The Guerilla Cricket Podcast

Time to summon up your inner David Shepherd and stand on one leg.  It’s Nelson for the Bishop and Bear as we hit episode 111.  We have two excellent guests to celebrate that milestone too.  Global podcasting legend Forthy takes time off from his excellent Sobrero Fallout to bring his usual urbanity and wisdom to one barstool, whilst moulder of young minds in the ways of business and marketing, not to mention West Indies cricket, David Brook settles on the other. We are at the end of the English summer and looking forward to a fascinating winter, so like a parliament of slightly pissed and sweary owls, we rotate our heads to look both backwards and forwards. Well actually only one of us is sweary and he is already a Bear, so make of that what you will. Our lively menu includes five courses with plenty of side dishes: ·      The eventful English Test summer, via the Rex Rooms and Molly Malones. Have England and their new/old captain emerged in better shape? ·      The new coach says it’s time England took the World Test Championship  seriously – Do we agree? Don’t forget to catch every ball of the Tri - Series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! The Hundred is nearly done. The One Day Cup is bubbling nicely (but you’d better ask your barman how nicely after Middlesex’s semi final on Sunday). Our eyes are firmly on Test Cricket in this Bishop and Bear as England, under new old Captain Joe Root, take on Pakistan. Both sides in something of a state of transition.  Talk of Pakistan can only mean one thing when it comes to our guest. It’s Comedian of the Year at the Global Awards, Voice of Pakistan cricket (and the Hundred) on the BBC and with us in the Bishop and Bear to provide AATIFicial Intelligence on the forthcoming England vs Pakistan series, Aatif Nawaz. Yes we admit that last bit was a shameless plug for Aatif’s forthcoming comedy tour. Not to be missed, you can get your tickets for that right here. As you might expect conversation is lively and prone to wonder off topic here and there, but broadly speaking we dive into the England Pakistan series ahead and questions of captaincy and selection, changes to the England coaching set up and we ask why do neither Pakistan nor England seem keen to get to World Test Championship Final. Don’t forget to catch every ball of the Pakistan series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel.   And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! England have won a Test Match on a dodgy (sorry unsatisfactory) Lord’s pitch. And now we look forward to more Kiwi action at the Oval. And while we wait, it’s all been rather quiet hasn’t it? No, obviously it hasn’t. England have gone to the secret gun cupboard hidden behind a Lord’s bookcase*, pulled out a 12 bore, popped in a couple of shells, lifted their collective leg and blasted themselves in the foot. If you hadn’t heard of the ‘The Rex Rooms’, or thought they were a museum of memorabilia for Marc Bolan, Steve Took, Mickey Finn and other members of the world’s most famous dinosaur tribute act, well you’ve heard of them now. Serious stuff. This calls for some heavyweight analysis in The Bishop and Bear and this is delivered by our own Heavyweight Head of Serious Analysis, Hendo (when he finally analyses how his microphone works). Adto all that, Kane Williamson carefully picked his moment to pop into the Bishop and Bear and announce his retirement. Blimey, it’s all happening and we are across it for you. We even have time to make our Oval predictions and look forward to the WWT20 too. Don’t forget to catch every ball of the New Zealand series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman *We made this up. As far as we know, Lord’s doesn’t have a secret shotgun cupboard. Although would we be completely surprised if it did? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! Our first time back in the old B&B for a while. We honestly set out to do a weekly show during the IPL, but somehow ran out of steam after the first one.  Some might argue during the first one. But here we are back and we couldn’t be more excited with the English Test Summer just around the corner. Our guest on the Barstool of Bravado is the inimitable Grubby, who starts as he means to go on by lining up a five different drinks rather than the usual small courtesy glass of sweet sherry we offer our guests. We take an in depth look at the forthcoming New Zealand series and end up with quite different views on the potential result. The Women’s T20 gets dissected too with the Bear demonstrating his deep, encyclopedic knowledge of the Women’s game, before we delve into the County season (Championship and Blast) so far and whether Rob Key and BMac’s commitment to align closer to the counties can be seen in action, based upon selections. And finally, with the IPL marathon nearing its end we discuss its viewing figures and ask whether lower TV numbers mean lower numbers overall, or is it just people watching it in different ways?  