Cliffhanger in Karachi and World Cup Conundrums

This week, we round off the action in the brilliant Pakistan vs England T20I series. After England's back-to-back wins to clinch the series, is the team peaking at just the right time? And for Pakistan, have they answered enough questions ahead of the World Cup? Join Dan and Glenn as they round up the individual winners and losers of the mammoth series and look ahead with their England starting XIs for their first World Cup match vs Afghanistan. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Glenn and Zac are joined by Hammad to discuss the thrilling bilateral T20I series between Pakistan and England! Four matches in and the teams are tied at 2-2 after a succession of entertaining games. How on earth did Pakistan win the fourth game—God's plan, says Hammad—and where did England throw it away? What have we learnt so far from the series, and which places are still up for grabs within both teams going into the World Cup? All that, plus a very special announcement from Zac. Enjoy! Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPod Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re back! Although Dan remains on holiday (must be nice) and Will has a Master’s dissertation to write (boring!) Zac and Glenn are reunited to guide us through an eventful week of cricket. Rob Key had barely finished announcing that Jonny Bairstow was going to open the batting in the upcoming T20I World Cup before England’s star player suffered a serious injury while playing golf. With Jason Roy’s form flatlining, what will England’s batting line-up look like in Australia? We examine England’s WC squad announcement, alongside catching up on a thrilling Test series against South Africa. In Part Two we examine all the action in the Asia Cup, and conclude by reflecting on the recently completed second season of The Hundred. Why was the women’s tournament so much stronger than the lackluster men’s, and what went so tragically wrong for the men’s Welsh Fire franchise? Thanks for listening! Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we whether we're seeing the beginnings of a seismic shift in the makeup of world cricket. Before all of that though, in part one, we have a quick chat up to give our first impressions of the 2022 Hundred, England's poor white ball summer and the brilliant action at the Commonwealth Games cricket!In part two, and in thanks to some brilliant journalism from Tim Wigmore at The Telegraph, we spend the final half hour of the show discussing the relationship between domestic T20 cricket leagues and wider international cricket. Are we seeing the emergence of a football style club and country set up? Is there an apetite for an effective IPL for 12 months of the year? Listen and find out!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re delighted to be joined by Paul—AKA Twitter’s @SlogSweeping—this week for a masterclass in fantasy cricket! Paul finished second overall in The Cricket Draft’s T20 Blast fantasy game (a truly remarkable achievement) and we discuss everything that happened on Finals Day, picking up some fantastic words of wisdom for our own fantasy strategy along the way. But before that, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes shocked the cricket community by announcing he is retiring from One Day Internationals. His retirement sparked a fierce debate around ODIs, and what their place is within the contemporary cricket ecosystem. Zac and Glenn leap to the format’s defense, aiming to win over a skeptical Dan. Do they succeed? Listen to find out! Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Dan, Will, and Glenn for the most hilarious Rain Stopped Play episode in recent memory. The source of our laughter? A fake IPL league that conned Russian punters (yes, it really is that ridiculous) into placing bets on matches that were completely staged. We dive deep into the story that has gripped the international cricket community—uncovering potentially new crucial evidence on the ‘Century Hitters T20’ YouTube channel in the process. Then we turn to real cricket, although England’s white ball team may wish this last week of cricket against India had also been staged. We discuss England’s failures, India’s brilliance, and conclude the podcast by examining Jonathan Liew’s excellent article ‘Bazball isn’t a philosophy or blueprint—it is a response to a game in decay.’ Enjoy! Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Well, what a week that was! Another thrilling win for the men's Test side, another chase in the fourth innings and another heroic knock by Jonny Bairstow. A full Rain Stopped Play team are here this week to react to the final Test of a fantastic series between England and New Zealand.But before all of that (5:28) we react to the breaking news that Eoin Morgan has retired from all international cricket with immediate effect. What sort of legacy will he leave? Was it the right time to go? Is Buttler the only candidate to replace him?In part two (16:01) we dive deep into the third and final Test between England and New Zealand as well as briefly preview the fifth - yes fifth - Test with India that starts on Friday. And in part three (55:14) we take a look at the state of play women's Test match between England and South Africa and round the pod off with Zac's Quick Question.Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Dan and Glenn—other podcast members will return soon, we promise—as they analyse England’s record-breaking tour of the Netherlands! Sixes rained down in Amstelveen as an intimidatingly strong England team put a youthful Netherlands side to the sword. Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan, and Phil Salt led the charge in the first match, while Liam Livingstone wrapped up the carnage by blasting England’s quickest ever ODI fifty. However, one tourist missed out on the fun: captain Eoin Morgan, who recorded painful consecutive ducks. With a sustained poor run of form over the last year, is his side in the team now in doubt... or are his critics overreacting? Form is temporary, yet class is permanent after all. All that, plus a quick preview of the third Test between England and New Zealand. Enjoy! Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Well, what a Test Match that was! With all three results still possible as we entered day 5, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes took the game by the scruff of the neck and took England over the line in spectacular style. Join Dan and Glenn as they react to yet another brilliant game between these England and New Zealand sides and try to process just how good that chase was.Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

England’s dismal run of nine Tests without a win finally came to an end as they completed the third-highest chase at Lord's!Join Dan, Zac, and Glenn as they run through all the main talking points from an entertaining and somewhat chaotic first Test versus New Zealand. Joe Root appeared to relish his new post-captaincy role, Matthew Potts impressed on debut, and Ben Foakes finally looks like fulfilling his potential. However, England’s top order still struggled, showing everything certainly isn’t perfect under Rob Key’s new regime.New Zealand’s specialist batters also failed, and poor Colin de Grandhomme had a match to forget. Will they bounce back and beat England at Trent Bridge later this week?All that, plus a look at how our Blast fantasy teams are faring (not well!) and a round-up of international action. Thanks for listening!Follow us on Twitter: @RainStoppedPodAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy