PODCAST · sports
It’s Not Just Cricket
by It's Not Just Cricket
It’s Not Just Cricket’ is a podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about cricket, but not just cricket! Azeem Rafiq - the man who rocked the sport in 2020 with his seismic revelations of racism - and experienced broadcaster Matt Kabir Floyd take an opinionated look at the big stories affecting world cricket and other sports on and off the pitch. A British Pakistani from Barnsley and an Anglo Indian from London, the two of them certainly don’t agree on everything and are more than happy to vociferously argue their point. Using their widespread contacts in sport and politics they bring in regular guests of note to help debate the topics of the day. Nothing is off the table! New episodes every Wednesday and look out for other ‘bonus episodes’ throughout the week.
Episodes
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We're back! Talking AB & best bowling attacks
After a month long break the boys are back! Having seen AB De Villiers look a million dollars in a legends tournament, Matt asks whether he retired far too early? Would it be that far fetched if he made a comeback aged 42 in a big franchise tournament?! Australia defy the doubters again and run...
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Do we judge Harry Brook unfairly?
Ben Stokes thinks we are too quick to criticise Harry Brook after he smashes another incredible century - is he right? And is he really more talented than Kevin Pietersen, as Stokes says? Brook will definitely be in England's Test top 7 against South Africa but who else will be? Is Jamie Smith's...
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Is KP the mentor a good idea & battle for the Big Bash
Kevin Pietersen has been brought in as England's white ball mentor - is this a stroke of genius or something that could go seriously wrong? At the same time over in Australia there is a big fight taking place over privatisation of the Big Bash - what caused it and how will it end? Learn more…
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Another Pakistan meltdown
Some extraordinary things have happened in Pakistan cricket over the years but is sending home 9 players and coaches the biggest act of self harm yet? Why was Imam called out so publicly? Why was Ali Usman sent home? Is Aaquib Javed the real problem? Plus, is Ben Stokes about to show the world…
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Why Brydon Carse SHOULDN'T be punished heavily
Another England player puts his foot in it and there are inevitable calls for the book to be thrown at Brydon Carse. But is what he did any worse than what some of his teammates have already done? Has the ECB backed itself into a corner by not punishing them heavily? Would it now be a weak move…
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Bangladesh surging and was The Hundred a success?
Three Test series to talk about this week! What is behind Bangladesh's amazing rise in Test cricket? Is this Australia team finally over the hill? Is Rishabh Pant the biggest entertainer in cricket? And now that the first season of The Hundred post investment is done, we ask - was it a success?...
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Can this Pakistan cause England any problems?
With England in dire need of a series win in the post Stokes era, we take a closer look at the Pakistan squad that is about to arrive - is there any way they could cause a vulnerable English side some problems? Meanhile, the West Indies will have to go through the Qualifier tournament again to…
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All change for England
In the end, it's Stephen Fleming and Joe Root. Has Rob Key ultimately gone for the two best available options to lead the Test team forward? Is the biggest problem going to be how to replace Ben Stokes the cricketer, rather than Ben Stokes the captain? Meanwhile Stokes speaks out for the first…
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Is Richard Dawson England's next coach?
If not Andy Flower or Justin Langer then who? Could the time now be right for Richard Dawson or Jonathan Trott to become England's next Test head coach?! Rumours swirl around Rohit Sharma's impending retirement but after rolling back the years at Lord's surely we haven't seen the last of him in…
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England new coach options & Babar is back
So Brendon McCullum is no longer England's Test coach but who will replace him? Flower, Langer and Flintoff are amongst the leading contenders but could Mickey Arthur be a good option? India's T20 form has suddenly dropped off a cliff - is this just a blip or something more worrying? England's...
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Could Pope be the next Captain?!
So Ben Stokes is no longer an International cricketer but with no obvious candidates, who will replace him as Test captain?! Azeem's vote goes to Ollie Pope - is he really a viable option? Plus, is this finally the end for Rob Key and Brendon McCullum? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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Should Stokes and Atkinson have been suspended?
So Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are back for the 3rd Test. But if they were cleared of any wrongdoing why did they have to miss the 2nd Test in the first place? Has Stokes been treated badly in all this when he should have been backed? Kohli and Rohit are in India's ODI squad to tour England but...
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What will happen to Stokes & Atkinson?
2 England players get in trouble at a nightclub again - could this be the end of Ben Stokes as Test Captain? If it is, can Harry Brook really be given the Captaincy in these circumstances? Meanwhile, a ruthless decision in India as Suryakumar Yadav is axed as Captain and dropped...but was it the...
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A game changing IPL season & why Bashir shouldn't play
Another IPL season done but was this one that has changed the way T20 cricket is played? Times change but Virat Kohli is still at the top of the game - appreciate this genius while you can! Are we in danger of making spinners irrelevant though with pitches that don't turn at all?! Also on the…
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Gough's comments & Central Contracts
Darren Gough makes some controversial comments about not getting the England Selector role - but was it right to reveal what was said in a private conversation with Rob Key? Should England not have Central Contracts? And is the T20 Blast relevant anymore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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England Test squad is in!
England's Test squad has been announced and the boys are still arguing over Ollie Robinson's inclusion! Azeem also questions why Shoaib Bashir is in the squad and hopes Sonny Baker gets picked ahead of Robinson. Plus - are Bangladesh a better Test team than Pakistan right now and have the Gujarat...
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Strike rate surge & Babar's evolution
IPL batting strikes rates have surged this year but don't write off the touch players just yet - the likes of Rahul, Kohli and Babar have been quietly evolving. Azeem names his young PSL players to watch and the boys look at a potentially messy situation developing in Australia - will the push to...
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Pick a T20 World XI & England Test XI
This week Azeem and Matt play selectors and attempt to pick a T20 World XI and an England Test XI for the 1st Test v New Zealand. Should Virat Kohli be in a T20 World XI even though he's not playing T20 internationals any more? Is it too early for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?! Is Rashid Khan still the...
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KP v Cook & Bellingham buys in!
Kevin Pietersen renews his war of words with Alastair Cook so who is in the right this time? Is Jacob Bethell better off sitting on the bench at the IPL or playing county cricket? And Jude Bellingham buys a stake in Birmingham Phoenix - is this a game changer for The Hundred?! Learn more about…
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England contenders state their case
Jamie Smith starts the county season with a scintillating hundred but can he play for England if he's not keeping for Surrey? Has James Rew jumped ahead of him in the queue after his early season form? Is Emilio Gay a contender to open the batting or will his technique be a problem at Test level?...
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Blank canvas for England and how to ball tamper!
Plenty of England Test players have points to prove which could make for one of the most fascinating starts to a county season in years. Crawley, Duckett and Smith are all under the microscope, find out which of those Azeem thinks is most likely to keep his place. Then it's at look at who's...
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Azeem applies for the England Selector job!
The boys react after it's announced that Rob Key and Brendon McCullum will keep their jobs and Azeem springs a big shock by saying he has applied for the vacant England Selector's role! Plus, how India's new T20 approach could have a big impact on this year's IPL. Learn more about your ad…
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Livingstone hits out
After Liam Livingstone gives an explosive interview criticising the England hierarchy, the boys discuss if this is just sour grapes from a dropped player or does it highlight more worrying concerns about the way things are done by this England set up? If McCullum and Key stay in their posts, what...
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The Hundred Auction
It's an historic couple of days for The Hundred as it holds it's first ever live player auction. Does Abrar Ahmed getting bought by Sunrisers Leeds prove that Pakistani players are not barred from being selected? Is The Hundred now the leading women's competition in the world? Which squads are...
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Did SA really choke & Eng v Ind preview
T20 World Cup Semi Final week! New Zealand demolish South Africa but was this really another choke from the Proteas? Is this finally the Black Caps' time? Would England be stupid to even think about dropping Buttler? Do Harry Brook's side really have a better spin attack than India, as Michael...
