Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Zimbabwe’s first black cricketer, Henry Olonga, as we ask whether boycotts work in cricket?

It’s in light of political pressure on England and South Africa to pull out of their matches against Afghanistan’s men at next month's ICC Champions Trophy. It's due to the Taliban regime's oppression of women, which includes a ban on playing sport. Olonga, alongside Andy Flower, took a stand against Robert Mugabe’s regime by wearing a black armband in the 2003 World Cup game against Namibia. It was to symbolise "the death of democracy" in the country.

Henry's been living in exile from Zimbabwe ever since and told the programme the current situation has echoes of 2003 and that the International Cricket Council and international Governments should be the ones making the decision not to play, rather than the players. We also talk to Australia Ashes winner now commentator, Mel Jones, on the role she played on getting many of those women out of the country when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Mel’s also been involved in organising the team’s exhibition match which will be played ahead of the opening day of the Women’s Ashes Test in Melbourne later this month.

Photo: Groundmen hold a large national flag of Afghanistan on the eve of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 10, 2023. Credit: (AFP via Getty Images)

Two-time Ashes winner Anya Shrubsole joins us to preview the Women’s Ashes. England will be looking to win the trophy for the first time in a decade on Australian soil. Anya tells us both teams will have a point to prove after their World Cup disappointments and she highlights the key players to look out for.

The Stumped team debate whether there should there be a two-tier World Test Championship? It is being reported that the ICC are looking to make it into a two tiered competition, which would lead to the biggest nations playing each other more often. The plans could see India, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan in tier one. While the second tier would be made up of Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe - making a seven-five split across divisions.

Plus, after Australia ended a ten year wait to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team discuss the significance of captain Pat Cummins and ask if India head coach Gautam Gambhir is still the right man to lead the side.

Photo: Tahlia McGrath of Australia looks dejected as she leads players of Australia off the field following defeat to South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Semi-Final between Australia and South Africa at Dubai International Stadium on October 17, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the record breaking Test Match between Australia and India in Melbourne. The teams now play each other in Sydney with the series 2-1 in favour of the Australian side who will win the trophy for the first since 2015 if they avoid defeat.

We debate the apparent unrest in the India dressing room and the potential retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Jim Maxwell says that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now bigger than the Ashes.

Plus, we discuss whether South Africa deserve to be in the World Test Championship final after comments were made questioning their perceived easy route to the final.

And we are joined by Ed Stoddart who is the CEO of Stuart Canvas productions. They manufacture hover covers, which are used around the world. Ed tells us about the significance of the technology and the impact of climate change.

Photo: Yashasvi Jaiswal of India looks dejected after being runout by Alex Carey of Australia during day two of the Men's Fourth Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

We look back at the best of Stumped in 2024, which gives you a chance to listen to some of the standout moments from the last twelve months including our trip to New York. The USA co-hosted the Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time and we spoke to fans from around the world about how cricket can grow in America. Plus, we spoke to Bryan R Caine who is an umpire in the United States about his love of the game and how it can develop in the future.

We also hear from one of the greatest batters of all time, the West Indies legend Brian Lara who joined Alison in the commentary box at Lord’s. He shared what it meant to him when he scored 400 not out for his country and if he believes Test Cricket is sustainable long-term.

New Zealand won their first ever T20 World Cup, when they beat South Africa in the final. All-rounder Maddy Green took us back to that special day and shared the emotion she felt about finally getting that winners medal around her neck. Plus, the Stumped team debate whether reaching 100 Test caps carries the same significance it used to?

And arguably England’s greatest ever bowler Jimmy Anderson finally hung up his boots this year, when he retired from international cricket. He joined the team to talk about retirement, personal loss and what is next for both himself and England.

Photo: Cricket fans cheer and wave the Indian flag during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium at Eisenhower Memorial Park in East Meadow, New York on June 9, 2024(Photo by J. Conrad Williams, Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss two international retirements after both Tim Southee and Ravichandran Ashwin hung up their bowling boots and ask how will they be remembered?

Plus, after Ben Stokes suffers a reoccurrence of his hamstring injury, we look at the life of an international physio and how their workload is increasing. The Stumped team are joined on the show by Gloucestershire physiotherapist Kirk Russell, he was with the England team from 1998 until 2011 and also worked with Delhi in the IPL.

Photo: India's Ravichandran Ashwin (C) celebrates after taking five-wicket haul during the third day of the fifth and last Test cricket match between India and England at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on March 9, 2024. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP via Getty Images)

Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta reflect on a series of firsts for the England men’s team in New Zealand. They have clinched their first away Test series win in two years and their first over the Black Caps since 2008. Plus, Gus Atkinson took his first ever Test hat-trick in the win in Wellington. Plus we ask if Harry Brook’s remarkable away record can translate to the Ashes?

After things got heated between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head in Australia, we debate passion versus professionalism.

And the Stumped team are joined by captain of the England men’s Visually Impaired team, Ed Hossell, to ask whether the sport should be in the Paralympics in 2032?

Photo: Harry Brook of England bats during day three of the First Test match in the series between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval on November 30, 2024 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images)

Australia versus India is a rivalry that has intensified over the years. As the two nations are currently involved in a five Test match series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we ask, is it now bigger than The Ashes? Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma all discuss how this sporting duel has evolved with cricket writer and author Gideon Haigh.

Plus, Melbourne Renegades sealed their first Big Bash title after beating Brisbane Heat in the final. We'll reflect on that historic triumph for the Renegades.

Image: Pat Cummins of Australia and Jasprit Bumrah of India pose with Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar following the coin toss during day one of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on November 22, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma, the team speak to Rajasthan Royals CEO Jake Lush McCrum about the Royals signing Jofra Archer and 13-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the recent IPL auction. Lush McCrum also talks about if Rajasthan will add a Hundred franchise to their portfolio of sides.

The team are joined by former Kolkata Knight Riders Team Director Joy Bhattacharjya for a wider look at the winners and losers from the IPL auction.

We also reflect on the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after India beat Australia by 295 runs in Perth.

Photo: Rishabh Pant looks on with his winners medal after India won the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 Final match between South Africa and India at Kensington Oval on June 29, 2024 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma speak to Australian spinner Nathan Lyon as part of them previewing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy that gets underway this week between Australia and India. Lyon also speaks about how much he has learnt from playing against Ravichandran Ashwin.

Also ahead of the IPL auction they interview England fast bowler Gus Atkinson. Gus is in Queenstown for England’s Test Match series away in New Zealand that gets underway next week. The team also preview what will happen in that series.

Photo: Australia spinner Nathan Lyon peaks with Stumped presenter Alison Mitchell ahead of the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth. (Credit: ABC Australia)

***This clip contains discussions and references to miscarriage. If you are suffering distress or despair and need support, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org***

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Clint Wheeldon, the team look at what is next for the Champions Trophy after the hosts Pakistan claimed India has told the International Cricket Council they won't travel to the country to play in the event next year.

James Anderson explains how he and his family dealt with personal tragedy, how best to bowl to Steve Smith and Virat Kohli and why he's decided to enter the 2024 IPL auction.

Also an interview with Matt Drakeley, the Head of Talent Pathway at Somerset CC, about Somerset inviting female seam and spin bowlers from across the UK to attend a trial day with the opportunity to potentially join their women’s team.

Photo: England's James Anderson celebrates taking the wicket of India's captain Virat Kohli on the first day of the third Test match between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, on August 25, 2021 (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

On this week’s Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Brett Sprigg, former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim joins the team to discuss the fall-out from New Zealand's historic Test series win in India and what’s next for India's men as they prepare to head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Plus, former West Indies CEO Johnny Grave tells us how a new broadcast deal could help cricket in the region and welcomes West Indies women's return to playing Test matches from 2026 as part of the updated Future Tours Programme announced by the International Cricket Council.

Photo: India captain Rohit Sharma during day four of the 4th Test Match between India and England at JSCA International Stadium Complex on February 26, 2024 in Ranchi, India. (Credit: Getty Images)