This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and missing everyones favourite Nomadic No. 11 Rob due to illness is joined by No Contact County Cricket Jack for a proper cricketing deep dive!

Jack takes centre stage as we get to know more about what brought him to the crease, his own cricketing journey, and what keeps him coming back to the game.

We also look back at this year's county cricket season, including Jack's own experiences, his thoughts on how the county game has played out and what he believes could be done differently moving forward.

The conversation then turns towards the England setup.

What does Jack think England are getting right? What needs to change? And what does he make of the current England camp?

The trio also discuss Stephen Fleming, his influence on the game and what his involvement could mean for England cricket.

And then comes the debate that Rob absolutely cannot stand...

Every week we're told England have another "generational talent" coming through.

But are we really seeing a golden generation of cricketers?

Or are we simply labelling players as generational talents far too early?

Rob questions whether England genuinely have the level of talent everyone claims — or whether some players are lazy professionals wasting their own potential.

Jack and Sophie have their say, Rob inevitably gets triggered, and we want to hear what YOU think!

Are England producing genuine world-class talent?

Are players being overhyped?

Are expectations too high?

Or are some players simply not making the most of the ability they've been given?

And unfortunately, it wouldn't be Triggered at Midwicket without another piece of sad cricket news.

This time, the trio reflect on the retirement of Mark Wood.

One of England's modern-day fast bowlers, Woody has given everything to county and country, producing some unforgettable spells and moments throughout his career.

So from all of us at Triggered at Midwicket:

So long, Woody. ❤️

Thank you for everything you've given to English cricket. You've earned the chance to put your feet up, enjoy the next chapter and finally give that body a well-deserved rest!

🏏 What brought you to cricket?

⭐ Who are England's genuine generational talents?

🔥 Are players wasting their potential?

🏴 What should England change?

💬 And what are your favourite Mark Wood moments?

Get involved in the comments and join Sophie, Rob and others for another episode of...

TRIGGERED AT MIDWICKET! 🎙️🏏

Triggered at Midwicket is back! This week, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite teamless nomad Rob welcome TikTok's SRC Sam Cox, a sports writer from Manchester, for another packed episode of cricket chat, heated debates and some seriously difficult selection questions!

With England looking ahead to their upcoming Test against South Africa, the big question is: who actually deserves a place on the plane?

With Jacob Bethell recovering from injury, could he return and take the No. 3 spot from the impressive Jordan Cox?

Or should England be looking elsewhere?

Could Emilio Gay or Ben Duckett pay the price for underwhelming performances against Pakistan? Will Dan Lawrence make way? Or could England leave Jamie Smith out and hand the wicketkeeping gloves over to Cox?

There are plenty of options — but only so many spaces!

Listeners, we want your England XI:

🏏 Who gets on the plane?

✈️ Who stays at home?

🧤 Who should be England's wicketkeeper?

🔥 Who deserves the No. 3 spot?

Rob and Sam get stuck into one of the biggest debates in English cricket:

Is Harry Brook genuinely a generational talent, or is he simply an incredibly good batter who knows how to swing the willow?

Does Brook have the maturity and consistency required to eventually take over from Joe Root as England's batting leader?

And speaking of Root...

With his incredible run-scoring record continuing, could he actually chase down Sachin Tendulkar's Test run record by the time England head to India in 2028?

That's a HUGE question — and the boys aren't necessarily on the same page!

We then look ahead to England's battles with South Africa and, further down the road, next year's Ashes.

Will England be able to handle the pressure when the Ashes arrive?

Could England dominate the series, or will the weight of expectation become a problem?

And what about Australia?

Will the Aussies arrive fit, firing and ready to defend the Ashes, or will their current crop of underperforming players be replaced before the series begins?

Should Australia stick with experience, or is it time for some fresh blood?

Sam gives us his verdict — now we want yours!

Finally, Rob asks Sophie and Sam one of the biggest questions facing cricket:

Can cricket genuinely become a major sport in America?

Or will baseball always remain the favourite when Americans have grown up with a sport where someone eventually has to win?

Could cricket's longer formats and the possibility of draws hold it back?

And then we get into a fascinating sporting crossover:

Could a professional cricketer actually transition into baseball?

Could someone like Liam Plunkett make the switch?

Or would it actually be easier for a baseball player to pick up cricket?

Different skills, different techniques, different rules — but how much crossover is really there?

And finally, we have something very special to celebrate.

Triggered at Midwicket has hit 500 downloads and plays! 🎉🏏

That's also more than 100 hours of our podcast listened to — something we genuinely couldn't have achieved without everyone who's downloaded, streamed, shared, commented and supported the show.

