Zealand have beaten England by a single run and edged past Sri Lanka on the last ball of the match, in two of the greatest ever finishes to a Test match.

Photo: Afghan girls celebrate after a cricket match at a school in Herat on September 2, 2013.(Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

The Women’s Premier League is finally underway. Sunil Gupta tells us what it is like in India, the stand out stars and the team discuss the tournament so far.

Plus will the final Test match between India and Australia is underway. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in attendance alongside India’s prime minister Narendra Modi who took part in a series of events before the Test. The team debate the pageantry and whether the World Test Championship is making Test Matches shorter.

And we are joined by Jenny Thompson who is a former cricket writer and currently lives in Adelaide. She is about to begin a mammoth journey across the world to experience the impact women's cricket is making in many different countries around the world and the lessons we can all learn.

Photo: Tara Norris of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Heather Knight of Royal Challengers Bangalore during the WPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week’s episode of Stumped, Jim Maxwell tells us that he believes England would not enforce a follow-on against Australia in the Ashes. England became only the second national side ever to lose a Test match having enforced the follow-on, as New Zealand won by a single run in Wellington to draw the two-match series. Would they Brendon McCullum's side be as bold against their great rivals in an Ashes series?

Charu Sharma dismisses Alyssa Healy’s claims that Harmanpreet Kaur’s run-out in India’s Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia was a result of “lazy running”. Australia went on to the win the tournament for a sixth time, beating South Africa in the final. We hear from South Africa’s star batter Laura Wolvaardt about the experience of playing a home World Cup.

Plus the head coach of Spain, Corey Rutgers joins us to discuss his side’s dismantling of the Isle of Man. Spain bowled them out for just 10 runs, which is the lowest total ever in a men’s T20 match. They then hit two sixes from the first two legitimate balls they faced to reach their target.

Image: England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes leave the field at the end day five of the Second Test Match between New Zealand and England at Basin Reserve. (Credit: Getty Images)

India have retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy after thrashing Australia in the first two Tests of the series. Jim Maxwell tells Alison Mitchell where it all went wrong for the tourists, as their attempts to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy end in premature failure.

Elsewhere in India, the chairman of their national selection committee has resigned following a sting operation by a local television channel. We discuss Chetan Sharma being caught on camera talking about the likes of Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly.

Plus, Sunil Gupta speaks to the founder of Khelo Kricket, Hadeel Obaid. It started as a website aiming to cover men’s grassroots cricket in Pakistan but has turned into an organisation which hosts tournaments for both men and women throughout the night. The player of the tournament in the first ever female edition, Fatima Sana, was named as the ICC’s Women’s Emerging Cricket of the Year in 2022.

Image: Khelo Kricket

In a momentous week in women’s cricket when the Women’s Premier League Auction took place Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the big signings and the players that were unsold.

Plus we are joined by Ben Gibson who is the Director of Financial Planning at UK based Wealth Management business Evelyn. He tells us how players should manage their newfound wealth.

And we discuss where it has all gone wrong for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup.

Photo: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur (C) of India celebrate the victory during the T20 International series between India and Australia at Dr DY Patil Cricket Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

On this week’s episode of Stumped, R Sridhar takes us into the heart of the India dressing room. The former fielding coach for the men’s national side worked alongside the likes of Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri between 2014 and 2021 and in his new book, ‘Coaching Beyond: My Days with the India Cricket Team’, he reveals details of conversations between the trio which have never previously been reported. He tells us about Shastri’s integrity as head coach, Kohli’s unbeatable work rate as a player and captain, and having to keep Dhoni’s retirement a secret.

Eleanor Oldroyd speaks to Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar ahead of their Women’s T20 World Cup opener with India in South Africa. Dar, who has recently been named in the ICC’s Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2022, says they're aiming to reach at least the semi-finals.

Plus, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the thrilling Big Bash League final which saw Perth Scorchers win their fifth title.

Photo: The India fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar looks on prior to game one of the Twenty20 International series between Australia and India at Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia. (Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

India beat England by seven wickets in an exciting one-sided final held in South Africa to clinch their first world title. Could India winning the Under 19 World Cup be a landmark moment in the women's game? Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell all reflect on India's success.

