It’s Not Just Cricket

Ben Stokes thinks we are too quick to criticise Harry Brook after he smashes another incredible century - is he right? And is he really more talented than Kevin Pietersen, as Stokes says?

Brook will definitely be in England's Test top 7 against South Africa but who else will be? Is Jamie Smith's position under real threat now that Jordan Cox has shown how good he is behind the stumps?

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Kevin Pietersen has been brought in as England's white ball mentor - is this a stroke of genius or something that could go seriously wrong? At the same time over in Australia there is a big fight taking place over privatisation of the Big Bash - what caused it and how will it end?

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Some extraordinary things have happened in Pakistan cricket over the years but is sending home 9 players and coaches the biggest act of self harm yet? Why was Imam called out so publicly? Why was Ali Usman sent home? Is Aaquib Javed the real problem?

Plus, is Ben Stokes about to show the world his real T20 capabilities and thoughts on a very messy situation at Hampshire with Scott Kuggeleijn.

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Another England player puts his foot in it and there are inevitable calls for the book to be thrown at Brydon Carse. But is what he did any worse than what some of his teammates have already done? Has the ECB backed itself into a corner by not punishing them heavily? Would it now be a weak move to target Carse? Meanwhile, Babar is back for the 2nd Test but Azeem is sticking to his bet that Pakistan won't pass 250 in the series!

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Three Test series to talk about this week! What is behind Bangladesh's amazing rise in Test cricket? Is this Australia team finally over the hill? Is Rishabh Pant the biggest entertainer in cricket? And now that the first season of The Hundred post investment is done, we ask - was it a success?

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With England in dire need of a series win in the post Stokes era, we take a closer look at the Pakistan squad that is about to arrive - is there any way they could cause a vulnerable English side some problems? Meanhile, the West Indies will have to go through the Qualifier tournament again to make it to next year's World Cup - should we no longer be surprised given how far they have fallen in recent years?

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In the end, it's Stephen Fleming and Joe Root. Has Rob Key ultimately gone for the two best available options to lead the Test team forward? Is the biggest problem going to be how to replace Ben Stokes the cricketer, rather than Ben Stokes the captain? Meanwhile Stokes speaks out for the first time since retirement - the boys react to that and put The Hundred under the microscope...why are the crowds down on last season?

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If not Andy Flower or Justin Langer then who? Could the time now be right for Richard Dawson or Jonathan Trott to become England's next Test head coach?! Rumours swirl around Rohit Sharma's impending retirement but after rolling back the years at Lord's surely we haven't seen the last of him in an India shirt? And Ben Stokes' hundred overshadows The Hundred, what is the future for Stokes the cricketer?

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So Brendon McCullum is no longer England's Test coach but who will replace him? Flower, Langer and Flintoff are amongst the leading contenders but could Mickey Arthur be a good option? India's T20 form has suddenly dropped off a cliff - is this just a blip or something more worrying? England's women finally get their long overdue Test match at Lord's but what purpose does Test cricket have in the women's game? And Babar Azam is Pakistan's Test captain again - is this the right move for him and the team?

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So Ben Stokes is no longer an International cricketer but with no obvious candidates, who will replace him as Test captain?! Azeem's vote goes to Ollie Pope - is he really a viable option? Plus, is this finally the end for Rob Key and Brendon McCullum?

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