Women's Cricket Chat

This week Georgie and Alex catch up with broadcasting star, meme maker, tiktoking legend, and all-around fantastic human Melissa Story. When Melissa first pulled on the headset to commentate a Southern Vipers game two years ago, little could she have guessed what the next few years would hold. A keen cricketer herself, the opportunity to take up commentary was too good to miss. As if she wasn't already busy enough training to be a solicitor and playing cricket, the young rising star has now become a mainstay of the airwaves across women's and men's cricket and is fast establishing herself as the future of broadcasting.

Opening up season 8 Georgie and Alex chat to the magnificent Hen Cowen. We all know that a cricket team is about more than just the players and when it comes to England's women, Hen knows this better than any. They have been the team's communications manager since 2017 seeing them win a World Cup on home soil and being the go-to person for all things media in the subsequent frenzy.

Have a listen to their story into the role from journalism, being able to share poignant moments with players and friends, and what it meant to be able to embrace their true self, last year coming out as trans non-binary.

On the day of release, Eurovision is just around the corner and there was no one better than this super-fan to kick of season 8.

SIDE NOTE: This pod was recorded 30 mins later than originally planned because queuing for Eurovision tickets was a priority and not a single one of us is apologising for that!

This week we've got a real cracker for you. Fresh from the Under-19 World Cup, Georgie and Alex sit down with England women's Under-19 head coach Chris Guest talking all things coaching in the first edition of the tournament and what it was like to be part of it. We saw the incredible success of England's players as they stormed to the final under his watchful eye - and with three kids at home, it was actually somewhat a holiday for him too! When he's not coaching the Under-19's, he heads up the recently branded Blaze side (formerly known as the Lightning regional side). 2023 will be their first edition in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards cup so the hopes are that a new brand will bring new successes.

Listen through to find out how close he came to a VERY different career all because of a life-changing sandwich in the back streets of Melbourne.

Georgie and Alex sit down with the father of Fairbreak Shaun Martyn. We chat all things Fairbreak inlcuding the recently announced expansion to a SECOND tournament in the USA 🇺🇸

We also chat to Shaun about the inception of Fairbreak, where the idea came from and the innovative idea to have the flags on the shirts so you know what country each player is from - it's like a geography lesson at the same time!

Fatima Sana is a name for your cards. The 21-year-old may be all smiles, but with ball in hand the Pakistan bowler is a threat to any batter. She was named the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the year in 2021 in recognition for her talents and her potential and she has since continued to impress both for Pakistan and in franchise sides around the world. We were thrilled to have her as our first Pakistani guest as she chatted to Georgie and Alex about her rise through the age groups, the highlights so far, and what the future has in store. If her career so far is anything to go by - there is a lot still to come.

Women's cricket in PNG is on the rise. And it's not just because of their fantastic kit. Australian Kath Hempenstall has been at the helm of the women's side since September 2021 and has already made a huge difference to the women's national team. Georgie and Alex caught up with the former Perth Scorcher to see what she's been up to in PNG, the hopes and prospects for the side and the dream of World Cup qualification... listen out for Georgie's tattoo promise and so much more!

We've bagged another Aussie! This week it's someone who brings the (Queensland) Fire and never feels the (Brisbane) Heat. Yep, you guessed it, Georgie and Alex have been chatting with Georgia Redmayne and occupying her recovery time after a season ending injury in the WBBL. Not only is she a super cricketer, Georgia is a qualified doctor  - helpful for self-diagnosis. She chats all about her injury, an Aussie call-up, franchise cricket, and winning awards along the way. She's determined to get on with her rehab and we can't wait to see her back out on the pitch without the ankle boot accessory.

Episode 2 is a cracker with South Africa’s Sinalo Jafta (hence why it’s that little bit longer!) Georgie and Alex chat to international wicket-keeper about her cricket dreams and what it’s been like riding the rollercoaster with South Africa over the last few years including playing in the landmark test match in England. She was incredibly open about her struggles with mental health and spoke with such wisdom and honesty about finding herself in a difficult place due to the sport she loves as well as sharing news of her charity work with the Sinalo Jafta 10 Foundation (link here: https://sj10foundation.co.za/)  and what she hopes to achieve. 

It really is a MUST LISTEN.

Back with a bang for Season 7. To open the batting, Georgie and Alex catch up with UAE Women's superstar opener Esha Oza. Esha is proof that associate women's cricket is rapidly on the rise. At the time of recording she topped the table as the fastest woman to 1000 runs in T20I, sitting above some of the biggest names in the women's game including Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor. She also took part in the inaugural fairbreak invitational in 2022 and is proof that UAE cricket is one to watch.

Rounding off Season 6, Georgie and Alex sit down with mega talented all-rounder Jemma Barsby. They talk all things cricket including being a ambidextrous bowler. We also talk to her about being diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) early on in her career and how she manages her flare ups.  P.S it's only taken us 6 seasons to finally get a player from Australia on the pod. 

On this weeks episode Georgie and Alex sit down with new Central Sparks player Chloe Brewer for take 2 of this episode. (For context we tried recording this last week but poor Chloe didn't have wifi installed in her flat so had to sit in her car...in the dark). We talk to Chloe about all things cricket including getting the call up to replace none other than England captain Heather Knight in the Hundred this year, how the game is evolving and what it was like being in the crowd for the 2017 World Cup final. 

Fresh off the announcement of his appointment, Georgie and Alex sit down with newly appointed Sunrisers coach Andy Tennant to talk all things Sunrisers, starting from the bottom to implement change to get Sunrisers competing on a consistent level. We also talk to him about his time with Cricket Scotland and Scotland hockey plus how he implemented positive change. 

This is an episode you DON'T want to miss.

On this weeks episode Georgie and Alex sit down with Western Storm and Oval Invincibles winner Sophia Smale. We talk all things cricket including Sophia balancing cricket alongside her A Levels and her budding hockey career. We also talk to her about her bond with her grandfather and what his reaction was like when he found out she'd been called up to the under 19 squad for the inaugural under 19 world cup next year.

On this weeks episode Georgie and Alex sit down with award winning coach Harpreet Kalsi-Virdi. We talk to Harpreet about all things cricket including understanding the type of coaching that children need, getting children to love the game from an early age as well as spilling the tea on former guest Naomi Dattani. You don't want to miss this.

This week Georgie and Alex sit down with Ireland's youngest ever captain Gaby Lewis to talk all things the Hundred, Ireland cricket and Fairbreak. We also talk about Ireland qualifying for the World Cup next year and touring Pakistan for the first time ahead of the World Cup.

This week Cassie and Alex sit down with Southern Vipers and Souther Brave superstar Ella McCaughan talking all things cricket, including making it to the last 4 domestic finals out the last 5 ( this was recorded before she reached another two with Brave and vipers respectively). She also let's us in on what it's like to be coached by the legendary Charlotte Edwards. 

Kicking off season 6 in style, Georgie & Alex sit down with grounds warrior Meg lay to talk all things grounds keeping. We ask the hard questions like which roller is best to use between innings and we ask the all important question of what does one listen to when being a badass grounds warrior.

On our season finale, Georgie and Alex chat all things cricket with former Worcestershire captain Lauren Rowles. They chat what it was like to win the inaugural Learning Disabilities Ashes as well las being the only english team to win ashes series this year. They also chat Lauren's role as regional manager of Central Sparks and who the up and coming sparks we should be on the lookout for. 

If you want to find out more about Disability cricket then contact Jane Powel (@hocJPcricket)

This week's guest needs no introduction. Former England international Holly Colvin joins Georgie & Alex to chat all things England, winning 2 World Cups in a year and the Birmginham Commonwealth Games. The first part of this episode was recorded back in October 2021 before Georgie caught up with Holly as the the Commonwealth Games edges ever closer.

If you'd like to go to the Commonwealth Games then here's the link for tickets: https://www.birmingham2022.com/tickets

On this weeks episode, Hannah and Georgie sit down with former England international and Western Storm player Fran Wilson. They talk all things THAT Pointless ep as well as Fran's tough decisions to retire and to leave Sunrisers and come back to Western Storm. They also explain why the Devon vs Somerset rivalry is such a big deal. If you need ant tips on how to take speccies then you've come to the right place as Fran Wilson is the Queen of them.

This week Alex and Mihika chat with one of the co founders of #HerGameToo Lucy Ford to talk all things about the campaign. they chat to Lucy about why having campaigns like this are so important in making sport a safe place for everyone not just the select few.

If yo'd like to find out more about #HerGameToo the website is posted here: https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/

This week, Hannah and Mihika sit down with Western Storm and London Spirit superstar Dani Gibson. They discuss the highs and lows of cricket including her ACL injury and Dani's self-professed tendencies to be "injury prone". They also talk about the cruel fate of Net run rate and missing out on last year's Charlotte Edwards Cup finals days.

Georgie and Hannah take the reins for this one as they sit down with England and Southern Vipers star Danni Wyatt. They talk about THAT century against South Africa in this year's 50 over World Cup as well as her winning the 2017 World Cup on home soil. They also talk about the one piece of silverware that the Vipers haven't won. (This was recorded before the Charlotte Edwards Cup final happened).

On this weeks episode, Mihika and Alex sit down with Tameena Hussain. Tameena was instrumental in organising Iftar at Lords. We also talk to her about where her love of cricket came from, why she cares so much about bringing cricket to the community, working for the ECB and why she rebelled against her parents at 18. 

We kick off Season 5 with Middlesex, Sunrisers and London Spirit All-rounder Naomi Dattani. We talk about Naomi's journey to becoming a regionally contracted player, her hopes for longer contracts (they're currently a year) and what it means to be role model for South Asian girls plus how she hopes to to improve South Asian participation in cricket.

For our final episode of the season, Hannah sits down with the extraordinary Salma Bi, BEM, BCAE to talk all things cricket. Salma talks about her lack of role models growing up and how she wants to make a positive impact in making cricket fairer for everyone. She also talks about the importance of Azeem Rafiq coming forward and being a whistleblower and how this can help improve cricket rather than hinder it.

On this week's episode, Hannah & Mihika sit down with South African born cricketer Michaela Kirk to talk about all things The Hundred, Lightning Cricket and what it was like to play with a couple of England legends in Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt.

On this week's episode, Hannah & Georgie sit down with former Hong Kong captain Mariko Hill. They chat about the upcoming Fairbreak Global competition, playing in Australia with the likes of Meg Lanning and future ambitions to play domestic cricket in England!

On this weeks episode, Hannah and Georgie sit down with 1973 World Cup winner Chris Watmough. Chris talks about the formation of the World Cup, what it was like to play with the likes of Rachael Heyhoe-Flint & Enid Bakewell and why the World Cup we know and love today is 50 Overs.

Alex & Mihika sit down with Warwickshire and Central Sparks leg spinner Anisha Patel. We talk all things cricket, leg spin, why being a Bear means so much to Anisha. We also talk about her life outside of cricket with her career in pharmacovigilance (drug safety).

Hannah and Mihika take the reigns for this one as they interview the wonderful Mina Zahoor who is a diverse communities officer for the Warwickshire Cricket Board. She chats all things GLOW cricket, SACA (South Asian Cricket Academy) and making the game more accessible for minority groups in cricket.

This week, Georgie and Alex take you over to Zimbabwe to bring you Loryn Phiri. Loryn made the T2OI team for the first time in her career and we talk to her about all things cricket including her career best figures of 5 wickets for 6 runs. We also touch on Zimbabwe's re introduction into cricket after being suspended and how that took a toll on the team.

Hannah and Cassie sit down with Southern Vipers and Southern Brave player Tara Norris. Tara talks about the increased media presence on the women's game and how social media has evolved and is now a big part of the game. Tara also recounts THAT Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy Final.

Georgie and Alex sat down with South African broadcaster and friend of the podcast Natalie Germanos to kick off season 4. Just a note to say this was recorded before the announcement that The Women's Ashes was brought forward. We discuss the topic that's been on everyone's mind: A women's IPL and how it could logistically work.

This week, Georgie and Alex sit down with South East Stars and all round good egg Alice Davidson-Richards. We talk to her about what it was like playing at Lords and what it was like being the meme of the Summer. By the end of this episode you'll realise that outside of cricket, ADR LOVES her food as evidenced in this podcast.

This week, Georgie and Alex sit down with Western Storm and Welsh Fire superstar Katie George. On this week's episode we discuss the setbacks Katie has faced so far with her back injury. We also talk to Katie about having to make the tough decision at 16 on whether to play football or cricket and how she hopes next season that Meg Lanning is able to come over and make an impact in The Hundred.

This week Georgie and Alex sit down with former Australia wicket-keeper and current coach of USA cricket. Of course with the Ashes coming up shortly, we couldn't not discuss what it was like;e for Julia to play and win an Ashes series as wells being a double World Cup winner. We also touch on the hardships she's suffered and how she's used her resilience to come through them and why having readily available resources for things such as mental health make all the difference.

This week Georgie and Alex sit down with journalist and "honorary pommie" Adam Collins. You may have heard Adam's voice on commentary over the summer (if you have Sky Sports). in this episode Adam talks passionately about the women's game and how it has improved over the years and what more needs to be done to make sure the women's game is getting the best out of the players. 

On this week's episode Georgie and Alex sit down with North West Thunder and Manchester Originals player Laura Jackson. Who knew a barbecue would hold such an important moment in Laura Jackson's career. Find out about this and more on this week's episode.

This week Georgie and Alex sit down with Zimbabwe's cricket captain Mary-Anne Musonda and talk all things cricket. Not only that, they discuss the emotions being the whole of Zimbabwe being pulled from international cricket and what it meant to be reinstated.

Georgie and Alex sit down with Ireland's wicket keeping sensation Mary Waldron for this weeks episode. The ladies chat all things cricket including how Mary got involved in the game, what test status means to Ireland and what it's really like to be an umpire alongside playing the game.

Georgie and Alex sit down with Southern Vipers superstar Maia Bouchier and look back on a whirlwind Summer for the allrounder, capped off with winning the Heyhoe Flint trophy back to back. They also talk. all things Women's Big Bash and what it's like to be part  of the Fab Four from England. 

Georgie and Alex sit down with Suraj Karavadra, head coach of the Uganda Women's team and learn about all things cricket. We also learn about where Suraj sees the Victoria Pearls going over the next couple of years and whether or not we'll see them at Birmingham 2022.

This week, Georgie and Alex sit down with Northern Diamonds and Northern Superchargers superstar Katie Levick. They chat to Katie about how shoe got into cricket, what it was like to play at The Home Of Cricket and her future plans of being a comedian if cricket doesn't work out.