It’s Not Just Cricket’ is a podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about cricket, but not just cricket! Azeem Rafiq - the man who rocked the sport in 2020 with his seismic revelations of racism - and experienced broadcaster Matt Kabir Floyd take an opinionated look at the big stories affecting world cricket and other sports on and off the pitch. A British Pakistani from Barnsley and an Anglo Indian from London, the two of them certainly don’t agree on everything and are more than happy to vociferously argue their point. Using their widespread contacts in sport and politics they bring in regular guests of note to help debate the topics of the day. Nothing is off the table! New episodes every Wednesday and look out for other ‘bonus episodes’ throughout the week.
If not Andy Flower or Justin Langer then who? Could the time now be right for Richard Dawson or Jonathan Trott to become England's next Test head coach?! Rumours swirl around Rohit Sharma's impending retirement but after rolling back the years at Lord's surely we haven't seen the last of him in an India shirt? And Ben Stokes' hundred overshadows The Hundred, what is the future for Stokes the cricketer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
England new coach options & Babar is back
So Brendon McCullum is no longer England's Test coach but who will replace him? Flower, Langer and Flintoff are amongst the leading contenders but could Mickey Arthur be a good option? India's T20 form has suddenly dropped off a cliff - is this just a blip or something more worrying? England's women finally get their long overdue Test match at Lord's but what purpose does Test cricket have in the women's game? And Babar Azam is Pakistan's Test captain again - is this the right move for him and the team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Could Pope be the next Captain?!
So Ben Stokes is no longer an International cricketer but with no obvious candidates, who will replace him as Test captain?! Azeem's vote goes to Ollie Pope - is he really a viable option? Plus, is this finally the end for Rob Key and Brendon McCullum? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Should Stokes and Atkinson have been suspended?
So Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are back for the 3rd Test. But if they were cleared of any wrongdoing why did they have to miss the 2nd Test in the first place? Has Stokes been treated badly in all this when he should have been backed? Kohli and Rohit are in India's ODI squad to tour England but there's no room for Sooryavanshi...is this the right call? Should he not be rushed too quickly into the International set up to protect him? And the Women's T20 World Cup rolls on - the Aussies look back to their fearsome best but the smaller nations have pulled off some eye catching results - are the days of 2 or 3 teams dominating women's cricket over? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What will happen to Stokes & Atkinson?
2 England players get in trouble at a nightclub again - could this be the end of Ben Stokes as Test Captain? If it is, can Harry Brook really be given the Captaincy in these circumstances? Meanwhile, a ruthless decision in India as Suryakumar Yadav is axed as Captain and dropped...but was it the right one? And get set for Sooryavanshi in England - if he makes his International debut, it will be an unforgettable moment in cricket history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A game changing IPL season & why Bashir shouldn't play
Another IPL season done but was this one that has changed the way T20 cricket is played? Times change but Virat Kohli is still at the top of the game - appreciate this genius while you can! Are we in danger of making spinners irrelevant though with pitches that don't turn at all?! Also on the menu - why the NZ series is must win for the BazBall era and why Shoaib Bashir should not be picked in the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gough's comments & Central Contracts
Darren Gough makes some controversial comments about not getting the England Selector role - but was it right to reveal what was said in a private conversation with Rob Key? Should England not have Central Contracts? And is the T20 Blast relevant anymore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
England Test squad is in!
England's Test squad has been announced and the boys are still arguing over Ollie Robinson's inclusion! Azeem also questions why Shoaib Bashir is in the squad and hopes Sonny Baker gets picked ahead of Robinson. Plus - are Bangladesh a better Test team than Pakistan right now and have the Gujarat Titans shown that to be a top T20 side all you need is a gun bowling attack and a strong Top 3? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Strike rate surge & Babar's evolution
IPL batting strikes rates have surged this year but don't write off the touch players just yet - the likes of Rahul, Kohli and Babar have been quietly evolving. Azeem names his young PSL players to watch and the boys look at a potentially messy situation developing in Australia - will the push to privatise the Big Bash cause a huge schism in Australian cricket? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pick a T20 World XI & England Test XI
This week Azeem and Matt play selectors and attempt to pick a T20 World XI and an England Test XI for the 1st Test v New Zealand. Should Virat Kohli be in a T20 World XI even though he's not playing T20 internationals any more? Is it too early for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?! Is Rashid Khan still the premier spinner in the world? Should Jacob Bethell be promoted to open the batting for England in Test cricket and who should take the wicket keeping gloves - Jamie Smith or James Rew? All these questions and a lot more are hotly debated in this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
KP v Cook & Bellingham buys in!
