Stumped

Is this the end of a glittering career? James Anderson was released by his County side Lancashire and expressed his sadness at the decision. In the same week, Anderson also bought a stake in the Italy T10 franchise side Napoli Knights. Alison Mitchell, Sunil Gupta and Jim Maxwell discuss if we’ll see the England legend bowl again.

One of the most decorated players in the women's game, Tammy Beaumont announced her retirement from international cricket earlier this year. Having made her debut in 2009, she has seen it all. From player of the tournament in the winning side of the 2017 World Cup, to setting the highest individual Test score of 208 in the Ashes. She chats to Stumped about life after international cricket and signing a two-year deal with The Blaze.

And One Day International cricket has been struggling to find its place between Test matches and T20's. But could more tri-series be the answer? The Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka tournament has delivered plenty of drama, with Sri Lanka chasing down a massive total of 430 and Pakistan producing a record 10th wicket partnership! Can tri-series save ODI cricket, or is a bigger shake-up needed?
Photo: James Anderson of Lancashire bowls during Day Three of the Rothesay County Championship match between Gloucestershire and Lancashire at College Ground on July 24, 2025 in Cheltenham, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming has suggested England should be led by an English coach. He is due to take charge of his first Test series in South Africa in December, continuing the tradition of overseas coaches leading the England men’s team. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma examine if appointing a home-grown coach is the way forward?
From viral social media clips to some wonderfully chaotic moments on the field, the European Cricket League has caught the attention of fans around the world. Now, the competition has an even bigger ambition: creating a permanent home in Spain. Campo Máximo is being developed as a purpose-built, futuristic, eco-friendly cricket ground. Dan Weston, the man behind it, tells Stumped that he hopes it could one day host IPL matches.
Plus, women’s cricket is reaching new audiences around the world, but what’s happening beyond the big stadiums? Cricketer and former journalist Jenny Thompson went on a mission to travel the globe and capture women playing the game, and hear their stories, in a new book, “Her World Cricket Tour”. Jenny tells Stumped the inspiration for her adventure started with the podcast.
Photo: Stephen Fleming, England's Test Cricket coach pictured ahead of the 3rd Vitality IT20 match between England and Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford on September 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

The first Test between South Africa and Australia was overshadowed by bad light in Durban. Australia won by 214 runs, but the game lost more than 60 overs due to bad light. Should they have used the pink ball to get more play? Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta debate if using a pink ball is the best solution.
Cricketers are often seen as unbreakable, entertaining us week after week, competing at the highest level and chasing sporting victory. For many, it's a dream career, but for some that is far from reality. Gloucestershire seamer Craig Miles, has decided enough is enough and has retired from the sport at the age of 32, to protect his "mental well-being". He tells Stumped what led to his decision.
Plus, England's Ollie Pope has pulled out of the players draft for the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League. Pope was among a number of English players, who entered the draft and have come under criticism, given the Taliban's oppression of women and girls. We examine the ethical questions surrounding involvement in the competition and ask where responsibility lies: with individual players, or with cricket's governing bodies?
Photo: Australia leave the field as play is stopped due to bad light during day 2 of the 1st Dafabet Test match between South Africa and Australia at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on October 10, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Credit: Gallo Images/Getty Images)

It's a new era for India with Smriti Mandhana replacing Harmanpreet Kaur as captain. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss Harmanpreet’s legacy and if Smriti is the right person for the role?
New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson joins the programme as he relaunches a fast bowling challenge that discovered his skills 18 years ago. He hopes the competition can unearth new talent for the Black Caps and White Ferns.
Plus Australia are in South Africa for the first time since the “sandpapergate” scandal which rocked international cricket in 2018. All eyes will be on Steve Smith, who was sent home from that tour and stripped of the captaincy. What does his return to South Africa mean, and will the past still cast a shadow over this series?
Photo: Harmanpreet Kaur of India celebrates with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup trophy alongside team mate Harleen Deol after her team's victory in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 Final match between India and South Africa at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on November 02, 2025 in Navi Mumbai, India. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss what the future could hold for West Indies cricket after the board announced a series of cost-cutting measures. International players face a 25% cut in retainer fees, and the men’s Super50 and women's T20 Blaze competitions have been suspended. Journalist and commentator Fazeer Mohammed explains the problems have been years in the making.
The team also debate if India’s Virat Kohli is the best men’s white ball batter of all time. He recently extended his record of ODI centuries to 55 and is the second player, after Sachin Tendulkar, to score 15,000 runs in 50-over cricket but did it quicker than the 'little master.
Plus, there have been hundreds of centuries scored at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, but it's now witnessed a very different kind of 100. The outfield was used for a challenge to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and to shine a spotlight on dementia by walking 100 laps. It was the idea of ECB Chair and ICC Board member Richard Thompson whose dad died from the condition. Alison caught up with him as they did the challenge.
Photo: Keacy Carty of West Indies with John Campbell of West Indies during the 2nd one day international (ODI) cricket match between India and West Indies at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, India, on September 30, 2026. (Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)