Explore every episode of the podcast 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

The boys react after it's announced that Rob Key and Brendon McCullum will keep their jobs and Azeem springs a big shock by saying he has applied for the vacant England Selector's role! Plus, how India's new T20 approach could have a big impact on this year's IPL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Liam Livingstone gives an explosive interview criticising the England hierarchy, the boys discuss if this is just sour grapes from a dropped player or does it highlight more worrying concerns about the way things are done by this England set up? If McCullum and Key stay in their posts, what needs to change to get England back on track? And some final thoughts on The Hundred squads - could we be in for a Southern Brave double this year?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's an historic couple of days for The Hundred as it holds it's first ever live player auction. Does Abrar Ahmed getting bought by Sunrisers Leeds prove that Pakistani players are not barred from being selected? Is The Hundred now the leading women's competition in the world? Which squads are looking the most complete? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Semi Final week! New Zealand demolish South Africa but was this really another choke from the Proteas? Is this finally the Black Caps' time? Would England be stupid to even think about dropping Buttler? Do Harry Brook's side really have a better spin attack than India, as Michael Vaughan says? Lots of questions to be answered, have a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Azeem and Matt look at the thorny issue of Pakistan players potentially not being selected on purpose for The Hundred - even if it was true, how could it be proven? Would the ECB actually be able to do anything about it anyway? At the T20 World Cup, England march into the Semi Finals courtesy of a truly sensational knock from Captain Brook - despite being nowhere near their best they are now just 2 wins away from glory. Meanwhile, all of a sudden, run away favourites India find themselves in the last chance saloon - could they really get knocked out of this home World Cup before the Semis?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The boys reflect on the big stories to come out of the T20 World Cup group stage. Should we not be surprised that Australia have been knocked out? Was South Africa v Afghanistan the best T20 match of all time? Is England's top batters not performing yet a good sign? How have the associates and smaller Test nations closed the gap on the big boys? Plus - Azeem and Matt argue over who they think will make the Semi Finals! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Carberry is back in the studio with Matt to pick through his long career before the discussion turns to race issues in cricket. Never one to mince his words, Carbs delivers some fascinating insight into why he thinks reports on racism make no difference and why we shouldn't forget about classism in any chats on race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ICC have a big decision on their hands after Pakistan refuse to play India at the T20 World Cup. The boys discuss why this has happened, what the ICC might do to try to force the situation and what might happen next. Plus - England's part time spinners put on a show, why Azeem feels sorry for Harry Brook and one of the most bizarre stumpings you will ever see! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Top man Michael Carberry pops into the studio to tell us what he's been up to since retirement, why Joe Root should be in England's T20 side and which side he reckons could upset India and the World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been a good few days for England as Harry Brook turns on the style and the T20 team start well. Azeem is also impressed by what he's seen at the Under 19 World Cup - are England's next generation ones to really keep an eye on? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the boys discuss a clash of alpha batsmen Steve Smith and Babar Azam at the Big Bash and whether Smith should be in Australia's T20 World Cup squad. Plus, Azeem names the batter he thinks shouldn't be in England's squad and has Virat Kohli already hit a record that will never be beaten? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Azeem is back and the boys go through the main candidates to take over from Brendon McCullum when he finishes. Would it be a mistake to go for a disciplinarian? Should it be an Englishman? The Big Bash is bringing in a Designated Batter next season - a batter who doesn't have to field - is this the dream job or something that isn't needed? Plus, some of The Hundred team name changes are revealed...get ready for a new look competition this year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cricket writer and correspondent Tawhid Qureshi gives us the lowdown on how relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated rapidly. What will happen if Bangladesh continue to refuse to play in India at the T20 World Cup?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Radio X DJ and cricket nut Toby Tarrant joins Matt in the studio to address an assortment of random issues - how can The Traitors TV show make cricket more watchable? Will Ben Stokes still be Test captain at the end of 2026? Will barring the players from having lunch help speed up the over rate?! Do nepo babies need a union? An eclectic mix.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As 2025 comes to a close the boys reflect on England's first Test win in Australia for 15 years. The pitch wasn't great, but was the groundsman made to carry the can for some pretty bad batting? Then it's on to handing out the first ever 'It's Not Just Cricket Awards' for 2025...most importantly, who will win the Booby Prize?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Azeem and Matt have different takes on the interviews given by Brendon McCullum and Rob Key in the aftermath of England's Ashes demolition. They then clash on England's Noosa trip - did England enjoy themselves too much or do these things only get highlighted when you are losing? Either way, is it now 2 Test matches for the England leadership group to show they can take the team forward and avoid the chop? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England show some spirit but are staring down another Ashes defeat, even after ditching BazBall in the 1st innings. Will Jacks does his best but he's only a part time bowler - will England never be a top Test team again until they find a top level spinner? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A better day for England but did Australia miss the chance to bury their opposition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TalkSPORT's Cricket Editor Jon Norman joins the boys to discuss how the media has turned on BazBall and what Ben Stokes' men can do to somehow turn the Ashes around. Over in India, Kohli is back with a bang - is it all now set up perfectly for the 2027 World Cup to be his international swan song? Plus, is Vaibhav Suryavanshi the biggest child prodigy in world cricket since Sachin and the team predict when he will break into the India team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lively debate after Australia have another dominant day in Brisbane. Have Australia shown that traditional Test cricket is the way to play the game? Is this the death of BazBall? The boys also argue over whether BazBall can really be seen as a cult! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England have a bad day in Brisbane and Azeem is coming in off his long run! Have England already blown their chance in this match? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The boys answer questions sent in by you the listeners and look ahead to the crucial 2nd Ashes Test. And as English cricket mourns the loss of another fan favourite, we look back on why Robin Smith resonated so much with the supporters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's preparation for the day night Test in Brisbane is under the spotlight - were they right to turn down some match practice under the lights in Canberra? They should at least be happy with their T20 World Cup group - the boys discuss the draw and pick out the 'Group of Death'. Plus, are India in crisis and are South Africa the best Test team in the world right now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia demolish England in 2 days! The boys analyse where they think it all went wrong for Ben Stokes' men. How do England pick themselves up from this?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 wickets in the day...is this the best start to an Ashes in Australia ever?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Hazlewood and Cummins out and Brisbane to come, do England have to win the 1st Test? Meanwhile India have gone from being unbeatable at home to very fragile - how did this happen?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia will field one of the oldest Test match teams ever in Perth but is that actually a strength rather than a weakness? England might have to drop one of their main fast bowlers - could it even be Gus Atkinson? Meanwhile Jadeja and Curran going to Rajasthan and Samson moving to CSK is the biggest player trade in IPL history - does this potentially mean that we have seen the last of MS Dhoni and will we see more player trades going forward in the IPL?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India win the Women's World Cup for the very first time - is this a huge moment for the women's game, not just in India but globally? Meanwhile are England's top order struggles in New Zealand a real worry for The Ashes and has Jacob Bethell blown his shot at the number three spot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a one week break the boys are back to talk Shreyas Iyer's bizarre injury, Harry Brook's genius and the Women's World Cup Semi Finals. There's a new epsisode of the Pakistan cricket soap opera too - is Shan Masood really going to be Test captain and Director of Cricket at the same time?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's not that far away now and the likes of David Warner and Stuart Broad are cranking up the Ashes anticipation in the media - can we have more of this from others too please?! Meanwhile, India have work to do at the Women's World Cup and are we likely to see less English coaches in The Hundred now that the teams have been sold to private investors? Andrew Flintoff leaving the Superchargers might not bode well on that front. Oh and Matt the idiot left his mic at home for this one so apologies if the audio is a little quiet at the start!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices