In this random conversation we (MV, Raj, Nishant and Vatsal) attempted to create a playing XI from the roster of "morally grey cricketers".

Our picks:

Vatsal - Salman Butt

We do our best attempt at previewing the Women's World Cup.

Srivastav Ranganathan 22:43 (0 minutes ago)to meIn this episode we go ahead and preview the Women’s T20 World Cup.It’s evident we are doing this for the first time and mostly for ourselves to make this World Cup a lot more easy to follow. We found a lot of useful links that helped in our research. They are as follows -Erika Morris’ wonderful twitter thread - https://x.com/ErikaMorris79/status/1840344771832787311 WC Previews on CI and CB go without saying along with some on the ICC website.Special Mention to absolutely in-depth coverage by Cricket.com/tvCheck out their videos here -https://www.youtube.com/live/TehVdB7VotY?si=Q1HIpuGE5593H1tWhttps://www.youtube.com/live/B7sNiRcc9a4?si=YMdmH3v88Z9rojn0 https://www.youtube.com/live/9v-pnDlwYec?si=1yX3XbROmYDyee3N

In this pod, we discuss the most memorable Men’s ODI WC games. We have Raj, Nishant and MV on the pod for this one.

Lots of things were discussed and some recommendations -

1. War Minus The Shooting - https://bit.ly/3MZHeGW

2. Master of Mombasa (On Asif Karim by Jarrod Kimber) - https://bit.ly/4dvYIFW

Our Picks

1. R - Aus v India 1992 Brisbane

2. N - NZ v Aus 2015 (Group Game) Auckland

3. M - Aus v Afg 2023 Wankhede

4. M - Ken v WI 1996 Pune

5. N - Ire v Eng 2011 Bangalore

6. R - Aus v WI 1996 Mohali

7. R - Ind v Ban 2007 Port of Spain

8. N - NZ v SA 2015 Auckland

9. M - NZ v WI 2019 Manchester

10.M - Kenya v SL 2003 Nairobi Gymkhana

11.N - Ind v Aus 2023 Ahmedabad

Trigger Warning: Strong Language has been used in this conversation. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Raj, Aditya and MV are joined by Behram Qazi to discuss the life of a Pakistani journalist covering world cricket.Behram has been the subject of constant online hate from across the border for his national identity and this does take an effect on his mental health.It will be clear to those who listen that Behram is well travelled, well read and is constantly asserting inclusiveness in his conversations even if online hate is now part of his daily life and work.

Today, we have the best cricket writer of our times - Gideon Haigh to discuss

the life and times of the greatest cricketer that ever lived - Shane Keith Warne.

13th September 2024 would have been his 55th birthday.

Gideon has of course, written extensively on Warne, chiefly his 2012 book - On Warne, and keenly followed his career and after.

We discuss tough art of leg spin, the legacy of Warne as a spinner, and beyond,

Gideon’s fondness of Warne and the ensuing sympathy while being critical of

Warne’s misgivings like match-fixing & the use of banned substances, how

Warne was as a captain, Jarrod Kimber, writing on cricketers you’re close to &

‘the sheer indomitable will of Shane Warne’ amongst other things.

Gideon Haigh’s work can now be followed on https://www.cricketetal.com/

He has written 50 books which you can find here - https://

www.gideonhaigh.com/bibliography/

You can buy his book On Warne - https://bit.ly/4gb45Nk

Book Recommendations

No Spin by Shane Warne - https://bit.ly/4dJS5k9

Warne in Wisden - https://bit.ly/47abQ1K

We rant about the Indian Olympic coverage, and a lot of sports tak.

We do a draft India-Pak squad purely on nostalgia and vibes. Discuss fond memories of the players along the way.

Michael Sanders is a professor of Public Policy at King’s

College, London and the director of the experimental

Government team & on this pod we discuss his latest

paper - Built it and they will search - The impact of

using double-header fixtures to boost the profile of

women’s cricket

Paper Link - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/double-header-matches-boost-

interest-in-womens-cricket-study-finds

King’s College Profile - https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/michael-sanders

Twitter Profile - https://x.com/mike_t_sanders

Best of Cricket Substack by Tarutr Malhotra - https://

bestofcricket.substack.com/