Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Vipers Voices
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Moody - part one: the fixtures, the captaincy, the UAE newcomers & lots more! | 04 Dec 2024 | 00:20:55 | |
In this episode we speak with Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody, the first part of a two-part chat ahead of season three of the DP World ILT20.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Max Holden on joining the Vipers for season three | 02 Dec 2024 | 00:20:52 | |
In this episode we speak with one of the Vipers’ new recruits, the English top-order batter Max Holden, who plays his cricket for county side Middlesex and for the Manchester Originals in the men’s Hundred.
A former England under-19 player, Max tells us all about his background and also talks about his excitement at joining the franchise in a wide-ranging chat that’s coming up shortly.
Max may be one of the Vipers’ new faces for season three but he’s not new to the DP World ILT20 having played for the Dubai Capitals in season two.
Max tells us all about that experience in our conversation, as well as his development as a player and what it’s been like for him to play alongside two of the game’s best white-ball batters, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, for the Manchester Originals.
He also lets us know how he’s been preparing for the upcoming season and reveals who, out of the Vipers roster, he’s most looking forward to lining up alongside once the action gets underway.
It’s a terrific chat and well worth your time…
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Dubai Sports Council partnership, Colin Munro and Tom Moody | 02 Feb 2024 | 00:14:20 | |
This is a very special episode of Vipers Voices. It's special because It was recorded on the day the Desert Vipers joined forces with the Dubai Sports Council.
Dubai Sports Council is the official body responsible for the development of the sports sector in the Emirate.
And in a ground-breaking partnership, Dubai Sports Council has become the Lead Partner in the Desert Vipers’ Sustainability Programme.
The announcement was made at the offices of the Dubai Sports Council in Dubai’s Design District in the presence of its Secretary General His Excellency Saaed Hareb as well as the Desert Vipers Owner Avram Glazer, Chief Executive Officer Phil Oliver, Director of Cricket Tom Moody and captain Colin Munro.
We hear from Colin, who talks about the partnership as well as looking back at the narrow defeat to Dubai Capitals and forward to the now-crucial game against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday February the 3rd.
That match is the Vipers’ Sustainability Match, where the players will be wearing green kit, fans are being asked to attend dressed in green and are also be invited to bring in old and used sportswear which can then be recycled and upcycled in keeping with the Vipers commitment to sustainability and the environment.
We hear, too, from Tom Moody, who speaks about Shaheen Shah Afridi after the Pakistan Twenty20 International captain signed off for this season with that match against the Capitals.
Tom talks about Shaheen’s influence on and off the field and how the Vipers will deal with his absence.
So, plenty of chat – as ever – on this episode, but before we get into that, just a quick reminder that if you’d like to attend the Sustainability Match or any of the Vipers games this season, you can do so by picking up a ticket either at the league’s website – www.ilt20.ae – or at any Virgin megastore across the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody and Rohan Mustafa on the defeat to the Dubai Capitals | 01 Feb 2024 | 00:17:10 | |
This time we reflect upon the side’s sixth match of the second edition of the tournament and it’s a match that ended in defeat for the Vipers – a four-wicket loss at the hands of David Warner’s Dubai Capitals, off the final ball of the match.
Coming up we hear from Director of Cricket Tom Moody, who offers us his perspective on the narrow reverse and we also get the thoughts of UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa, who scored 50 as opener and took a wicket with his off-spin.
There are four more group games left for the Vipers to secure a spot in the play-offs that follow the league stage of the competition, starting with a match against the Gulf Giants, a repeat of last year’s final. It’s the game that’s been designated the Vipers’ Sustainability Match and it takes place at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday February the 3rd.
If you want to attend the match then obtaining a ticket could not be easier. You can do so via the league’s own website – www.ilt20.ae – or at any Virgin Megastore across the UAE.
And if you are coming along then make sure you wear green and also bring with you an old or unwanted item of sportswear; the Vipers will swap it for a green shirt and also recycle or upcycle what you bring along, all part of the franchise’s sustainability strategy. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro's half-term report - looking back and looking forward | 31 Jan 2024 | 00:17:22 | |
In this episode we look back at the dramatic victory over MI Emirates, forward to the next match, against the Dubai Capitals, and also assess how the team is doing at the halfway point of the group stage, all in the company of captain Colin Munro.
