<description>&lt;p&gt;Millions of dollars have been spent as the IPL 2026 mini auction was completed. It was the uncapped Indian players who stole the spotlight with franchises spending large amounts of money on raw potential, so the team debate raw talent versus experience and why all-rounders are so sought after. This comes after Australian Cameron Green has become the most expensive overseas player in the history of the IPL after Kolkata Knight Riders bought the all-rounder for approximately US$2.8 million.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Women’s Big Bash has a new name on the trophy. Hobart Hurricanes are the champions, so we looked back at the tournament as a whole with the ABC’s Brett Sprigg. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And with the controversy surrounding Snicko in the Ashes, the team debate whether technology still has a place in modern cricket.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Cameron Green gestures during an IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 6, 2024. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo:&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We discuss Cameron Green becoming the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.

Millions of dollars have been spent as the IPL 2026 mini auction was completed. It was the uncapped Indian players who stole the spotlight with franchises spending large amounts of money on raw potential, so the team debate raw talent versus experience and why all-rounders are so sought after. This comes after Australian Cameron Green has become the most expensive overseas player in the history of the IPL after Kolkata Knight Riders bought the all-rounder for approximately US$2.8 million.The Women’s Big Bash has a new name on the trophy. Hobart Hurricanes are the champions, so we looked back at the tournament as a whole with the ABC’s Brett Sprigg. And with the controversy surrounding Snicko in the Ashes, the team debate whether technology still has a place in modern cricket.Photo: Cameron Green gestures during an IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 6, 2024. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)Photo:

IPL auction, WBBL review and Ashes controversy

<description>&lt;p&gt;It is all about the Ashes as Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma assess where it went wrong for England in the second Test match at Brisbane and ask how that performance will impact Adelaide and the rest of the series. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We are joined by three-time Ashes winner and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. He reacts to Brendon McCullum’s comments that England were ‘overprepared’, tells us how the Ashes winning team he was involved in back in 2010/11 prepared and compares the wicketkeeping of Jamie Smith and Alex Carey. He also tells us what the England team will miss the most about Mark Wood after he has been ruled out of the series after a reoccurrence of his knee injury. 
 
Plus, we ask what is the best/quirkiest cricket T-shirt? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Matt Prior of England poses with a flag after winning the Ashes series during day five of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Three-time Ashes winner and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior joins the show.

It is all about the Ashes as Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma assess where it went wrong for England in the second Test match at Brisbane and ask how that performance will impact Adelaide and the rest of the series. We are joined by three-time Ashes winner and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. He reacts to Brendon McCullum’s comments that England were ‘overprepared’, tells us how the Ashes winning team he was involved in back in 2010/11 prepared and compares the wicketkeeping of Jamie Smith and Alex Carey. He also tells us what the England team will miss the most about Mark Wood after he has been ruled out of the series after a reoccurrence of his knee injury. 
 
Plus, we ask what is the best/quirkiest cricket T-shirt? Photo: Matt Prior of England poses with a flag after winning the Ashes series during day five of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Ashes 2025: Matt Prior on Wood, wicketkeeping and winning down under

<description>&lt;p&gt;With the ongoing day-night Test match between Australia and England, Nikesh Rughani, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma debate the success of the format and ask if it could be seen as a gimmick if more countries don't start playing them? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We hear from Aaron Briggs, who is a data analyst for the ECB and did a PHD on the aerodynamics of swing bowling at Cambridge. He tells us what makes the pink balls so different.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With the five Women's Premier League teams locked in for the new season, we look at the major signings and snubs at the mega auction and hear the story of Mumbai Indians new signing Millie Illingworth. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, with the India and South Africa ODI series level on 1-1, we discuss if Virat Kohli is back to his best after hitting two back to back centuries.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Ollie Pope of England is bowled by Mitchell Starc of Australia during day one of the Second 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at The Gabba on December 04, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

With the day-night Test match ongoing at the Gabba, we look at the nuances of a pink ball

