

Wisden Cricket Weekly
Wisden Cricket Weekly
Join Mark Butcher, Yas Rana and the rest of the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast team for a weekly digest of the biggest stories from both English cricket and the wider world game.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 12, 2026 • 58min
Women's Weekly: Dramatic WPL finishes and a chat with England legend Anya Shrubsole
Former England fast-medium bowler Anya Shrubsole shares her insights from a stellar career and her new coaching role. She discusses the thrilling opening weekend of the WPL and highlights the evolving landscape of women's cricket. Anya emphasizes the importance of financial planning for young athletes and reflects on her transition after retirement, including her COVID challenges. She also talks about the value of swing bowling, adapting techniques, and maintaining player mental health amidst media pressure. Anecdotes about her coaching philosophy reveal her passion for nurturing talent.

Jan 9, 2026 • 32min
Women's Weekly: WPL 2026 preview! Power rankings, predictions and players to watch
Join cricket insiders Rahul Ayer, a Wisden India writer and analyst, and Aadya Sharma, a Bengaluru-based journalist, as they preview the upcoming Women's Premier League. They dive into the implications of venue changes and the missed hosting opportunity for Bengaluru. Explore team assessments, breakout player predictions like Kashvi Gautam and Georgia Wareham, and key auction moves. Plus, they discuss potential standout batters and bowlers, setting the stage for an exciting WPL season!

9 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 44min
"COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE" – Butch reviews the Ashes and suggests what England need to change
Mark Butcher, a former England Test cricketer and cricket analyst, shares his insights on England's disappointing 4-1 defeat in the Ashes. He discusses the importance of team culture, highlighting the implications of Harry Brook's incident. Butcher critiques England's tactics, especially in the final Sydney match, and calls for clearer coaching roles. He identifies the need for a control spinner, addresses player accountability, and reflects on missed lessons from previous defeats. Despite the setbacks, he sees optimism in emerging talents like Josh Tong.

Jan 8, 2026 • 28min
Ashes Daily: Australia win in Sydney but still time for more drama on final day of the series
The final day of the 2025/26 Ashes unfolds with dramatic moments and controversies. England's fleeting chances are dissected, alongside a contentious Snicko review that raises eyebrows. Key performances from Tongue and questionable fielding choices add to the tension. A debate erupts over Player of the Series between Starc and Head, while Boland's understated contributions are celebrated. Stokes reflects on poor decisions and a need for coaching reforms, stirring a conversation about leadership accountability in the team.

Jan 7, 2026 • 21min
Ashes Daily: Bethell breakthrough hundred lights up the SCG
Tension filled the air as Jacob Bethell secured a spectacular maiden Test century with a composed 142 not out. The hosts dive into his technical prowess, citing parallels to classic number-three batsmen. They also debate England's decision-making in selecting him—was it brilliance or a missed opportunity? Amid discussions of preparation and player culture, the podcast also highlights critical moments, including Beau Webster's impactful bowling and a surprising shot from Jackson that shifted the match dynamics.

Jan 6, 2026 • 26min
Ashes Daily: Passive England put to the sword by Head and Smith centuries
Join expert analyst Matt Roller from ESPN Cricinfo as he dives into the intense action of the Ashes at the SCG. He discusses Australia's impressive day driven by Travis Head and Steve Smith's remarkable centuries. The duo highlights England's struggles with missed catches that turned the match tide and debates the impact of Steve Smith’s contributions throughout the series. They also critique England's bowling strategies and Stokes' captaincy decisions, pondering what could have been done differently. A must-listen for cricket fans!

Jan 5, 2026 • 20min
Ashes Daily: Sloppy England fail to make the most of Joe Root's 160
Lawrence Booth, editor of Wisden and a seasoned cricket journalist, joins Yas to analyze day two of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. They dissect Joe Root's impressive 160, underscoring England's dependence on his runs and future aspirations. Lawrence critiques England's ineffective bowling lineup and their tactical failures, particularly in the face of Travis Head's aggression. The duo also sheds light on Jamie Smith's puzzling dismissal and raises concerns about player fatigue affecting performance. A riveting discussion for cricket enthusiasts!

Jan 4, 2026 • 20min
Ashes Daily: Why no spinner? Brook and Root put England in command after surprising Australia selection call
Ben and Yas on day one of the fifth and final 2025/26 Ashes Test at the SCG.
👀 Sign up to the Patreon for extended episodes: http://patreon.com/WisdenCricket
🏠 RIVERSTONE LIVING
We are proud to have partnered with Riverstone Living for our Ashes Daily podcast! From beautiful London apartments to five-star service and a thriving community, Riverstone is all about staying independent and inspired. Get in touch with them for a tour today: https://bit.ly/RiverstoneLiving
👉 SUBSCRIBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@WisdenCricket?sub_confirmation=1
#Cricket #EnglandCricket #Ashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 30, 2025 • 18min
Reaction: England announce their T20 World Cup squad as Ashes seamer wins surprise call-up
Yas is joined by Matt Roller to discuss England's T20 World Cup squad.
👀 PATREON
For bonus podcasts and daily episodes after every England game, sign up to our Patreon! http://patreon.com/WisdenCricket
👉 SUBSCRIBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@WisdenCricket?sub_confirmation=1
#Cricket #EnglandCricket #WorldCup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
Women's Cricket Weekly: Our favourite moments and players of the year from a crazy 2025
As another year comes to an end, the panel pick their favourite women's cricket moments of 2025.
The Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund in collaboration with the ECB aims to triple the number of girls’ cricket teams by breaking down barriers and creating supportive and inclusive spaces. Help transform the game, head to https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/cricket/ to champion the future of girls’ cricket.
👀 PATREON
Sign up to our Patreon! http://patreon.com/WisdenCricket
📔 WISDEN CRICKET MONTHLY:
Print: https://bit.ly/WCMPrint
Digital: https://bit.ly/WCMDigital
#Cricket #EnglandCricket #IndianCricket Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