Colin offers his usual fair and honest appraisal of his own and his side’s performances in the tournament so far and, as ever, it’s an interview you won’t want to miss. After the last-ball success against MI Emirates, you won’t want to miss the next Vipers match, against David Warner’s Dubai Capitals, or any Vipers match in the tournament for that matter. And getting hold of tickets for the action couldn’t be easier. You can do so via the ILT20 website – www.ilt20.ae – or at any Virgin Megastore in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster and Ali Naseer on the last-gasp win over MI Emirates | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:20:50 | |
It’s a happy podcast this time as we have reaction after the Vipers' second win of this season's DP World ILT20, one secured by the narrowest of margins - by two wickets off the final ball in an absolute thriller against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium.
We hear from head coach James Foster and also UAE all-rounder Ali Naseer, who took a game-changing catch to dismiss MI Emirates captain Nicholas Pooran.
The result lifts the Vipers off the bottom of the table but it really couldn’t be any closer at the halfway point of the group stage as the team is one of four sides on the same number of points – four, with Sharjah warriors on six and Mi Emirates on eight. It really does mean it’s all to play for with finals spots very much up for grabs.
This was undoubtedly the match of the tournament and if you’d like to sample some Vipers excitement first-hand then it couldn’t be easier to do so. You can get your tickets at the ILT20 website – www.ilt20.ae and at any Virgin Megastore across the UAE, with the Vipers next match is against the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday February the 1st. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver on the Sustainability Match | 29 Jan 2024 | 00:12:35 | |
It’s time to hear from the Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver as we build up to the franchise’s Sustainability Match, against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday February the 3rd.
The match is a first for the Vipers and for the DP World ILT20 as it’s been put in place to highlight all that the Vipers are doing to raise awareness of the issues of sustainability and, more broadly, the climate crisis.
There’ll be a whole range of activities and initiatives around the day and Phil tells us all about them in this interview.
First and foremost, the plan is to turn the stadium green, literally and metaphorically, on the day, with recycling, upcycling and activities highlighting sustainability inside and outside the venue.
Fans are also going to be given green shirts to wear, the Vipers will be playing in green, and people can also bring in their old and unwanted sports kit so that they can be put to good use by those who need them.
And if you fancy getting involved in the day by attending the match – or any Vipers match this season, for that matter – it couldn’t be easier to get hold of tickets. You can do so by visiting the ILT20 website – www.ilt20.ae – or going to any Virgin Megastore across the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Luke Wood and Alex Hales on defeat against the Sharjah Warriors | 28 Jan 2024 | 00:16:06 | |
In this episode we reflect upon the match against the Sharjah Warriors at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a game that saw the Vipers slip to a third defeat in four this season, going down narrowly by seven runs.
We hear from Luke Wood, who picked up three wickets in his first outing of the campaign and there’s also reaction from top-scorer Alex Hales, who’s 61 from 40 balls wasn’t quite enough to get the side over the line.
The result leaves the Vipers bottom of the six-team table but with six matches still to play and just two points between sides six to two there’s still plenty to play for with finals spots up for grabs.
And the Vipers have the chance to put their tough start to the tournament behind them starting on Tuesday the 30th of January when the side is next in action, against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday the 30th of January.
And remember tickets are available for that match and all that the Vipers are set to play. You can buy them at the ILT20 website – www.ilt20.ae and at any Virgin Megastore across the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Sherfane Rutherford and Azhar Mahmood after defeat against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 27 Jan 2024 | 00:13:26 | |
In this episode, we look back on the side’s third match of the tournament, against the Abu Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi.
The Knight Riders repeated the result of the previous meeting between the two sides six days earlier by winning by six wickets, this time with 14 balls to spare.
We hear from Vipers batter Sherfane Rutherford, who made 28 from 21 balls, and also fast bowling coach Azhar Mahmood. Both were frustrated at the result and the performance but know there’s no point in dwelling on it given the matches are coming thick and fast now with another clash just 24 hours after the Knight Riders match, against the Sharjah Warriors in Sharjah.
And if you want to catch any of the Vipers matches live then buying tickets couldn’t be easier. You can do so via the league’s website, www.ilt20.ae and also at any Virgin Megastore in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster | 26 Jan 2024 | 00:23:42 | |
It’s time to look forward to the next match on the Vipers’ schedule, the match against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon.
And to that, we are in the company of head coach James Foster.
We chatted with James on Thursday and in a wide-ranging conversation he not only looked ahead to that match against the Knight Riders, a repeat of the side’s opening game of the season, but also back to the victory over the Gulf Giants and plenty more besides.
James talks about the impact of the arrival of the Pakistan players – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan – on the squad, the role of the toss and the impact of the super sub rule on the tournament.
There’s plenty of meat on the bone there and it’s an interview you won’t want to miss.
And remember you can buy your tickets for all Vipers matches, starting with that match against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, at the ILT20 website and also at all Virgin Megastores across the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tymal Mills | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:20:35 | |
This time we catch up with Tymal Mills, the left-arm fast bowler who’s already made a significant impact for the Vipers in this edition of the tournament.