With the ongoing day-night Test match between Australia and England, Nikesh Rughani, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma debate the success of the format and ask if it could be seen as a gimmick if more countries don't start playing them? We hear from Aaron Briggs, who is a data analyst for the ECB and did a PHD on the aerodynamics of swing bowling at Cambridge. He tells us what makes the pink balls so different.With the five Women's Premier League teams locked in for the new season, we look at the major signings and snubs at the mega auction and hear the story of Mumbai Indians new signing Millie Illingworth. Plus, with the India and South Africa ODI series level on 1-1, we discuss if Virat Kohli is back to his best after hitting two back to back centuries.Photo: Ollie Pope of England is bowled by Mitchell Starc of Australia during day one of the Second 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at The Gabba on December 04, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Ashes 2025: What makes the pink ball special?

<description>&lt;p&gt;After the first two-day Ashes Test match since 1921 and an Australian victory to leave the hosts 1-0 up in the series, Alison Mitchell, Corbin Middlemas and Charu Sharma are joined by former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie. He shares where he thinks it went wrong for England, if they should be playing against the President’s XI, if Travis Head should be the new permanent opener for Australia and the proficiency of the hosts in pink ball Tests.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, South Africa beat India by 408 runs to win their two match Test series away from home 2-0. It is India’s heaviest loss and Temba Bavuma’s eleventh win out of twelve as captain of the Proteas. Charu Sharma assesses the mood in India and tells us where the future lies for head coach Gautam Gambhir.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And India have now won their second cricket World Cup in the space of a month. India cricket journalist Annesha Ghosh tells us more about the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup and how the victory can change the perception of disability sport in the country.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo: Travis Head of Australia raises his bat after scoring 100 runs during day two of the First 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at Perth Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Photo:&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie reflects on Perth and looks towards Brisbane

After the first two-day Ashes Test match since 1921 and an Australian victory to leave the hosts 1-0 up in the series, Alison Mitchell, Corbin Middlemas and Charu Sharma are joined by former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie. He shares where he thinks it went wrong for England, if they should be playing against the President’s XI, if Travis Head should be the new permanent opener for Australia and the proficiency of the hosts in pink ball Tests.Plus, South Africa beat India by 408 runs to win their two match Test series away from home 2-0. It is India’s heaviest loss and Temba Bavuma’s eleventh win out of twelve as captain of the Proteas. Charu Sharma assesses the mood in India and tells us where the future lies for head coach Gautam Gambhir.And India have now won their second cricket World Cup in the space of a month. India cricket journalist Annesha Ghosh tells us more about the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup and how the victory can change the perception of disability sport in the country.Photo: Travis Head of Australia raises his bat after scoring 100 runs during day two of the First 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at Perth Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Photo:

Ashes 2025: Gillespie on Bazball, bowling and Brisbane

<description>&lt;p&gt;We celebrate South Africa’s first Test win in India for 15 years, and Charu Sharma tells us what India will look to do differently to ensure they do not lose the two-Test series. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Ashes is upon us, so Nikesh Rughani and Jim Maxwell discuss how pivotal the first ball of the series can be. We hear from former Australia opener Justin Langer and from England psychologist Gilbert Enoka on its significance. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, the Indian Premier League have announced their release and retention lists for next year's tournament. The team discuss the surprises and debate which is tougher – captaining your national side or being the captain in a franchise?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Photo - South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton celebrate their team's win at the end of the first Test cricket match between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16, 2025. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We discuss South Africa's success in India and the significance of the Ashes first ball

We celebrate South Africa’s first Test win in India for 15 years, and Charu Sharma tells us what India will look to do differently to ensure they do not lose the two-Test series. The Ashes is upon us, so Nikesh Rughani and Jim Maxwell discuss how pivotal the first ball of the series can be. We hear from former Australia opener Justin Langer and from England psychologist Gilbert Enoka on its significance. Plus, the Indian Premier League have announced their release and retention lists for next year's tournament. The team discuss the surprises and debate which is tougher – captaining your national side or being the captain in a franchise?Photo - South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton celebrate their team's win at the end of the first Test cricket match between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16, 2025. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa win first Test in India for 15 years

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

Stumped

Details

Recent Episodes