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The Guerilla Cricket Podcast

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The musings of everyone's favourite revolutionary independent cricket commentary service. LISTEN to live ball-by-ball commentary: guerillacricket.com FOLLOW us on Twitter: twitter.com/guerillacricket SUPPORT us on Patreon: patreon.com/guerillacricket

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  • Thursday · 59 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 112

    Hello to all our amazing Patreons! A short interlude for us after watching England find increasingly inventive ways to lose in Pakistan and we’ll be back for the Aussie ODIs, fuelled with coffee and whatever else it takes to get us through the night. After a summer of watching England players falling out of night clubs, it wouldn’t be fair not to have a chat about the fall out from Usman’s Book of Revelations and the return of ‘Sandpapergate’. Who knew and who didn’t? Who actually cares 8 years on? To help your ursine landlord and ecclesiastical barman shed plenty of light on this, recent Australian performances (no better than England by the way), the forthcoming white ball series and the travails of Marnus Labuschagne, we have two fine upstanding Australian Guerilla guests. Russ Degnan, revived Guerilla Cricket Australia from the Ashes of White Line Wireless. As well as being and expert on associate cricket, he also makes the Melbourne Trams run on time and more importantly saves Melbourne’s cats. Mark O'Sullivan was a 5th Grade cricketer in Wagga Wagga whose main achievement was to get four wickets in an over. In the same game, he was also heaved for six many times into the petrol station next to the ground, much to the surprise of the highway truck drivers who had pulled over for a quiet doze. Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. As Patreons, your support is invaluable and keeps us on air, so a huge THANK YOU for that. We really hope you can join us for the Australian white ball fun. You’l find times for that here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • October 11 · 1 hr 17 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 111

    Time to summon up your inner David Shepherd and stand on one leg. It’s Nelson for the Bishop and Bear as we hit episode 111. We have two excellent guests to celebrate that milestone too. Global podcasting legend Forthy takes time off from his excellent Sobrero Fallout to bring his usual urbanity and wisdom to one barstool, whilst moulder of young minds in the ways of business and marketing, not to mention West Indies cricket, David Brook settles on the other. We are at the end of the English summer and looking forward to a fascinating winter, so like a parliament of slightly pissed and sweary owls, we rotate our heads to look both backwards and forwards. Well actually only one of us is sweary and he is already a Bear, so make of that what you will. Our lively menu includes five courses with plenty of side dishes: · The eventful English Test summer, via the Rex Rooms and Molly Malones. Have England and their new/old captain emerged in better shape? · The new coach says it’s time England took the World Test Championship seriously – Do we agree? Don’t forget to catch every ball of the Tri - Series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • August 16 · 1 hr 3 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 110

    Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! The Hundred is nearly done. The One Day Cup is bubbling nicely (but you’d better ask your barman how nicely after Middlesex’s semi final on Sunday). Our eyes are firmly on Test Cricket in this Bishop and Bear as England, under new old Captain Joe Root, take on Pakistan. Both sides in something of a state of transition. Talk of Pakistan can only mean one thing when it comes to our guest. It’s Comedian of the Year at the Global Awards, Voice of Pakistan cricket (and the Hundred) on the BBC and with us in the Bishop and Bear to provide AATIFicial Intelligence on the forthcoming England vs Pakistan series, Aatif Nawaz. Yes we admit that last bit was a shameless plug for Aatif’s forthcoming comedy tour. Not to be missed, you can get your tickets for that right here. As you might expect conversation is lively and prone to wonder off topic here and there, but broadly speaking we dive into the England Pakistan series ahead and questions of captaincy and selection, changes to the England coaching set up and we ask why do neither Pakistan nor England seem keen to get to World Test Championship Final. Don’t forget to catch every ball of the Pakistan series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • June 14 · 1 hr 24 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep109

    Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! England have won a Test Match on a dodgy (sorry unsatisfactory) Lord’s pitch. And now we look forward to more Kiwi action at the Oval. And while we wait, it’s all been rather quiet hasn’t it? No, obviously it hasn’t. England have gone to the secret gun cupboard hidden behind a Lord’s bookcase*, pulled out a 12 bore, popped in a couple of shells, lifted their collective leg and blasted themselves in the foot. If you hadn’t heard of the ‘The Rex Rooms’, or thought they were a museum of memorabilia for Marc Bolan, Steve Took, Mickey Finn and other members of the world’s most famous dinosaur tribute act, well you’ve heard of them now. Serious stuff. This calls for some heavyweight analysis in The Bishop and Bear and this is delivered by our own Heavyweight Head of Serious Analysis, Hendo (when he finally analyses how his microphone works). Adto all that, Kane Williamson carefully picked his moment to pop into the Bishop and Bear and announce his retirement. Blimey, it’s all happening and we are across it for you. We even have time to make our Oval predictions and look forward to the WWT20 too. Don’t forget to catch every ball of the New Zealand series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman *We made this up. As far as we know, Lord’s doesn’t have a secret shotgun cupboard. Although would we be completely surprised if it did? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • May 31 · 1 hr 18 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep108

    Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! Our first time back in the old B&B for a while. We honestly set out to do a weekly show during the IPL, but somehow ran out of steam after the first one. Some might argue during the first one. But here we are back and we couldn’t be more excited with the English Test Summer just around the corner. Our guest on the Barstool of Bravado is the inimitable Grubby, who starts as he means to go on by lining up a five different drinks rather than the usual small courtesy glass of sweet sherry we offer our guests. We take an in depth look at the forthcoming New Zealand series and end up with quite different views on the potential result. The Women’s T20 gets dissected too with the Bear demonstrating his deep, encyclopedic knowledge of the Women’s game, before we delve into the County season (Championship and Blast) so far and whether Rob Key and BMac’s commitment to align closer to the counties can be seen in action, based upon selections. And finally, with the IPL marathon nearing its end we discuss its viewing figures and ask whether lower TV numbers mean lower numbers overall, or is it just people watching it in different ways? That’s what happens when you put two old ad men at a bar I suppose! Don’t forget to catch every ball of the New Zealand series with us. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here Put your feet up, grab your drink and fill your boots. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • April 2 · 43 min

    B&B Ep 107

    Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! It's IPL time (for a long time). Love it, loath it or somewhere in between, it’s hard to ignore. For us it’s a chance to spend time with our audience every week. So without further ado, welcome to the Bishop and Bear IPL Preview Show, where, along with our splendid website writer Aryan, we look back at the week gone and ahead to our match of the week. Fun chat, a bit of IPL knowledge (mainly thanks to Aryan) and regular features here is this week’s order of ceremonies. Looking back o Kohli Cam operator busy as ever o Duffy’s no duffer o Rohit and The Ricker o Thakur Crackur o Sooryavanshi 15 going on 50 o Archer makes CSK quiver o Burger relish o Cooper – just like that o Vyshak your money maker o Prasidh didn’t but it was close According to Aryan – What to expect when KKR take on SRH? GPL Gazing – GPL pointers to help you win some money? Bishop’s Baffler - Can Aryan and Bear answer it? Don’t forget to catch our weekly match coverage. This week it’s KKR vs SRH at Eden Gardens. You will find that right here on our Guerilla YouTube channel. Match previews articles and insights are all on our website. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • March 14 · 1 hr 7 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep106

    Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! The T20 World Cup is behind us. Your Guerillas have been on air every day to bring you all the action and all the fun. And I think we have all agreed that it was a lot of fun. India were worthy, if expected, champions, but there was rarely a dull moment and some awesome performances amongst the less fancied teams too. Forza Italy and Zimbabwe for a start! The four semi-finalists ultimately were deserving of their places, if England did make hard work of it along the way. Our guest in the old Bishop and Bear, sporting whatever passes for the Indian equivalent of a Cheshire Cat grin is writer, raconteur and expert on India cricket Anindya Dutta. He’s never backwards coming forwards where self-promotion is concerned but we are happy to recommend his excellent article Motera Massacre: T20 Bleeds Blue. So who were your heroes, villains and fall guys from this WT20. Listen here and see if you agree with our selections for Player of the tournament overall; Bowler; Batter; Villain; Happy surprise team and Wooden Spoon team. As the last orders bell rings, we also have time to celebrate the wicket taking heroics of Brett Randall (IYKYK – the Bear didn’t) and ponder whether England might consider splitting the white and red ball coaching roles. If you want to catch up with any of the games we covered, just check out our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • February 14 · 45 min

