The Cricket Ultras Podcast

Ep 21: India up, Australia down, England expects, cricket dope & more

After a brief hiatus to explore alternative sports lifestyles, the Cricket Ultras are back to review the latest T20 shenanigans involving India, Australia and England. Meanwhile the pod also ponders one of the great questions, does marijuana help cricketers play better?

Ep 20: Scotland fly high, new era for Aus, Afg's debut Test, selection Qs for Eng & much more

The Cricket Ultras is 20 not out! To mark the episode, Toby Doman joins Arun Sudhaman and Darren Burns to review Scotland's famous victory over England, and the question marks this raised for England's ODI selection. We also preview Australia's new look team as it aims to put 'sandpapergate' behind it, look at Afghanistan's debut Test against India, and address some listener feedback on famous families.

Ep 19: Another Australian resigns, England win a Test match, 'fun sledging', famous families & more

Cricket Ultras reviews the resignation of Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, along with coaching vacancy in New Zealand. The pod also discusses Australian coach Justin Langer's 'fun sledging' plans, and come to terms with England finally winning a Test match. Last, but not least, there's a digression on famous cricket families, now that Arjun Tendulkar has entered the Indian setup, 

Ep 18: CSK winners, Eng losers, match-fixing intrigue, NZ celebs & much more

The Cricket Ultras is back with a look at an eventful week in the cricket world, including CSK's triumph in the IPL and England's abject loss vs Pakistan. The duo also explore the history of match-fixing in light of the latest allegations and review celebrity culture in the New Zealand city of Hamilton.

Ep 17: Whingeing Aussies, Warnie's dream mural, Virat's weights, tossing the toss & more

Cricket Ultras returns to review the world of cricket, starting with Shane Warne's claim that Aussies are whingeing too much. After a brief, terrifying detour into Warnie's dream dinner party mural, the pod reviews Ireland's creditable Test debut and looks at England's selection for the first Test against Pakistan. There's also an update on the latest from the IPL, a discussion of moves to dispense with the toss, and a meditation on Virat's weightlifting and the fitness of Indian cricketers in general. 

Ep 16: Cricket in North Korea; Kim Jong-Il's PR firm; Ireland's Test debut; Aus coaching reshuffle & more

The Cricket Ultras returns with Darren Burns celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first (and possibly last) cricket tour to North Korea, which also included a rather curious dream about Kim Jong-Il's PR agency. Also on the pod, the duo review Ireland's Test debut, Kohli's upcoming Surrey stint, the latest from the IPL, and Australia's coaching merry-go-round.

Ep 15: 100 problems for the ECB; Pakistan shenanigans; County Championship deep dive; IPL update

Cricket Ultras welcomes another new contributor as Toby Doman from Dow Jones arrives to break down the English first-class season, including selection prospects for the national team after a dismal winter. There's also a sceptical look at the ECB's new-fangled 100 format, along with an update on IPL highlights. And what would a new Pakistan squad be without a hefty dose of drama about the notable players who have been left out?

Ep 14: Tim Cutler on WCQ & more; Chennai loses out; IPL review; Wisden's top 5.

The Cricket Ultras welcome their first guest to the pod in the shape of Tim Cutler, who ended a two-year stint as Cricket Hong Kong CEO last year. Cutler discusses the recent World Cup Qualifier and the prospects for Associate nations, while also exploring the #sandpapergate scandal in Australia. Elsewhere, the pod whips around the IPL, looking at the decision to strip Chennai of games, and also reviews Wisden's five cricketers of the year.

Ep 13: IPL preview, Oz coach conundrum, Sodhi shines, India's $950m payday & more

Cricket Ultras rounds up the latest in #sandpapergate, exploring the contenders for role of Australian coach after Darren Lehmann's resignation. There are also reviews of England's winless winter following NZ's successful rearguard action at Christchurch, and of the bumper TV rights deal for Indian cricket. Last, but not least, the pod previews the IPL — forecasting likely winners and losers.  

Ep. 12: The ball tampering saga, Australia's cricketing culture, England's woeful winter & more

Australia's ball tampering saga rolls on, with the Cricket Ultras podcast exploring the harsh punishments meted out to the culprits, and wondering whether David Warner will play for Australia again. The duo also look at how Australia' will respond to the crisis and ask whether England can get anything out of their disastrous tour from the final Test against New Zealand.