Tymal talks to us about a range of subjects, looking back on the victory of the Gulf Giants in the side’s second match of the tournament, forward to match three against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and plenty more besides.
We chat all things left-arm given there are five left-armers battling for spots in the starting line-up, we talk pitches, conditions, the value of the toss, the super sub rule – and Tymal has a very interesting take on that – and we also speak about what he does outside of cricket.
It’s a thoroughly engaging conversation and it’s coming up shortly here on Vipers Voices.
And remember you can buy your tickets for all Vipers matches, starting with the side’s next outing against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday the 27th of January at the ILT20 website and also at all Virgin Megastores across the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro on victory over the Gulf Giants | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:17:35 | |
We’re reacting to positive news as the Vipers are off the mark for the season with a six-wicket win with eight balls to spare against the Gulf Giants, the side that beat the Vipers in last year’s final. Coming up we hear from Vipers captain Colin Munro as he gives us his views on the team’s performance that means with just seven matches gone in the tournament, every side has now won at least one game and lost one game.
You can do so via the ILT20 website or at any Virgin Megastore in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| The road to season three starts here! Azam Khan & Luke Wood launch the Vipers' new kit! | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:30:13 | |
With the next edition of the DP World ILT20 just a couple of months away, it's time to kick-off a new season of Vipers Voices - and what better way to do it than to speak with Luke Wood and Azam Khan at the launch of the side's new playing kit for 2025. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Shadab Khan and Mohammad Amir | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:16:12 | |
This episode is what you might call a Pakistan special as we chat to Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan, part of the four-man contingent from that country who are bolstering the Vipers ranks for this second edition of the DP World ILT20.
Amir played in the first match of the season against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and now Shadab is in Dubai as well, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Azam Khan.
We caught up with Amir and Shadab during a media interaction with local and international journalists and, as you’ll hear from the chat, they were in relaxed mood ahead of the Vipers next match of the tournament, against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday January the 24th.
Talking of which, tickets for that clash, a repeat of the 2023 final, and all other Vipers matches this season, are available via the ILT20 website, www.ilt20.ae and also at all Virgin Megastores in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Ben Hardy-Jones on the Vipers Sustainability Match on 3 February | 22 Jan 2024 | 00:18:42 | |
This really is an episode with a difference as we begin the countdown to a first for the Vipers and a first for the DP World ILT20 – a game on February the 3rd against defending champions the Gulf Giants that’s being christened the Sustainability Match, aimed at highlighting all the things the Vipers are doing to raise the issues of climate change and recycling.
And to let us know what it’s all about and what’s planned, we hear from the Desert Vipers Sustainability Manager Ben Hardy-Jones, who gives us all the details – which include a change in the colour of the team’s playing strip for the day and opportunities for fans to get involved.
It’s an exciting innovation and hopefully, once you’ve listened to what Ben has to say, you’ll be enthused about it too – and if you’re in the UAE you’ll be keen to come along and play your part on the day.
Tickets for all Vipers matches, not just the sustainability match but every game the team is playing this season, starting with the next one – like the Sustainability Match, against the Gulf Giants, on Wednesday January the 24th, are on sale and can be purchased via the ILT20 website or at any Virgin Megastore across the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody & Adam Hose on match one against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 21 Jan 2024 | 00:14:51 | |
We reflect on the Desert Vipers’ first match of season two of the DP World ILT20.
The Vipers were defeated by the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by six wickets with 14 balls to spare at the Dubai International Stadium and to talk us through what went wrong we have an interview with Director of Cricket Tom Moody.
We’ll also hear from Adam Hose, who top-scored for the Vipers with 45 from 30 balls and he, like Tom, offers an honest assessment of the side’s performance.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro previews the season-opener against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 20 Jan 2024 | 00:17:23 | |
It’s also here! The first match of the Desert Vipers 2024 DP World ILT20 campaign is almost upon us. At the time of recording this episode all the preparations are finished and now it’s just a case of one more sleep until the players head out to face the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium.
So, with that first match so close, who better to speak with than Desert Vipers captain Colin Munro, who previews the game for us. We spoke with Colin after the squad’s final practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai Sports City and we discussed a variety of topics including:
· the arrival of Sri Lanka duo Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga with the pair flying in, in time for the final training session ahead of the side’s tournament opener;
· the possible opening batting combinations that the Vipers have;
· the chance for 18 year-old wicketkeeper Tanish Suri, who’ll make his Vipers debut behind the stumps in the absence of Azam Khan and Denesh Chandimal;
· and the prospect of coming up against a Knight Riders line-up including Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and David Willey.
All that and plenty more besides is in our interview with Colin. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster | 19 Jan 2024 | 00:15:31 | |
In this episode, after a training session two days out from the opening encounter of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on January the 21st, we speak with Vipers Head Coach James Foster.
We caught up with James after a session at the ICC Academy and we touched on a whole range of subjects, from the comings and goings of players that will affect the Vipers, and every other squad in this tournament, the warm-up match against the Dubai Capitals, the arrivals of Dan Lawrence and Alex Hales who were both at their first Vipers sessions of the season on Friday and lots more besides. It’s an engaging and insightful chat and you won’t want to miss it.
And a reminder that tickets are on sale for all Vipers matches this season, starting with that opener against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
You can get hold of your tickets through the league’s website, www.ilt20.ae or at any Virgin Megastore in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Adam Hose on the warm-up game against Dubai Capitals | 18 Jan 2024 | 00:10:35 | |
This episode features an interview with Adam Hose after the batter top-scored with 39 from 21 balls in the Vipers’ warm-up match against the Dubai Capitals at the ICC Academy on Thursday evening.
The match was 14-a-side and both teams had players who batted more than once as they sought middle practice. The Capitals won by 37 runs as their batters went exceptionally hard on a superb pitch and with a very short boundary on one side of the number two oval at the Academy.
The Vipers used nine bowlers with young UAE all-rounder Ali Naseer impressing with the new ball, while spinners Nathan Sowter and Rohan Mustafa took 1 for 15 and 2 for 18 respectively, using the longer square boundary to their advantage.
When the Vipers batted, in addition to Adam, Michael Jones and Sherfane Rutherford also spent useful time in the middle ahead of Sunday’s opener against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Toby Gregory from The Plastic Pledge - plus Tanish Suri joins the Vipers! | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:11:21 | |
This time we hear from Toby Gregory, the founder of The Plastic Pledge, which has joined forces with the Desert Vipers as a Sustainability Impact Partner for the next two years.
The agreement will see the Vipers sign up to the pledge as part of its drive to eradicate single-use plastic in its team environment, inviting its fans to do likewise.
The Desert Vipers and The Plastic Pledge will come together to develop innovative, environmentally focussed initiatives, both locally and regionally, with the idea of empowering schools, engaging with communities, and leaving a lasting legacy of environmental responsibility.
This podcast also includes details of the Desert Vipers' latest signing - 18 year-old UAE wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri.
Tanish, who made his senior international debut for the UAE against Afghanistan in December 2023, becomes the Vipers’ fifth local signing for season two, alongside the retained Rohan Mustafa and Ali Naseer and the draft recruits Karthik Meiyappan and Aryan Lakra.
So, Tanish Suri has linked up with the Vipers – and it’s another shot in the arm for the development of the game in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody on the build-up to season two | 16 Jan 2024 | 00:25:13 | |
As the players continue to arrive and preparations both on and off the field hit a high gear, who better than to give us the lie of the land than Director of Cricket Tom Moody.
We caught up with Tom during a squad training session at the ICC Academy and we talked around a whole range of topics, from Colin Munro’s retention as captain for this season, the inclusion of a Pakistan contingent in the squad, the fact players will be coming and going far more this season than last due to international call-ups, the likely impact of the wildcard and super sub changes that have come in for this edition of the tournament and, of course, the 64 million dollar question of whether the Vipers can go one better than last year and this time lift the silverware.
All that and more is coming up and, as ever, with Tom, it’s thought-provoking stuff and well worth your time. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro - back as Desert Vipers captain | 15 Jan 2024 | 00:19:48 | |
In this episode it’s all starting to get real again as we catch up with Colin Munro, who has been confirmed as captain for season two.
We spoke with Colin at the team’s jersey launch at Soul Beach at the JA Resort in Jebel Ali, just six days before the Vipers’ first match of this campaign, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday January the 21st.
That jersey launch was also attended by UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa, one of the pillars of the side in season one, as well as two new players for this season, Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede and Scotland batter Michael Jones, plus Director of Cricket Tom Moody, Head Coach James Foster and fast bowling coach Azhar Mahmood.
Colin and Rohan arrived wearing the new playing and training kit aboard the Ocean Guardian, a boat rowed in by the founder of The Plastic Pledge, Toby Gregory, and one he and two colleagues rowed across the Atlantic Ocean this time last year to help publicise environmental challenges the planet is facing. The Vipers have paired with The Plastic Pledge for two years as a Sustainability Impact Partner.
