Vipers Voices

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we thought it would be interesting to just take a step back from the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League and catch up on what’s happened over the past year with one of the Desert Vipers’ local, UAE initiatives, the franchise’s Talent Pathway Programme for young, up and coming boys and girls. Jack Luffman is the lead for the programme and coming up we speak with him about the operation, which wrapped up with the Apex Cricket Festival in the UK in late June and early July. Jack tells us about what makes the Vipers Talent Pathway Programme different from other coaching offerings in the UAE and he looks ahead to what the second year, starting in September, has in store. It’s a great insight into an area of the Vipers work that, while it doesn’t receive the same coverage as the headline-making performances in the DP World ILT20, is nevertheless a key building block for the franchise in its efforts to lay down long-term roots in the country and the region. The Vipers’ Talent Pathway Programme powered by Balqis Capital, was launched in September and October of 2025 and has been designed to identify, nurture and develop elite young cricketers in the UAE. It’s about scouting and selecting high-potential boys and girls at under-14, 16 and 19 levels and then providing them with top-level coaching, facilities and support systems, as well as analysis. There’s also game exposure of course, most recently exemplified by the Apex Cricket Festival in the UK, plus, ultimately, the chance to be part of what the Vipers hope will be a pathway of talent from the programme through to the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament, which is itself a feeder for UAE players to the senior squads that take place in the DP World ILT20. The programme is for girls and boys and the Vipers are hopeful that the role they’re playing with girls cricket means that whenever the ILT20 expands to include a women’s tournament, the Vipers have already created a pipeline and a route map for local talent to be part of the franchise.if you or a child of yours wants to be a part of the Talent Pathway Programme going forward then you can find out more information by contacting Jack at [email protected] or calling or messaging Jack on +971 50511 8526. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we speak with new recruit Nathan Smith. The New Zealand fast bowling all-rounder has been drafted into the squad for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League following the withdrawal of fellow Black Caps player Kyle Jamieson, and he offers the Vipers a precious commodity – first-hand knowledge of conditions. That’s because Nathan is part of the New Zealand One-Day International squad that’s currently in action in Guyana for a series against the West Indies, and so he’s experiencing the same conditions at Providence Stadium that the Vipers will come up against when the Global Super League gets underway.Nathan comes into the Global Super League very much as a player on the rise in international cricket. He has arrived in the Caribbean off the back of a player of the series performance for New Zealand in their three-Test series against England, taking 16 wickets and also contributing handy runs in the lower-middle order. The GSL will be his first experience of franchise cricket, and during our chat he explains why that is, but he’s not short of T20 experience as, during the past two years, he’s appeared for first Worcestershire and then Surrey in the T20 Blast in England and Wales. He talks us through those two stints in county cricket and also discusses that England Test series which saw him operate with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell up at the stumps, an unusual situation for a bowler of Nathan’s pace. We discuss whether that approach, designed to keep batters in their crease and inhibit their movements, has any potential mileage in the GSL and we also discuss conditions in Guyana – the heat, the humidity, the dew factor and the potential for big crowds to be making lots of noise. Nathan explains how he thinks the Vipers can come together quickly as a unit to give themselves the best opportunity to be successful and he also gives us his thoughts on the two other New Zealand players in the squad – Bevon Jacobs and Daryl Mitchell, with Daryl coming into the GSL off the back of a fantastic, match-winning hundred in the deciding Test of the series against England at Trent Bridge, when he took numerous blows to the body but refused to back down. That will be the sort of attitude the Vipers will need to show to give themselves the best chance of success at Providence Stadium in Guyana. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we catch up with the player who has just been confirmed as the Vipers’ captain for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, Pakistan spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan. Shadab will lead the side for the GSL after Chris Green, the player originally named as captain, had to pull out of the tournament with a hand injury. We speak with Shadab about his captaincy background, his leadership style and his role models, his superb form in the latest edition of the Pakistan Super League, and his experience of playing in the Caribbean and Guyana in particular, something that will be of vital importance for the upcoming action. He also talks us through the impact a recent shoulder surgery has had on him and the positive way it has affected his cricket. It’s another terrific conversation and it’s one you’ll definitely enjoy.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we catch up with an up-and-coming star who’s linking up with the Vipers for the first time – New Zealand middle-order batter Bevon Jacobs. Bevon has enjoyed a breakthrough past 12 months, making his international debut for New Zealand in the Twenty20 International format, and now he’s all set to take his bow for the Vipers in the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that’s due to take place in late July and early August.Observant Vipers fans will remember he played for MI Emirates in the third season of the DP World ILT20 and, off the back of that, he got to spend a season with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. Coming up Bevon talks us through those experiences. He made his international debut in Zimbabwe against the country of his birth, South Africa, in the middle of last year and made an immediate impact, with an unbeaten 44 from 30 balls, as he helped rescue the Black Caps and put them on the road to victory, and he has gone from strength to strength after that impressive start. Bevon played in the Caribbean Premier League for the Antigua and Barbuda franchise and was then the breakout star of the New Zealand Super Smash which helped earn him a spot in this year’s Pakistan Super League. On top of that, after the PSL, Bevon made his maiden international fifty, against Bangladesh in Mirpur, and now’s he’s all set for the Global Super League – a year after he looked set to play in the tournament for the Dubai Capitals, only for other commitments to prevent that from happening. Within our chat, Bevon talks of the role of the finisher in the T20 format – the mindset required and also the type of practice that a player such as him has to do to ensure he is best prepared for what’s required. He also speaks with us about his background, as well as his aspirations for the future. All in all, it’s a terrific conversation. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we’ve got a very special episode for you - and something a bit different. Coming up we hear from Mickey Arthur, the decorated coach who’s been in charge of four different national teams, and also Tom Bruce, who was part of the Vipers squad in Season 4, the side’s first title success. And why have we brought these two together for this podcast? Well, they have one thing in common and that is that they both have first-hand experience of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that the Vipers are set to take part in at the end of July. Mickey has been coach for Rangpur Riders, the side from Bangladesh that won the first edition and was runners-up last season; and Tom was part of the New Zealand team the Central Stags, which was part of that second season, in 2025. On that basis they can offer valuable perspectives into what the tournament is like and what it takes to be successful there. It’s a terrific chat with the duo and hopefully you’ll find it a fascinating insight into the event the Vipers are set to be part of for the first time later this year.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we catch up with a new recruit for the Vipers, South Africa top-order batter Rilee Rossouw. Rilee is linking up with the Vipers for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that is set to take place in late July and early August, replacing off-spinning all-rounder Chris Green in the squad after Chris was ruled out through injury.There are few players currently playing who can boast the range of experience that Rilee possesses. He’s played for at least 20 teams and franchises on the Twenty20 circuit, plus the Oval Invincibles in the men’s Hundred in England and Wales – and that activity has taken him way beyond his native South Africa, to the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the USA and Australia amongst other locations – as well as, most recently, Belgium!  Rilee tells us all about that Belgian experience in our chat, a chat that took place just after he arrived in Dallas ahead of Major League Cricket in the USA, where he is all set to star for the Texas Super Kings, a side captained by his former South Africa team-mate Faf du Plessis. Rilee’s breadth of experience is impressive in itself but, on top of that, this year he also became a member of a very select batting club, reaching 10,000 runs in T20 cricket, only the 20th player in the history of the game to reach that mark. He also has an impressive international pedigree in white ball cricket, with five hundreds for the Proteas in One-Day International and Twenty20 International action, and he has featured for his country in fifty-over and T20 World Cups. Earlier this year, Rilee topped the run aggregates for the Quetta franchise in the Pakistan Super League and he captained his team in that Belgian T20 competition – so he brings good form and also great knowledge of the format to the Vipers for the Global Super League And with two years of experience in the Caribbean Premier League with the St Kitts and Nevis franchise, he also brings experience of the conditions the Vipers will be confronted with during the GSL.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailOn this occasion we hear from Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan all-rounder who is the Vipers’ Head Coach for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that is set to take place in late July and early August. Azhar has plenty to say on the Vipers squad, the build-up to the tournament and the tournament itself – and he also talks about a major piece of news which is that Chris Green, the Australian off-spinning all-rounder, has been ruled out of the upcoming action because of a hand injury suffered playing for Lancashire in the T20 Blast in England. It’s definitely a blow for the Vipers given Chris’s skillset and the fact he was lined up to captain the team, but Azhar talks us through the situation and his expectations that the Vipers can still impress and lift the silverware in Guyana. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we hear from Barbados all-rounder Kyle Mayers, one of a Caribbean contingent joining the Vipers for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that is set to take place in late July and early August.Kyle brings with him a vast amount of experience in short-form cricket, including in the DP World ILT20 where, over the past two seasons he’s played for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and the Gulf Giants. When you add to that the fact he’s played in the Indian Premier League, the Pakistan Super League, the Bangladesh Premier League, South Africa’s SA20, the T20 Blast in England and Wales, Major League Cricket in the USA and, of course, the Caribbean Premier League for more than a decade, it’s plain to see the franchise has secured the services of a player who knows his way around the Twenty20 landscape. Kyle talks to us about his experiences, including playing in the Global Super League last year for Rangpur Riders, and he gives us some fantastic background on the other players from the West Indies who are linking up with the Vipers in this tournament – left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, left-arm fast bowler Ramon Simmonds and young top-order batter Zachary Carter. Kyle also explains what the conditions are likely to be in Guyana for the tournament and he reminisces about his unbeaten Test double-hundred on debut as part of a historic run-chase for the West Indies in Bangladesh – one of the greatest individual feats in Test history. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we hear from New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson. Kyle is a new addition to the squad for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League that is set to take place in late July and early August, replacing Australia left-arm paceman Jason Behrendorff, who has sadly had to drop out through injury. When we caught up with Kyle he’d just arrived in the UK for a three-match Test series for the Black Caps against England following on from a stint at the Indian Premier League and it’s fair to say he’s looking forward to the cricket he’s got ahead of him over the next couple of months.Kyle has played plenty of Twenty20 cricket over the past eight months as he’s returned to action following a back injury and so he’s in a great space to talk to us about short-form cricket. He discusses the value of his stint at the Indian Premier League with the Delhi Capitals as well as how much he’s looking forward to the Test series in England and he takes us on a trip down memory lane too, reminiscing about a real career highpoint when he was named player of the match in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship against India in 2021. For Kyle, the Global Super League – and, potentially, a five-match One-Day International series against the West Indies beforehand – will be his first time playing cricket in the Caribbean and he discusses the possible challenges that will throw his way. He also chats about his entry into the history books thanks to his scarcely-believable figures of 6 for 7 in a T20 match for Canterbury against Auckland in 2019 and about what he sees as his best role as a bowler in the shortest international format. There’s also Kyle’s thoughts on how players can come together in a short space of time and gel into a team capable of winning a tournament like the Global Super League, as the Vipers players have to do in Guyana. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we speak with one of the heartbeats of the Vipers line-up last season, wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind.We speak about his recollections from that title-winning campaign, his reaction to being picked up by the Vipers again, alongside fellow UAE players Matiullah Khan and Sanjay Pahal, for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League and what he is expecting from conditions in Guyana. Vriitya also tells us what he’s been up to since the DP World ILT20 wrapped up in January, what his build-up to the GSL looks like, playing for Stourbridge in the Birmingham League in the UK, how close he feels to an international recall, and who’s he’s especially excited to be lining up alongside at Providence Stadium. It's a terrific chat and well worth your time.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we’ve got double the usual content for you. First-up, we’ve got a chat with USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, one of the heroes of the side’s success in season 4 and a player who’s back with the Vipers for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League. And then once we’ve wrapped up with Andries, we hear from Ben Hardy-Jones, the Vipers’ Sustainability Lead, who tells us all about how the franchise will be looking to promote its green agenda during the tournament on the South American mainland in late July and early August.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIt’s time for the second installment of our two-part chat with Chris Green, the Australian off-spinning all-rounder who’s captaining the team in the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League in late July and early August.The crux of our conversation this time centred around the tournament to come. We discussed how many of the Vipers squad for the Global Super League Chris knew ahead of the team assembling in Guyana and he told us about his vast experience of playing in the Caribbean Premier League and how that could be a huge asset for the Vipers. Chris explained all about the playing surface at Providence Stadium, conditions, and he gave us his thoughts on the teams the Vipers will face in the tournament – the Lahore Qalanders from the Pakistan Super League, hosts and defending champions the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Big Bash League side the Perth Scorchers and the San Francisco Unicorns from Major League Cricket in the United States of America. Chris also reflected on linking up with Azhar Mahmood, the Vipers’ Head Coach for the tournament, as well as Shane Dowrich, the former West Indies wicketkeeper-batter who’ll be the team’s Assistant Coach. He told us what his preparation will look like to ensure he hits the ground running for the Global Super League. And finally, Chris got his crystal ball out to give us a prediction for the tournament. It’s a short, sharp event running for less than two weeks, so how optimistic should Vipers fans be? That’s all coming up with Desert Vipers captain Chris Green so let’s get into it… https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis episode features the first part of our two-part chat with Chris Green, the Australian off-spinning all-rounder who's been named as Vipers captain for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, the Twenty20 tournament at Providence Stadium from 23 July to 1 August.Chris spoke with us during a break in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, where he is playing with the Islamabad franchise, and we covered a wide range of subjects, including the Vipers captaincy and how the job offer to him came about; Chris’s captaincy mentors and what he thinks his captaincy style is; and his bowling partnership with leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan, who he’s currently alongside at Islamabad, with the pair set to link up again for the Vipers in Guyana. He gives us the low-down on his background including coming from a family of sports professionals – and how he had to decide on whether to concentrate on tennis or cricket; he reflects on the fact that he really is Australia’s globetrotting Mr T20; he tells us how he’s developed as a cricketer as a batter and bowler; and he speaks about his international aspirations, having previously played T20Is for Australia in 2023. During the chat Chris references Sam Charnley, the Desert Vipers operations manager and Simon Helmot, the Desert Vipers Assistant Coach during the recent season four of the DP World ILT20. There’s plenty to get your teeth into as a listener and remember it’s just the first part of two episodes with Chris so after this there’ll be plenty more to come from the man in charge on the field for the Vipers in the Global Super League.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from the franchise’s CEO Phil Oliver. Phil talks to us about what it means to invited to take part in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League in Guyana in July and August – both from a prestige and a commercial perspective – he walks us through the challenges of putting together a squad at a time of year when the Vipers are not normally in action and he also looks ahead to Season 5 of the DP World ILT20, including discussing the dates of that tournament, which will differ from previous years. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailWe are back for a new season of the podcast a little earlier than in past years and the reason for that is simple: the Vipers have been invited to play in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, a T20 tournament in Guyana at the end of July. It’s meant Tom Moody, the Desert Vipers Director of Cricket, Phil Oliver, the CEO, and others behind the scenes have had to swing into action to put together a squad for that tournament, and in this episode we hear from Tom about what was involved in that task, as well as getting his assessment of the players that have been contracted. As ever with Tom it’s a terrific listen and well worth your time. Not only do we hear from Tom but we also reveal the Vipers squad that will take part in the tournament that will also feature the reigning Big Bash League winners from Australia, the Perth Scorchers. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we present the second installment  of our Season 4 review. Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody reflects on all the highlights and challenges faced during an action-packed tournament which saw the Vipers winning the trophy in their third final in four seasons. Tom has confirmed his commitment to the Vipers in Season 5 and he is eager to start laying the groundwork for another successful year, and keeping the winning momentum going.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we have the first part of our Season 4 wrap-up. Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver reflects on the team’s maiden DP World ILT20 title, talking us through the work that went on behind the scenes to help ensure the ultimate success of the franchise.Phil also looks ahead to Season 5 - the planning starts now for the team to try and become the first to retain the title!https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we celebrate the Desert Vipers winning the DP World ILT20 for the first time!After two runners-up finishes, the Vipers won this time with an emphatic 46-run success against MI Emirates.We hear from Head Coach James Foster, bowlers Khuzaima bin Tanveer, Usman Tariq and David Payne, batter Max Holden and CEO Phil Oliver as all of them reflect on what this triumph means to them and to the team.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from Vipers captain Sam Curran ahead of the final of the DP World ILT20, against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 4th of January.Sam gives us his thoughts on the threat that MI Emirates pose, talks us through his captaincy style and what he expects from the big game as the Vipers, having reached their third final in four seasons, look to secure a maiden title.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from the Vipers' Pakistani mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who announced himself with three wickets in Qualifier 1 against MI Emirates to help propel the side to the final.Usman tells us about how he ended up at the Vipers, his unique bowling style, his meteoric rise over the past year or so, including a stellar spell in the Caribbean Premier League, his international aspirations and much more. It's well worth your time!Tickets for the final of the DP World ILT20 are available at: www.tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/ilt20https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we speak with Andries Gous, one of the heroes for the team in a 45-run win over MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 in Abu Dhabi.Andries scored 120 not out as the Vipers, put into bat, scorched their way to 233 for one, with Fahkar Zaman making 69 and Sam Curran an unbeaten 38 from only 12 balls. Andries and Fakhar added 157, a new tournament first wicket record, while Andries' individual score is the highest in tournament history.MI Emirates responded with 188 for seven to give the Vipers the win and send the team straight through to the final on the 4th of January.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we hear from Director of Cricket Tom Moody.Tom looks back at the Vipers setting a record for most wins in the league stage of the DP World ILT20 - eight - and forward to the play-off stage with the first assignment being Qualifier 1 against MI Emirates in Abu Dhabi.He assesses the performances of key performers like Sam Curran, Khuzaima bin Tanveer and Max Holden, and also discusses the arrival of two replacement players - Zafar Gohar and Usman Tariq.If you want tickets for any of the play-offs or the final then you can buy them at www.tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/ilt20 https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from Vipers new boy Zafar Gohar, the left-arm spinner who has joined the franchise in place of Noor Ahmad.Zafar tells us how his joining the Vipers came about, gives us a bit of background about himself and his cricketing journey and tells us about his expectations for the week ahead - and beyond.If you want tickets for any of the play-offs or the final then you can buy them at www.tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/ilt20https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from fast bowling coach Azhar Mahmood after the Vipers became the first side in the history of the DP World ILT20 to win eight matches in the regular season, beating the Sharjah Warriorz by five wickets with three balls to spare at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.The Vipers won thanks to a disciplined bowling display as the Warriorz were restricted to 140 for seven. Max Holden then made an unbeaten 65, during the course of which he became the leading run-scorer in the tournament.22 were needed from the final two overs, but Hassan Nawaz hit three sixes in an unbeaten 25, to remove any fears of a loss going into the post-season play-offs.The Vipers will now play in Qualifier 1 on December the 30th. Win that and they are straight through to the final on January the 4th; lose it and they have a second route to the final, via Qualifier 2 in Sharjah on January the 2nd.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we catch up with wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous. Andries is on the comeback trail after injuring a calf muscle in the fourth match of the season, against MI Emirates but he’s now close to a return to action and in our conversation, he talks about how he suffered the injury, his rehabilitation, what it’s been like on the sidelines and plenty more. It’s a chat that’s well worth your time!https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we catch up with Vipers new boy Jason Roy. Jason’s feet have barely touched the ground since joining the franchise off the back of a tournament-ending injury to Shimron Hetmyer and, having played back-to-back matches as soon as he arrived in the UAE, he’s now had a chance to draw breath and catch up for a chat with us. And it’s a terrific chat too, as he reflects on how his joining the Vipers came about, what he’s been up to since the end of the English county season, his unfamiliar role in the middle order, his catch of the season contender, the atmosphere within the Vipers set-up and lots, lots more.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from Head Coach James Foster as he reflects on the four-wicket loss to MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium.The Vipers were well-shackled on a tricky pitch, and after being put into bat they scrambled to 124 for seven, piloted by Dan Lawrence's unbeaten 35 from 34 balls.In reply, MI Emirates got home with 15 balls in hand, although the Vipers made them work hard for their victory. Dan bowled superbly to take one for 13 in four overs of off-spin, while there were impressive efforts with the ball from Matiullah Khan (two for 18) and Sanjay Pahal (none for 14), both of them bowling for the Vipers for the first time.James reflects on all those things and plenty more, as well as discussing a calf injury sustained by captain Lockie Ferguson, with Sam Curran taking over leadership duties during the fielding innings.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we look back on another win for the team, this time by four wickets against the Sharjah Warriorz at the Dubai International Stadium. We’ll do that looking back in the company of fast bowler Khuzaima bin Tanveer, who celebrated his birthday in style by taking two wickets, as well as Tom Bruce and Vriitya Aravind, who were together at the crease when the winning run was struck with 37 balls in hand. Sharjah batted first and were bowled out for 90 as David Payne, named player of the match, took three for 14, and there were only two Warriorz players in double figures. In reply, the Vipers batting wobbled a little and the side was 30 for three at one stage. But Sam Curran, captaining the side as Lockie Ferguson rested, scored 37 from 31 balls to ease any nerves. The match also marked the Vipers debut of Jason Roy, who has been drafted into the squad in place of Shimron Hetmyer, with the West Indian batter ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury. The Vipers now have just two more matches left in the league stage of the tournament and this win has guaranteed the team a top-two finish in that league, which means two potential opportunities to qualify for the final on the 4th of January. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we speak with Pakistan opening bat Fakhar Zaman as he gives us a terrific insight into his mindset and what he expects from himself as a player. Fakhar also speaks at length about how the side will look to bounce back from a first defeat of the season, in the previous match against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders; what it has been like batting with his two opening partners this term, Andries Gous and Max Holden; and what the pitches and conditions have been like for this season’s matches. Fakhar also talks of his role as a senior professional within the side and assesses the contributions of fast bowlers Khuzaima bin Tanveer and Naseem Shah as well as top-order batter Hassan Nawaz and he discusses the fact that, next up, the Vipers will be facing a Sharjah side that has won its past two matches. It’s a fantastic conversation, full of fascinating insights.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we hear from captain Lockie Ferguson as he reflects on defeat by the narrowest of margins, one run, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi.The loss is the Vipers' first of this campaign after starting off with six successive victories, but the consolation is that the side is still comfortably top of the league stadings and has already qualified for the end-of-season play-offshttps://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from Head Coach James Foster as he reflects on the Vipers making it six wins from six starts this season, courtesy of a five-wicket victory against the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium.The success ensures the Vipers have qualified for the end-of-season play-offs but there is still work to be done to make sure of a top-two berth that would guarantee two opportunities to reach the final.This was the Vipers' seasonal Sustainability Match, during which they shine a light on green issues, and we also hear from CEO Phil Oliver and Head of Strategy Matt Bailey as they explain why the franchise is so committed to this cause.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from Max Holden, who made an unbeaten 64 from 41 balls to help the Vipers to a fifth win in five matches, this time against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium.Max shared an unbroken stand of 123 for the third wicket with Sam Curran (67 not out) as the Vipers won eight wickets with 3.1 overs in hand.Earlier, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer produced a sensational spell of bowling, capturing four for 10 as the Vipers restricted the Giants to 157 for seven. Those wickets meant he secured the player of the match award and he took over as the holder of the white belt for the top wicket-taker in the tournament, with his tally now standing at 10.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we chat with the Desert Vipers Sustainability Lead, Ben Hardy-Jones as we look forward to the Sustainability Match which this season will see the team face the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday the 14th of December, a 6.30pm start. Ben talks to us about the significance of the match, why it is so important and what activities will be taking place on the day.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we chat with Director of Cricket Tom Moody who reflects on the campaign so far and looks ahead to the team’s next match, against the Gulf Giants, at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday the 12th of December, a 6.30pm start.Tom talks about what’s pleased him and what hasn’t so far. There’s plenty of good stuff to look back on, of course, off the back of four wins from four matches but, as Tom tells us, there’s also plenty to improve upon. Tom speaks about the return of Lockie Ferguson as captain after the fast bowler missed the first three matches of the tournament, he discusses the batting and bowling and also gives us an update on the fitness of Andries Gous, after the wicketkeeper-batter was forced to retire hurt in the most recent win, against MI Emirates in Abu Dhabi. Andries’ replacement behind the stumps was Vriitya Aravind, and Tom discusses his role in the side, as well as conditions across the three venues. He also talks about the moment that’s provoked huge discussion in the cricketing world, the decision by MI’s Nicholas Pooran not to stump Max Holden in the Vipers’ last match, and Tom chats, too, about how the team will look to keep their collective feet on the ground after the flying start to this season’s action.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from fast bowler David Payne off the back of another thrilling match involving the Vipers - this time a one-run win against MI Emirates in Abu Dhabi.David was player of the match after taking four for 29 as the Vipers defended 159, sealing the win off the final delivery as wicketkeeper Vriitya Aravind ran out AM Ghazanfar as he sought the run that would have taken the match to a super over.It means the Vipers are top of the table with four wins from four matches.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we reflect on a great result for the Vipers, who made it three wins from three starts in thrilling fashion against the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium. The Vipers, set 180 to win by the Giants, reached 179 for nine to set up a super over, the first in the history of the tournament, and after Dan Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer scored 13, Naseem Shah then bowled superbly to restrict the Giants to 9, meaning victory for the Vipers. Coming up we hear from captain Sam Curran, who weighed in with 44 from 36 balls, as well as Dan Lawrence, the player of the match for a terrific innings of 56 from 31 deliveries. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we speak with the Vipers Analyst Freddie Wilde, who gives us a peak behind the curtain at what his job entails. It really is a fascinating conversation about a role within teams these days that is widely acknowledged but rarely, if ever, spoken about.Our chat covers all aspects of what Freddie does – how he goes about his business, how he interacts with the players and coaching staff and how receptive those two groups are to the use of video and, more generally, technology in the game. Freddie gives us a little bit of background on himself and how he manages to stay on top of the dizzying amount of cricket that takes place all over the world these days. He also gives us an insight into his role with the franchise both before and during the first-ever DP World ILT20 player auction, which took place in Dubai in October. As you’ll find out, he was hands-on even though he wasn’t physically present on the day! https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThe Desert Vipers have made it two wins from two matches at the start of Season 4 of the DP World ILT20, this time beating the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by two wickets with three balls in hand at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.In this episode we hear from Dan Lawrence, who made 35 from 32 balls and also took the key wicket of ex-Vipers batter Sherfane Rutherford.The Vipers restricted a powerful ADKR batting line-up top 171 for six before chasing down the target, thanks not only to Dan but also player of the match Shimron Hetmyer, who made 48 from 25 balls, and a superb cameo from Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, who belted an unbeaten 31 from 12 balls to see the side to victory after 19 were needed from the final two overs.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we hear from left-arm swing and seam bowler David Payne, who was so influential with two wickets in the opening victory over the Dubai Capitals.David talks us through that win and discusses the conditions encountered in the match, he speaks about the mood within the squad and also looks ahead to the challenge of facing the batting power of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Sharjah Stadium, the Vipers' second match of the season. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThe tournament is underway and the Vipers are off the mark with two points, courtesy of a four-wicket win against the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium.The match was a repeat of February's final but this time with a different result!In this episode we hear from Andries Gous, who's 58 from 36 balls was key to the successful run-chase, as well as left-arm swing bowler David Payne and wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad, who took two wickets apiece to help restrict the Capitals to 150 for eight in their 20 overs.The Vipers were 85 for one and 108 for two but stuttered in the run-chase before Dan Lawrence (19 not out) and Khuzaima bin Tanveer (12 not out) saw them home with six balls to spare.The Vipers' next match is against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Sharjah on Friday the 5th of December and tickets are available at www.tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/ilt20 https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThe waiting is almost over! It's almost time for the first match of DP World ILT20 Season 4, with the Vipers set to go head-to-head with the Dubai Capitals, and ahead of that encounter, we caught up with Head Coach James Foster after the side's final practice session at the ICC Academy at Dubai Sports City.James talks us through the squad's build-up to the game and its significance, with everything now focused on the Dubai International Stadium and the evening of the 2nd of December!https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time, with the clock ticking down towards the season-opener against the Dubai Capitals on Tuesday the 2nd of December, we speak with all-rounder Sam Curran. Sam was the player of the tournament in Season 3 when the Vipers narrowly failed to lift the trophy, and coming up we have a relaxed and fascinating chat with a player who, off the back of his stellar season with the Vipers, was recalled to the England white-ball set-up at the end of the English season.He spoke about his England recall, a reward for outstanding performances in not only last season’s DP World ILT20 but also for helping the Oval Invincibles to a third successive title in the men’s Hundred competition. Sam also reflected on Season 3 and he talks very interestingly about whether or not his player of the tournament form last time around creates pressure to do it all again in the next month of action. There’s also his thoughts on the rivalry with the Dubai Capitals and fellow all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and he tells us about the slower ball he has developed that was such a hit in that Hundred tournament. And on top of all that, Sam gives us his views on the Vipers’ chances for Season 4. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailWith the season-opener against the Dubai Capitals on Tuesday the 2nd of December racing towards us, we speak with captain Lockie Ferguson. Lockie is back in charge for a second season after taking the Vipers so close to success last time out and so he’s got plenty to reflect upon, as well as plenty to look forward to, in our chat, a chat that’s well worth your time.Lockie did a terrific job for the Vipers on and off the field last season, bringing the squad together and, along with the coaching staff, helping to foster a really great team spirit. In our conversation he looks back at season 3, the highs and the lows, and what he learnt as a captain from that campaign. He also discusses his nine months since February’s final, during which he took in stints at the Indian Premier League with Punjab, coached by Ricky Ponting and led by Shreyas Iyer, a return to Major League Cricket with Washington Freedom captained by Glenn Maxwell and time at the Hundred in the UK alongside Joe Root and Vipers team-mate Max Holden amongst others. Lockie reflects on his international prospects with the ICC men’s T20 World Cup just around the corner, early next year, and he discusses the prospect of linking up with Pakistan pace ace Naseem Shah, as well as the chance to work again alongside another fast bowler, Khuzaima bin Tanveer, one of the breakthrough stars of season 3. As you’d expect, Lockie also gives us his perspective on the Vipers’ chances for season 4, and, with one eye on the Dubai Capitals match, he talks about the importance of starting the tournament well. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThe episodes are coming thick and fast as the tournament draws ever nearer and this time we speak with returning fast bowling coach Azhar Mahmood. Azhar was with the franchise for the first two seasons of the tournament before switching to working with the Pakistan men’s team, but now he’s back and we caught up with him after he arrived at the team’s base at JA the Resort in Jebel Ali on the outskirts of Dubai.Azhar is one of the very best in the business in his field of coaching fast bowlers and there are plenty for him to work with at the Vipers this season. There’s captain Lockie Ferguson, death-overs master David Payne, all-rounder Sanjay Pahal who was the player of the tournament in the ILT20 Development Tournament in August and September, plus newcomers Matiullah Khan and Faridoon Dawoodzai, as well as Sam Curran and Naseem Shah, the Pakistan pace ace, amongst others. Azhar knows all about Naseem having worked with him at national level and he explains why he thinks he will be so effective for the Vipers this season. He also talks about Sam, a player he worked with extensively at English county Surrey, as well as two more Pakistan players he knows well Fakhar Zaman and Hassan Nawaz. Azhar explains why he’s come back to the Vipers, how much he’s looking forward to working with Khuzaima bin Tanveer and what his philosophy is as a coach, especially in the fickle format of Twenty20. And he also gives us his view on the Vipers’ chances for season four.  https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailComing up we speak with Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody as players and staff start to assemble at the JA Resort in Jebel Ali ahead of the tournament. Tom was in great form when we chatted, covering off a range of topics and it really is a chat that – as ever with Tom – is well worth your time.There’s his take on the process of planning for the auction that happened at the start of October and, on top of that, we hear from him on the prospect of facing up to players that the franchise let go ahead of this season. Tom also talks to us about the retention of Lockie Ferguson as captain and Sam Curran’s return to the England white-ball set-up off the back of his player of the tournament performance last season. Tom reflects, too, on the prospect of facing up to the side that beat the Vipers in last year’s final, the Dubai Capitals, in this season’s opener and discusses the decision to break from the build-up of previous years by not having a warm-up match this time. He also gives us his perspective on what it will take for the Vipers to go from runners-up to winners in this edition of the DP World ILT20.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we speak with English batter Dan Lawrence, one of the seven players retained by the Vipers for season four of the tournament, as we get ever closer to the first ball of the next edition. Dan was one of the squad’s earliest overseas arrivals into the UAE as he opted to play in the Abu Dhabi T10 beforehand, and he took a break from the action at the Zayed Cricket Stadium to reflect on what’s gone and look ahead at what’s to come. Dan was one of the stand-out performers for the Vipers in season three, someone who, alongside the likes of Sam Curran and Max Holden, made the Vipers top and middle-order one that the other teams had plenty of respect for. In our chat Dan talks about that previous campaign and reflects on why the side couldn’t quite get across the line in that epic final against the Dubai Capitals. He also tells us about what he did during the English summer that followed, including a maiden T20 hundred for his county side Surrey, the experience of playing with a different side from the one he’d previously lined up for in The Hundred, and the frustration of finishing as runners-up with Surrey in the first-class competition, the County Championship. Dan talks batting, bowling – with his off-spin becoming more and more of a weapon, especially in first-class cricket – the fact he was retained by the franchise, and what he thinks it will take to turn the Vipers from nearly men to winners in this season’s competition. And he also looks back on his famous 'Flamingo shot', the flick shot he played against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders that deposited the ball over square leg for six.