The Paddock and The Pavilion - The Horse Racing and Cricket Podcast

In Part 2 of The Right League at the Right Time, author Mark Sands returns to continue the story of Sunday League cricket, covering the period from the mid-1970s through to the end of John Player’s sponsorship in 1986.

We are once again joined by Lawrence Hourahane (Glamorgan CCC) and former England international Roland Butcher, who share their memories of some of their most memorable matches in the competition.

Plus, as promised in Part 1, we reveal the name of the current BBC correspondent who wrote to Sunday League commentator Peter Walker as a young cricket fan.

Copies of the book available from ⁠https://starsonsundaybook.com⁠ and usual retailers

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In part one of a two-part series, Mark Sands, author of Stars on Sunday, joins me to look back at the history of the John Player League between 1969 and 1986.

This episode covers the period up to the mid-1970s, revisiting memorable Sunday afternoons when the world’s best cricketers played across the country, with millions watching on BBC television.

There are also contributions from Lawrence Hourahane from Glamorgan CC and formerly the BBC and former England and Middlesex CCC player Roland Butcher.

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Sporting author David Tossell returns to The Paddock and The Pavilion to discuss Sir Garry Sobers and his five Test tours of England with the West Indies, spanning 1957 to 1973, two of them as captain.

David, who wrote Maestro, his book about Sir Garry, looks at how his character shaped his long and successful cricket career.

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Young Afghan cricketer Banafsha Hashimi joins me to talk about her remarkable story. A member of the Afghan Refugee Women’s Cricket Team, she reflects on their historic six-game tour of the UK this summer, which included meeting King Charles III at Clarence House.

Banafsha also talks about how she first got into cricket in war-torn Kabul, her new life in Canberra and her hopes for the future of the Afghan Refugee Women’s team.

A story of freedom, joy, and hope.

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Jenny Thompson returns to The Paddock and The Pavilion ahead of next week’s release of her new book, Her World Cricket Tour.

Having featured five times in our All Over the World series, some of Jenny’s cricketing adventures discussed in those episodes also feature in her book.

In today’s episode, Jenny takes on the 10 for Jen slot, answering questions about the book, from how long it took to write to the people she wants to thank and those who made it possible.

As always, it’s a fun show, and Jenny will be back next month when I review her book with her.

Paperback: UK/Europe
https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Cricket-Tour-Jenny-Thompson/dp/0522882773

Paperback: AU/NZ Amazon/local bookshops
https://www.amazon.com.au/World-Cricket-Tour-Jenny-Thompson/dp/0522882773

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In the final part of A Passion for Breeding, Luiz Cunha completes our look at the bloodstock sales process, including his experiences in the sales ring alongside his son, Newmarket trainer Dylan.

Luiz also shares some interesting stories from his experiences and reflects on the changing patterns in the breeding industry, the increasing focus on speed and its effect on the Derby.

If you missed Part 1, listen to Luiz explain his background, the research he undertakes before the sales and what he looks for when assessing a horse before it enters the ring.

www.pedigreetowin.co.uk

www.dylancunharacing.co.uk

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It’s a busy time at Tattersalls in the autumn, with the sales in full swing.

In this episode, I’m joined by South African-born Luiz Cunha, a lifelong bloodstock researcher with an in-depth understanding of the mechanics of the breed.

Luiz's son Dylan is a successful trainer in Newmarket .

www.dylancunharacing.co.uk

In early 2024, Luiz set up Pedigree to Win, a bloodstock consultancy service based in Newmarket. www.pedigreetowin.co.uk

This is the first of two parts. Luiz explains his background, the research he does ahead of the sales and what he looks for in a horse before they enter the sales ring, along with some stories from his experiences in the bloodstock industry.

Part 2 will be out soon.

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Roland Butcher begins by reflecting on a recent trip home to Barbados, where he attended two events held in memory of his late wife, Cheryl. He then turns his attention to England’s summer and the serious challenges ahead.

England’s home international cricket season ended with a comprehensive series victory against Pakistan, but it was a dramatic summer. Bazball died at Trent Bridge, and England have changed their Test match coach and captain, with the Stokes and McCullum era now over and Root and Fleming taking charge.

Roland looks ahead to England’s three Test series away to South Africa and what the future holds for the Test side.

We then turn to the latest major news in world cricket, with Roland focusing on something close to his heart – the financial troubles of West Indies cricket.

In a hard-hitting passage, Roland details the current position in the Caribbean and what measures he thinks the ICC and the Big Three – India, England, and Australia – need to take to save world cricket as we know it today.

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In this episode, Chris Pitt, author and horse racing historian, takes us back to The Frying Pan, better known as Ally Pally racecourse, or by its proper name, Alexandra Park.

Chris explores the history of the north London course, which closed in September 1970, including the famous horses who raced there, the course specialists who mastered the track and what made Alexandra Park such a unique racecourse.

We also hear from three former jockeys, legendary Australian Ron Hutchinson , Ray Still and South African John Gorton who share their memories of riding at Ally Pally and reveal what it was like to race there.

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In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined once again by bestselling author Felix Francis, the master of suspense and intrigue.

Felix talks about his latest racing thriller, The Chase, which mixes the world of art with horse racing. The question on the cover asks:

“Is racing an art worth killing for?”

Felix gives us a brief outline of the book, featuring his main character, art dealer Fabian Tulley, and discusses the research that went into his 20th horse racing thriller.

Felix also recommends a previous Dick Francis novel by his late father to read.

Interview date: 10 September 2026.

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Leena Moin Aziz, Asia’s first female cricket commentator, joins me for the third and final part of Inside Pakistan Cricket.

We pick up the story after Day 1 of the second Test at Lord’s, where Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat. We then dissect the touring side’s failings throughout the tour, which ended in a 3–0 hammering amidst the off-field shambles that followed Lord’s.

Leena offers her forthright opinions on the playing side and the decision-making of the Pakistan Cricket Board. She also discusses what needs to be done to revive Pakistan cricket.

There were some positives for Pakistan. These included the batting of Saud Shakeel, the bowling of Muhammad Abbas and the emergence of young sensation Razaullah, who produced remarkable exploits on Day 3 of the final Test.

Leena remains hopeful that, with the right decision-making, Pakistan can return to former glories.

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The Hundred 2026 – A Reset Year.

Rosa Simkin, MCC’s Young Female Broadcaster of the Year, joins the podcast for an in-depth review of the tournament.

Rosa selects her team of the tournament and describes each franchise’s performance in one word.

We also hear short clips from Notts CCC Director of Cricket Mick Newell on this year’s Hundred.

As always, it’s another insightful look at women’s cricket from one of the sport’s rising stars.

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In the latest episode of our What Was It Like To… series, David Alterton from March, Cambridgeshire takes us back 60 years to the 1966 World Cup and his experience of being there when England became world champions.

A friend of Stephen Wallis, David was on a cricket tour with March Town Cricket Club when the tournament began, missing England’s opening two matches. He went on to watch England’s remaining games, including the final on 30 July 1966.

David tells the story of how he got his World Cup tickets, the part his late brother Norman played and what it was like to be there as England beat West Germany 4–2 to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.

It’s a first hand account of the most famous day in British sporting history.

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Guy Lavender joins The Paddock and The Pavilion to discuss his career at two of Britain’s most famous sporting institutions. Guy has been CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse since early 2025, having previously been Chief Executive and Secretary of MCC from 2017.

Guy compares his roles at Lord’s and Cheltenham, reflects on some of the highlights from his seven years at MCC, including England’s 2019 World Cup triumph at Lord’s, and discusses the changes he has introduced at Cheltenham to improve the Festival experience.

He also looks ahead to the new National Hunt season and the 2027 Cheltenham Festival in March.

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Mick Newell, Director of Cricket at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, joins The Paddock and The Pavilion to look back at a successful Hundred for Trent Rockets, who reached both finals and lifted the women’s trophy. He talks about some of the Rockets’ successes in the pre season auction and the importance of double headers in The Hundred.

Mick discusses the latest cricketing matters at Trent Bridge, including progress on the new pavilion, looks ahead to the 2027 Ashes fixtures for both England men and women at Trent Bridge, and assesses the chances of Nottinghamshire and The Blaze adding more silverware before the end of the season. He also gives his view on the appointment of new England Test match coach Stephen Fleming, who he knows from Fleming’s time as a player at Nottinghamshire.

Interview date 26 August 2026 Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Spotify or on our YouTube channel.

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In Part 2 of Inside Pakistan Cricket, Stephen Wallis is joined again by Pakistan cricket expert Leena Moin Aziz to look back at the opening day of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s.

They review Pakistan’s much improved performance with the ball, which saw England finish Day 1 on 248 for 9 after bad light brought an early end to play.

Leena looks back at Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Headingley in the first Test before looking ahead to the rest of the Lord’s Test.

It’s a three Test series, with the final match at Edgbaston. Pakistan are 1-0 down. Can they fight back at Lord’s, where they won against England in 2016 and 2018?

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In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis finds out more about The Outswingers, the six piece jazz band who started playing at Lord’s in 1990.

Rico, Richard and Simon, three regular members of the band, talk about their experiences of playing near the Pavilion for spectators before the start of play and during the lunch interval.

Rico talks about the history of The Outswingers, while Stephen asks his guests when they made their own Test debuts playing for the band. They also reveal their love of cricket and share some of their memories of playing at Lord’s.

Forty minutes with three jazz playing cricket lovers.

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In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Australian trainer Henry Dwyer returns to the podcast as his star mare Asfoora prepares for the final race of her career, the Nunthorpe Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting.

Asfoora will be bidding to win the Group 1 five furlong sprint for the second year in a row and claim the fourth Group 1 victory of her career. Henry looks back at her recent run in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood and looks ahead to her final challenge at York.

The Nunthorpe promises to be a truly international contest, with Bacio, a winner at this year’s Royal Ascot, among the leading contenders from the USA. There are further fancied runners from France and Ireland, alongside the leading British challengers.

Can Asfoora sign off her racing career with another Group 1 victory?

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In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, we go back to the middle of August 1976 and England’s Test series against the West Indies.

Two nil down after four Tests and with the series already lost, England recalled opener Dennis Amiss. After struggling against the pace of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson during the 1974/75 Ashes in Australia and again in the 1975 Ashes in England, Dennis developed a new technique for playing fast bowling while playing for Warwickshire CCC during the summer of 1976.

He joins me to explain how that technique developed and to recall what he describes as a special moment in his career, scoring a double century against a fearsome West Indies attack featuring Michael Holding, Andy Roberts and Wayne Daniel.

England lost the 5th Test at the Oval by 213 runs.

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Test cricket returns on 19 August at Headingley, with England beginning a three Test series against Pakistan.

In this episode, Leena Moin Aziz, Asia’s first female cricket commentator, joins us to look ahead to the series and provide her insight into the current state of Pakistan cricket.

Leena looks at Pakistan’s key players, including returning Test captain Babar Azam and the key batters who will be important to Pakistan’s chances.

We discuss opening bowler Mohammad Abbas, who has enjoyed plenty of success playing in England, while off spinner Sajid Khan is another player we hope to see feature in the series.

Leena talks about Sajid’s performances and his flamboyant celebrations whenever he takes a wicket, as well as Pakistan’s hopes for the series and what England can expect.

There’s plenty of discussion about England too, with Leena giving her thoughts on their Ashes defeat and the recent changes at the top of the Test team.

And, as the first Test at Headingley approaches, Leena gives her prediction on how she thinks the series will go.

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