    The Bishop and The Bear EP 105

    Welcome to the Bishop and Bear! It’s a rapid fire limited overs (pints) Bishop and Bear today as we squeeze in this chat during our daily World T20 coverage. Fittingly as Sri Lanka sit proudly top of Group B our guest is Nick Brookes, author of “An Island's Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan Cricket”. Its won multiple awards and in the words of Simon Barnes ‘This is a great tale, and what’s more, it’s beautifully told.’ If you haven’t yet got your hands on a copy, then you can do that right here: “An Island's Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan Cricket” In rapid order after discussing his book, Nick, your landlord and episcopal barman move seamlessly into dissecting the World T20s to date and touch on: · Why it’s more fun than we expected · England and the Kryptonite of Asian Spin · The BMac walkie talkie – Is he relaying tactics or booking a golf round? · Nick’s Sri Lanka lads topping Group 2 – but tougher games to come · Associate Nations - Colour or Cannon Fodder? · Can Scotland do a Denmark?* · Can anyone stop India? · Why a ‘weakened’ Australia are still a threat? All wrapped up with a quick group by group look to predict the Super 8s before we dash from the pub to the studio for today’s game! Remember we are covering at least one game every day. Don’t miss it with us at guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. And the best way to enjoy Guerilla Cricket with loads of extra benefits is to support us at Patreon. Please consider doing that right here All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • January 18 · 1 hr 25 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 104

    A Belated HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR FABULOUS PATREONS! It’s all rather appropriate that we are recording our analysis of the Ashes in a pub, albeit a virtual one. In the wake of England’s defeat there has been a LOT of news and revelations about England’s love of a beer or two. I’ll hold our hands up here though. I’m not sure your Guerillas are shining beacons of sobriety and upright behaviour. That said, we weren’t the ones playing to win the Ashes either. We indulge in a bit of role play in the Bishop and Bear. Our Head Teacher and Head of PE are internet radio’s favourite double act, Annie Chave and Messy Jezz. The Bear and I send into their study England’s Management and Players. Some for a sharp telling off, others for a pat on the back. All for heartfelt advice. Oddly, Messers seemed best versed in exactly what type of publication to pop down the back of one’s trousers should more severe punishment be forthcoming. But honestly, we live in modern times and Guerilla Cricket would not be that sort of school. Not forgetting that Australia were there too and played pretty well, the central question we do not shy away from is “Ultimately where does the bulk of blame lie for England’s Ashes failure. Management or players?” Listen to find out where we landed on that one! There’s time too to look forward briefly to the Sri Lanka series coming up. Although that is already mired in visa issues for two of England’s players. We will, of course, be with you for every ball of the Sri Lanka series. Don’t miss it with us from 8.50 am on 22nd January at guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. But as Patreons, you know all that already and for keeping us on air, we have you to warmly thank for your consistent and invaluable support. So, THANK YOU! All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Dec 13, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 103

    Welcome back to The Bishop and Bear and STAND BY FOR A SHOCK! Our guest for this Ashes special is lovable, if loquacious, Liverpudlian Gary Nayor. BUT, and here’s the shock, the lad struggles to actually get a word in as the Bear’s boosterish optimism ploughs forth like a runaway train! You don’t need me to tell you the situation. England are a familiar two down in an away Ashes. A media frenzy is declaring the death of Bazball. England’s captain is questioning whether there might be some ‘weak men’ in the England dressing room, while coach BMac thinks they have probably practiced too much. And let’s not forget that Australia, albeit a key man or two down, are downright formidable on their own turf. Is there any hope? Yes always. Until there isn’t. A bit like ‘everybody having a plan until they get punched in the face’ to quote Tyson (Mike, not Frank). Your episcopal barman struggles manfully (Ben Stokes would approve), to keep order as the Bear and Gary go full steam into these discussion points. Too much prep? Or the wrong kind of prep? Do we blame BMAC or is the problem deeper rooted in the structure of the English game? · Can England adapt approach on the fly to be more competitive in Adelaide? Should they? · Ben Stokes thinks it’s a mentality at key moments. Is he missing the point or just saying what he can? · Changes for Adelaide on either side. Is Bethell a number 3? Does one gritty knock make a summer and give Jacks a go? · What other alternatives are there? · Is Noosa a holiday destination or a rope England are putting around their own neck? Wewill, of course, be with you for every ball of the Adelaide Test. Don’t miss it with us from 11.20 pm on 16th Dec (UK time) or 10am on the 17th Dec if you are in Adelaide, at guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Nov 29, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep102

    A warm welcome back to The Bishop and Bear. Not one, not two, but three guests this week. We’ve turned the old B and B into a student union bar (or a Wetherspoons). OK not a ‘Spoons’ we have standards to maintain after all. With us at the bar are Arnav, Ed and William, all Sports Journalism students at Brighton University and all now enjoying placements with us. We have a great relationship with Brighton and are delighted to provide the chance for them to write and broadcast on Guerilla Cricket. With Hendo and your Episcopal Barman to steer their journalistic and broadcast training and the Bear to oversee lifestyle choices and moral welfare, I think you’ll agree the lads could not be in better hands! There is no shortage of things to discuss. As well as telling us about themselves, our trio are straight into tackling the big questions of the moment. Is AI dragging the standard of cricket journalism down or driving it up? Did Travis Head win the Perth Test, or did England lose it? The Pink Kookaburra – is it a ball or a Brighton nightclub? And speaking of pink balls, England are not playing a warm up match with one before Brisbane– is that arrogance or pragmatism? Given Australia and England’s contrasting records in Day Night Tests, are there any reasons to be optimistic for England? We don’t just stop with The Ashes either. India come under the Brighton University microscope too as we examine just what has happened to their home Test form. Is Gautam Gambhir’s job under threat? Have home turning pitches turned against them when the likes of New Zealand and now South Africa have top quality spinners and there is no Ashwin for India? And why are the all-conquering WTC Champions South Africa playing so little Test cricket? Our gallant trio do a fine job in answering these as well as coping with the Bishop and Bear in the process. They were very much the grown-ups in the room if you ask me. Let us know you think too. We will, of course, be with you for every ball of the Brisbane Test, which we all hope will last longer than two day/nights. Don’t miss it with us from 4am Uk time on 4th December on guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 101

    Welcome again to the Bishop and Bear. We’ve got our ton, taken guard again and off we go with Episode 101. The Ashes is so close we can almost touch it! Friday morning 2.30 UK time. Every ball will be on guerillacricket.com or just come to our Guerilla YouTube channel to see us in the flesh. And there is a lot of flesh, most of it covered, fortunately. Everyonehas a point of view in the pre series media frenzy. Some things never change. Glen McGrath reckons 5-0. But others say this is England best chance in years. Alongside your Pommie Landlord and Episcopal Barman, are two Aussie guest to balance things up. Cat Jones and Dan Liebke, a much more established and probably more reliable pair than Khawaja and Weatherald, makers of the excellent Can’t Bowl Can’t Throw Podcast and regular Guerillas too. And so we don’t forget, Dan has just written the perfect book for pre, during and post Ashes reading. It’s called The 50 Most Ridiculous Ashes Moments. A celebration of the funniest, weirdest and most absurd moments from Ashes cricket, it’s a richly amusing exploration of this timeless rivalry. Available at all good book stores including here. You probably won’t hear a more balanced (or longer) podcast anywhere. As well as laughing at Merv Hughes and hearing how Jake Weatherald peppered Yorkshire graves with cricket balls, we touch all the bases others have and plenty they haven’t including: · Will England live to rue white ball battering and Lilac Hill beer match as their only prep? · Why don’t English players play more for Aus clubs or states?Aussies are quick enough to grab county experience after all. · Pound for pound match ups. Is this really England’s best chance in years? · Root and the Aussie Hundred Albatross? Will it finally fly free? · Weatherall and Doggett. Who?n Bashir – Why? · The England bowling break down derby · Aus haven’t won a series in England since 2001. Twenty four years ago! Why doesn’t anyone ever mention that? · Mitchell Johnson used to sing songs from Frozen when running in to bowl. What might be the songs for bowlers on both sides in this Ashes? · Predictions – Actual and Moral victors? We’ll be with you for every ball of the Ashes. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Oct 11, 2025 · 1 hr 39 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep 100

