It’s Not Just Cricket

Ben Stokes thinks we are too quick to criticise Harry Brook after he smashes another incredible century - is he right? And is he really more talented than Kevin Pietersen, as Stokes says? Brook will definitely be in England's Test top 7 against South Africa but who else will be? Is Jamie Smith's position under real threat now that Jordan Cox has shown how good he is behind the stumps? This episode is done to help raise money for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - please help us by donating via the Link provided in our Instagram Bios or through this episode's URL. Thanks a lot! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Pietersen has been brought in as England's white ball mentor - is this a stroke of genius or something that could go seriously wrong? At the same time over in Australia there is a big fight taking place over privatisation of the Big Bash - what caused it and how will it end? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some extraordinary things have happened in Pakistan cricket over the years but is sending home 9 players and coaches the biggest act of self harm yet? Why was Imam called out so publicly? Why was Ali Usman sent home? Is Aaquib Javed the real problem? Plus, is Ben Stokes about to show the world his real T20 capabilities and thoughts on a very messy situation at Hampshire with Scott Kuggeleijn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another England player puts his foot in it and there are inevitable calls for the book to be thrown at Brydon Carse. But is what he did any worse than what some of his teammates have already done? Has the ECB backed itself into a corner by not punishing them heavily? Would it now be a weak move to target Carse? Meanwhile, Babar is back for the 2nd Test but Azeem is sticking to his bet that Pakistan won't pass 250 in the series! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three Test series to talk about this week! What is behind Bangladesh's amazing rise in Test cricket? Is this Australia team finally over the hill? Is Rishabh Pant the biggest entertainer in cricket? And now that the first season of The Hundred post investment is done, we ask - was it a success? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With England in dire need of a series win in the post Stokes era, we take a closer look at the Pakistan squad that is about to arrive - is there any way they could cause a vulnerable English side some problems? Meanhile, the West Indies will have to go through the Qualifier tournament again to make it to next year's World Cup - should we no longer be surprised given how far they have fallen in recent years? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the end, it's Stephen Fleming and Joe Root. Has Rob Key ultimately gone for the two best available options to lead the Test team forward? Is the biggest problem going to be how to replace Ben Stokes the cricketer, rather than Ben Stokes the captain? Meanwhile Stokes speaks out for the first time since retirement - the boys react to that and put The Hundred under the microscope...why are the crowds down on last season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If not Andy Flower or Justin Langer then who? Could the time now be right for Richard Dawson or Jonathan Trott to become England's next Test head coach?! Rumours swirl around Rohit Sharma's impending retirement but after rolling back the years at Lord's surely we haven't seen the last of him in an India shirt? And Ben Stokes' hundred overshadows The Hundred, what is the future for Stokes the cricketer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So Brendon McCullum is no longer England's Test coach but who will replace him? Flower, Langer and Flintoff are amongst the leading contenders but could Mickey Arthur be a good option? India's T20 form has suddenly dropped off a cliff - is this just a blip or something more worrying? England's women finally get their long overdue Test match at Lord's but what purpose does Test cricket have in the women's game? And Babar Azam is Pakistan's Test captain again - is this the right move for him and the team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So Ben Stokes is no longer an International cricketer but with no obvious candidates, who will replace him as Test captain?! Azeem's vote goes to Ollie Pope - is he really a viable option? Plus, is this finally the end for Rob Key and Brendon McCullum? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are back for the 3rd Test. But if they were cleared of any wrongdoing why did they have to miss the 2nd Test in the first place? Has Stokes been treated badly in all this when he should have been backed? Kohli and Rohit are in India's ODI squad to tour England but there's no room for Sooryavanshi...is this the right call? Should he not be rushed too quickly into the International set up to protect him? And the Women's T20 World Cup rolls on - the Aussies look back to their fearsome best but the smaller nations have pulled off some eye catching results - are the days of 2 or 3 teams dominating women's cricket over? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 England players get in trouble at a nightclub again - could this be the end of Ben Stokes as Test Captain? If it is, can Harry Brook really be given the Captaincy in these circumstances? Meanwhile, a ruthless decision in India as Suryakumar Yadav is axed as Captain and dropped...but was it the right one? And get set for Sooryavanshi in England - if he makes his International debut, it will be an unforgettable moment in cricket history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another IPL season done but was this one that has changed the way T20 cricket is played? Times change but Virat Kohli is still at the top of the game - appreciate this genius while you can! Are we in danger of making spinners irrelevant though with pitches that don't turn at all?! Also on the menu - why the NZ series is must win for the BazBall era and why Shoaib Bashir should not be picked in the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Darren Gough makes some controversial comments about not getting the England Selector role - but was it right to reveal what was said in a private conversation with Rob Key? Should England not have Central Contracts? And is the T20 Blast relevant anymore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's Test squad has been announced and the boys are still arguing over Ollie Robinson's inclusion! Azeem also questions why Shoaib Bashir is in the squad and hopes Sonny Baker gets picked ahead of Robinson. Plus - are Bangladesh a better Test team than Pakistan right now and have the Gujarat Titans shown that to be a top T20 side all you need is a gun bowling attack and a strong Top 3? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IPL batting strikes rates have surged this year but don't write off the touch players just yet - the likes of Rahul, Kohli and Babar have been quietly evolving. Azeem names his young PSL players to watch and the boys look at a potentially messy situation developing in Australia - will the push to privatise the Big Bash cause a huge schism in Australian cricket? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Azeem and Matt play selectors and attempt to pick a T20 World XI and an England Test XI for the 1st Test v New Zealand. Should Virat Kohli be in a T20 World XI even though he's not playing T20 internationals any more? Is it too early for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?! Is Rashid Khan still the premier spinner in the world? Should Jacob Bethell be promoted to open the batting for England in Test cricket and who should take the wicket keeping gloves - Jamie Smith or James Rew? All these questions and a lot more are hotly debated in this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Pietersen renews his war of words with Alastair Cook so who is in the right this time? Is Jacob Bethell better off sitting on the bench at the IPL or playing county cricket? And Jude Bellingham buys a stake in Birmingham Phoenix - is this a game changer for The Hundred?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jamie Smith starts the county season with a scintillating hundred but can he play for England if he's not keeping for Surrey? Has James Rew jumped ahead of him in the queue after his early season form? Is Emilio Gay a contender to open the batting or will his technique be a problem at Test level? Plus - why do batters turn down singles and should Rajasthan Royals be taken very seriously this year?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plenty of England Test players have points to prove which could make for one of the most fascinating starts to a county season in years. Crawley, Duckett and Smith are all under the microscope, find out which of those Azeem thinks is most likely to keep his place. Then it's at look at who's impressed early on in the IPL and the controversies that are already blighting the PSL. Stand by for an admission from Azeem on ball tampering that will change the way you look at how a ball is shined forever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices