In this episode, we break down where the Dutch excelled, where they fell short, and what this campaign says about the future of associate cricket. We analyse the all-round brilliance of Bas de Leede, the bowling consistency led by Logan van Beek, and the areas of concern including middle-order fragility, catching lapses, and over-reliance on key individuals.

We also discuss emerging talent like Zach Lion-Cachet, structural growth in Dutch cricket, and whether the Netherlands can transition from giant-killers to consistent contenders in global tournaments.

Is this the beginning of a long-term Dutch blueprint or are deeper systemic changes still needed?

#netherlandscricket #basdeleede #loganvanbeek #roelofvandermerwe #aryandutt #TKcricket #t20worldcup2026

In this episode of Cricktake, we review Nepal’s performances against England, Italy, West Indies, and Scotland - analyzing their batting breakthroughs, bowling inconsistencies, and elite fielding standards.

#nepalcricket #cricketassociationofnepal #nepalpremierleague #dipendrasinghairee #lamichhane #icc #t20worldcup2026

We analyse England’s explosive batting depth led by Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, their aggressive approach, and the impact of IPL exposure in subcontinent conditions.

We also examine concerns around spin depth beyond Adil Rashid, death bowling consistency, and how Harry Brook handles captaincy pressure in a World Cup year.

With a favourable group but tactical questions to answer, can England turn attacking intent into tournament success?

01:21 - Strengths

04:12 - Weak spots

07:26 - Opportunities

10:22 - Threats

#icct20worldcup2026 #josbuttler #philsalt #adilrashid #englandcricket

We break down Afghanistan’s biggest strengths, including their elite spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad, along with their explosive top order.

We also examine middle-order concerns, fielding lapses, over-reliance on Rashid Khan, and the tactical questions surrounding their Plan B.

With matches in spin-friendly conditions and a “group of death” featuring South Africa and New Zealand, can Afghanistan once again play the role of giant killers?

00:34 – Strengths  

02:49 – Weaknesses / Weak Spots  

04:48 – Tactical Concerns  

06:38 – Threats (Group of Death & Over-Reliance)  

07:58 – Best XI 

#afghanistancricket #icct20worldcup2026 #rashidkhan #rahmanullahgurbaz #azmatullahomarzai

We analyse Sri Lanka’s batting structure, recurring middle-order issues, and their reliance on spin-heavy bowling in home conditions. The discussion also covers recent form, leadership pressure, and whether Sri Lanka can finally translate home advantage into tournament success.

00:45 – Batting strengths & top order  

01:45 – Middle-order concerns  

04:30 – Spin bowling strength & conditions  

07:20 – Bowling balance & fifth bowler question  

08:24 – Recent form, pressure & expectations

#t20worldcup2026 #icct20worldcup #icc #srilankacricket #sanathjayasuriya #hasaranga #shanaka #maheeshtheekshana #pathirana

We discuss Australia’s strengths, mentality, explosive top order, and their challenges against spin in subcontinent conditions. The episode also looks at bowling balance, over-reliance on key players, bench strength, and settles on a best possible XI.

Note: This episode was recorded before the latest squad update. At the time of recording, Josh Hazlewood was part of the squad. He has since been dropped from the final group, a decision that directly relates to several concerns discussed in this episode regarding balance, fitness, and fast-bowling depth.

02:15 - Batting firepower & all-rounders

05:35 - Weakness against spin

07:46 - Fast bowling & Hazlewood 

14:05 - Best XI

#t20worldcup2026 #icct20worldcup #cricketaustralia #australiacricket #travishead #adamzampa #mitchellmarsh #maxwell #joshhazlewood #squadreview

We break down the full squad composition, batting and bowling depth, role clarity, and selection balance. The discussion focuses on batting combinations, Babar Azam’s ideal role and position, and why Pakistan’s spin attack could be a major advantage in Sri Lankan conditions.

01:07 – Openers and Middle Order

07:39 – Babar Azam and his role in the team

14:38 – Wicket-keeping batters  

22:41 – Bowlers  

26:05 – Best XI  

#t20worldcup2026 #icct20worldcup #icc #pakistancricket #pcb #babarazam #salmanaliagha #saimayub #faheemashraf

Note: This episode was recorded before the final squad update. At the time, Mohammad Siraj was not part of the announced squad. Following Harshit Rana’s injury, Siraj has since been added to the team.

00:23 - Strengths

04:49 - Weak Spots

06:49 - Opportunities

08:42 - Threats

12:15 - Best XI

#t20worldcup2026 #icct20worldcup #icc #teamindia #indiancricket #suryakumaryadav #dspsiraj #hardikpandya

Part 2 of this two-part series examines the point of inflexion from 1995 onwards, when dominance faded, governance fractures widened, and cricket slowly stopped binding the Caribbean together.

From contractual disputes, player walkouts, and the rise of the freelance cricketer, to statistical decay across formats and repeated failures to qualify for global tournaments, this episode looks beyond scorecards to understand what truly unraveled behind the scenes.

#westindiescricket #icc #testcricket #odicricket #t20cricket #cricketgoverningbody #cricketwestindies 

00:25 - Intro: The Inflexion Point (1995)

03:09 - Commercialization & Board–Player Breakdown (1995–2004)

15:26 - The Freelance Era Begins (2005–2014)

22:42 - Decline Across Formats (2014–2019)

23:46 - Collapse and Missed World Cups (2020–2025)

29:20 - What Comes Next?

🎧 Listen, Read, Follow: https://ecosystem.cricktake.com/

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Instagram, TikTok, Substack & Medium.

In this deep-dive episode of Cricktake, we break down the science of fast bowling, one concept at a time. From ground reaction force to the Ian Pont's “Four Tent Pegs” model, we explore how elite pace is created and what most people miss.

Whether you're a fan, a player, or just a cricket nerd, this episode will change how you see bowling forever.

0:00 – Introduction

21:35 – Tent Peg 1

30:07 – Tent Peg 2

38:40 – Tent Peg 3

59:56 – Tent Peg 4

01:07:04 – Applying the model to women's fast bowling

01:17:01 – Imran Khan: Changing his action mid-career

01:31:44 – Can the Four Tent Pegs work for spin bowling?

This episode of Cricktake breaks down the economics behind ICC’s decisions. Joined by our first-ever guest, an Economics PhD Student, we examine how cricket’s financial boom reshaped governance, why money doesn’t automatically improve quality, how associate nations are left behind, and whether ICC today acts more like a governing body or an economic institution. A clear-eyed look at who benefits, who doesn’t, and where the game may be headed if nothing changes.

#icc #cricket #cricketgoverningbody #bcci #ipl #economics 

02:06 – What Is the Economics of Cricket

06:09 – How ICC Revenues Exploded

12:38 – Why the IPL Became Inevitable

27:48 – Does Money Actually Improve Cricket?

32:00 – Revenue Concentration & The India Question

42:57 – Associate Nations & Unequal Growth

58:56 – Final Verdict: What ICC is Doing Well and Where it can Improve

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Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Instagram, TikTok, Substack & Medium.

This episode of Cricktake dissects the most turbulent stretch of India’s red-ball era. We break down the missteps, the ignored performers, the shifting power equations, and the staggering numbers behind a decline few saw coming. A raw, unfiltered look at the man, the moment, and the meltdown reshaping Indian Test cricket.

01:13 - India’s Red-Ball Collapse

01:58 - Fan Outrage & Emotional Meltdown

05:21 - Shubman Gill, Workload & Format Confusion

15:07 - Selection Mess & Ignoring Domestic Performers

18:05 - Gambhir’s Hypocrisy & Coaching Credibility

35:56 - Dressing Room Politics: Virat, Rohit & The Rift

38:55 - The Stats That Bury Gambhir

41:32 - Final Take & The Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Ending

Part 1 of this two-part series explores how a scattered group of islands stitched together a cricketing civilization and created one of the most dominant teams in sports history.

01:17 - The Birth of West Indies Cricket

01:40 - Frank Worrell & the First Revolution

16:31 - Clive Lloyd’s Golden Era

22:21 - Sir Vivian Richards: The Aura

29:53 - The Fall Begins

This episode of Cricktake dives into the 2025 Women’s World Cup - the richest and most-watched edition ever. From Mandira Bedi’s sponsorship in 2005 to India’s record-breaking chase and South Africa’s fearless run, we explore the power shifts that redefined women’s cricket.

00:00 – Intro: 50 years since 1975 and the most watched Women’s World Cup ever

02:18 – Segment 1: In The Middle – Power shifts and turning points

02:33 – South Africa’s journey: fearless, emotional and unbreakable

16:05 – Australia’s journey: human this time but still formidable

25:00 – India’s journey: historic, emotional and full of belief

42:35 – England’s journey: underwhelming, senior heavy and looking for renewal

45:05 – Pakistan’s journey: gritty, improving and finding rhythm

47:00 – Sri Lanka and New Zealand: flashes of brilliance lost to rain

47:55 – Segment 2: What’s Next – the future of women’s cricket and its new power map

This episode of Cricktake revisits the rise, neglect, and revival of women’s cricket - from Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s pioneering World Cup to the WPL’s packed stadiums and Australia’s blueprint for professionalization. We explore how gender-bland sexism, selective memory, and structural bias shaped the sport’s past, and ask a simple question that still echoes today:

When will women’s cricket truly be seen as equal and not exceptional?

00:07 - Introduction: The story cricket forgot

02:16 - Segment 1: The Forgotten Past - 1973, erasure, and the gendered narrative

12:54 - Segment 2: The Present - WPL, visibility vs. equity, and lived realities

30:28 - Segment 3: What’s Next - Australia’s blueprint, India’s breakout, and the global roadmap

🎧 Listen, Read, Follow: https://ecosystem.cricktake.com/

Available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Instagram, X, TikTok, Substack & Medium.