    Welcomeagain to the Bishop and Bear. Not just any Bishop and Bear this one. It’s our 100th. This was recorded just two days after we got the awful news about the passing of Sean Tracey, one of our long time Guerillas. We thought long and hard about whether to delay recording. But then we said that it’s going to be all about cricket and music. What could be more appropriate as a tribute to Sean? The show therefore went on, with him in our thoughts and hearts. Once we had come up with the idea of our Bishop and Bear Cricket Island Discs 100 celebration, we knew immediately who we wanted not just a guest, but as guest host. A man whose music podcast, Sombrero Fallout, was the number one music podcast in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. He knows a bit about cricket too. It is, of course, Ian Forth, or Forthy as we know him. Forthy takes over behind the bar and with a mix of musical expertise, urbanity and a firm controlling hand where necessary, he teases out of your ursine landlord and episcopal barman their most memorable cricket moments and a music selection to accompany them on their desert island. We meander our way through our first and then most memorable matches, our top Guerilla experiences, the player we would have wanted to be and our best ever Guerilla guests. Each accompanied by a carefully and lovingly selected musical choice. We even nominate a player and relevant musical selection for each other. There is a mix of fabulously memorable cricketing moments and a distinctly eclectic music selection to go along with them. Do let us know what you think! For your further delight and delectation, you can find our music choices here: The Bishop Playlist: The Bear Playlist: And we of course, heartily recommend checking out Forthy’s excellent Sombrero Fallout too. Hopefully we will see you for the New Zealand series. To make sure you don’t miss a ball, click here for our broadcast schedule. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. And do please raise a glass to Sean too. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Sep 14, 2025 · 55 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep99

    A warm welcome back to the Bishop and Bear! It’s number 99. That’s dedication for you and as the late Roy Castle sang "Dedication is what you need if you want to be a record breaker". Next week, England travel to Ireland for 3 T20s at Malehide (a place dear to our hearts). To help us look ahead to that we have a very special guest in our pub today. A cricketer who seems to make a habit of breaking records wherever he goes and who knows may break a few more next week. It’s Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher, no less! Grab your drink and settle back as Curtis enjoys his Guiness and gets well and truly into the Guerilla swing of things. We natter about his background, how and why he chose Ireland (and loves it!), those records including his 5 wickets in 5 balls, and his recent 123 off 68 balls as Essex battered Surrey at Chelmsford in the One Day Cup. But of course, we then get onto the Ireland vs England series which we all hope doesn’t get too rained on. There is a reason Ireland is so green. Just how do Ireland prepare, who are their match winners and do they feel even faintly by miffed England’s squad selection? Curtis is a fine and fun conversationalist, so we get plenty of time to hear how a modern international cricketer copes with the stresses and strains of international travel and what he does in his spare time too. The Bear even probed the poor lad on why Ireland doesn’t play more Test cricket, which Curtis answered both honestly and with consummate tact. We even gave him some advice on a speech for the forthcoming wedding of his brother. To be honest, he may be best advised to ignore that though. Hopefully we will see you for the Ireland series. To make sure you don’t miss a ball, click here for our broadcast schedule. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Aug 31, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep98

    A warm welcome back to the Bishop and Bear! It’s been nearly a month since the end of the thrill packed roller coaster ride of a Test series between England and India. Most of us have got over it and moved on, except perhaps Guerilla Hendo. Your episcopal barman has found plenty of distraction in the One Day Cup, while others may have enjoyed The Hundred in all of its sugary snack glory. BUT, our focus is now back on international cricket and most particularly the ODI and T20I series between England and South Africa, which starts on Tuesday. To make sure you don’t miss a ball, click here for our broadcast schedule. To mull over all things South Africa (cricket wise at least) our guest is Guerilla, South African cricket expert and host of The Full Quota Podcast, Tim Dale Lace. We seem to recall that the last time Tim popped into the old B&B, we were castigating South Africa for putting everything behind the SA20 and fielding weak Test teams and yet, here they are, World Test champions. World Cup Semi Finalists, WT20 Finalists and have just beaten Aus on their own patch in ODIs. So the big question for Tim was “What are his Proteas doing right and should we now be discussing them as part of a ‘Big Four’, muscling proudly in with the big money boys India, England and Australia?” Tim’s insight into the impact of coach Shukri Conrad and the positivity he has injected into all parts of the South African game are well worth a listen as you enjoy your drinks in the convivial surroundings of the internet’s favourite cricket boozer. We look at both team’s chances, players to watch out for and of course, give our predictions. There is even a bit of time for some reflections on the One Day Cup too. We’ll be with you for every ball of the England vs South Africa series and England’s trip to Ireland of course. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Aug 15, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep97

    Welcome back to the Bishop and Bear. Let us get you a drink and then feel free to make yourself comfortable, settle back and enjoy what is a very lively discussion indeed. It’s England vs India – The Decider. A kind of Podcast 6th Test. Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman are the all guns blazing BazChatters, against powerhouse Indian opposition in the form of our guests, BB regular and Indian cricket sage Anindya Dutta and Raj (the man David Brook chased round Lord’s) Patel. A bit like the recent England vs India Test itself the conversation is fast, feisty and fun but despite our best efforts, I’m not sure anyone wins. Except our listeners of course. As the drinks are sunk, we plough headlong into some of the BIG questions. Was a draw a fair result? Did the result even matter when the entertainment was so good? (spoiler alert, it did to the Bear and our guests). What were the moments of the series? How did the captains face off against each other? (Ollie Pope had a letter from his mum and wasn’t included). And crucially, where did this series rate amongst the greatest of all time? There plenty of diversions along the way too. That all got us thinking, that if we have just seen five great Tests, all five enthralling days, how on earth could anyone even think that four-day Tests are a good idea? And, how can the ICC improve the World Test Championship to ensure everybody gets to play longer, more, exciting Tests. Raj has an article coming out soon with a number of great ideas and you can rest assured; we will share that first with our Patreons and then publish it onto our website For good measure we have a quick look forward to England’s white ball series with South Africa and we ask our Indian guests just how much does India really care about the Asia Cup? We’ll be with you for every ball of the last two England vs South Africa series and England’s trip to Ireland. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Jul 20, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep96

    A huge welcome once again to The Bishop and Bear. What a week for Test cricket it’s been. As you will know if you have been watching or listening with us, we have been gripped by the 5-day drama of that Lords Test. If you haven’t been with us, where on earth have you been? Meanwhile, in Jamaica a rather shorter but equally dramatic Test Match was taking place where the West Indies had a real tilt at breaking New Zealand’s 1955 ‘lowest score record’ and Mitchell Starc was pink ball swinging his way into the record books with a five-wicket haul in his first 15 balls. To celebrate and marvel over both events, your ursine landlord and episcopal barman have the company of Ajit with his ever present armchair and David Brook, who, as you will hear, is both scathing and insightful on the state of West Indies cricket and certainly does not hold back. In animated conversation we discuss the good, the bad and the ugly from Lords including last day drama, Flintoff and Lee vibes, slow pitch and battered balls, over rates and the seeming injustice of only England being docked points, Zak Crawley’s Oscar nomination, Jofra’s return, Siraj and Maradona, English batting and the forthcoming return of the Prodigal Dawson. With a pause to refill glasses we lean exactly how the replacement balls make it into the magic box. It’s not as scientific a process as you might think by the way. From there it’s a race to the last orders bell to unpick the pink ball ballistics from Kingston and debate exactly why it happened and just where the West Indies go next. Does Brian Lara have a point in saying the team only play Tests to get picked for the global franchises? We’ll be with you for every ball of the last two England vs India Tests. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. Allthe best YourUrsine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Jul 9, 2025 · 15 min

    Brooks World of Cricket ep1

    In Brooks World Of Cricket , David is joined by the legend who is Roland Butcher to preview the England vs India and West Indies Australia test matches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Jun 20, 2025 · 58 min

    The Bishop and The Bear Ep95

    A very warm welcome once again. The sun is shining and the Bishop and Bear bar and garden is humming with excited anticipation of the 5 Test England Vs India series that starts on Friday 20th June. Our guest, as he so often is ahead of an India series, is the fabulous author, raconteur and expert on Indian cricket and particularly its spin bowlers, Anindya Dutta. Armed with an Indian pink gin, Anindya helps us to forensically probe prospects for the series. And a fascinating one it promises to be (the series, not the gin). A new look India, shorn of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and led by rookie captain Shubman Gill is packed with potential, but some of it unproven. England, for their part, seem to be pretty solid in batting depth, but can’t keep bowlers fit. They will need all the experience in UK conditions that Chris Woakes can bring. Of course, we each make our predictions, so let us know if you agree with them or not! We also have time to celebrate South Africa’s World Test championship win and air some divergent views on the ICC moving ever closely to espousing four-day Tests. We’ll be with you for every ball of the England vs India series. If you want to help us keep our show on the road and great cricket coverage free across the internet, then do please consider supporting us through Patreon here. All the best Your Ursine Landlord and Episcopal Barman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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