Stumped

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma discuss the future of Test cricket following comments made by the ICC chairman, Greg Barclay who’s questioned the direction of the longest format of the game, particularly in women’s cricket.The team celebrate Joe Root’s milestone moment during the first Test with New Zealand at Lord’s, becoming the 14th player to reach 10,000 Test runs and ask if the former England captain could surpass the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s run record.We wave goodbye to another Indian legend, as Mithali Raj announces her retirement from international cricket. Plus we speak to the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation after they received a global award from the ICC for their efforts to use cricket as a tool for good.Photo: Joe Root of England is applauded all the way back into the pavilion after steering England to victory during Day 4 of the First Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by South Africa’s David Miller, days after he helped Gujarat Titans win the Indian Premier League in their first ever season. He tells us about the change in mentality which helped him to top the batting charts, the influence of his captain Hardik Pandya, and his hopes of winning the T20 World Cup later this year.We cross to Sri Lanka as Australia prepare to touch down for an all-format series in the midst of a political and economic crisis in the country, and the team also discuss why England couldn’t sell out Lord’s for the first Test match of the Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum era.IMAGE: David Miller of South Africa looks on ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between England and SA at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 06, 2021 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

On this week’s BBC Stumped with Charu Sharma, Alex Hartley and Jim Maxwell, we discuss the Indian Premier League as the competition reaches its climax. Who has caught their eye? Which franchises have failed to reach the heights expected of them? Has the introduction of two new franchises been a success?The team discuss the state of the women’s game. Is it the last year of the Women’s T20 Challenge before a possible long-awaited Women’s IPL is launched next year?Award-winning journalist Tim Wigmore joins the team to discuss the release of his new book Crickonomics: The Anatomy of Modern Cricket finding new angles to the sport through statistics. (Photo: Chennai Super Kings players celebrate with the trophy after the IPL Twenty20 cricket final match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Credit:AFP/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma are joined by New Zealand legend Ross Taylor following his retirement from international cricket. We discuss Ross’ journey through the sport, his departure from the New Zealand captaincy, the high of winning the World Test Championship and the low of the 2019 World Cup final defeat. Plus we get his thoughts on the new England men’s Test coach – his former team-mate – Brendon McCullum.The team also discuss England’s new white-ball coach Matthew Mott as well as reflecting on the death of former Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds.IMAGE: Ross Taylor of New Zealand celebrates his century during game two of the One Day International series between New Zealand and South Africa at Hagley Oval. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma react to Brendon McCullum's appointment as England's new Test cricket coach. The former New Zealand captain has signed a four-year deal to succeed Chris Silverwood, who left his position in February.The team speak to two-time World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole and find out whether the former England bowler is happy with her decision to retire from international cricket.Plus we meet Luke Georgeson, the all-rounder who switched his allegiance from New Zealand to Ireland before having a change of heart and switching back just two weeks later.IMAGE: New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum rings the 5-minute bell before the start of play on day three of the 3rd Investec Test match between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's Cricket Ground. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma find out more about the man touted as India’s next star. Umran Malik, an uncapped 22-year-old, has taken the Indian Premier League by storm with the fastest bowling and best bowling figures in the competition this year.The team attempt to learn what an NFT is and ask why we’re starting to see them in the world of cricket, as we speak to the co-founder of the world’s first licensed digital collectibles platform for cricket.We also react to the news that the man heralded as “the Father of Cricket” WG Grace, has had a couple of centuries taken off him, despite his last innings coming over one hundred years ago.IMAGE: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma, we discuss the announcement of Ben Stokes as England’s new Test captain. The team meet Britain’s oldest cricket umpire, Keith Dibb who at 86 years old is showing no signs of slowing down. Dibb has even had surgery on his shoulders to ensure he can keep signalling outs and sixes!And Bhutan’s vice captain Anju Gurung tells us about her cricket journey as she prepares to take part in the FairBreak Invitational alongside some of the biggest stars in the women’s game.IMAGE: Ben Stokes of England during day four of the tour match between West Indies President's XI and England XI at Coolidge Cricket Ground on March 04, 2022 in Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Lawrence Booth, the editor of arguably the most famous sports book in the world. The 159th edition of the Wisden Almanack has just been released and Lawrence shares which cricketer has been named the leading cricketer of the year and women’s cricketer of 2021.Plus with the ever changing set up in English men's cricket we debate who should be the next captain and the next coach of the national side and which one should take priority. And we discuss the Indian Premier League as the competition reaches the halfway stage. The last five winner have been either the Chennai Super Kings or the Mumbai Indians, yet this season Chennai and Mumbai sit bottom of the table with only one win from 12 matches between them. Conversely the new teams Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans are top of the table with 9 wins out of 12. We debate why this could be the case.Photo: England captain Joe Root waits for the toss ahead of day one of the 3rd Test match between the

Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Matt Clinch are joined by Australian superstar Alyssa Healy. She currently tops the ICC Women's One Day International player rankings and most recently smashed 170 runs in the World Cup final to help Australia win their seventh World Cup title. She tells us all about that final, how she felt playing her shots and how special it was to play after carrying drinks in the 2013 World Cup. She also tells us about the dominance of Australian cricket, the possibility of a women's Indian Premier League and her family’s influence on her life.We also hear what comes first in her life; cricket, golf, her dogs or her husband... Australian bowler Mitchell Starc. Photo: Alyssa Healy of Australia poses with the World Cup trophy in front of fans after Australia won the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Final match between Australia and England in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images)Photo:

Did you know the Rajasthan Royals have a cricket academy based in Cornwall, South West of England? That’s right! On this week’s BBC Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell are joined by Sean Hooper, the head coach of the new academy, to discuss how the affiliation with the IPL franchise came about.We also discuss Australia’s dominance in the women’s game, after beating England in the Women’s World Cup Final, plus we discuss The Hundred draft and whether the format has global appeal.Photo: A group of spectators make their way to the cricket as Truro Cathedral is seen in the background during the 4th NatWest International One Day match between England Women and India Women at Truro Cricket Club on July 8, 2012 in Truro, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell. We remember Australia cricket legend Shane Warne after his emotional memorial service.Plus we preview the Women’s World Cup Final. Can Australia can win nine matches out of nine to lift the trophy? Have England peaked at the right time? Sunil Gupta also tells us the reaction to India’s early exit from the competition.After England men were beaten 1-0 against the West Indies we ask if it is the right time to appoint a new captain or if the team should wait for a permanent coach?Photo: Meg Lanning, Captain of Australia(L) and Heather Knight, Captain of England look on during the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 match between England and Australia at The Brightside Ground on July 9, 2017 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Harry Trump-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The Indian Premier League begins this weekend and Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Sunil Gupta preview the latest season by analysing the two new teams entering the competition and debate how the Royal Challengers Bangalore will fare without Virat Kohli as captain. Plus with a much changed England Test team currently facing the West Indies in the Caribbean, we head back to 1953 when the action was not quite as amicable. Who Only Cricket Know tells the story of the second most controversial tour in English cricket history both on and off the field. We are joined by the author Doctor David Woodhouse.We are joined by former England, Surrey and Sussex bowler Stuart Meaker who is currently in Poland trying to help refugees from Ukraine by helping with Visa's and delivering supplies. Photo: MS Dhoni of the Chennai Super Kings hits another six during the 2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20 final match between Chennai Super Kings and Chevrolet Warriors from Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Johann

Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss whether England have left it too little too late in the Women's World Cup and whether Australia are the real deal. Deandre Dottin, Harmanpreet Kaur and Mignon Du Preez are just some of the biggest names to sign up to a brand new women's cricket tournament featuring players from as many as 36 countries including Bhutan, Vanuatu and Germany. The Fair Break Invitational is a women’s T20 cricket tournament which will be played in Dubai and contested by six teams featuring world-renowned players. The team hear from the man behind the tournament Shaun Martyn.And we look back on the remarkable second test match between Pakistan and Australia which resulted in an incredible draw and congratulate England captain Joe Root who has scored his ninth century since the start of 2021.Photo: Deandra Dottin of the West Indies celebrates after taking the wicket of Fran Jonas of New Zealand during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and the West I

