Stumped

On this Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell, we look back as Bangladesh shocked the cricket world beating the reigning World Test champions, New Zealand by eight wickets in the opening Test at Mount Maunganui. Former Bangladesh player Shahriar Nafees joins us to explain the significance of the victory - their first against the Black Caps in any form of the game.

Credit: Bangladesh celebrate against New Zealand during day five of the first Test Match in the series between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Bay Oval on January 05, 2022 (Photo: Getty Images)

Isabelle Westbury, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss Australia winning the Men's Ashes in just twelve days and look at whether this is the start of a golden era for the country in both red and white ball cricket. They also ask who is to blame for England's defeat and how they can improve.

Charu Sharma has been watching the first Test match between South Africa and India and tells us who his stand out players have been, why India seem unable to convert starts to big scores and whether he thinks Test captain Virat Kohli will retire soon.

Plus the team are joined by England bowler Kate Cross to preview the Women's Ashes, tell us how their preparation has been impacted by Covid-19 and the excitement building within the camp.

Photo: Australia's captain Pat Cummins (C) leads his team on a lap of the ground after Australia won the match and retained the Ashes during the third day of the third Ashes cricket Test match in Melbourne on December 28, 2021. (Credit: HAMISH BLAIR/AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell brings you the best of Stumped in 2021.

The show features an interview with the former West Indies cricketer and commentator Michael Holding on his book which documents the racism he has suffered and seen throughout his life.

Plus you can hear a classic Stumped debate on the term 'outs' instead of 'wickets' and hear from the first woman to be made President of the Marylebone Cricket Club, Clare Connor.

Photo: Commentator Michael Holding before the second day of the third test between England and India at Headingley on August 26, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss the chaotic start to the second men's Ashes test including Australia's captain Pat Cummins being forced to miss the match due to being deemed a close contact of a Covid-19 case. We reflect on the warm welcome Steve Smith received as he stepped up again to lead Australia, and if it was the right decision by England not to select Mark Wood or a spinner.

Plus we're joined by the captain of Team USA, Monank Patel ahead of their historic upcoming series against Ireland who will become the first full member nation to tour the US. Patel discusses what impact being chosen to co-host the men's T20 World Cup in 2024 will have on the growth of the game in the United States.

Photo: England's Jos Buttler during the first day of the second test match at the Adelaide Oval. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss Pat Cummins' first match as captain of the Australian Test side in the Ashes, the omission of both Stuart Broad and James Anderson for the first Test match and if technology should be better at spotting no-balls.

Plus what’s the future of cricket’s coin toss? After two thirds of the T20 Men’s World Cup matches were won by the team that won the toss we are joined by Professor Haris Aziz who has come up with a new theory which he says would make the coin toss fairer.

Photo: Australian captain Pat Cummins celebrates with team-mates after dismissing England's Chris Woakes during the First Ashes Test Match at The Gabba. (Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja to discuss their run in the men’s T20 World Cup. He tells us that he spoke to captain Babar Azam about how to get India player Rohit Sharma out and what more needs to be done to ensure they win a final soon. Plus he shares his hopes for a women’s Pakistan Super League and how the decision by England and New Zealand to call off their tours made them feel 'used and binned'.

Plus we look ahead to the men’s Ashes series, debate team selection and give our series predictions.

Photo: Newly-elected Pakistan's Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and former team captain Ramiz Raja smiles after addressing a press conference at the cricket academy in Lahore on September 13, 2021. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) (Photo by ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)

With less than two weeks to go until the men’s Ashes begins Alison Mitchell, Geoff Lemon and Charu Sharma react to Tim Paine stepping down as Australia captain, how it was handled and what this means for the team going forward.

Plus we are joined by South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp who will be playing in the final of the WBBL with Perth Scorchers. She shares her experience of joining the Scorchers after six years with the Sydney Sixers, tells us how her experience of winning the inaugural Hundred competition will help her in the final, how the competitions compare and shares her thoughts on former South Africa captain AB de Villiers decision to retire.

Photo: Tim Paine looking solemn (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell react to Australia winning the Men’s T20 World Cup and present the Stumped T20 awards for the best player, stand out moment, biggest surprise, and biggest disappointment of the tournament.

Plus, former cricketer turned sports psychologist, Jeremy Snape, joins the team to discuss what it takes mentally to be a winner and tells us about the different mindsets needed from a World Cup Final to a match with a fierce rivalry - like the Ashes.

Additional note: This week's Stumped was recorded before Tim Paine announced his decision to step down as Australia Test captain.

Photo: Australia captain Aaron Finch lifts the ICC World T20 Trophy with teammates after defeating New Zealand in the final in the UAE. (Credit: Getty Images)

On this week's Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell examine the fallout from the racism scandal which has engulfed Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the sport over the last few weeks.

The team speak with John Mehrzad QC, who has been involved in conducting independent reviews in sport, to find out what is best practice when it comes to dealing with complaints of racism or harassment in sports organisations. Mehrzad was the only lawyer on the cultural review of British Cycling, chaired the governance review of the British Equestrian Federation and chaired the review into UK Athletics’ handling of allegations concerning athletics coach Alberto Salazar.

Plus we’re also joined by Derbyshire player Anuj Dal, who is Vice Chair of the Professional Cricketers Association and part of their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group. He discusses how the PCA is working with players at all levels to educate them about racism and inclusivity and how the union supports its member when allegations are made.

Photo: Former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq poses for a portrait during the Yorkshire CCC Media Day at Headingley in 2018. (Credit: Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell debate where it has gone wrong for India in the men’s T20 World Cup, if South Africa are peaking at the right time and whether England or Pakistan are the tournament favourites.

Plus we are joined by the General Manager of the Big Bash Leagues in Australia, Alistair Dobson. He tells us how Covid has impacted the WBBL, the significance of having Indian players in the competition and how preparations are going for the men’s Big Bash League beginning next month.

We also speak to Will Gaffney who set up the Bat For A Chance foundation which helps underprivileged children from around the world enjoy cricket.

Photo: Credit: India captain Virat Kohli cuts a dejected figure following his side's 10 wicket defeat against Pakistan during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. (Image: ICC via Getty Images)