That’s what happens when you put two old ad men at a bar I suppose! Don’t forget to catch every ball of the New Zealand series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! It's IPL time (for a long time). Love it, loath it or somewhere in between, it’s hard to ignore. For us it’s a chance to spend time with our audience every week. So without further ado, welcome to the Bishop and Bear IPL Preview Show, where, along with our splendid website writer Aryan, we look back at the week gone and ahead to our match of the week. Fun chat, a bit of IPL knowledge (mainly thanks to Aryan) and regular features here is this week’s order of ceremonies. Looking back o  Kohli Cam operator busy as ever o  Duffy’s no duffer o  Rohit and The Ricker o  Thakur Crackur o  Sooryavanshi 15 going on 50 o  Archer makes CSK quiver o  Burger relish o  Cooper – just like that o  Vyshak your money maker o  Prasidh didn’t but it was close According to Aryan – What to expect when KKR take on SRH? GPL Gazing – GPL pointers to help you win some money? Bishop’s Baffler - Can Aryan and Bear answer it? Don’t forget to catch our weekly match coverage. This week it’s KKR vs SRH at Eden Gardens. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel.   Match previews articles and insights are all on our website. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Bishop and Bear!   The T20 World Cup is behind us. Your Guerillas have been on air every day to bring you all the action and all the fun. And I think we have all agreed that it was a lot of fun. India were worthy, if expected, champions, but there was rarely a dull moment and some awesome performances amongst the less fancied teams too. Forza Italy and Zimbabwe for a start! The four semi-finalists ultimately were deserving of their places, if England did make hard work of it along the way. Our guest in the old Bishop and Bear, sporting whatever passes for the Indian equivalent of a Cheshire Cat grin is writer, raconteur and expert on India cricket Anindya Dutta. He’s never backwards coming forwards where self-promotion is concerned but we are happy to recommend his excellent article Motera Massacre: T20 Bleeds Blue. So who were your heroes, villains and fall guys from this WT20. Listen here and see if you agree with our selections for Player of the tournament overall; Bowler; Batter; Villain; Happy surprise team and Wooden Spoon team. As the last orders bell rings, we also have time to celebrate the wicket taking heroics of Brett Randall (IYKYK – the Bear didn’t) and ponder whether England might consider splitting the white and red ball coaching roles. If you want to catch up with any of the games we covered, just check out our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Bishop and Bear!   It’s a rapid fire limited overs (pints) Bishop and Bear today as we squeeze in this chat during our daily World T20 coverage.  Fittingly as Sri Lanka sit proudly top of Group B our guest is Nick Brookes, author of “An Island's Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan Cricket”. Its won multiple awards and in the words of Simon Barnes ‘This is a great tale, and what’s more, it’s beautifully told.’  If you haven’t yet got your hands on a copy, then you can do that right here:  “An Island's Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan Cricket” In rapid order after discussing his book, Nick, your landlord and episcopal barman move seamlessly into dissecting the World T20s to date and touch on: · Why it’s more fun than we expected · England and the Kryptonite of Asian Spin · The BMac walkie talkie – Is he relaying tactics or booking a golf round? · Nick’s Sri Lanka lads topping Group 2 – but tougher games to come · Associate Nations - Colour or Cannon Fodder? · Can Scotland do a Denmark?* · Can anyone stop India? · Why a  ‘weakened’ Australia are  still a threat? All wrapped up with a quick group by group look to predict the Super 8s before we dash from the pub to the studio for today’s game! Remember we are covering at least one game every day. Don’t miss it with us at guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon.  Please consider doing that right here All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Belated HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR FABULOUS PATREONS!   It’s all rather appropriate that we are recording our analysis of the Ashes in a pub, albeit a virtual one. In the wake of England’s defeat there has been a LOT of news and revelations about England’s love of a beer or two. I’ll hold our hands up here though. I’m not sure your Guerillas are shining beacons of sobriety and upright behaviour. That said, we weren’t the ones playing to win the Ashes either. We indulge in a bit of role play in the Bishop and Bear. Our Head Teacher and Head of PE are internet radio’s favourite double act, Annie Chave and Messy Jezz. The Bear and I send into their study England’s Management and Players. Some for a sharp telling off, others for a pat on the back. All for heartfelt advice.  