Kevin Pietersen renews his war of words with Alastair Cook so who is in the right this time? Is Jacob Bethell better off sitting on the bench at the IPL or playing county cricket? And Jude Bellingham buys a stake in Birmingham Phoenix - is this a game changer for The Hundred?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
England contenders state their case
Jamie Smith starts the county season with a scintillating hundred but can he play for England if he's not keeping for Surrey? Has James Rew jumped ahead of him in the queue after his early season form? Is Emilio Gay a contender to open the batting or will his technique be a problem at Test level? Plus - why do batters turn down singles and should Rajasthan Royals be taken very seriously this year?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Blank canvas for England and how to ball tamper!
Plenty of England Test players have points to prove which could make for one of the most fascinating starts to a county season in years. Crawley, Duckett and Smith are all under the microscope, find out which of those Azeem thinks is most likely to keep his place. Then it's at look at who's impressed early on in the IPL and the controversies that are already blighting the PSL. Stand by for an admission from Azeem on ball tampering that will change the way you look at how a ball is shined forever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Azeem applies for the England Selector job!
The boys react after it's announced that Rob Key and Brendon McCullum will keep their jobs and Azeem springs a big shock by saying he has applied for the vacant England Selector's role! Plus, how India's new T20 approach could have a big impact on this year's IPL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Livingstone hits out
After Liam Livingstone gives an explosive interview criticising the England hierarchy, the boys discuss if this is just sour grapes from a dropped player or does it highlight more worrying concerns about the way things are done by this England set up? If McCullum and Key stay in their posts, what needs to change to get England back on track? And some final thoughts on The Hundred squads - could we be in for a Southern Brave double this year?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Hundred Auction
It's an historic couple of days for The Hundred as it holds it's first ever live player auction. Does Abrar Ahmed getting bought by Sunrisers Leeds prove that Pakistani players are not barred from being selected? Is The Hundred now the leading women's competition in the world? Which squads are looking the most complete? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Did SA really choke & Eng v Ind preview
T20 World Cup Semi Final week! New Zealand demolish South Africa but was this really another choke from the Proteas? Is this finally the Black Caps' time? Would England be stupid to even think about dropping Buttler? Do Harry Brook's side really have a better spin attack than India, as Michael Vaughan says? Lots of questions to be answered, have a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pak players in The Hundred & Eng into the Semis....again!
Azeem and Matt look at the thorny issue of Pakistan players potentially not being selected on purpose for The Hundred - even if it was true, how could it be proven? Would the ECB actually be able to do anything about it anyway? At the T20 World Cup, England march into the Semi Finals courtesy of a truly sensational knock from Captain Brook - despite being nowhere near their best they are now just 2 wins away from glory. Meanwhile, all of a sudden, run away favourites India find themselves in the last chance saloon - could they really get knocked out of this home World Cup before the Semis?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
T20 World Cup roundup
The boys reflect on the big stories to come out of the T20 World Cup group stage. Should we not be surprised that Australia have been knocked out? Was South Africa v Afghanistan the best T20 match of all time? Is England's top batters not performing yet a good sign? How have the associates and smaller Test nations closed the gap on the big boys? Plus - Azeem and Matt argue over who they think will make the Semi Finals! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Carbs on race & his career...
Michael Carberry is back in the studio with Matt to pick through his long career before the discussion turns to race issues in cricket. Never one to mince his words, Carbs delivers some fascinating insight into why he thinks reports on racism make no difference and why we shouldn't forget about classism in any chats on race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