And the players and Toby were met on the beach by pupils from GEMS Metropole school in Dubai, one of the schools where the Vipers have rolled out their cricket coaching and sustainability initiatives since the end of season one.
https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Dan Lawrence | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:24:37 | |
In this episode we speak with new signing Dan Lawrence, the English batting powerhouse who is set to arrive in Dubai off the back of time alongside 50-over Cricket World Cup winners Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis at the Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League.
Dan, who has switched county sides during the winter, from Essex to Surrey, already has experience of the DP World ILT20, having played three matches for the Dubai Capitals in season one and he was in the UAE as recently as the back-end of last year when he played in the T10 tournament in Abu Dhabi for the Deccan Gladiators, so the Vipers are getting a player who knows UAE conditions extremely well.
The franchise is also getting a player who wants to make his case for inclusion in England’s white ball set-up as all his international cricket thus far has come in the Test format, and that hunger to succeed in shortform cricket could mean his signing is a win-win for Dan and the Vipers.
We spoke to Dan in Melbourne during his Big Bash League duty ahead of his journey to Dubai to link up with the Vipers. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster and Colin Munro with reflections on victory over Sharjah and season two | 11 Feb 2024 | 00:21:32 | |
This is our final podcast from season two of the DP World ILT20. The Vipers signed off from the tournament for this season with a comfortable win by six wickets over the Sharjah Warriors in Sharjah, a win that ensured that although the side failed to finish in the top four and therefore secure a spot in the play-offs, it did mean Colin Munro’s side leapfrogged Sharjah into fifth place in the table.
Neither side was able to qualify and so pride was all that was at stake but the Vipers ensured they finished on a high and left the tournament on a positive note.
We hear from Head Coach James Foster with his reflections on the season as a whole, and there’s also the chance to listen to captain Colin Munro with his thoughts on both the victory over Sharjah and the season. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| The Desert Vipers partner with Bat For A Chance, plus the views of James Foster & Rohan Mustafa | 11 Jan 2024 | 00:26:25 | |
The episodes are coming thick and fast as season two approaches, and so is the news, and this time we talk about an exciting new partnership with Bat For A Chance, a UK-based initiative that aims to recycle used cricket clothing and equipment to ensure as many people as possible around the world get the opportunity to play the sport.
We hear from the founder of Bat For A Chance, Will Gaffney, as well as Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver, on this collaboration which chimes perfectly with the Vipers’ Sustainability agenda of reuse, recycle and reduce.
On top of that, we catch up with Head Coach James Foster, who’s one of the first overseas arrivals into Dubai ahead of the tournament, and key UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa, and they give us their thoughts as time ticks away towards the Vipers’ first match of the season, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 21st of January. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Nathan Sowter | 09 Jan 2024 | 00:23:03 | |
Coming up we’ve got a terrific chat with the Durham leg-spinner Nathan Sowter, who's been drafted into the Desert Vipers squad for season two.
Added to that, Nathan’s a superb fielder, and if you don’t believe us then have a look on YouTube, which boasts some fantastic catches from the 31 year-old.
He’s at the peak of his powers now and he’s all set to link up with the Desert Vipers ahead of the action getting underway, with the side's first match against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on day three of the tournament, Sunday January the 21st at the Dubai International Stadium. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Sherfane Rutherford | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:30:20 | |
This time we hear from one of the Vipers’ outstanding players of season one, and a player who provided perhaps the moment of the tournament, left-handed powerhouse Sherfane Rutherford.
Sherfane scored 247 runs at an incredible strike-rate of 184.32 in season one and in the Qualifier against the Gulf Giants, after tearing his hamstring, he limped back out to the middle and blazed an unforgettable 37 from just 19 balls with four sixes to help catapult the side to a winning total and secure a berth in the final.
It took him months to recover from that injury and coming up he details what that recovery involved.
The good news is that Sherfane is fit and firing again now, so much so that he’s now very much a part of the West Indies white ball squads, and he played in both the ODI and T20I series against England in the Caribbean before Christmas – enjoying some success too.
Sherfane tell us all about that, as well as discussing the fact he’s now one of the most sought-after T20 players in the world at the moment, securing deals in both the Pakistan Super League and the Indian Premier League, tournaments that follow on the back of the DP World ILT20.
It’s a thoroughly engaging chat so you won’t want to miss it. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Darren Veness on keeping the Vipers fit and firing! | 01 Jan 2024 | 00:37:26 | |
This time we go off the field, away from the players, to hear from one of the unsung heroes of the Vipers backroom staff, Strength and Conditioning Coach Darren Veness.
Daz, as he’s universally known, is one of the heartbeats of the Vipers and his role in keeping the players in tip-top physical shape was crucial in the side’s charge to the final in season one of the tournament.