Oddly, Messers seemed best versed in exactly what type of publication to pop down the back of one’s trousers should more severe punishment be forthcoming. But honestly, we live in modern times and Guerilla Cricket would not be that sort of school. Not forgetting that Australia were there too and played pretty well, the central question we do not shy away from is “Ultimately where does the bulk of blame lie for England’s Ashes failure. Management or players?”  Listen to find out where we landed on that one! There’s time too to look forward briefly to the Sri Lanka series coming up. Although that is already mired in visa issues for two of England’s players. We will, of course, be with you for every ball of the Sri Lanka series. Don’t miss it with us from 8.50 am on 22nd January at guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. But as Patreons, you know all that already and for keeping us on air, we have you to warmly thank for your consistent and invaluable support. So, THANK YOU! All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome back to The Bishop and Bear and STAND BY FOR A SHOCK!   Our guest for this Ashes special is lovable, if loquacious, Liverpudlian Gary Nayor. BUT, and here’s the shock, the lad struggles to actually get a word in as the Bear’s boosterish optimism ploughs forth like a runaway train! You don’t need me to tell you the situation. England are a familiar two down in an away Ashes. A media frenzy is declaring the death of Bazball. England’s captain is questioning whether there might be some ‘weak men’ in the England dressing room, while coach BMac thinks they have probably practiced too much. And let’s not forget that Australia, albeit a key man or two down, are downright formidable on their own turf. Is there any hope? Yes always. Until there isn’t. A bit like ‘everybody having a plan until they get punched in the face’ to quote Tyson (Mike, not Frank). Your episcopal barman struggles manfully (Ben Stokes would approve), to keep order as the Bear and Gary go full steam into these discussion points. Too much prep? Or the wrong kind of prep?    Do we blame BMAC or is the problem deeper rooted in the structure of the English game? ·      Can England adapt approach on the fly to be more competitive in Adelaide?  Should they? ·      Ben Stokes thinks it’s a mentality at key moments. Is he missing the point or just saying what he can? ·      Changes for Adelaide on either side. Is Bethell a number 3? Does one gritty knock make a summer and give Jacks a go? ·      What other alternatives are there? ·      Is Noosa a holiday destination or a rope England are putting around their own neck?   Wewill, of course, be with you for every ball of the Adelaide Test. Don’t miss it with us from 11.20 pm on 16th Dec (UK time) or 10am on the 17th Dec if you are in Adelaide, at guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A warm welcome back to The Bishop and Bear. Not one, not two, but three guests this week. We’ve turned the old B and B into a student union bar (or a Wetherspoons). OK not a ‘Spoons’ we have standards to maintain after all. With us at the bar are Arnav, Ed and William, all Sports Journalism students at Brighton University and all now enjoying placements with us. We have a great relationship with Brighton and are delighted to provide the chance for them to write and broadcast on Guerilla Cricket. With Hendo and your Episcopal Barman to steer their journalistic and broadcast training and the Bear to oversee lifestyle choices and moral welfare, I think you’ll agree the lads could not be in better hands! There is no shortage of things to discuss. As well as telling us about themselves, our trio are straight into tackling the big questions of the moment. Is AI dragging the standard of cricket journalism down or driving it up? Did Travis Head win the Perth Test, or did England lose it? The Pink Kookaburra – is it a ball or a Brighton nightclub? And speaking of pink balls, England are not playing a warm up match with one before Brisbane– is that arrogance or pragmatism? Given Australia and England’s contrasting records in Day Night Tests, are there any reasons to be optimistic for England? We don’t just stop with The Ashes either. India come under the Brighton University microscope too as we examine just what has happened to their home Test form. Is Gautam Gambhir’s job under threat? Have home turning pitches turned against them when the likes of New Zealand and now South Africa have top quality spinners and there is no Ashwin for India? And why are the all-conquering WTC Champions South Africa playing so little Test cricket? Our gallant trio do a fine job in answering these as well as coping with the Bishop and Bear in the process. They were very much the grown-ups in the room if you ask me. Let us know you think too. We will, of course, be with you for every ball of the Brisbane Test, which we all hope will last longer than two day/nights. Don’t miss it with us from 4am Uk time on 4th December on guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices