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

Esha Oza, captain and leading batter of the UAE women’s cricket team, joins The Paddock and the Pavilion to reflect on a busy 2025 that saw the UAE compete in World Cup qualifiers, the Gulf Cup, and the inaugural Emerging Nations tournament.

The all-time leading run-scorer in T20 cricket by an associate nation batter also discusses the team’s plans for 2026, shares her thoughts on the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, and reflects on the current state of women’s cricket in the Middle East.

Plus, Esha a previous winner at the FairBreak competition in 2023 shares her excitement about the tournament’s confirmed return in Saudi Arabia in autumn 2026. She reflects on what FairBreak has meant for her career so far and speaks enthusiastically about the possibility of being part of the event again and the opportunities it could bring.

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Sam Martin joins The Paddock and The Pavilion as the opening guest of 2026. A rising young racing journalist and a regular on the show, Sam shares her insightful opinions on the current major topics in horse racing, both on and off the course.

The episode also looks back at her exciting racing year of 2025, including her work at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National at Aintree, as well as her writing for the Injured Jockeys Fund newsletter.

An engaging and enjoyable conversation with one of the emerging voices in the racing industry.

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Across the episode, I revisit some of my favourite conversations from 2025, featuring voices from horse racing, cricket and beyond. Highlights include chats with legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien, former leading National Hunt jockey Tom Scudamore, cricket analyst and former England international Roland Butcher, snooker commentator Neal Foulds, Australian trainer Henry Dwyer reflecting on Asfoora’s Group One success, Rosa Simkin of Rosa Talks Ball, Autism in Racing founder Bobby Beevers, and bestselling author Felix Francis.

The episode reflects the balance of the podcast, with stories from both horse racing and cricket. Topics include the Ashes, England v India, the launch of the Women’s T20 County Cup, Shirley Anderson-Jolag making history as Britain’s first female bloodstock auctioneer, inclusivity in sport through the work of Autism in Racing, and inspiring stories from war torn Ukraine.

This episode brings together the people, moments and conversations that shaped the podcast in 2025, celebrating my two great sporting loves, horse racing and cricket.

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Tracey Harding, CEO of Discover Newmarket, returns to the podcast to reflect on a landmark 10th anniversary year and share an exciting look ahead to what’s coming in 2026.

In this episode, Tracey teases a brand-new tour launching in 2026, reveals the racecourse she visited for the first time this year, and talks about

For more information on all Discover Newmarket tours, visit www.discovernewmarket.co.uk

Tracey was previously my guest in episode 338

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In this special episode, recorded live at North Runcton Cricket Club on 22 October, host Stephen Wallis is joined by a true trailblazer of the game former England international Roland Butcher, the first Black cricketer ever to represent England.

Stephen delves into Roland’s remarkable new autobiography Breaking Barriers: Barbados to England …and Back, exploring his early life in Barbados, his move to England at just 13, his rise through Middlesex CCC, and the moment he stepped onto the field for his England Test debut.

Roland also reflects on his return to Barbados after cricket and the powerful life lessons that have shaped who he is today.

Plus, we’re joined by Dr. Sasha Sutherland, co-author of Breaking Barriers, for further insight into this extraordinary story.

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In this final episode of The Paddock and the Pavilion’s special series Who Will Win the Men’s Ashes, host Stephen Wallis brings together a diverse and insightful panel.

Joining Stephen are Archie Bailey, young fast bowler with Durham CCC; The Master Eli, Zimbabwean cricket commentator; Jane Powell, current Yorkshire CCC President and former England captain and coach; and Richard Whitehead, author of Victory in Australia, the story of England’s triumphant 1954/55 Ashes tour. 

The series concludes with insights from Ken Jacobs, longtime former CEO of Cricket Victoria, who shares his expert view on the upcoming Ashe and turns the tables by asking Stephen for his prediction.

Together, they share their thoughts ahead of the 2025 Men’s Ashes, discussing who they think will lift the urn, expectations for both sides, key players to watch, and what might unfold as England and Australia meet once again across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.

This is the final part in a series of five episodes - Who Will Win the Men’s Ashes? a series, featuring a wide range of guests from former players and journalists to authors, musicians, and more all offering their unique perspectives on cricket’s greatest rivalry.

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In the fourth episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion's Special Series Who Will Win the Men’s Ashes host Stephen Wallis talks to Nottinghamshire’s Director of Cricket and former England selector Mick Newell, Peter Moore Head of Sport at Radio Woking, Rosa Simkin of Rosa Talks Ball, the former England over 60s captain Richard Merriman and Denis Musali, the Hon Secretary of the Uganda Cricket Association

Together, they share their thoughts ahead of the 2025 Men’s Ashes, discussing who they think will lift the urn, expectations for both sides, key players to watch, and what might unfold as England and Australia meet once again across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.

This is the fourth of five episodes in the Who Will Win the Men’s Ashes? series, featuring a wide range of guests from former players and journalists to authors, musicians, and more all offering their unique perspectives on cricket’s greatest rivalry.

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With the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth beginning on 21 November, The Paddock and The Pavilion turns its attention to the fans who bring colour, energy and song to every Ashes series — the Barmy Army.

Host Stephen Wallis is joined by Paul Burnham, founder and chairman of the Barmy Army, to look back at how it all began in the mid-1990s, the origins of their name, and how the group has become England’s twelfth man — encouraging and inspiring the team wherever they play.

Paul also talks about the huge demand to be part of this Ashes tour, gives his thoughts on the upcoming action, names who he thinks will be player of the series, and predicts how the contest might unfold.

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In the third episode of The Paddock and the Pavilion's Special Series Who Will Win the Men’s Ashes host Stephen Wallis talks to Dennis Amiss, the former England opening batter, Leena Moin Aziz, Asia's first female cricket commentator, Andy Brown official painter at the 2025 Indian Premier League, Nick Andrews the England over 70s all rounder along with story tellers Jenni Douglass, the author of Tess & Sabotage at the SCG, and Felix Francis the master of the racing thriller.

Together, they share their thoughts ahead of the 2025 Men’s Ashes, discussing who they think will lift the urn, expectations for both sides, key players to watch, and what might unfold as England and Australia meet once again across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.

This is the third of five episodes in the Who Will Win the Men’s Ashes? series, featuring a wide range of guests from former players and journalists to authors, musicians, and more all offering their unique perspectives on cricket’s greatest rivalry.

Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Spotify or on our YouTube channel.

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In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis continues the build-up to the Men’s Ashes with Mark Campbell popular radio host, sportscaster, and Station Manager at 89 7FM Perth, WA.

Mark, the brother of former Australian wicketkeeper and current Durham CCC Head Coach Ryan Campbell, shares some great stories about their childhood and Ryan’s journey from Perth to international cricket.

As the presenter of the Friday Free for All with Cambo, Mark also offers his insights on the upcoming Ashes series, which begins at Optus Stadium in his home city of Perth.

Sit back and enjoy a lively and entertaining conversation packed with cricket memories, family tales, and Ashes predictions.

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