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Pak players in The Hundred & Eng into the Semis....again!
Azeem and Matt look at the thorny issue of Pakistan players potentially not being selected on purpose for The Hundred - even if it was true, how could it be proven? Would the ECB actually be able to do anything about it anyway? At the T20 World Cup, England march into the Semi Finals courtesy of…
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T20 World Cup roundup
The boys reflect on the big stories to come out of the T20 World Cup group stage. Should we not be surprised that Australia have been knocked out? Was South Africa v Afghanistan the best T20 match of all time? Is England's top batters not performing yet a good sign? How have the associates and...
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Carbs on race & his career...
Michael Carberry is back in the studio with Matt to pick through his long career before the discussion turns to race issues in cricket. Never one to mince his words, Carbs delivers some fascinating insight into why he thinks reports on racism make no difference and why we shouldn't forget about...
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The Pakistan boycott - an accident waiting to happen
The ICC have a big decision on their hands after Pakistan refuse to play India at the T20 World Cup. The boys discuss why this has happened, what the ICC might do to try to force the situation and what might happen next. Plus - England's part time spinners put on a show, why Azeem feels sorry for...
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Michael Carberry on art, batting and the T20 WC
Top man Michael Carberry pops into the studio to tell us what he's been up to since retirement, why Joe Root should be in England's T20 side and which side he reckons could upset India and the World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Brook at his best & U19s in good shape
It's been a good few days for England as Harry Brook turns on the style and the T20 team start well. Azeem is also impressed by what he's seen at the Under 19 World Cup - are England's next generation ones to really keep an eye on? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Smith, Babar row & Kohli's unbeatable record
This week the boys discuss a clash of alpha batsmen Steve Smith and Babar Azam at the Big Bash and whether Smith should be in Australia's T20 World Cup squad. Plus, Azeem names the batter he thinks shouldn't be in England's squad and has Virat Kohli already hit a record that will never be beaten?...
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Who could be next England Head Coach?
Azeem is back and the boys go through the main candidates to take over from Brendon McCullum when he finishes. Would it be a mistake to go for a disciplinarian? Should it be an Englishman? The Big Bash is bringing in a Designated Batter next season - a batter who doesn't have to field - is this…
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Tawhid Qureshi on the Bangladesh and India issue
Cricket writer and correspondent Tawhid Qureshi gives us the lowdown on how relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated rapidly. What will happen if Bangladesh continue to refuse to play in India at the T20 World Cup?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Toby Tarrant - nepo babies, cricket and The Traitors
Radio X DJ and cricket nut Toby Tarrant joins Matt in the studio to address an assortment of random issues - how can The Traitors TV show make cricket more watchable? Will Ben Stokes still be Test captain at the end of 2026? Will barring the players from having lunch help speed up the over rate?!...
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The 2025 Awards episode!
As 2025 comes to a close the boys reflect on England's first Test win in Australia for 15 years. The pitch wasn't great, but was the groundsman made to carry the can for some pretty bad batting? Then it's on to handing out the first ever 'It's Not Just Cricket Awards' for 2025...most importantly,...
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Key, McCullum, Noosa and the future
Azeem and Matt have different takes on the interviews given by Brendon McCullum and Rob Key in the aftermath of England's Ashes demolition. They then clash on England's Noosa trip - did England enjoy themselves too much or do these things only get highlighted when you are losing? Either way, is…
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Ashes 3rd Test Day 3 reaction
England show some spirit but are staring down another Ashes defeat, even after ditching BazBall in the 1st innings. Will Jacks does his best but he's only a part time bowler - will England never be a top Test team again until they find a top level spinner? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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Ashes 3rd Test Day 1 reaction
A better day for England but did Australia miss the chance to bury their opposition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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What do England do now and Kohli's 2027 swan song
TalkSPORT's Cricket Editor Jon Norman joins the boys to discuss how the media has turned on BazBall and what Ben Stokes' men can do to somehow turn the Ashes around. Over in India, Kohli is back with a bang - is it all now set up perfectly for the 2027 World Cup to be his international swan song?...
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Ashes 2nd Test Day 3 reaction
Lively debate after Australia have another dominant day in Brisbane. Have Australia shown that traditional Test cricket is the way to play the game? Is this the death of BazBall? The boys also argue over whether BazBall can really be seen as a cult! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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Ashes 2nd Test Day 2 reaction
England have a bad day in Brisbane and Azeem is coming in off his long run! Have England already blown their chance in this match? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Listener Questions & RIP Robin Smith
The boys answer questions sent in by you the listeners and look ahead to the crucial 2nd Ashes Test. And as English cricket mourns the loss of another fan favourite, we look back on why Robin Smith resonated so much with the supporters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
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England's pink ball prep & T20 World Cup groups
England's preparation for the day night Test in Brisbane is under the spotlight - were they right to turn down some match practice under the lights in Canberra? They should at least be happy with their T20 World Cup group - the boys discuss the draw and pick out the 'Group of Death'. Plus, are...
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Ashes 1st Test Day 2 reaction
Australia demolish England in 2 days! The boys analyse where they think it all went wrong for Ben Stokes' men. How do England pick themselves up from this?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Ashes 1st Test Day 1 reaction
19 wickets in the day...is this the best start to an Ashes in Australia ever?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Must win for England in Perth & India lose the plot
With Hazlewood and Cummins out and Brisbane to come, do England have to win the 1st Test? Meanwhile India have gone from being unbeatable at home to very fragile - how did this happen?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Biggest IPL player trade & Atkinson left out?
Australia will field one of the oldest Test match teams ever in Perth but is that actually a strength rather than a weakness? England might have to drop one of their main fast bowlers - could it even be Gus Atkinson? Meanwhile Jadeja and Curran going to Rajasthan and Samson moving to CSK is the...
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A seismic moment for India
India win the Women's World Cup for the very first time - is this a huge moment for the women's game, not just in India but globally? Meanwhile are England's top order struggles in New Zealand a real worry for The Ashes and has Jacob Bethell blown his shot at the number three spot? Learn more…
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Brook breaking records & the Masood mystery
After a one week break the boys are back to talk Shreyas Iyer's bizarre injury, Harry Brook's genius and the Women's World Cup Semi Finals. There's a new epsisode of the Pakistan cricket soap opera too - is Shan Masood really going to be Test captain and Director of Cricket at the same time?!…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
It’s Not Just Cricket’ is a podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about cricket, but not just cricket! Azeem Rafiq - the man who rocked the sport in 2020 with his seismic revelations of racism - and experienced broadcaster Matt Kabir Floyd take an opinionated look at the big stories affecting world cricket and other sports on and off the pitch. A British Pakistani from Barnsley and an Anglo Indian from London, the two of them certainly don’t agree on everything and are more than happy to vociferously argue their point. Using their widespread contacts in sport and politics they bring in regular guests of note to help debate the topics of the day. Nothing is off the table! New episodes every Wednesday and look out for other ‘bonus episodes’ throughout the week.
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It's Not Just Cricket
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does It’s Not Just Cricket have?
It’s Not Just Cricket currently has 131 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is It’s Not Just Cricket about?
It’s Not Just Cricket’ is a podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s about cricket, but not just cricket! Azeem Rafiq - the man who rocked the sport in 2020 with his seismic revelations of racism - and experienced broadcaster Matt Kabir Floyd take an opinionated look at the big...
How often does It’s Not Just Cricket release new episodes?
It’s Not Just Cricket publishes regularly with 131 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to It’s Not Just Cricket?
You can listen to It’s Not Just Cricket on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts It’s Not Just Cricket?
It’s Not Just Cricket is created and hosted by It's Not Just Cricket.
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