From Rob, Sophie and everyone involved with Triggered at Midwicket:

THANK YOU! ❤️

And we're only getting started...

🎧 Listen to us on Spotify

🍎 Now streaming on Apple Podcasts

🎵 Also available on Amazon Music

As always, get involved and tell us what YOU think!

Who makes your England squad?

Is Harry Brook a generational talent?

Will Root break Tendulkar's record?

Who wins the next Ashes?

And can cricket really conquer America?

This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite teamless nomad Rob are joined once again by left-arm seamer Jack for another action-packed episode full of cricket debates, controversial opinions, questionable decisions and plenty of moments to get you Triggered!

The big news this week is the return of Kevin Pietersen to the England camp as he prepares to take up a mentoring role.

But what exactly does that mean?

When will KP actually join the England set-up? What will his role be? Is he genuinely ready to work within the England structure again, or will he eventually decide that YouTube is the better option?

And perhaps the biggest question of all…

Will England fans actually welcome Kevin Pietersen back?

With his official involvement not beginning until after the October tri-series involving England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Sophie, Rob and Jack ask why the delay — and whether this really is a serious cricketing appointment or simply a clever PR exercise.

Rob then turns to Jack for his thoughts on England's performances against Pakistan so far.

Have England genuinely been impressive, or has Pakistan's dramatic rebuilding process made England look better than they actually are?

With Pakistan sending home seven senior players, as well as changing their coaching set-up, was this a brave decision or a monumental mistake?

And Rob has a particular question for Jack:

Why sack the bowling coach?

Were Pakistan's bowlers really the problem when they didn't perform all that badly against England?

And if Pakistan are struggling this badly, what happens when England come up against a much stronger South African side?

Could the Proteas expose England's weaknesses when the Test series heads to South Africa?

Of course, it wouldn't be Triggered at Midwicket without another controversy!

This time, Hampshire are in the spotlight following their decision to sign fast bowler Scott Kuggeleijn.

Was Hampshire trying to pull the wool over supporters' eyes, or was this simply a rushed decision after Sonny Baker's England call-up left them needing another bowler?

Given Kuggeleijn's legal history and his acquittal, should he have been allowed to play?

Or should Hampshire never have signed him in the first place?

Were they simply desperate for reinforcements?

Honest mistake, desperate signing or completely avoidable controversy?

The trio debate both sides — and we want to know where YOU stand.

Jack then brings some of his latest TikTok opinions to the podcast as the trio start asking:

What would YOU change about cricket?

The LBW law comes under the microscope.

Why can a batter not be given LBW if the ball pitches outside leg stump, regardless of whether it's going on to hit the wickets?

If the ball pitches outside off stump and the batter plays a shot, why can't they then be dismissed LBW?

Make it make sense!

Then things get even more confusing as the trio discuss the laws surrounding the bowler's foot and stumpings.

A bowler can seemingly have their foot on the line and still deliver a legal ball, yet a batter's foot being on the crease rather than behind it can result in them being stumped.

One rule for the bowler and another for the batter?

What if the major counties and minor counties competed in a round-robin tournament?

Could a team such as Suffolk actually find themselves taking on the likes of Lancashire — potentially even facing Jimmy Anderson and the stars of the county game?

Rob immediately asks the most important question:

Has anyone got Jonty Rhodes' number?

Or perhaps someone needs to take the proposal directly to the ECB!

Could one of the minor counties pull off the ultimate upset and win a trophy against the big boys?

Or would the competition simply expose the gulf between the minor and major counties — and leave teams like Gloucestershire wondering why they ever agreed to let Oxfordshire into the competition?

Another episode, another collection of cricket debates — and this time we want YOU involved.

This week on Triggered at Midwicket, everyone's favourite nomadic No. 11 Rob is joined by Posh Girl Sophie for another packed episode of cricket

First up, the pair take a moment to shout out their fellow cricket content creators, celebrating everyone who has spent another season influencing, creating, playing and generally helping to grow the beloved game of cricket. From the people behind the cameras to those out there facing the music in the middle, it's time to recognise the hard work that goes into another cricketing season.

Then Rob finally reveals the truth behind those infamous "rumours" about leaving his old club. What actually happened? Why did he start the rumours in the first place? And why have some people given him surprisingly backhanded farewells, while others have genuinely wished him well? Rob tells all!

Just when you thought the England nightclub saga couldn't get any more ridiculous...

The hosts turn their attention to Brydon Carse, following his arrest and subsequent de-arrest after an incident following Durham's County Championship match against Derby.

when is this going to stop?

With a new England captain and head coach coming into the picture, will the ECB finally take a harder line, or will Rob Key simply sweep another incident under the carpet and carry on as normal?

