Stumped

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 West Indies and England at National Cricket Stadium on March 24, 2022 in Grenada, Grenada. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

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 Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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 Indies. (Credit: Getty Images)