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailWith season four just two weeks away, we’ve got a bumper episode for you. We hear from Khuzaima bin Tanveer, the UAE fast bowler who made such a sensational start to life with the Vipers in the previous edition of the tournament. And we also catch up with Phil Oliver, the Desert Vipers CEO, who talks us through off-field preparations for the start of the action.Very few people outside of UAE cricketing circles had heard of Khuzaima prior to season three, but he showcased his ability very clearly with four for 22 on debut against the Sharjah Warriorz and was a fixture in the team after that performance. Khuzaima talks us through his memories of that first performance as well as his impressions of his first season in a T20 franchise tournament and he tells us what he’s been up to since then, ahead of season four.Phil Oliver talks to us about new commercial partners, the return of several other partners from the previous editions of the tournament and also the outreach programmes the Vipers have been running to ensure the footprint of the franchise remains very much in place across the whole year rather than just during the DP World ILT20. Phil speaks, too, about Tom Moody’s new role with Lucknow Super Giants and what that means for the Vipers, he addresses the balance between the team’s desire to promote sustainability while, at the same time, ensure the focus remains with on-field excellence and how the change of timing for this season’s tournament is impacting what goes on behind the scenes.Tickets are now on sale for all Vipers matches for the new season, starting with the opening match of the tournament, a repeat of February’s final, with the side facing the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium on the 2nd of December. You can buy them through the league’s official ticketing platform, Virgin Megastore by visiting www.tickets.ilt20.ae.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we speak with English batter Max Holden, one of the breakout stars of the DP World ILT20 in season three.Max had to be patient at the start of his first season with the Vipers and wasn’t initially able to break into the line-up in the first half of the last campaign. But rather than sulk, he used his time to work on his game with batting coach Neil McKenzie and so when he did get his chance, he was ready to take it with both hands.  His outstanding batting at the backend of the tournament helped power the Vipers to the final and he was equally good in that match too, making an excellent half-century that so nearly contributed to a first title for the franchise. Max tells us all about his first experience with the Vipers as he reflects on that near miss, and also speaks of his and the team’s hunger to go one better in season four. He also talks with us about how the DP World ILT20 helped set him up for his best-ever season in English county cricket as he topped 1000 first-class runs for the first time – with form like that helping him break into the England Lions set-up for matches against India A. Of course, Max’s success in season three means he’ll come into the new edition of the tournament as a player who’ll be very much more of a known quantity to opposition bowlers, and he explains to us how he’s dealing with that, as well as giving us an insight into his preparations for the new season. Don't forget that tickets are now on sale for all Vipers matches in season four and you can purchase them through the league’s official ticketing platform, Virgin Megastore by visiting www.tickets.ilt20.ae.https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailThis time we hear from Tom Bruce, the New Zealand-born batter who’s now qualified to play for the country of his father’s birth, Scotland. Like Vriitya Aravind, the subject of our previous show, he’s a Vipers new boy and so, coming up, you’ll get the chance to hear all about a player who is sure to be a terrific addition to the franchise’s roster of top talent.Tom was picked up in the auction by the Vipers as one of the team’s Associate players, alongside the previously signed USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous, and that followed on his debut for Scotland in August, having qualified for them after more than four years had elapsed since his previous action for New Zealand. Tom explains that process to us in the podcast as well as how he comes to qualify for Scotland in the first place. He also talks to us about what sort of player he is, gives us some details about the experience he has within the game, and he discusses an incredible batting feat that he produced this year that has placed him in the top rank of players in the history of New Zealand domestic cricket.Tickets are now on sale for all Vipers matches in season four of the tournament and you can purchase them through the league’s official ticketing platform, Virgin Megastore by visiting www.tickets.ilt20.ae. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com

Send us Fan MailComing up we hear from one of the Vipers’ new boys, UAE wicketkeeper-batter Vriitya Aravind. Vriitya was the first player to be picked up at the recent auction and we hear all about his reaction to that, plus plenty more.Vriitya is no stranger to the DP World ILT20, having been on the books of two franchises already, spending time at both MI Emirates and the Dubai Capitals. For a 23 year-old, he’s also extremely experienced, having played more than 100 internationals for his country, including captaining the team in two One-Day Internationals at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in 2023. He’s a versatile player too, having batted in seven different positions for his country and he kept wicket for the UAE in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Coming up Vriitya tells us all about those experiences, as well as providing us with some background on his life and cricketing career, plus, of course, his aspirations for both the DP World ILT20 and, further ahead, next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which the UAE have qualified for. Tickets are now on sale for all Vipers matches in season four of the tournament and you can purchase them through the league’s official ticketing platform, Virgin Megastore by visiting www.tickets.ilt20.ae. https://www.thedesertvipers.comhttps://twitter.com/TheDesertVipershttps://www.instagram.com/thedesertvipers/https://balqiscapital.com