Dean at Stumps

“You can stay if you want, but I’m going”. These were the words of Murray Goodwin’s wife as the turbulence with in Zimbabwe cricket, and the country itself started back in 1999/2000. Murray Goodwin has a heart to heart conversation with Dean du Plessis, explaining why he came back to Zimbabwe, and why he left. Goodwin talks about his childhood in Zimbabwe and Australia, the thrill of making his debut for Western Australia against England, the friendships he made while playing for Zimbabwe, and his son Jayden. A talented leg spinning allrounder who has put his cricket career on hold to do voluntarily missionary work for his church in Zimbabwe. Murray fondly remembers his contributions for Sussex which secured the County Championship title in 2003, thanks to his innings of 335*

He scored a staggering 12400 test runs in 134 matches at an average of 57.40 with a highest score of 319*. Kumar Sangakkara talks to Dean du Plessis from his home in Kandy where he and his family are celebrating his Father’s 80th Birthday. Kumar speaks about his roll as the first non British player to be elected as the president of the MCC. His love of Pakistan and it’s people despite the attack on their bus back in 2009 when Sri Lanka toured Pakistan. And he also speaks of the privilege of scoring hundreds for his school and for Sri Lanka at the same venue. His former school which also served as a test venue. He pays tribute to his childhood coach who still assisted him, even when he had scored his 10 thousandth test run, and the influence of his Father.

The name of the Podcast suggests that former South African left arm spinner has just embarked on a crazy adventure. In truth, it is a truly delightful conversation which features Cape Town based freelance journalist Fatima Ahmed, otherwise known as The Popping Crease on social media, former South African left arm spinner Robin Peterson, and Dean du Plessis. This informal yet informative conversation covers the current settings of World Cricket as we eagerly anticipate the return of Test cricket in July. Fatima also tells us how and where her husband proposed to her, Robin relives his famous over to the great Brian Lara, and Dean confirms that he would never have been a good cricketer. A must listen for a true cricket lover.

“Hopefully another 2 and a half years of international cricket” says Brendan Taylor in his chat with Dean du Plessis. 34 year old batsman Brendan Taylor talks about growing up playing cricket under the watchful eye of the Campbell family, his childhood hero’s, Andy Flower and Adam Gilchrist, how he adapted from the U19 World Cup to playing test cricket, his stint with Nottinghamshire and Zimbabwe’s upcoming fixtures.

Neil Johnson. Always smiling and positive by nature remembers the 1999 World Cup with great fondness, and rightly so. Zimbabwe beat Kenya, India and South Africa which allowed them to qualify for the Super sixes. Johnson remembers Zimbabwe’s best day of their ODI History when they beat South Africa, who were the favourites of the tournament. And of course scoring 132* against Australia at Lord’s.

He was one of Zimbabwe’s finest sportsmen, and undoubtedly one of the country’s best cricketers. He was the first Zimbabwean to score a hundred in an ODI when he made 142 against New Zealand in the 1987 World Cup. The first Zimbabwean to score a test hundred when he made 121 against India in Zimbabwe’s debut test match in 1992. The first Zimbabwean to score a double test hundred when he made 266 against Sri Lanka in 1994. He was Zimbabwe’s most successful coach when he was in charge from 1996 to 2000. He now proudly coaches Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Dave Houghton talks about coaching, Zimbabwe’s quest to gain Test Status, playing along side and even captaining players such as Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar.

When my Brother Ben died, I honestly thought the sun would never shine again. Former England ODI captain now Queensland coach Adam Hollioake has a heart to heart chat with Dean du Plessis about his career, mixed Martial Arts, investment losses, and feeling like he never belonged to any country.

Former South African batsman JP Duminy will always be remembered for his dramatic start to Test cricket. His unbeaten 50 assisted AB de Villiers in a match winning partnership as South Africa chased down 414 in Perth in 2008. But, JP wasn’t done yet, his 166 in the 2nd test at the MCG played a significant part in South Africa winning the series down under. The first South African test team to achieve a series win in Australia. He talks about the pressure that followed his test success into the IPL and admits that at times, alcohol was something he turned to in order to relieve some of the pressure. Most of All, JP Duminy hopes that he is able to play a roll in assisting the next generation of cricketers to represent South Africa.

How often do you have two people with the same name talking about something they love with their entire being? This is one of the rare occasions when Dean du Plessis and Dean Jones have a chat about current players, and of course Dean Jones’s playing career. Jones is a fabulous story teller, and and leads us into the famous sweat band incident with Curtly Ambrose. He also admits that he was part of one of Australia’s “most gutless, heartless” performances against the West Indies in 1988 which subsequently saw him score 216 against the same opposition in the following test match. Story telling at it’s best. He pulls no punches. Dean Jones at his best.

A wonderful lite hearted chat with Alan and Mark Butcher. Father and son.