And what happens to Carse now?

• Will he remain in England's squad for the Test in South Africa?
• Could he face a ban?
• Could his central contract be at risk?
• Should the ECB make an example of him?
• And why are so many England players finding themselves in trouble?

With Carse reportedly becoming the eighth England player in as many months to face disciplinary action over an altercation, Sophie and Rob ask whether something fundamentally needs to change.

The conversation then turns towards England's upcoming cricket, including their clashes with South Africa and Bangladesh, as well as the anniversary fixture against Australia.

After their performances against Pakistan, are England finally firing on all cylinders — or could a weaker competition be making them look better than they really are?

The pair also get stuck into The Telegraph's comparison between England's current bowling options — including Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer — and the legendary 2005 Ashes attack featuring Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff.

Is that comparison fair?

And just how good is England's current attack compared with one of the most iconic bowling units in Ashes history?

Why aren't more men's Ashes Tests played further north than Trent Bridge?

Considering England's impressive record playing cricket in the north, should grounds further up the country be given more opportunities to host Ashes Tests?

And then there's Lord's.

Is the history and heritage of the Home of Cricket so important that we're unwilling to consider major improvements to the ground? Should England really be playing an Ashes Test on a potentially sub-par surface simply because of the prestige attached to Lord's?

Would cricket actually benefit from missing a few Tests there while the ground is properly overhauled?

And then we head back to Pakistan, where things appear to be changing rapidly.

With seven changes to the playing group, senior players affected and the coach being sacked, is this a sensible tactical rebuild — or has Pakistan simply hit the panic button?

Is Pakistani cricket in serious trouble?

Could one of cricket's greatest nations genuinely be in danger of losing its place at the top table of international cricket?

Or is this simply another chapter in Pakistan cricket's famously unpredictable story?

Finally, Sophie and Rob put the controversies and debates aside to look back on their own cricket seasons.

👇 Get involved in the comments and tell us:

🏏 Your best moment of the season
😂 Your funniest cricket moment
😬 Your worst moment
❤️ Your most memorable game
🎥 Your favourite cricket content from the season

This week, Posh Girl Sophie and Teamless Nomad Rob kick things off with a big question: which three cricketers would they most like to meet? Do you agree with their choices? Who would make your own top three? Plus, there are plenty of honourable mentions along the way.

The pair then dive into The Hundred finals, discussing both the women's and men's competitions before moving into the world of Test cricket and England's latest battle with Pakistan. We also head down under to discuss Australia's shock setback against Bangladesh — only for the Aussies to come roaring back and remind everyone why you can never count them out!

Back to England, Sophie and Rob dissect The Telegraph's player ratings and ask the big question: do the fans agree? Should England stick with their current side and fire on all cylinders, or are changes needed? With Jordan Cox producing a decent 70, Dan Lawrence impressing, and Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson sharing five wickets apiece in the first innings, there is plenty to debate.

Could Jordan Cox now make a case to take over the wicketkeeping gloves? Should England consider dropping James Smith following his dip in domestic form and his England performances? And, with the Pakistan series still in the balance, can Pakistan fight back and level things up?

Then there's the bigger picture: should England rest some of their key players before heading to South Africa this winter?

And just when you thought the controversy was over, there's more to discuss as Brydon Carse finds himself in trouble following another drinking-related incident involving England players. What will the ECB do? Could Rob Key's position come under pressure, or will disciplinary action be enough? And are harsher penalties needed for players who repeatedly find themselves in trouble?

Finally, Rob switches from cricket pundit to charity goalkeeper — or wicketkeeper — as he thanks everyone who turned out and donated to his charity game. From a mixed game featuring girls, ladies and coaches to the brilliant surprise appearance of Rob's mum, it was a day to remember.

The episode finishes with an update on the fundraising totals for Evelina London Hospital and Diabetes UK, after the Diabetes UK team comfortably defeated Evelina Hospital by eight wickets.

Who would you want to meet? Who should England pick? Who needs dropping? And what should the ECB do next?

Join Sophie and Rob for another packed episode of cricket, opinions, controversy, laughs and charity.

Listen, debate and let us know what YOU think!

The cricket chaos continues as Farmer Aaron, Posh Girl Sophie and Teamless Nomad Rob pick up where Part One left off.

With England preparing for their first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, we go deeper into the big questions surrounding Stephen Fleming. Will he have any say before officially taking charge in December, or is this England side firmly in Marcus North’s hands for now?

We look beyond Pakistan too. What can England realistically achieve before Fleming’s first major assignment against the reigning Test champions, South Africa, in their own backyard? And what could we learn from the Bangladesh series that follows?

Then we switch from Test cricket to The Hundred — because apparently we weren’t done arguing about cricket yet.

Can the Women’s Trent Rockets finish the job against the Women’s Sunrisers in the final? Could the Rockets pull off a Hundred double? And will Jos Buttler lead his Manchester Super Giants to victory against the Men’s Trent Rockets?

And while we’re there… why exactly is the Manchester Super Giants badge an elephant?!

From pitch safety and grass conditions to England’s batting XI, Fleming’s arrival, Root’s captaincy, Bazball, Pakistan and the battle for Hundred glory, we attempt to predict who will walk away victorious.

Will the Rockets make it a double? Will England beat Pakistan? Will Aaron approve of the pitch? And, most importantly, will anyone ever understand the elephant?

There’s only one way to find out.

Farmer Aaron joins Posh Girl Sophie and Teamless Nomad Rob for a gloriously grass-heavy first part of the cricket conversation!

We get stuck into what it’s really like being a groundskeeper in the UK heatwave, the challenges of preparing pitches in ridiculous conditions, and Aaron’s journey into cricket. There’s also the small matter of discovering what Aaron thinks a VHS cassette actually is — and the evidence of his youth may surprise you!

Then things get serious as we turn our attention to England. What should we expect from the ECB’s appointment of Stephen Fleming? Why doesn’t he take the reins until December? Has Fleming already had an influence from afar, or will Marcus North be calling the shots for England’s first Test against Pakistan at Headingley?

We look at England’s named squad and try to work out who actually makes the starting XI, whether England have a realistic chance against Pakistan, and whether Marcus North can get the big calls right.

And, of course, we have to ask: what does Farmer Aaron REALLY think of Bazball? Did it actually work? Is England’s approach about to change? And is naming Joe Root as captain again a wise move considering his previous stint in charge?

Expect grass, pitches, batting orders, captaincy debates, plenty of opinions — and a healthy amount of nonsense.

Part One is where the groundwork gets laid.

This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie is joined by the newly christened "Teamless Journeyman", Rob, as they welcome long-time cricketer, coach and all-round cricket enthusiast Rich to the podcast.

Rich shares stories from his playing career before the conversation turns to one of the most rewarding parts of grassroots cricket: coaching the next generation. Alongside Rob, the pair discuss the challenges of developing young players, the importance of participation over results, and the balancing act of helping children improve while ensuring they continue to enjoy the game.

Rob also reflects on his first 18 months as a coach, opening up about the obstacles he's faced, the lessons he's learned, and the incredible satisfaction of seeing his girls' team finish top of the table and lift the league title. One of the season's proudest moments came when one of his players became the first girl in Ifield Cricket Club's history to score over 100 runs while carrying her bat through the entire innings—a milestone that means just as much to the coaches as it does to the player herself.

Rich offers an honest assessment of his own coaching journey before turning the tables on Rob, asking him about life as both a junior and senior village cricket umpire. Sophie joins in by asking what it's really like officiating matches involving different clubs and age groups, and how Rob copes with the pressures and responsibilities that come with making decisions when every player believes they're right.

After Rich departs, the conversation shifts to the latest episode of For the Love of Cricket, featuring a Ben Stokes special hosted by Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad. Rob gives his unfiltered reaction, arguing that Stokes didn't come across as the same character fans have seen throughout his career. Instead, he felt the interview was shaped by media training, with carefully measured answers, a defensive tone and, in his opinion, very little accountability for some of the decisions made during his time as England captain.

Sophie then asks Rob to reflect on growing up, taking responsibility at a young age and learning through mistakes without the guidance or support systems available to modern elite athletes. The discussion compares that experience with the pressures faced by players such as Ben Stokes and Freddie Flintoff, who were thrust into the spotlight as cricket's next superstars while navigating a culture where alcohol and off-field expectations often went hand in hand with the game.

Rob also explains why the interview reminded him of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's conversation with Oprah Winfrey. In his view, both interviews carried a similar feeling of reflecting publicly after stepping away from the spotlight, leading to an honest discussion about leadership, accountability and life after captaincy.

The episode finishes on a high with an exciting announcement as Rob reveals details of his upcoming charity cricket match in support of Diabetes UK and The Evelina London Children's Hospital. He also promotes an all-women's fixture in partnership with Take Her Lead, an initiative dedicated to encouraging more women and girls to get involved in cricket.

Can Rob produce another match-winning performance for Diabetes UK like he did last year? Will his charity exploits finally earn the Teamless Journeyman a place in a new club, or will he still be searching for a team when the final ball has been bowled?

