Stumped

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

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

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

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

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

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 St

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Hea

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 M

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 G

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 A

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 fo