He’s someone who has vast experience of working with top-level players, having spent two decades with English county Somerset, half a dozen years with Surrey, plus his other work with not only the Vipers but also, amongst other teams, The Oval Invincibles in The Hundred and time, too, with the England men’s set-up.
Coming up is a fascinating insight into Daz’s role and how he works with the players to ensure they can produce their best on an ongoing basis despite the tight schedule that asks so much of them. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tymal Mills is back! | 28 Dec 2023 | 00:30:34 | |
This time we hear from new signing Tymal Mills.
The left-arm fast bowler has replaced Gus Atkinson in the squad for season two, which gets underway on January the 19th, after Gus was selected for England’s Test tour of India.
For Tymal, it’s a return to the Vipers fold as he was a part of the squad in season one, only for his involvement to be cut short when he suffered a recurrence of a toe injury.
Since then, he’s enjoyed perhaps the best year of his career, starring for Sussex Shark's in the UK's T20 Blast, playing in T10 tournaments in both Zimbabwe and the UAE and finishing as the top wicket-taker in The Hundred, performing superbly for Southern Brave. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Bas's backstory - de Leede on de Leede | 18 Dec 2023 | 00:40:47 | |
You’ll sometimes hear us say that an episode is a little bit different from the norm but this one really is, as we chat with the father of Bas de Leede, the Dutch all-rounder and one of the Vipers’ new recruits for season two.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Tim de Leede is a Dutch cricketing legend. A batting all-rounder, he played in every match of the Netherlands’ first four appearances in major ICC events – the Cricket World Cups in 1996, 2003 and 2007, and the Champions Trophy in 2002.
Now retired, he has been followed into cricket by not only his son Bas, but also his niece Babette, who’s captained the Dutch women’s team.
So, we decided to have a chat with Tim about Bas’s background and how his son has risen to become one of the most exciting young all-rounders in world cricket today. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Adam Hose | 11 Dec 2023 | 00:30:09 | |
It's time to catch up with another of the Desert Vipers' new recruits - batter Adam Hose. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Colin Munro | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:33:15 | |
In this episode we speak with captain Colin Munro.
With the DP World ILT20 only a month and a half away, it seemed like to perfect time to check in with the man who led the side so well in season one and is someone who, this year, has cemented his place as one of the leading T20 batters of all time by passing 10,000 runs in the format, an incredible achievement. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Vipers in the community - the Viper Cup | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:19:18 | |
In this episode we join Desert Vipers staff, some of the franchise's UAE-based players and some special guests for a trip into the local community in Dubai. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Desert Vipers Schools Programme - teaching cricket and the climate in the UAE | 20 Nov 2023 | 00:24:34 | |
This is an episode with a difference as we focus on the Desert Vipers Schools Programme.
The Desert Vipers staff are visiting as many schools as possible within the UAE, and the idea is designed to have multiple upsides. It is, first and foremost, a means to provide an introduction to cricket for children in the country which the franchise – and the tournament – calls home, something that will hopefully foster a love for the sport among those children.
On top of that, the programme will hopefully create some more Desert Vipers fans, drive attendances at Vipers matches during the upcoming second season of the ILT20 and also highlight the issues of sustainability and the climate emergency, all things the franchise is committed to do.
Vipers Voices went along for one of the school sessions, at GEMS Winchester School in Dubai, and we hear from some of those involved, including Vipers new recruits Karthik Meiyappan and Aryan Lakra, as well as from the Desert Vipers Sustainability Manager Ben Hardy-Jones, on why this programme is such a key part of what the Vipers are doing. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Alex Hales on another last ball heartache against Dubai Capitals | 09 Feb 2024 | 00:11:27 | |
This episode could easily be called Vipers heartache as Colin Munro’s side went down to a last ball loss against the Dubai Capitals for a second time this season.
The defeat leaves the franchise bottom of the six-team table and while they’re still not out of contention for a spot in the finals, it’s now out of their hands.
We hear from batter Alex Hales, who top-scored for the Vipers with 66 from 37 balls but, as you’ll hear, it was a bittersweet success for him on a night when the side suffered a gut-wrenching loss.
The Capitals needed six from the final delivery, bowled by Ali Naseer, and Sikandar Raza struck it over long-off for a maximum to seal the win.
There’s now just one regular season fixture left for the Vipers now – against Sharjah Warriors in Sharjah on Sunday the 11th of February – and if you want to attend that match then you can secure your ticket via the ILT20 website – www.ilt20.ae – or at any Virgin Megastore in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Curran - part two: looking forward | 13 Nov 2023 | 00:18:58 | |
This episode is the second part of our two-part special with all-rounder Tom Curran.
This time we’re switching our focus from looking back to looking forward as we chat with Tom about his plans, both before and after the upcoming DP World ILT20, which gets underway on January the 19th 2024.
Tom also speaks about the Vipers’ new signings, including the Pakistani trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Azam Khan and Shadab Khan and, on top of that, he gives us his views on the franchise’s stance on climate change and reducing its carbon footprint, as well as the Desert Vipers’ schools programme in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Curran - part one: looking back | 06 Nov 2023 | 00:25:50 | |
This is a special episode because it’s the first of a two-part interview with all-rounder Tom Curran.
Tom was one of the stars of season one for the Vipers, making telling contributions with bat, ball and in the field and he is back for another crack at the tournament in 2024.
In this first part of our chat we talk about the inaugural ILT20 when the Vipers lost in the final to the Gulf Giants, and also about what he’s been up to during the rest of the year, with action in the Pakistan Super League for Islamabad United, the T20 Blast in the UK for Surrey and then for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, where he produced an incredible innings in the final against the Manchester Originals to see Tom Moody’s side to a memorable title success.
Tom Curran also reflects on a brief trip to the Caribbean Premier League, playing one match for the Trinbago Knight Riders, he talks us through his frustrations with injuries and his decision not to play red-ball cricket this year, and he gives us his thoughts on why England’s Cricket World Cup defence has turned into such a damp squib.
It’s a terrific, insightful chat you won’t want to miss. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody on the fixtures announcement | 03 Nov 2023 | 00:17:14 | |
In this episode we speak with Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody for his reaction to the announcement of the fixtures for season two of the DP World ILT20. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Karthik Meiyappan and Aryan Lakra, plus Ben Hardy-Jones and Colin Munro on extreme heat | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:29:59 | |
This episode is a bumper edition.
First up, we hear from the Desert Vipers latest recruits, left-arm spinning all-rounder Aryan Lakra and leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan, with the duo chosen by the franchise during the UAE player draft.
And then we check in with the Desert Vipers Sustainability Manager Ben Hardy-Jones to understand a bit more about why the side’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint is so important, both to the future of the game of cricket and the future of the planet. And Colin Munro, the Desert Vipers captain, also explains his perspective on the issue, in what is a fascinating chat on a very important subject.
It all adds up to a podcast that’s both varied and - we hope - thought-provoking! https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Spin on spin - spin coach Carl Crowe on the Vipers' two new UAE spin signings | 23 Oct 2023 | 00:11:54 | |
This time we’re in analytical mode. In our previous podcast we revealed the news that leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan and left-arm spinner Aryan Lakra were drafted by the Vipers for season two of the tournament and so we thought that as both players are slow bowlers then who better to give us the inside track on them than the team’s very own spin bowling coach Carl Crowe. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| CEO Phil Oliver on drafting Aryan Lakra and Karthik Meiyappan | 20 Oct 2023 | 00:11:44 | |
It’s a special episode as we discuss the news that the Vipers have filled the last two slots for UAE players in their roster by picking up spin-bowling all-rounder Aryan Lakra and leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan in the draft that took place on the morning of Friday October the 20th.
The pair join forces with the two UAE players that the Vipers retained from season one – off-spinning all-rounder Rohan Mustafa and seam-bowling all-rounder Ali Naseer – to complete the four spaces allocated to local talent in the squad list.
Karthik is only 23 years old but made headlines around the world last year when he became the first UAE player to take a hat-trick in T20 International cricket, doing so on the biggest stage of all, against Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. And 21 year-old Aryan Lakra, who was also part of the UAE squad for that tournament, has already had captaincy experience, leading his country in the ICC U19 CWC in South Africa just prior to the COVID outbreak in 2020.
So the Vipers have signed two young players very much on the up and in this podcast we hear from Phil Oliver, the Desert Vipers CEO, who attended the draft, to get his thoughts on the signings… https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Rohan Mustafa | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:26:55 | |
This time we speak with UAE off-spinning all-rounder Rohan Mustafa.
Rohan was retained by the Vipers, alongside another all-rounder Ali Naseer, and so he’s gearing up for season two very much with a spring in his step, looking forward to link up with plenty of familiar faces among the playing group, a handful of new signings and, of course, the coaching staff.
Rohan was a pivotal figure for the Vipers in the first edition of the tournament as he opened the batting in every match the side played, alongside England’s Alex Hales. He also contributing a few handy overs of spin when required and completed his all-round package with energy and brilliance in the field.
Rohan joined us for a chat off the back of the ILT20 Development Tournament where he captained the Thunderbolts side in the event designed to showcase local talent ahead of a draft involving UAE players. It’s worth reminding everyone that each team must have four domestic players in their squads, with two of those in the starting line-up for each game and so the Vipers are on the look-out for two more UAE players to add to their roster.
Coming up, Rohan gives us an insight into that ILT20 Development Tournament, looks back to season one and ahead to season two and, all in all, it’s a terrific chat. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Azam Khan | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:29:48 | |
In this episode we speak with Vipers wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan.
Azam was due to join the Vipers for the first season but the necessary permissions didn’t come through so he and the Vipers have had to bide their time. Now all is in readiness for him to make his bow in the tournament and he can’t wait!
In our chat Azam gives us a terrific insight into how he has become one of the T20 franchise world’s most successful power-hitters, as well as talking about the role his father, the former Pakistan captain Moin, has played in his career. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Carl Crowe | 02 Oct 2023 | 00:22:22 | |
In this episode we speak with Vipers spin bowling coach Carl Crowe. Carl’s role is to work with the slow-bowling talent within the franchise and in a fascinating interview he allows a peak behind the curtain at how he goes about his job, including his interactions with Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lanka wrist spinner who was one of the few slow bowlers to enjoy concerted success in the first edition of the ILT20. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Bas de Leede | 25 Sep 2023 | 00:23:18 | |
This time we have an interview with Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede.
Bas was with MI Emirates in season one of the DP World ILT20, but he has been snapped up by the Vipers for the second edition and arrives as one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
Bas is in India for the ICC Cricket World Cup, having played a key role in helping his country qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2011 and he gives us his thoughts on that, as well as his excitement at becoming a Viper, plus plenty more. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Tom Moody and Colin Munro look ahead to the Dubai Capitals | 08 Feb 2024 | 00:15:32 | |
This time we have a real treat for you – a round-table chat with captain Colin Munro and Director of Cricket Tom Moody to look ahead to the match against the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday night, the 9th of February.
It’s the penultimate match of the regular season for the Vipers and it’s a must-win encounter if the side wants to retain a realistic chance of making it to the play-offs.
In our chat with Tom and Colin, the pair reflect on the season so far, and also on what’s to come, starting with that clash against the Capitals. We spoke about the return of Dan Lawrence from England duty for the next two matches, the arrival of Sam Curran and Phil Salt, both outstanding international cricketers in the Twenty20 format, and the impact, both on and off the field, of the Pakistan contingent – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan and Mohammad Amir – this season.
We also discussed the importance of the toss and the fact that the Capitals match is so high-stakes. It’s all about pressure and Colin and Tom have some very interesting thoughts on that.
We’re all set for what should be some unmissable action over the next few days with, first, the match against the Capitals and then an encounter against Sharjah Warriors that could define the whole season.
And if you want to be part of that action then getting hold of your tickets couldn’t be easier.
You can do so either via the ILT20 website – www.ilt20.ae – or from any Virgin Megastore in the UAE. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| James Foster | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:26:59 | |
This time we have an interview with Vipers Head Coach James Foster.
James is preparing to work with New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup in India in October and November but, ahead of that, he took the time to chat with us about his reflections on the first edition of the ILT20 when the Vipers finished as runners-up, as well as his work since then, the Vipers’ new signings for season two and plenty more besides. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Ali Naseer | 11 Sep 2023 | 00:31:54 | |
This time we speak with UAE all-rounder Ali Naseer who was one of the two local players retained by the Vipers from season one, alongside Rohan Mustafa.
Since the inaugural DP World ILT20 tournament it’s been a whirlwind year for Ali as he’s made his One-Day International and Twenty20 International debuts for the UAE as well as captaining his national side in an Asian Cricket Council tournament up against India and Pakistan’s A sides.
Ali walks us through all that’s happened to him during that time, as well as looking ahead to season two as the Vipers look to go one better than in February of this year when the team lost out in the final to the Gulf Giants. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Azhar Mahmood on the Vipers' Pakistan trio, Gus Atkinson and plenty more! | 04 Sep 2023 | 00:30:17 | |
In this episode we speak with Desert Vipers seam bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||
| Alex Hales - looking back on season one and forward to season two | 28 Aug 2023 | 00:12:27 | |
In this episode we have a chat with opening batter Alex Hales on all things Desert Vipers and he reflected on season one and looked ahead to season two. Alex looked back on his experiences during his time with the Vipers at the start of the year, and he also spoke about the new signings for season two – the Pakistan trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan, plus Adam Hose from England, Scotland’s Michael Jones and Bas de Leede, the Dutch all-rounder. https://www.thedesertvipers.com | |||