Grassroots cricket, coaching, honest opinions, charity, and plenty of Triggered at Midwicket passion—this is one episode you won't want to miss.

This week on Triggered at Midwicket, everyone's favourite village cricket umpire and amateur groundsman, Rob, is joined by Posh Girl Sophie and special guest Ed for an episode that shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of cricket—the people who make sure the game can be played in the first place.

Despite never having played the game competitively, Ed has been a lifelong cricket fan and brings a unique perspective through his work as a consultant for local councils, local authorities and government, specialising in parks, green spaces and environmental sustainability.

With hosepipe bans, prolonged dry spells and unprecedented summer temperatures affecting cricket clubs across the country, the trio discuss the enormous challenges facing volunteer and professional groundskeepers alike. They explore how clubs can become more water-conscious, practical ways to conserve resources, and what can be done to help protect the pitches and outfields that are so vital to grassroots sport as the UK's climate continues to change.

Rob lifts the lid on just how much work goes into preparing a cricket square, from producing a safe and consistent wicket to maintaining a healthy outfield throughout a long season. The conversation highlights the dedication of volunteers across the country and why attracting younger generations into groundskeeping is becoming just as important as encouraging them to pick up a bat or ball. After all, without the people behind the scenes, there simply isn't a game to play.

The discussion also looks at ways clubs can save money, improve sustainability and access grants that are available to cricket, football and rugby clubs, offering practical advice for committees and volunteers looking to safeguard the future of their facilities.

Even the biggest venues aren't immune. The hosts examine how extreme weather has created challenges for international grounds, with even Lord's facing difficulties in maintaining world-class playing surfaces as prolonged heat places unprecedented stress on grass and soil alike. If the Home of Cricket is feeling the effects, what hope is there for the average village club?

To round off the episode, attention turns back to the England men's team following the appointment of Stephen Fleming as the new Test head coach. Will the former New Zealand captain provide the fresh start England desperately needs, or will his close ties to Brendon McCullum see more of the same? Could Fleming steer England back towards a more traditional style of Test cricket, introduce an entirely new philosophy, or has the England job become one of the toughest—and most thankless—roles in world cricket?

Whether you're a groundskeeper, club volunteer, committee member or simply someone who loves the game, this is an episode that celebrates the people behind the pitches while asking the big questions about the future of English cricket.

Because sometimes, the biggest challenge isn't scoring runs—it's making sure there's a pitch to play on.

This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie is joined by everyone's favourite amateur groundsman, Trigger (Rob), for another episode packed with tributes, passionate debates and plenty of strong opinions.

The episode begins by paying tribute to one of cricket's all-time greats, Sir Garfield Sobers. Sophie and Rob reflect on the extraordinary career of the legendary West Indian all-rounder, whose influence on the game is still felt today. From becoming one of the few players to hit six sixes in a single over to his phenomenal all-round ability and remarkable bowling accuracy, they discuss why many still consider Sobers the greatest cricketer to have ever played the game. They even ask whether modern legends—including Brian Lara—can truly match the legacy left by one of cricket's greatest icons.

Attention then turns to the latest drama surrounding the England men's team as Brendon "Baz" McCullum's tenure comes to an end. Was it the right decision, or has English cricket made another costly mistake? More importantly, who should be trusted with rebuilding the national side? Rob and Sophie debate the leading candidates, from Andy Flower and Jonathan Trott to Justin Langer and Alec Stewart, while asking listeners to get involved and tell us who they would put in charge.

Rob then launches into a classic Triggered at Midwicket rant after England are somehow named the world's number one ranked T20 side. Looking at recent performances and the lack of silverware compared to Australia, India and other cricketing powerhouses, he simply can't understand how the rankings have worked that one out. As Rob puts it: "Make it make sense!"

The spotlight then shifts to the England Women's team. After reaching the T20 World Cup Final against Australia and continuing to grow the game, Sophie and Rob question why the women's achievements are so often overshadowed by the latest headlines surrounding the men's side. With coaching changes, captaincy speculation and off-field drama dominating the news, they ask what more the women's team has to achieve before receiving the recognition they truly deserve.

Looking ahead, the hosts preview England's challenging tours of South Africa and Bangladesh before the Australians arrive for another Ashes battle on home soil. With uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, leadership and direction of the men's team, have Australia already become overwhelming favourites, or can England find someone capable of turning things around before it's too late?

The episode closes by congratulating Jos Buttler on reaching the remarkable milestone of 200 ODI appearances for England, while once again paying tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers—a cricketer whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Tributes, debates, rants, rankings that leave everyone scratching their heads, and plenty of cricket chat—it's another unmissable episode of Triggered at Midwicket.