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Stokes retires and leaves England in a mess

Stokes retires and leaves England in a mess

Author: The Telegraph June 30, 2026 Duration: 55:16
The Telegraph Cricket Podcast
SportsCricket

England have lost their first series of the summer to New Zealand but there is only one story in town after Ben Stokes’ shock retirement.


Jake, Nick and Will unpack the series of events which led to Stokes mid-game retirement at Trent Bridge and ask if the former England skipper could have handled the situation better.


We ask how big of a miss Stokes will be as both a player and a captain moving forward, with Nick holding out hope that we have not seen the last of him in the Test arena just yet.


All roads point to Harry Brook as next England captain. We take a look at what England would look like under his leadership and why a potential combination of Brook and Brendon McCullum could be disastrous.



The team also discuss what the future holds for English cricket, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key.


And away from the Stokes circus, we check in with Sonia Twigg for all the latest from the Women’s T20 World Cup as England gear up for a semi-final against South Africa!

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For fans who live and breathe the game, The Telegraph Cricket Podcast offers a front-row seat to the conversations shaping English cricket. Guided by chief cricket correspondent Nick Hoult, cricket news correspondent Will Macpherson, and Sport features editor Jake Goodwill, this podcast digs deeper than the scorecard. Each episode unpacks the biggest talking points, from the drama of a summer Test match to the strategic shifts defining the 'Bazball era'. The discussion goes beyond mere analysis, providing genuine insight into the personalities, decisions, and behind-the-scenes dynamics that influence the sport. It’s the kind of informed, nuanced conversation you’d expect from seasoned journalists with unparalleled access. Whether dissecting a thrilling final day or previewing a crucial series, the trio ensures listeners are not just informed but fully immersed in the narrative of the season. Tune in for a thoughtful, authoritative, and engaging take on the cricket stories that matter.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Podcast Episodes
Will series defeat in India be a wake-up call for England? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
Ben, Michael and Phil reflect on England's heavy fifth Test defeat to India, which saw the series end 4-1 in the hosts' favour.After such a promising start in Hyderabad, we ask where it all went wrong in the following fo…
England's winning v entertaining debate, with Mark Ramprakash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:24
Michael, Phil and Ben look ahead to the fifth and final Test between India and England, and whether Ben Stokes' side can end the series on a high by picking up their second win to leave the series at 3-2.We discuss Jonny…
India take series win with Ryan Sidebottom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:00
Michael, Phil and Ben reflect on the fourth Test between India and England which saw the hosts clinch the series with a now unassailable 3-1 lead.It is the first series defeat for Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes since ta…
Can England still win in India? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Michael, Phil and Ben reflect on a sobering third Test for England which saw Brendon McCullum's side thrashed by 434 runs in Rajkot.We dissect the defeat in detail and ask if the England team will carry on with their una…
England's third Test opportunity with Dom Bess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:29
Ben, Michael and Phil look ahead to the third Test between India and England in Rajkot. England's bowling line-up has taken a hit with Jack Leach ruled out for the series and the question marks over Rehan Ahmed's availab…
India level series with Harsha Bhogle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
Ben, Mike and Phil reflect on the second Test between England and India which saw the hosts win by 106 wins to level the series 1-1.We discuss if the series is still there for the taking for England with the availability…
England's Hyderabad heist with Bumble [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:57
Ben, Michael and Phil reflect on a sensational victory for England after they pulled off the most unlikely of victories in Hyderabad.They discuss the sensational performances of Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley, and another fl…
Can England upset the odds in India? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:03
The Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club is back!Ben, Mike and Phil take a look at England's upcoming tour to India and ask the question on every cricket fans lips: can Bazball work in the toughest conditions in Test cricke…
Amazing Ashes gets fitting finish with Zak Crawley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
Ben and Michael are joined by the Telegraph's Chief Cricket Correspondent Nick Hoult to look back on an incredible eight weeks.England recovered from the worst possible start to draw the series 2-2 with Stuart Broad deli…
Australia retain the Ashes with Piers Morgan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:36
Ben, Michael and Phil reflect on a frustrating fourth Test which ended in a draw after rain washed out most of the final two days.Australia have now retained the Ashes and the best England can hope for is a drawn series.…

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