Kim Garth has played in two World Cups for Ireland but in 2020, she quit the country to pursue her dream of playing professional cricket in Australia – Kim joins us on the programme to discuss her move and how she's now been selected for the Australian national team that aims to defend its title at the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Photo: India players celebrates after winning the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup following the 2023 final between India and England at JB Marks Oval on January 29, 2023 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

On this week’s episode of Stumped, Pakistan batsman Tayyab Tahir joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma to discuss his first call-up to the men’s national side, which he found out about when his name was read out on television. He impressed as a substitute in their One Day International series with New Zealand and is now gearing up for a debut stint in the Pakistan Super League with Karachi Kings. He tells us about his three years playing club cricket in England and sharing a dressing room with the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Babar Azam.

We also hear from the Afghanistan women’s cricketers who fled the country following the takeover of the Taliban in 2021 and have been living and playing in Australia ever since. They’ve called on the ICC to support them and have backed the Australia Cricket Board’s decision to withdraw from their ODI series with the Afghanistan men’s team.

Plus, we discuss Ashleigh Gardner’s criticism of the ACB’s decision to schedule a match on Australia Day, the public holiday which marks the arrival of the first British fleet in Sydney, 235 years ago. Gardner, who is from the indigenous Muruwari people, said it is a day of “hurt”, and that the scheduling "doesn't sit well" with her or the people she is representing.

Image: Credit - Billingham Synthonia Cricket Club

On this week’s episode of Stumped, Shukri Conrad joins Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta for his first interview since being appointed as the coach of South Africa men’s Test side. It’s been a disappointing period for the Proteas after heavy defeats in Australia and England, and Conrad admits that it’s not going to be easy to fix their issues. We discuss their batting frailties, whether Dean Elgar will remain as captain, and we pay tribute to legendary batsman Hashim Amla after he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Is India’s Shubman Gill realising his potential? After coming under pressure from Ishan Kishan for his place in the side, the 23-year-old repaid the faith shown in him as he became the youngest man to score a double century in a One Day International, helping his side beat New Zealand in the process. Plus, we ask how much pressure is on Virat Kohli ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Australia?

We also take a look at the competition that Sachin Tendulkar says could transform the landscape of women's cricket. The Women’s U19 T20 World Cup is in full swing, and we look back on impressive wins for Bangladesh and Rwanda, while there’s yet more Mankad controversy.

Image: Dean Elgar of South Africa walk off after being dismissed during day one of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at The Gabba on December 17, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Former Australia captain Belinda Clark joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma after a statue was unveiled of her at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the first of any female cricketer in the world. She gives her thoughts on the current state of the women’s game, including Meg Lanning’s return to the Australia side after a five month break, and the upcoming inaugural women’s edition of the Indian Premier League.

With just months to go until the start of the Women’s IPL, uncertainty remains over just about every detail…including the name! Charu brings us up to speed on the latest developments.

We also discuss the news that Australia have withdrawn from their ODI series with Afghanistan, following the Taliban's recent announcement regarding further restrictions on women and girls' education and employment. The chief executive of the International Cricket Council, Geoff Allardice, has told the BBC that no women’s or girl’s cricket is being played in the country to their knowledge.

Image: Belinda Clark poses for a photo with her newly revealed statue during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 05, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell are at the Sydney Cricket Ground as Australia take on South Africa in their third and final Test Match of the series. They are joined by Sunil Gupta and debate how cricket should tackle the problem of bad light and ask whether a pink ball should be used? Jim is also full of praise for Steve Smith who has now scored 30 Test centuries to surpass Sir Donald Bradman.

The team discuss the player's that hit the headlines and the stars that missed out at the Indian Premier League mini auction and wish Indian star Rishabh Pant all the best after he sustained injuries in a car crash at the end of 2022.

Plus we are joined by Clare Johnston who was the first female accredited cricket bat maker in the world. She lives in Australia and tells us about the importance of making specialist bats for female cricketers and her hopes for the future.

Photo: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching their half century during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 05, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma take a look back at the best of Stumped in 2022.

The show features an interview with former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist on his dear friend Shane Warne who died in March 2022. He shares his memories of playing alongside him and what made Warne such a special player and person. Plus we hear from the stand out star of the English Men's Test Summer, Jonny Bairstow.

We go back to the morning of the 24th of February. This was the day Russia invaded Ukraine and the Chief Executive of the Ukraine Cricket Federation, Kobus Olivier joined us to share what was happening in the country and how he has been spearheading Ukraine's drive to become an associate member of the International Cricket Council.

One half of Australian cricket's power couple, Alyssa Healy, tells us what life is really like living with her husband Mitchell Starc and whether she would face him in the nets.

Photo: Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne of Australia pose with a replica Ashes Urn after securing victory on day five of the third Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the WACA on December 18, 2006 in Perth, Australia. Australia's victory in the third Test Match means they regain the Ashes. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Adelaide Strikers Head Coach Jason Gillespie. His side created history by bowling out Sydney Thunder for just 15 runs in the Big Bash. He discusses the future of the BBL and the growth of T20 cricket around the world. He also tells us how he thinks England men will get on in next year's Ashes, pays tribute to his dear friend Shane Warne and shares who inspires him the most as a coach.

Plus we discuss the incredible Test debut of England's 18 year old Rehan Ahmed who became the youngest Test cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on debut.

And Charu Sharma tells us that England's Sophie Ecclestone is the finest spinner right now in women's cricket.

Photo: Jason Gillespie, coach of the Strikers looks on from the dugout during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Adelaide Striker. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss which Test side should be the most confident going into 2023 and who should be the most worried. South Africa sit second in the table with Sri Lanka third but have England left it too late to make it to the final? They sit in fifth.

The team talk about England winning their first Test series in Pakistan since 2001, Australia beating the West Indies and the first day of the first Test Match between Bangladesh and India.

After India women inflicted Australia's first defeat in 21 matches, we ask whether this could be a turning point for the side and debate whether it is healthy for the India Women's team to have no permanent head coach.

Plus we hear the second part of our interview with West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul who tells us the difference between coaching men’s and women’s cricket and the egos involved.

Photo: Marnus Labuschagne of Australia celebrates making his century during day one of the Second Test Match in the series between Australia and the West Indies at Adelaide Oval on December 08, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell are in Adelaide where Australia are taking on the West Indies in their second and final Test Match of the series. Tagenarine Chanderpaul made his Test debut for the West Indies last week scoring a maiden half century following in his father's footsteps. Sunil Gupta has spoken to his father, the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul on what it was like to witness this. They both share the same unique stance at the crease and Shivnarine tells us how that came about. Plus he also tells us about being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

On the eve of Australia’s Test Match against the West Indies, David Warner announced that he had withdrawn his application to have his lifetime captaincy ban removed. Jim Maxwell tells us his thoughts on the decision.

The team also discuss England’s remarkable Test Match win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi and ask if England Captain Ben Stokes was brave or reckless with his declaration?

Photo: Tagenarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies is presented his cap by Brian Lara during day one of the First Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Optus Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

The Men's Australian Summer has begun with a Test Match against the West Indies. Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell have watched the first two days including two double centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Plus the tell us about the confident debut from Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the son of legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

England have returned to Pakistan to play a Test Match series for the first time in 17 years, but after four centuries were scored on day one, we discuss whether it was brilliant batting or a poor pitch?

And it was third time lucky for the Adelaide Strikers who have finally won their first Women's Big Bash championship and stunned the Sydney Sixers with a 10-run triumph in the final. We are joined by opening batter Katie Mack.

Steve Smith of Australia celebrates scoring a double century during day two of the First Test match between Australia and the West Indies at Optus Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Geoff Lemon and Sunil Gupta are joined by England women’s captain Heather Knight to preview their tour to the Caribbean and discuss her comeback from injury. She tells us about meeting their new coach, Jon Lewis.

The Hundred will return for its third season with the first women's player draft in a major UK sport. the team debate whether this is a step forward in the women’s game.

And Suryakumar Yadav has been stealing the headlines after hitting 111 in just 51 balls against New Zealand. Sunil Gupta tells us more about this next Indian star.

Photo: Heather Knight of England looks on during Day Four of the Kia Women's Test Match between England Women and Australia Women at The Cooper Associates County Ground on July 21, 2019 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma reflect on England winning the Men’s T20 World Cup and speak to World Cup winner Tymal Mills. Plus we discuss Pakistan’s disappointment and ask where it has all gone wrong for India?

And Alison Mitchell will be speaking to England 50 over World Cup winner Liam Plunkett about the launch of Major League Cricket in America as he signs up to play in the league which begins next year.

Plus the team debate what is better, white ball or red ball only contracts.

Photo: Ben Stokes of England celebrates victory following during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final match between Pakistan and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 13, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell reflect on Pakistan’s journey to the final of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

We are joined by Netherlands coach Ryan Cook who tells us about their victory over South Africa. It was a win which had a huge impact on the tournament as a whole, and it also guaranteed the Dutch their place at the next T20 World Cup in 2024.

Jim Maxwell also gives his thoughts on Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup.

Image: Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam of Pakistan celebrate after winning by 10 wickets following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta are joined by one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and former captain of Pakistan, Wasim Akram. He speaks to us about his autobiography discussing the highlights of his career, plus detailing his cocaine addiction and his time in rehab. Wasim also addressed allegations of match-fixing during his career again denying any involvement in corruption. In 2000, Pakistan players Saleem Malik and Ata-ur-Rehman were banned for match-fixing. A report into the scandal by Justice Malik Qayyum found Wasim not guilty of match-fixing but did recommend that he be fined and not allowed to captain Pakistan because he refused to cooperate and "cannot be said to be above suspicion".

Plus the team debate why this Men's T20 World Cup is the most open competition we have seen for a while and who their stand out performers have been.

Photo: Pakistan`s bowler Wasim Akram celebrates the runout of England batsman Graham Thorpe (not in picture) during the 3rd day of the 2nd test match at Old Trafford in Manchester, 02 June 2001. (Credit: MARTYN HARRISON/AFP via Getty Images)

Has there ever been a better T20 match than the one between India and Pakistan? Jim Maxwell reckons it was “the greatest sporting event ever staged on neutral territory”.

We'll reflect on the T20 World Cup match that had it all, as India registered another win over their great rivals, thanks to Virat Kohli's brilliance. Alison Mitchell and Charu Sharma also discuss England's shock loss to Ireland, as well as Marcus Stoinis' match-winning knock for Australia.

Plus we're joined by the first black cricketer to play for England, Roland Butcher, as we mark the UK's Black History Month.

Image: India's Virat Kohli (L) celebrates their win during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2022 cricket match between India and Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on October 23, 2022. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

On this week’s episode of Stumped, should cricket care where its funding comes from?

The International Cricket Council have announced a partnership with a Saudi state-owned oil company, raising issues of both sustainability and an association with a country that has a poor human rights record. Alison Mitchell finds out more from the BBC’s Sports Editor, Dan Roan.

Elsewhere, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the stand-off between India and Pakistan, which could see the latter boycott next year’s 50-over World Cup.

Plus, we’ll pick out our best moments from the group stage of the men’s T20 World Cup, including shock wins for Namibia and Scotland, as well as a rare hat-trick.

Image: The Saudi national flag flutters at the historical site of al-Tarif in Diriyah district, on the outskirts of Saudi capital Riyadh, on November 20, 2020. - Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 summit on November 21 in a first for an Arab nation, with the downsized virtual forum dominated by efforts to tackle a resurgent coronavirus pandemic and crippling economic crisis. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s been an incredible turnaround for Josh Hazlewood. Between March 2016 and September 2020, the fast bowler did not play in a T20 match for Australia. Now, ahead of the start of this year’s T20 World Cup, Hazlewood is ranked as the world’s best T20 bowler. He sits down with Alison Mitchell to discuss his rise to the top and the impact of the Indian Premier League on his career.

We also preview the start of the tournament, which gets under way in Australia this weekend. Will the hosts retain their title? Could India win it for the first time in 15 years? Or will there be a surprise winner? Charu Sharma and Brett Sprigg share their thoughts and predictions.

Image: Josh Hazlewood of Australia fields off his own bowling during game one of the One Day International Series between Australia and New Zealand at Cazaly's Stadium on September 06, 2022 in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped, Alison Mitchell speaks to England cricketer Jonny Bairstow about the highs and lows of 2022. The batter has been ruled out of this month’s T20 World Cup after breaking his leg in a golfing accident, but has just been awarded the Bob Willis Trophy, which is given to England’s best cricketer each year.

Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss another star who won't be at the World Cup, India’s Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler will miss the tournament with a back injury, but is Ravindra Jadeja an even bigger loss to Rahul Dravid’s side?

Plus, we speak to Ireland captain Laura Delany after her team qualified for next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Image: Jonathan Bairstow of England celebrates reaching his century with Joe Root during day five of Fifth LV= Insurance Test Match between England and India at Edgbaston on July 05, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Which side are you on? In the eyes of many, it is seen as unsporting manner despite being perfectly within the laws of cricket, is a run out at the non striker end deemed acceptable? Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma all discuss the controversy surrounding England's third One Day International against India.

After leading Australia to gold at this year's Commonwealth Games, Shelley Nitschke has been appointed Head Coach on a permanent basis. Shelley joins us on the programme to discuss a new era for the women's national team.

We also pay tribute to arguably the best fast bowler women's cricket has seen, India’s Jhulan Goswami who was playing in her 204th and final one-day international.

Picture Credit:- Charlie Dean of England shakes hands with Deepti Sharma of India and the India team after she was Run Out, Mankad, by Deepti Sharma of India during the 3rd Royal London ODI match between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee - ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, we speak to a journalist staying in England’s team hotel during their first tour of Pakistan for 17 years. Nick Hoult, the chief cricket correspondent for the Telegraph, shares his experience of watching England’s win in Karachi with security armed with sniper rifles surrounding the press box.

We also discuss the inaugural auction for Cricket South Africa's SA20 league and ask whether the inexperienced Tristan Stubbs is worthy of being the most expensive player in the competition.

Plus, we hear about what cricket's like in the small European country of Montenegro. The national side even boast a former English Premier League footballer amongst its ranks!

Photo: Moeen Ali of England and Babar Azam of Pakistan are seen at the toss ahead of the 1st IT20 match between Pakistan and England at Karachi National Stadium on September 20, 2022 in Karachi, Pakistan. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week’s episode of Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, we remember Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, who died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

We hear from the former England captain Charlotte Edwards, who shares her memories of meeting Her Majesty the Queen and how she taught the Queen all about the decision review system.

Former Indian wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer also tells us his unique experience of when the Queen revealed his wife had given birth to a baby daughter.

We also discuss Sri Lanka's surprise Asia Cup win following their victory over Pakistan in the final.

Photo: South Africa huddle during Day Four of the Third LV= Insurance Test Match between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval on September 11, 2022 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

On this week’s episode of Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, we react to Zimbabwe’s shock win over Australia. It’s the first time that they have beaten Australia on their own soil. We speak to Zimbabwe’s man of the match Ryan Burl, who took five wickets for just ten runs.

We’re also joined by England bowler Mark Wood ahead of the release of his self-help book, The Wood Life! The team get a few life lessons from the man who England’s Test captain Ben Stokes describes as a “32-year-old going on 16”.

Plus, after the second season of The Hundred came to an end, we assess the success of the competition.

Zimbabwe's Ryan Burl acknowledges the crowd after taking five wickets during the third one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Australia and Zimbabwe at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville on September 3, 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) /

On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta, we speak to the former South Africa captain and commissioner of the new SA20 league, Graeme Smith.

Smith says he hopes that the league will become the second best league in the world behind the Indian Premier League, and says that despite all six of the teams being owned by IPL franchise owners, the league is open for Pakistani cricketers to participate in.

Plus, our very own Charu Sharma sends us a message from his trip to cover cricket in Kenya.

Image: LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Television presenter and ICC commentator Graeme Smith before the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between England and South Africa at The Oval on May 30, 2019 in London, England. (Photo Visionhaus/Getty Images)

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 popularity in Namibia during what has been described as a “golden era” for the country.

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 wants to continue playing for.

IMAGE: Chris Gayle of West Indies looks on ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Sheikh Zayed stadium on November 04, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

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 legacy of legendary South African umpire Rudi Koertzen, following his death at the age of 73.

IMAGE: Megan Schutt and Meg Lanning of Team Australia celebrate after winning the gold medal following the Cricket T20 - Gold Medal match between Team Australia and Team India on day ten of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston on August 07, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

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 international game.

Plus we reflect on the career of West Indies star Deandra Dottin after she announced her international retirement.

Image: Pakistan pose for a team photo during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval on March 26, 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

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 Commonwealth Games, also discusses whether cricketers need to look a certain way and if we should change the way we view fitness in cricket. (You will also hear Cricket South Africa's right of reply, in response to Lizelle Lee's interview)

Lizelle Lee of the Stars prepares to bat during the Women's Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Thunder at Horwall Oval on December 16, 2017 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

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: Suzie Bates of New Zealand reacts to a boundary during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and England at Eden Park on March 20, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

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 woman in the position and her goals while in the role.

Plus, how do you hit a six in indoor cricket? With the Indoor World Cup coming up in October, we learn all about the rules of the sport with Australia's Clive Rose.

IMAGE: Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya celebrates after taking six wickets during the fourth day of the second cricket Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on July 11, 2022. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)