Wisden Cricket

Ben Gardner and Yas Rana review the first Test of the West Indies-England series, one that saw Jonny Bairstow score his second Test hundred of 2022 and Zak Crawley register his second Test century of his career.. Yas is joined by Taha Hashim later in the show who looks back at the five days in Rawalpindi that were worth celebrating even if the cricket didn't always thrill. Ben and Yas also talk about the women's World Cup, India-Sri Lanka and the latest updates to the Laws of the game.

The panel pay tribute to the life of Shane Warne, who died suddenly at the age of 52 late last week. Warne's former Australia and Hampshire teammate Simon Katich joins the show from the 15:36 mark to share his memories of one of the all-time greats, while Mark Butcher tells us what it was like to face and share a commentary box with Warne from 33:20. From 49:12, we read out some of the many touching tributes we've been sent over the last few days. RIP, Shane Warne

Carlos Brathwaite joins the show to help preview the West Indies-England Test series that's about to get underway. Carlos also gives a fascinating insight on the health of the game in the Caribbean using insights from his own career that has taken him all over the world. Mark Butcher tells us how he's hoping England will change in the West Indies while pod regulars Phil Walker, Jo Harman and Yas Rana get involved with it all, as well as rounding up all the latest news from the international game, including the warm-up games for the Women's World Cup and the build-up to Australia's first Test series in Pakistan in 24 years. Legendary cricket writer Scyld Berry also joins us towards the end of the show to tell us about his life covering England Tests abroad and also to talk about his new book, Beyond The Boundaries: Travels On England Cricket Tours. You can buy the book here: https://wisden.com/shop/beyond-the-boundaries-travels-on-england-cricket-tours

The panel look back at all the major news from the last week in international cricket, including Joe Root's decision to bat at three for England, Rohit Sharma's appointment as India Test captain, the dual dropping of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, New Zealand's emphatic win over South Africa, a thrilling ODI between Bangladesh and Afghanistan and much more. The panel, joined by women's cricket journalist and historian Raf Nicholson, preview the upcoming women's World Cup from the 18-minute mark. From 1:12:09, Ben Duckett – one of the most consistent all-format batters in England – joins the show after a challenging winter away in Australia and Pakistan. The latest issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly is available at https://wisden.com/shop/wisden-cricket-monthly-issue-53

As well as covering the headlines from the international game over the past week, Phil Walker, Jo Harman and Yas Rana react to Stuart Broad's column in the Daily Mail in which he voiced his frustration at his omission from the England squad for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean. The panel also discuss some of the new/returning faces in that squad and there's a recording of Yas' interview with England newbie Alex Lees from the 31:57 mark. Mark Butcher joins the show from the 47:43 mark to give his thoughts on the possible impact of an expanded IPL and why we should be excited by Will Smeed after his 99 in the PSL. Phil, Jo and Yas spend the last section of the show answering a range of questions from the listeners.

The panel react to a hectic week in English cricket that saw two of their all-time greats dropped from the Test squad, three senior off-field figures in the men's game lose their jobs, the women's side go winless in the Ashes and their U19 side lose a World Cup final. There's also discussion on Justin Langer's resignation from the Australia men's coach job, India's ODI series against West Indies, Jason Roy's PSL form and much more. Freelance cricket writer Tanya Aldred joins the show from the 1hr 7 mark to discuss the Cricket For Climate initiative that was recently launched by Pat Cummins and a number of other big names from Australia.

Podcast regulars Taha Hashim, Phil Walker and Yas Rana reflect on a classic Ashes Test at Canberra that had it all, the backlash to cricket's most recent DCMS hearing and a host of encouraging performances from English cricketers in franchise leagues around the world. Elsewhere, Mark Butcher gives his thoughts on England's series defeat in the Caribbean, Alec Stewart's rumoured link to the England head coach role and off stump guards. Sportsbreaks.com are offering personalised ticket, travel and hotel packages around the Barbados Test Match from 16th - 20th March this year. To find out more and to book your package, head to sportsbreaks.com.

An action-packed episode this week. Mark Butcher shares his views on the first two T20Is between England and West Indies in the Caribbean, before the panel of Jo Harman, Ben Gardner, Phil Walker and Yas Rana discuss the T20I-leg of the women's Ashes and pick an 18-man squad for England's upcoming Test tour to West Indies. There is also an interview with author Duncan Stone about his new book, 'Different Class: The Untold Story of English Cricket.' The selection discussion begins at 35:10 The interview with Stone begins at 1:19:14 You can buy his book at: https://repeaterbooks.com/product/different-class-the-untold-story-of-english-cricket. Head to Sportsbreaks.com to book your holiday package for the Barbados Test.

Podcast regulars Mark Butcher, Jo Harman, Ben Gardner, Phil Walker and Yas Rana react to the latest England batting collapse, this time one that gave Australia their 13th win in their last 15 home Ashes Tests. They answer your questions on how England can make improvements both in the short and long term. There is also discussion on Virat Kohli's resignation as India Test captain and India's 2-1 series defeat in South Africa. Head to Charles Tyrwhitt: https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home To book your holiday to Barbados to watch England's upcoming Test there, head to: https://bit.ly/3K0VTPv To buy the latest Wisden Cricket Monthly, head to wisden.com/shop.

Phil Walker, Taha Hashim and Yas Rana look ahead to the Hobart Test - the fifth and final encounter of the 2021/22 men's Ashes. Taha - after speaking to Kent head coach Matt Walker – gives us the lowdown of what to expect from Sam Billings the red-ball cricketer, Phil looks ahead to the women's Ashes and Yas rounds up everything that's been happening in the international game over the past week or so. The panel also pick their out-of-the-box England captaincy suggestions as well as their all-time favourite comeback centuries in international cricket. Across the course of the Ashes we've been working in partnership with Charles Tyrwhitt. Want to start the year wearing something sharp? Charles Tyrwhitt has a collection of smart-casual menswear all now with an extra 10% off their current sale using code WISDEN10. If you're interested in heading to Barbados for England's upcoming Test there, head to: https://bit.ly/34vF0vU

Mark Butcher, Ben Gardner, Taha Hashim and Yas Rana share their thoughts on the most competitive Test of the series where England battled hard to just about escape from Sydney with a draw. The panel will discuss South Africa's win over India at The Wanderers and Bangladesh's historic win in New Zealand on a bonus episode later this week. Across the course of the Ashes we've been working in partnership with Charles Tyrwhitt. Want to start the year wearing something sharp? Charles Tyrwhitt has a collection of smart-casual menswear all now with an extra 10% off their current sale using code WISDEN10. That's code WISDEN10 to get an extra 10% off their January sale

The panel of Ben Gardner, Jo Harman and Yas Rana preview the fourth Ashes Test at the SCG, react to Quinton de Kock's unexpected retirement from Test cricket, India's win at Centurion and much more. From the 54-minute mark, a section of Jo's interview with the Parkinson twins is played. You can read the full interview in the next issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly. Use the code Wisden10 at charlestyrwhitt.com to get 10% off anything in their current online sale.

Australia retain the Ashes after a pair of calamitous batting performances from England at the MCG. Hometown hero Scott Boland took 6-7 on debut to brutally end England's Ashes hopes by bowling the tourists out for 68. The panel of Mark Butcher, Phil Walker and Yas Rana try to make sense of England's longstanding batting woes and look at what the short term future may hold for the England men's Test side. We apologise for the sound quality on this episode. A combination of a technical fault and our need to record the podcast remotely owing to a positive Covid-19 test in the team means that the sound quality is not quite at our usual level. We hope to be back to normal for next week's episode. Use the code Wisden10 at charlestyrwhitt.com to get 10% off anything in their current online sale.

In a bonus Christmas episode, Jo Harman, Ben Gardner, Phil Walker and Yas Rana briefly look back at the latest news from the world game before spending around 40 minutes answering your questions on everything from their favourite county players of the 1990s, their standout cricketing memories, their most controversial opinions, what they're looking forward to in 2022 and so much more. If you fancy the chance to win a £500 voucher to spend at Charles Tyrwhitt, simply visit the link below to enter the competition. Don't dawdle - entries close at midnight on 23rd December - bit.ly/3FtcWXc

The panel of Jo Harman, Taha Hashim, Ben Gardner and Yas Rana react to England's 11th defeat in 12 Tests on Australian soil. They analyse England's team selections, ponder why so many of England's players aren't developing under the coaching set-up and discuss what they can do differently at Melbourne. Skip to 45:25 to hear Mark Butcher's take on the Test and to 57:25 for the panel's discussion on Australia's performance. If you fancy the chance to win a £500 voucher to spend at Charles Tyrwhitt, simply visit the link below to enter the competition. Don't dawdle - entries close at midnight on 23rd December - bit.ly/3FtcWXc You can still use the code WISDEN20 to get 20% off everything at Charles Tyrwhitt.

Ben Gardner, Jo Harman, Phil Walker and Yas Rana look ahead to the second Test of the 2021/22 Ashes, discuss the likely make-up of the two bowling attacks as well as the possible impact of the pink ball and how it will behave under the lights at Adelaide. There's also discussion on Virat Kohli's removal from the India ODI captaincy, Babar Azam's first international wicket, Kamran Akmal and much more. The panel also preview the upcoming issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly which is available at wisden.com/shop. If you fancy the chance to win a £500 voucher to spend at Charles Tyrwhitt, simply visit the link below to enter the competition. Don't dawdle - entries close at midnight on 23rd December - https://bit.ly/3FtcWXc You can still use the code WISDEN20 to get 20% off everything at Charles Tyrwhitt.

Mark Butcher, Jo Harman, Taha Hashim and Yas Rana react to Australia's dominant first Test victory. They discuss what went wrong for England, give English supporters a few reasons to remain hopeful and marvel at a string of excellent Australia individual performances. During the Ashes, we are offering a discount code for our listeners at Charles Tyrwhitt. If you use the code WISDEN20 at checkout you'll get 20% off your order. You can visit their website here: www.charlestyrwhitt.com

The panel of Mark Butcher, Jo Harman, Phil Walker and Yas Rana preview the 2021/22 men's Ashes which gets under way later this week, talk about Ajaz Patel's historic 10-for in Mumbai, Darren Gough's appointment at Yorkshire, the best and worst kits of all time and much, much more. During the Ashes, we are offering a discount code for our listeners at Charles Tyrwhitt. If you use the code WISDEN20 at checkout you'll get 20% off your order. You can visit their website here: www.charlestyrwhitt.com

The panel of Ben Gardner, Jo Harman, Phil Walker and Yas Rana react to a busy week in Test cricket with Tests played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. They also provide tentative hope for England fans ahead of the men's Ashes series while Mark Butcher joins over the phone to give his views on the limited warm-up action England have managed to get under their belt. Ben updates us on the ICC's poor handling of the cancelled women's World Cup Qualifier and the panel answer your questions. Building up to and and during the Ashes we'll be offering a discount code for our listeners at Charles Tyrwhitt. If you use code WISDEN20 at checkout, as the code suggests, you'll get 20% off your order. https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home

Mark Butcher, Taha Hashim, Jo Harman and Ben Gardner respond to the latest troubling developments in English cricket's racism scandal, including the news stories regarding Azeem Rafiq himself. They also discuss Tim Paine's resignation, why he had to go, and who takes over both as Australia Test captain and wicketkeeper. There's also a tribute to AB de Villiers, who retired from all cricket this week, and a round-up of the week's on-field action, with India beating New Zealand and Pakistan beating Bangladesh in a pair of T20I series, and the Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier getting underway. Listeners can get a 20 per cent discount at Charles Tyrwhitt with the code WISDEN20 at checkout - https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home