A week on from when news first broke about Shane Warne’s sudden death Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma pay tribute to the 'King of Spin'.He was known as cricket's greatest ever leg-spinner, arguably cricket's greatest bowler and surpassed only by Sir Donald Bradman as Australia's greatest cricketer. Shane Warne took 708 Test wickets, the second most of all time, in 145 matches across a stellar 15-year international career.Keeping wicket to Warne from 1999 through to the end of his international career was Adam Gilchrist and he joins the team to share his memories of playing alongside him and gives us an insight into the player, man and friend he was. Photo: Shane Warne of Australia celebrates his 700th test wicket after he bowled Andrew Strauss of England during day one of the fourth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, 2006. (Credit: Getty Images)

A 2018 interview with Australia's legendary bowler Shane Warne, who has died from a suspected heart attack aged 52.Australian legend Shane Warne takes a look back at his cricketing career, from taking 708 wickets in 145 Tests for Australia to bowling the most famous delivery of all time: the Ball of the Century.Photo: Former Australia and Rajasthan Royals player Shane Warne poses for a photo in 2019. (Credit: Getty Images for Rajasthan Royals)

As the Women’s World Cup gets underway Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell hear from the Chief Executive of the competition Andrea Nelson. She tells us about the challenges that this tournament has thrown her way, the increase in prize money, domestic women’s cricket in New Zealand and the legacy that she hopes will be left behind. Plus, as Australia's men tour Pakistan for the first time since 1998, we preview the series and ask how much of a test this will be for both sides.With the unprecedented new ruling that will allow teams to field backroom staff members as substitute fielders in the Women's World Cup we debate which players we would bring out of retirement and put back on the pitch.Photo: Image: 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Captain's Media Opportunity at the Antigua Boat Sheds on February 25, 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell speak to the chief executive of the Ukraine Cricket Federation, Kobus Olivier, as Russia launches a major military assault on the country. Olivier has been working to secure Ukraine associate member status from the International Cricket Council, which he says could be just months away.Plus the Stumped team also discuss the latest changes to the structure of India’s men’s Test cricket team, with Rohit Sharma named as Virat Kohli’s captaincy successor, and we continue our preview of the Women’s World Cup.(Photo: Ukraine's biggest flag flies some 90 metres above the city as it has been installed on the eve of State Flag Day, which is marked on 23 August and the Independence Day on 24 August. Credit: Aleksandr Gusev/Getty Images)

After IPL auctioneer Hugh Edmeades collapsed on the first day of the IPL mega auction our very own Charu Sharma stepped in to take over. Charu tells Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell all about the experience. Plus we debate which teams came out on top, how the new franchises will fare and why some players weren't selected.Australia World Cup and Ashes winner Alex Blackwell joins us to discuss her new book Fair Game which outlines the battles she faced on and off the cricket pitch as the first openly gay Australian female player.And we hear the first part of our interview with Pakistan Women’s ODI captain Bismah Maroof. She tells us about returning to captain the national side for the Women’s World Cup after becoming a mother and the importance of being role models to young Pakistan women.Image Left: Stumped presenter Charu Sharma during Bid and Hammer exhibition on January 15, 2008 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Dijeshwar Singh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) Image Right: India's Ishan Kishan plays a shot dur

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the resignation of Australia Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer. They look at his legacy and the power play between himself and his players. Plus this week they are joined by John Buchanan, the former Australia coach from 1999 to 2007 who lead the side to multiple World Cup and Ashes wins. He also coached Justin Langer during this time and shares his experiences of him as a player and who his front-runners are for the vacancy.England have chosen to drop both Stuart Broad and James Anderson from their tour to the West Indies and with the team also looking for a new head coach we ask whether we are entering a new era for English cricket?Photo: Justin Langer Head Coach of Australia watches on during an Australian Ashes squad nets session at Blundstone Arena on January 12, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

On this week’s BBC Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell. We speak to the Unmukt Chand, the cricketer once touted as the next Virat Kohli, about leaving his homeland in search of better opportunities and becoming the first Indian man to play in the Big Bash League in Australia. BCCI rules state any Indian player, contracted or non-contracted is not allowed to play any franchise cricket outside of India. Chand won the Under 19’s World Cup with India in 2012, but now ten years on is living in the USA and recently made his debut for the Melbourne Renegades.Plus the fallout continues from England’s 4-0 thrashing by Australia in the Men’s Ashes. We discuss the news that Ashley Giles is leaving his role as England's managing director of men's cricket. We also debate whether there should be more Test matches in the women’s game following the thrilling draw between England and Australia.JANUARY 19: Unmukt Chand of the Renegades bats during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunde