Stumped

On this week's Stumped, with Alison Mitchell, Matt Clinch and Charu Sharma, we take a closer look at how climate change affects cricket. England batter Maia Bouchier tells us about the physical and mental effects of extreme heat; that's after she contributed to a recent report which warns that players at all levels of the game across the globe are being placed at increasing risk due to playing in extreme conditions. They discuss the latest from the Women's World Cup and ask what can be done to mitigate the weather after a number of games were washed out in Sri Lanka.We hear from UP Warriorz and India player Saima Thakor and find out how getting off the bus at the wrong stop helped catapult her into an international cricket career.Plus, the team chat about their favourite pieces of cricket memorabilia after Lord's announced that it was making sections of the outfield available for sale ahead of ground renovations.Photo: New Zealand's Brooke Halliday cools off herself during a drinks break in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 match between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on October 10, 2025. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta, we hear more about how India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur began her cricketing journey. Kaur was born in Moga, in the north of India and was coached by Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi. His son Yadwinder, who also coached her, explains how his father first spotted her talent, and how she's grown into a player to step up for her team, most notably after scoring 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup.The women's world cup is really heating up with matches going down to the wire and the pressure becoming more intense. Hosts India have gone from the highs of beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan to losing against South Africa and tournament favourites Australia. The team discuss the state of play as the group stage draws ever closer to the end.Plus, we hear from 2017 India World Cup finalist Punam Raut, who told us that despite losing the 2017 final in England, the team were greeted like winners upon their return to India.Photo: Indian cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur (R) and Poonam Raul take a run during the ICC Women's World Cup Twenty20 semi final match between Australia and India at the Beausjour Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia on May 13, 2010. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

With the Women's World Cup underway, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Prakash Wakankar take stock of the opening week of the tournament. We speak to former India captain and ICC hall of famer, Diana Edulji to find how the Mumbai Cricket Association's talent hunt is helping to grow the women's game in the city. She tells us how a phone call to legend Sachin Tendulkar helped current India captain Harmanpreet Kaur secure a job in the railways.Plus, we head to a skills camp for girls to see how the Right Pitch Foundation are helping young girls reach their full potential in the game.Photo: Harmanpreet Kaur of India laughs during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 match between India and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell is in Guwahati and Mumbai to sample the sights and sounds as the long-awaited Women's World Cup gets underway. Joining Alison are the ABC's Brett Sprigg and Akashvani's Charu Sharma.We speak exclusively to BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia about the growth of women's cricket in India, and whether handshakes will be exchanged ahead of India's match against Pakistan in Colombo.Plus, President of the Assam Cricket Association, Taranga Gogoi, tell us about the prestige of being asked to assume hosting duties in place of Bangalore.Photo: Stumped presenter Alison Mitchell with India fans outside the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, India. (Credit: BBC)

There are tales of two rivalries on this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma:As England coach Brendon McCullum names his 16-man squad for the Ashes in Australia, the Stumped team discuss white ball captain Harry Brook's promotion to vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. There's a surprise in the bowling department, as Will Jacks returns as England's second spinner after a three-year absence, plus is this England's most hostile bowling attack since 1970? We reflect on another feisty meeting between India's men and Pakistan at the Asia Cup, and discuss the fall-out following a number of heated flashpoints which has seen both teams submit complaints to the ICC.Plus, India are in the spotlight as our build up to the Women's World Cup concludes. Broadcaster Annesha Ghosh tells us how the excitement is growing in India ahead of the first match on 30th September.Photo: Harry Brook of England edges as Usman Khawaja of Australia fields during Day One of the LV= Insurance Ashes 5th Test Match between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on July 27, 2023 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma react to the fallout following India's seven wicket over Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Our build-up to the ODI Women’s World Cup continues and we hear from former Pakistan captain turned commentator Urooj Mumtaz. She tells us how she thinks Pakistan will fare in the tournament, her thoughts on captain Fatima Sana and tells us if she thinks Pakistan and India should play each other.Plus we are joined by 18-year-old Tommy Lamb who is travelling from Manchester to Australia to watch the Ashes…. without using a plane. He tells us about his journey so far and about some of the people that he has met on the way.(Photo: India's captain Suryakumar Yadav (C) tosses the coin at the start of the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket match between India and Pakistan, in Dubai, 14 September, 2025. Credit: Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images)

After months of uncertainty, the Asia Cup got under way this week in the United Arab Emirates, having been in doubt following cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan in May, which disrupted the IPL and the Pakistan Super League. That led to speculation whether India would play matches against Pakistan. The Stumped team look ahead to the clash and discuss the competitive balance of the competition and whether any team in the tournament can genuinely challenge India.Our build-up to the Women’s World Cup continues and this week Sri Lanka are the focus. We hear from journalist Estelle Vasudevan, who explains what it means for the country to be back in the competition for the first time since 2017.Plus, can you remember what you were doing at 17 years old? Croatia's Zach Vukusic became the youngest ever international cricket captain in a recent T20 series against Cyprus at just 17 years and 311 days. We discuss his history making achievement.Photo: Captains of participating teams pose with the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket match trophy alongside Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi during a press conference at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 9, 2025. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Our Women’s World Cup countdown continues, and this week we focus on South Africa. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by all-rounder Annerie Dercksen who tells us about how she went from growing up on a farm and learning about cricket in the newspapers to being voted the ICC women’s emerging cricketer of the year 2024. She also shares what it was like having Dane Van Niekerk as part of their training camp and how the team has been inspired by the Proteas winning the World Test Championship earlier this year.We reflect on The Hundred final and debate whether Australian Adam Zampa should have made the 34,000 kilometre round trip to bowl 20 balls for the Oval Invincibles. Plus, with rumours and ‘retirements’ surrounding both the England and Australia teams ahead of the Ashes, we look at which team is faring better.Photo: Annerie Dercksen of South Africa celebrates with teammate Anneke Bosch after Brooke Halliday of New Zealand (obscured) is caught out during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final 2024 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Our Women’s ODI World Cup countdown continues and this week we are hearing from New Zealand Head Coach Ben Sawyer who tells us how their latest T20 World Cup win inspired a generation. He also shares the impact that captain Sophie Devine has had on the team.Plus, we head to Guernsey whose men’s team are hosting a tri-series this weekend against Finland and Switzerland. We are joined by their Chief Operating Officer Richard Headington to hear how the sport is developing at grassroots level.Photo: Sophie Devine of New Zealand kisses the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Trophy in front of photographers as she celebrates after defeating South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final 2024 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss the race to be the second biggest franchise tournament behind the Indian Premier League. SA20 commissioner and former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says they 'want to be the biggest league outside the IPL'. Yet with Australia's Big Bash looking for private investment and Indian owners taking majority shares in some Hundred teams, which franchise league can say it's legitimately the most appealing for the world's best cricketers?We continue our build-up to the Women's World Cup with Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty. She tells our reporter Charlotte Swift that the team enjoys being the underdog and can build on their first 50 over World Cup appearance three years ago. Plus, we debate squad selections and omissions for both India's men and women as they prepare for the Asia Cup and World Cup respectively.Photo: South Africa & Australia Training - ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Former South Africa cricketer Graeme Smith pictured ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)