The Paddock and The Pavilion - The Horse Racing and Cricket Podcast

In the second part of What was it like to…play World Series Cricket, Rick McCosker reflected on the impact of World Series Cricket after two summers and a Caribbean tour. The former Test opener gives a thoughtful appraisal of  how World Series Cricket changed cricket all around the world. Players were finally paid a decent salary. “It had to happen, it did happen, and I think it was worthwhile, and I think in general cricket has certainly improved” said McCosker.

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In the Pavilion

What was it like to….. play World Series Cricket?

In Episode 7, split into two parts, of a series where I pose the question ‘What was it like to….

I spoke to former Australian opening batsman Rick McCosker, one of the first batch of 35 players who were signed up by Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer to play World Series Cricket in direct competition to established international cricket.

Rick explains in detail the reasons why he signed up to Kerry Packer’s new cricketing organisation and what it was like to play World Series Cricket. “It was very exciting and it was wonderful to be part of something as big as this and something new. But it was tough We were playing against the best in the world”, said Rick.

World Series Cricket continued for two Australian summers and a Caribbean tour, between February and April 1979, before a truce was made with the Australian Cricket Board on 30 May 1979.

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Bullet Train is an often forgotten horse, but 10 years ago the colt played a key role, as the lead horse, in the mighty Frankel’s last race win in the Champion Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. Ian Mongan, the jockey of Bullet Train reflects on one of the most historic races of the 21st century, certainly one of the most anticipated.

Mongan talks fondly about Frankel’s pacemaker, Bullet Train, a Group 3 winner in his classic year, who ran in the 2010 Derby. The jockey explains Bullet Train’s key role in the Frankel story which began at the end of the 2011 season. Bullet Train a three parts brother to Frankel played the part of lead horse in the wonder horse’s last six Group 1 victories.

Mongan talks with affection about his trainer Sir Henry Cecil, whose careful handling of Frankel, helped the colt remain unbeaten in his fourteen races

Both colts are now at stud, Frankel at Banstead Manor stud near Newmarket while Bullet Train is based at Woodfield Farm stud in Ireland.

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Former England International Roland Butcher returns for his final review of England’s Test Match summer. Roland reveals his thoughts on the exciting three match series against South Africa, which only comprised 9 days action. He discusses the reasons why the home country recovered from their innings defeat in the opening Test at Lord’s to beat the tourists 2-1.

With a winter Test tour to Pakistan ahead in December, Roland gives his opinions on selection for the trip along with a series prediction.

We also find out more about his equity, diversity, and inclusivity tour which Roland is currently undertaking in the UK.

 For more details about the tour contact Shawn on [email protected] or Deepak on [email protected]

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German International Tina Gough joins The Paddock and The Pavilion to chat about another successful Women’s hundred competition. Joining this week for guest slots are Trent Rockets player and Scottish international Kathryn Bryce and one of the show’s regular’s ex England International Kathryn Leng.

Tina begins by discussing the final between the Oval Invincibles and the Southern Brave. The podcast covers the overall standard of this year’s event, Nat Sciver’s exploits in the eliminator, star batters and star bowlers while Kathryn Bryce reveals what it was like to play against her sister Sarah in the Trent Rockets match against the Welsh Fire.

In other highlights Tina reflects on Nat Scivers’s recent decision to take a break from cricket due to emotional fatigue.

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In the Paddock

What was it like to….. win the Cambridgeshire handicap at Newmarket?

In Episode 6 of a series where I pose the question ‘What was it like to…. I spoke to young jockey George Wood.

George, who at the time was a 19-year-old apprentice rode 50/1 outsider Dolphin Vista to win the famous heritage handicap on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in 2017.

George talks about the training achievement of Martin Meade in a race that changed the young jockey’s career.

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On the 8 September 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. 

In this poignant episode, as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II we are joined by Richard Pitman, the former National Hunt jockey and BBC TV Racing presenter, Gay Kelleway, the first woman jockey to win a race at Royal Ascot and David Hunter the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at Fakenham racecourse, who all recall their own personal memories of The Queen.

The trio consider what the late Queen meant to them and how important she was to British and World racing.

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In the first of two podcasts to review this year's Hundred Mick Newell, the Trent Rockets Operations Manager gives his thoughts on the second year of the men's white ball competition.

The former Nottinghamshire CCC coach and player reviews the exciting final at Lords where the Trent Rockets beat the Manchester Originals by 2 wickets with only 2 balls remaining, the tournament as a whole, as well as adding his thoughts on what makes a successful team in this new format.

Mick concludes by talking about the effect of the hundred on the county game.

In the second part of our review, out soon, we are joined by German International Tina Gough, Trent Rockets player Kathryn Bryce and former England International Kathryn Leng to discuss this year's Women's Hundred.

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In the final part of our Birdsville series, I spoke to two jockeys chasing Birdsville Cup glory on Saturday 3 September.

Experienced jockey John Keating is looking for his fist win the cup while young Brooke Richardson is aiming to follow up her win in April 2022.

John gives an extensive interview on what the race means to a jockey, his two and half day trek to the racecourse, weight issues and much more.

Brooke reflects on her win on Echo Point and like John talks about her hopes for this year’s Birdsville Cup, the Melbourne Cup of the outback.

We are also joined by Sammi Murray, John’s racing manager who gives us an insight into her role in addition to the state of Henry, John’s vehicle!

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As Gary Brook the Vice President of the Birdsville Race Club says “the journey is part of it”.    

In Part 2 of our Birdsville Races trilogy I spoke to locals Don Rowlands and Donald Dodd along with three Aussies to find out their stores of why they are making their long journeys to the small outback town in Queensland.

Gareth Davies, who left South Wales for Australia 40 years ago chasing waves is making his first visit and chats about his plans ahead of his 1750 km trip. 

Photographer and videographer Sharon Lee Chapman is on her 6th trip. Sharon reveals the secrets to taking photos in a helicopter at the iconic venue. “It’s photography heaven” said Sharon.

Sharon is travelling with her partner Mark and two Jack Russell puppies.

Meanwhile Andrew Redston has taken the scenic route, travelling 8,000km over 6 weeks to reach Birdsville. Andrew is recharging his batteries after a tough personal time in his life.

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