<description>&lt;p&gt;Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma debate who should be India's wicketkeeper for the Men's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and America. India have potentially seven options who could take the gloves. Rishabh Pant is the frontrunner after having a stellar season so far in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Capitals, but he has not played for India since being involved in a car accident in December 2022, where he injured his knee. Other names to consider are KL Rahul, Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik. 
 
Plus, we speak to Adelaide Oval Head Curator Damian Hough who has been tasked with creating the pitches that will be used in America at the World Cup including the highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan. He shares his experiences of starting the process in Adelaide and details the plans transporting the pitches 2,000 kilometres from Florida to New York.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And after Freddie Flintoff's sons are hitting the headlines in England for their cricketing skills, we look at cricketing families around the world and look at the pressure that brings. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Adelaide Oval Head Curator Damian Hough (Credit: Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions via Phil Martin)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We hear how the pitches for the World Cup in America have been created in Australia

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma debate who should be India's wicketkeeper for the Men's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and America. India have potentially seven options who could take the gloves. Rishabh Pant is the frontrunner after having a stellar season so far in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Capitals, but he has not played for India since being involved in a car accident in December 2022, where he injured his knee. Other names to consider are KL Rahul, Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik. 
 
Plus, we speak to Adelaide Oval Head Curator Damian Hough who has been tasked with creating the pitches that will be used in America at the World Cup including the highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan. He shares his experiences of starting the process in Adelaide and details the plans transporting the pitches 2,000 kilometres from Florida to New York.And after Freddie Flintoff's sons are hitting the headlines in England for their cricketing skills, we look at cricketing families around the world and look at the pressure that brings. Photo: Adelaide Oval Head Curator Damian Hough (Credit: Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions via Phil Martin)

From Australia to New York: The World Cup pitches travelling 17,000 kilometres

<description>&lt;p&gt;With less than fifty days to go until the Men's T20 World Cup, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma look at how some of the twenty teams are shaping up and ask what is the best way for players to prepare for a major international tournament?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Is it game time in a league like the Indian Premier League? Is it a competitive series with your international team? Or should players have a break to make sure that they are fresh? We look at how some players are planning for the tournament. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus the 161st Wisden Almanack has been released and we speak to the editor Lawrence Booth. The five Cricketers of the Year are chosen by the Wisden editor, a tradition that dates back to 1889. Performances in the English summer are the major factor and no player can win the award more than once. He tells us about his selections and the reasoning behind them. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And we debate if the use of the Kookaburra ball in the English County Championship has been a success and discuss how the different balls compare around the world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Pandya celebrates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 11, 2023. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Competitive matches or relaxation, what is the best way to prepare for a T20 World Cup?

With less than fifty days to go until the Men's T20 World Cup, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma look at how some of the twenty teams are shaping up and ask what is the best way for players to prepare for a major international tournament?Is it game time in a league like the Indian Premier League? Is it a competitive series with your international team? Or should players have a break to make sure that they are fresh? We look at how some players are planning for the tournament. Plus the 161st Wisden Almanack has been released and we speak to the editor Lawrence Booth. The five Cricketers of the Year are chosen by the Wisden editor, a tradition that dates back to 1889. Performances in the English summer are the major factor and no player can win the award more than once. He tells us about his selections and the reasoning behind them. And we debate if the use of the Kookaburra ball in the English County Championship has been a success and discuss how the different balls compare around the world.Photo: Pandya celebrates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 11, 2023. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images)

What is the best way to prepare for a Cricket World Cup?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Charu Sharma, Jim Maxwell and Nikesh Rughani are joined by Richard Sydenham who has written a book exploring what makes a cricketer tough and the physical and psychological aspects of it. He shares the stories from former players and what helped inform his 22 player list. Plus the Stumped team devise their own list. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;21 year old Mayank Yadav won the player of the match award on his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Charu and Nikesh debate if he should be picked in the India T20 World Cup squad and the pressures surrounding the young player. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Australian cricketer Steve Waugh during the 4th Test Match between the West Indies and Australia in Jamaica, May 1995. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We are joined by the author of Cricket's Hard Men to debate what makes a player tough.

Charu Sharma, Jim Maxwell and Nikesh Rughani are joined by Richard Sydenham who has written a book exploring what makes a cricketer tough and the physical and psychological aspects of it. He shares the stories from former players and what helped inform his 22 player list. Plus the Stumped team devise their own list. 21 year old Mayank Yadav won the player of the match award on his IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants. Charu and Nikesh debate if he should be picked in the India T20 World Cup squad and the pressures surrounding the young player. Photo: Australian cricketer Steve Waugh during the 4th Test Match between the West Indies and Australia in Jamaica, May 1995. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Who is the toughest player in men's cricket?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by globetrotter and franchise cricket extraordinaire David Wiese. He has played in no fewer than ten different franchise cricket tournaments around the world and tells us how the different leagues compare. He also shares his thoughts on the future of leagues around the world and what it is really like playing in the Indian Premier League. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus Wiese speaks about playing cricket in America which prompts the team to lookahead to the T20 World Cup being hosted in the country and debate whether it will catapult the sport to new heights.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And we hear from a Stumped listener in Austria! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: David Wiese of Saint Lucia Kings celebrates the dismissal of Jason Holder of Barbados Royals during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 25 between Saint Lucia Kings and Barbados Royals at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 11, 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Credit: CPL T20/Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Wiese tells us that the bubble may soon burst with the volume of franchise cricket.

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by globetrotter and franchise cricket extraordinaire David Wiese. He has played in no fewer than ten different franchise cricket tournaments around the world and tells us how the different leagues compare. He also shares his thoughts on the future of leagues around the world and what it is really like playing in the Indian Premier League. Plus Wiese speaks about playing cricket in America which prompts the team to lookahead to the T20 World Cup being hosted in the country and debate whether it will catapult the sport to new heights.And we hear from a Stumped listener in Austria! Photo: David Wiese of Saint Lucia Kings celebrates the dismissal of Jason Holder of Barbados Royals during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 25 between Saint Lucia Kings and Barbados Royals at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 11, 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Credit: CPL T20/Getty Images)

David Wiese: Franchise cricket is nearing saturation point

<description>&lt;p&gt;Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma debate the new rule in the Indian Premier League which allows two bouncers to be bowled in an over. They look at whether this rule is too bowler friendly and how this will impact tactics in the game. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus we are joined by South Africa umpire Marais Erasmus who has officiated in 82 international Test matches. In his first radio interview since retiring from international cricket he shares his story of how he got involved in umpiring after playing the game, if he has any regrets and if umpires should be mic'd up.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Erasmus also goes into detail about the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the Ashes in 2023 when he was infamously 'stumped' by Alex Carey and takes us behind the scenes to what happened in the lunch room. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He also details how it felt to stand in the 2019 men's World Cup final and the reason Angelo Matthews was 'timed out' in the 2023 men's World Cup. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you would like to get involved in the show, why not send us a Whatsapp voice note? The number you need is +44 800 032 0470 and include your name and where you are from.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Umpire Marais Erasmus ahead of presented with momento upon reaching his 50 Test alongside Aleem Dar, Chris Gaffaney and Jeff Crowe day two of the 2nd Specsavers Test between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 10, 2018 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We are joined by Marais Erasmus who has retired from umpiring at international level.

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma debate the new rule in the Indian Premier League which allows two bouncers to be bowled in an over. They look at whether this rule is too bowler friendly and how this will impact tactics in the game. Plus we are joined by South Africa umpire Marais Erasmus who has officiated in 82 international Test matches. In his first radio interview since retiring from international cricket he shares his story of how he got involved in umpiring after playing the game, if he has any regrets and if umpires should be mic'd up.Erasmus also goes into detail about the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the Ashes in 2023 when he was infamously 'stumped' by Alex Carey and takes us behind the scenes to what happened in the lunch room. He also details how it felt to stand in the 2019 men's World Cup final and the reason Angelo Matthews was 'timed out' in the 2023 men's World Cup. If you would like to get involved in the show, why not send us a Whatsapp voice note? The number you need is +44 800 032 0470 and include your name and where you are from.Photo: Umpire Marais Erasmus ahead of presented with momento upon reaching his 50 Test alongside Aleem Dar, Chris Gaffaney and Jeff Crowe day two of the 2nd Specsavers Test between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 10, 2018 in London, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

Marais Erasmus: My life as an international umpire

The weekly cricket show from BBC Sport in association with ABC and Akashvani.

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