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Stumped
Does cricket need a two-tier World Test Championship?
Stumped
Mar 7, 2024

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the retirement of New Zealand's Neil Wagner after his former teammate Ross Taylor said his retirement was 'forced'. Plus the team try and decipher why Australia and New Zealand play so few Test matches against each other. In the 78 years of Test match cricket between the two nations, Australia has played New Zealand just 60 times.

We are joined by former Ireland player Andrew White who earned 232 caps for his country and now men's national selector. He tells us about their first ever Test match victory, his hopes that this could ensure more Test matches are played and if a two-tier World Test Championship is needed.

We reflect on the first leg of the Women's Premier League in Bangalore and assess how the tournament is being perceived in its second season.

We want to hear from you and your thoughts on all things cricket which we'll play on next week's show, so give us your assessment of the state of the game. You can get in touch with your voice notes via WhatsApp. Tell us your name, where you're from and your views on +44 800 032 0470.

Photo: Ireland players and support staff celebrate securing the nation's first victory in Test cricket. The Ireland team beat Afghanistan in a one off Test match in Abu Dhabi. (Credit: Afghanistan Cricket Board)

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The IPL returns for its 19th edition and Royal Challengers Bengaluru start as the defending champions for the first time in their history.

Former IPL player and now commentator Abhinav Mukund joins Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma to discuss the big IPL talking points ahead of the start of the season.

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There’s also talk around Cameron Green and whether being the most expensive overseas player in IPL history will add extra pressure on the Australian? Plus, what to expect from teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi and has Ben Duckett made the right decision to focus on England over the IPL?

The Stumped team also reflect on the news England coach Brendon McCullum, Test captain Ben Stokes and director of cricket Rob Key are all remaining in their posts, despite the 4-1 Ashes series defeat. Is it the right decision and how can England “evolve”?

Image: Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifts the IPL trophy following the trophy presentation in the 2025 IPL Final match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at Narendra Modi Stadium on June 03, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)


41min 51sec


Does cricket need a two-tier World Test Championship?

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