Time to celebrate Ben Stokes? & a 'vulgar' World Cup?
6/29/202633 min
Ben Stokes announced his retirement to the England team before the morning session of the final test v New Zealand... with the crowd chanting his name as news spread around Trent Bridge in the afternoon, he takes a wicket with the very next ball. Incredible theatre, pure Ben Stokes?
After the seismic news for English cricket, how much blame lies with the ECB? Should we just pause to reflect on Stokes's impact? and what next? Cricket broadcaster Mark Nicholas joins Gabby and Mark.
Alongside that huge news, there is also the small story of a World Cup reaching it's knock out phase. Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz's comments about the 48 team tournament becoming a 'vulgar, ordinary tournament' have sparked debate in an already controversial competition. But does the achievements of Cabo Verde, DR Congo and many more, serve to prove him wrong? Former Premier League defender Nedum Onouha also joins.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMark Chapman· Host0:00
One of the stories of the sporting year, let alone the sporting weekend This is my last two days as your captain.
Gabby Logan· Host0:05
So we've had Keir Starmer, Steve Clark, and now Ben Stokes.
Nedum Onuoha· Guest0:08
[laughs] He just looked as if he was at the end of the road. It was as almost as if he was mentally disengaged.
Gabby Logan· Host0:14
Has it devalued the tournament at all that the likes of Cape Verde are through the group stage? And maybe Scotland, were it not for a couple of goals, would've been through [laughs] the group stage.
Nedum Onuoha· Guest0:24
[laughs] Why are you so offended that there are 48 teams there? For years there've been discussions about how, like, Africa has been underrepresented at that world stage, and now you've got a greater representation, and look how well they have all done. So I think some of it's like football snobbery.
Mark Nicholas· Guest0:39
This is a global production.
Mark Chapman· Host0:45
Hello. Welcome to The Sports Agents. Hi, Gabby. Hi, Nadim.
Nedum Onuoha· Guest0:55
Hello, Mark.
Gabby Logan· Host0:56
Hello, Mark. Hi, Nadim. How are we all? A little bit jet-lagged, Chappers?
Mark Chapman· Host0:59
Uh, I'm all right, actually. Yeah. I, I'm okay. I, I- I am, and I've been nowhere. I know. [laughs] [laughs] I know. I landed a couple of hours before recording this. I'm doing, uh, Germany-Paraguay later for radio, while you're doing it for telly, aren't you? So I'll feel... I th- I think I'll still feel on US time at that point. I know Nadim's struggling being back on UK time and watching games, aren't you?
Nedum Onuoha· Guest1:25
Yeah. Unfortunately, um, I've realized that I'm actually limited, and maybe some people know this, but men can't really multitask.