Stumped

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss what’s next for England’s Test team following Ben Stokes shock retirement. Who will take the armband, how will Stokes international career be remembered and is it the end for ‘Bazball’?
Making it as a professional in one sport is impressive enough but to do it in two is pretty special! That's exactly what 2019 World Cup winner Liam Plunkett has done after he made his pro debut in Baseball for the Oakland Ballers. Known for his fast bowling, Liam tells Stumped about his curve ball a strike out in his first game!
Plus, we hear from former Ireland captain Alan Lewis about a historic weekend for Irish cricket as the men beat India 2-0 for the first time in a T20 series and the women, led by Alan’s daughter Gaby, registered their first ever Women’s T20 World Cup victory.
Photo: Ben Stokes, captain of England, leaves the field at the tea interval, having announced his retirement from international cricket at the end of the current Test Match during day four of the 3rd Rothesay Test Match between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge on June 28, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

India legend Ravichandran Ashwin tells Stumped about his life in the US playing franchise cricket for the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket. He discusses his coaching ambitions, whether the 50-over game has a future, and endorses the idea of cricket having a Champions League style tournament. He also says teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is “special” and believes he should enjoy his cricket.
Nikesh Rughani, Charu Sharma and Brett Sprigg are also joined by Tooba Sarwari, from the Afghan Women’s refugee cricket team who are currently touring England. She tells us what it was like meeting King Charles, how playing cricket has saved her life and about her hopes for the future.
Photo: India's Ravichandran Ashwin waves to the crowd during the first day of the first Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 19, 2024. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh created history by securing their first-ever ODI series victory over Australia, winning the recent three-match contest 2-1. The reigning world champions found themselves on the wrong side of the record books and have now lost four of their last five ODI series. Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss if Australia can fix their problems ahead next year’s Cricket World Cup.
The influence of the new ownership groups in the Hundred is already being felt, with team rebrands as the competition heads into its sixth season. We hear from MI London's’ Nathan Sowter, who has become a short-format specialist, about how the tournament is evolving and what fans can expect this year.
Plus, It was a memorable weekend in the England’s Dorset League as former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara turned out for his local club and smashed a match winning 168 from just 117 balls. We speak to one of his teammates, who tells Stumped he was “coaching” the legendary left-hander through the innings.
Photo: Bangladesh's players celebrate after the dismissal of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne during the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Bangladesh and Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss what’s next for Ben Stokes and England?
Joe Root has replaced Ben Stokes as interim captain for the second Test against New Zealand after Stokes and Gus Atkinson were both dropped following an incident in a London nightclub. The team discuss if curfews work, the return of Root as captain and what the future could hold for Stokes?
The biggest ever Women's T20 World Cup is here and we’re joined by Cricket broadcaster Annesha Ghosh to discuss if India could win the tournament for the first time?
Plus, Dr Raf Nicholson joins us to discuss her new book, The Women in Whites, which takes a closer look at the origins of the women's game in England, from the 18th century through to the present day.
Photo: Ben Stokes of England looks on after the First Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground (Credit: Philip Brown/Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss whether Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are building an IPL dynasty after securing back-to-back titles.
The president of France Cricket, Prebou Balane, joins us after 31 men and women connected with the development of the women’s game in France wrote an Open Letter calling for change.
Plus, South Africa's Tazmin Brits reveals her Olympic dream ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup.
Photo: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League (Credit: Reuters)