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

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis continues his conversation with former England international Roland Butcher, following their recent Roland Reflects episode. This time, Roland shares his expert insights on the prospects of a two-tier Test match setup.   Will such a structure become a reality? Could promotion and relegation reshape the traditional format? And how migh...

  In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis welcomes back cricketing expert Roland Butcher to review England’s winter tour of New Zealand. The former England International shares his always insightful thoughts on England’s success, analyses their 2024 Test match performances, and offers his expert take on England’s newest rising star, Jacob Bethell, the exciting young ta...

As the historic match between the Afghanistan Women's XI and Cricket Without Borders XI at Junction Oval approaches, The Paddock and The Pavilion continues its build-up. Host Stephen Wallis, who has been working on a series about Shazia Rahman Zazai one of the players in this landmark game welcomes a special guest to the show.   Clare Cannon, founder and one of the driving forces behind Cricket Wi...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis continues his series with Shazia Rahman Zazai, the ex captain of the Afghanistan Women’s Cricket Team, who now resides in Canberra.   Shazia reflects on her recent trip to watch the Women’s Ashes, sharing her thoughts on England’s performance, before updating listeners on the historic match she’s preparing for on the 30th of Janu...

This is the third instalment of a five-part series with Shazia Rahman Zazai, the ex captain of the Afghanistan women's cricket team. In this episode, we feature two interviews recorded in October and January, where Shazia reflects on her 2024/25 cricket season so far, playing for Eastlake in Canberra and First Grade cricket in Sydney with Campbelltown where she has been playing with England under...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, we bring you part two of our inspiring series with Shazia Rahman Zazai, the former captain of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team. Recorded in September, Shazia reflects on the challenges in her home country, the exciting potential of an Afghan refugee team in Australia, and the ongoing support from the Australian Cricket Board.   Hear the inside s...

In this special episode, I’m joined by a familiar voice on the podcast, Roland Butcher. Known for his expert cricketing insights, Roland takes us beyond the boundary as we delve into something deeply personal and profoundly inspiring: his forthcoming autobiography, Breaking Barriers: Barbados to England and Back.   Roland made history in 1980 as the first black cricketer to represent England, and...

After an engaging series of episodes covering the Women’s Ashes, we’re starting our 2025 racing episodes with a very special guest—rising star in horse racing journalism, Sam Martin.   A familiar name to our podcast followers, Sam reflects on her remarkable year in 2024. From writing for The Times at the Cheltenham Festival, where she worked alongside the legendary broadcaster Brough Scott, to att...

For our final episode in our Women’s Ashes countdown series I was joined by Sue Strachan, an ex-president of Cricket Scotland and a Scotland and FairBreak team manager.   Sue reflects on Scotland’s debut at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, shares her thoughts on their next challenge, and looks ahead to the Women’s Ashes. She highlights the key players, areas that could shape the series, and her hopes f...

As we continue our countdown to the Women’s Ashes, it’s Day 4 of our special series. So far, we’ve heard insights from Jane Powell, Tina Gough, and Chloe Hill. Today, it’s the turn of Rosa Simkin, the voice behind Rosa Talks Ball. Rosa is here to share her thoughts on the seven-match multi-format series, which begins this weekend.   Rosa delves into the preparations of both teams, analyses the squ...

Chloe Hill, Worcestershire CCC captain, wicketkeeper, and top-order batter, joins us for Day 3 of our Women’s Ashes countdown series. The former South East Stars player discusses changes to the 2025 women’s domestic programme, her own plans under the new Tier structure, and why she believes the Ashes is the pinnacle of the women’s game. Chloe also highlights key players and shares her prediction f...

Tina Gough, the German international all-rounder well known to this podcast, joins me for the second episode in our Women’s Ashes countdown series.   Tina brings us the latest from Germany’s recent European T10 tournament action in Malaga before turning her focus to the Women’s Ashes.   We discuss her thoughts on women’s Test cricket, the players she believes will have the biggest impact over the...

The England team have arrived in Australia ahead of the Women’s Ashes, and with the opening game coming up this weekend, I’ve got a feast of Ashes chat for you throughout the week.   To start the series today’s guest is someone who knows a thing or two about the fierce clashes between England and Australia. Jane Powell, now President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, has both played and coached En...

In this special episode of The Paddock and the Pavilion, I am thrilled to welcome back Shazia Rahman Zazai, the former captain of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team, for the first part of an inspiring three-part series.   Shazia reflects on her remarkable experiences since arriving in Australia, sharing highlights from her successful 2023/24 season with Eastlake Cricket Club in Canberra. You’ll...

Can you imagine what would happen if cricket’s most treasured artefact, the Ashes urn was stolen on the eve of an Ashes Test at Lord’s? That’s the thrilling story Jenni Douglas brings to life in her exciting children’s book, Tess and the Ashes Catastrophe. Jenni joins me today to discuss her exciting story, the inspiration behind her book and her deep passion for cricket and the Ashes.   Please su...

 It’s always a special occasion when I get the chance to speak to a current player, and in this show I’m delighted to welcome back Warwickshire’s experienced opening bowler, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, who first joined me on episode 18.See link below. https://chrt.fm/track/4F8ACF/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/COMG6200185130.mp3?updated=1707221155   Olly reflects on Warwickshire’s contrasting 2024...

Joining me for The Scudamores at Christmas is former leading National Hunt jockey and now television presenter, Tom Scudamore. In this festive episode, Tom reflects on growing up in the Scudamore family during his father Peter’s legendary career, his own riding exploits over the Christmas period, and his transition to life as a broadcaster. Hear family stories with his grandfather Michael, who lik...

Today’s horse racing episode promises to be a compelling and, for some of you, perhaps even a shocking one.   Our guest is Karen Wiltshire, a true trailblazer. In September 1978 at Salisbury, Karen made history as the first female professional jockey to win a race on the flat in the UK competing against her male counterparts. She joins us to share her remarkable journey, highlighting the immense m...

Today’s principal guest is John Blake the Chief Executive of Racing to School.   Racing to School is an education charity dedicated to inspiring young minds. They offer free, interactive, and healthy outdoor educational events for schools, all hosted at various racing venues. In this episode John will explain what Racing to School does and how they’re making a difference in the world of education....

Esha Oza is the captain of the UAE Women’s Cricket Team and the ICC Women’s Associate Player of the Year for 2022. A leading all-rounder, she has scored three T20I centuries. Esha reflects on her thriving career, including the UAE’s missed qualification for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, and their focus on reaching the next World Cup in 2026. Plus, Esha talks enthusiastically about the benefit Fa...

The Paddock and The Pavilion’s cricket expert and Talk Sport commentator Roland Butcher reflects on England’s recent Test series loss to Pakistan, despite an innings victory in the first match.   He discusses the team’s struggles on turning pitches and against spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. Roland also explores whether the Bazball approach is suited to such conditions, shares his thoughts on O...

Rosa Simkin of Rosa Talks Ball rejoins the show to review the recent women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE where a revitalised New Zealand team surprised the cricketing world to win the tournament in the first ever World final which did not feature Australia or England.   Rosa shares her thoughts on why the balance in the White Ferns team helped them win the trophy, discusses the shock exit of the migh...

  Today we are going across the pond to feature City Of Troy’s bid for Breeders Cup Classic glory on Saturday 2 November at Del Mar where the turf meets the surf.   Award winning American horse racing journalist and author Jay Hovdey is back to discuss Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner’s chances along with racing presenters Leonna Mayor, Callum Helliwell, Newmarket trainer John Berry, Racing Post blood...

The Lexus Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation is run every year on the first Tuesday in November but what many people don’t know is that the Cup travels around the globe for nearly six months promoting the iconic race.   In this episode I was joined by Joe McGrath, the Lexus Melbourne Cup tour manager, the keeper of the cup as he is affectionately known, to talk about the cup’s journey dur...

On today’s show we head Down Under for the Caulfield Cup, a key race in the Melbourne Spring Carnival.   Our guest is Peter Hutchinson, who won the Cup in 1993—something his legendary father, Ron Hutchinson, never did. Hear Peter’s story of that dramatic day, with a special cameo from Ron himself.   Epsom born Peter talks about his career as a jockey in the UK and Australia and his memories of the...