Triggered at Midwicket With Trigger and Posh Girl Sophie

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Welcome to the podcast that celebrates everything cricket truly is — the glory, the graft, and the occasional complete shambles. From the unpredictable chaos of village greens to the high-pressure drama of the professional and international game, this show dives headfirst into the full spectrum of cricket. One week it’s tales of dropped sitters, dodgy umpiring, and post-match pints; the next it’s breaking down elite tactics, player performances, and the numbers behind the modern game. We shine a light on the unsung heroes too — the volunteers rolling pitches at dawn, marking creases, and kee

  1. 6d ago

    Dressing Gowns, Blue Circle & Cricket Banter! Liam Before Wicket Joins the Show | Triggered at Midwicket

    This week on Triggered at Midwicket, everyone's favourite No. 11, Rob, and the sweeping maestro herself, Posh Girl Sophie, welcome TikTok cricket creator Liam Before Wicket to the field for an episode packed with laughs, cricketing chaos, embarrassing stories and some serious discussion about the future of the grassroots game! From taking the mickey out of himself to capturing the struggles of cricket-loving husbands and wives, Liam has built his content around the hilarious realities of life in cricket. Whether it's spending entire weekends playing, coaching or helping behind the bar, or putting up with the unmistakable sound of a new bat being knocked in with a mallet, Liam knows exactly what cricket does to our lives — and our relationships! We kick things off by getting to know Liam and finding out how his social media journey began. How did he imagine his content would take off? Has it gone the way he expected? And how has he found his place in the ever-growing world of cricket TikTok? From hilarious cricket sketches to the familiar struggles of club cricketers, Liam explains what inspires his videos, why he isn't afraid to make himself the butt of the joke and what it's like creating content for the cricket community. And, of course, we have to discuss his famous wife's dressing gown! Is there a better way to represent the sacrifices partners make when cricket takes over the entire weekend? The conversation then moves to international cricket as Liam reflects on some of England's recent disasters — alongside the positives that have kept supporters coming back for more. What has impressed him? What has frustrated him? And what does he make of the current state of English cricket? We also hear about some of the cricketing stars Liam has met along the way and what those experiences have meant to him as both a fan and a content creator. Every club cricketer has a nickname. Some are earned through years of performances, some through one unfortunate moment, and others through an incident that refuses to disappear! Liam reveals some of the nicknames previous clubs have come up with to take the mickey out of him. Rob also brings up an old video that caught his attention: the infamous occasion when Liam accidentally brought cement powder onto the wicket instead of sawdust! And just like that, a new nickname was born... Blue Circle! How do you live that one down? And what other embarrassing moments have followed Liam throughout his cricketing career? We suspect the comments will have plenty of stories of their own! Behind the comedy, there's a more serious conversation about something that matters to all three hosts: keeping young people involved in cricket and giving them a pathway to progress. Liam shares what the game means to him and why it's important that young players feel welcomed, supported and encouraged to continue playing. Rob joins the discussion from his own experiences as a coach, revisiting some of the issues we've explored in previous episodes. Are counties doing enough to develop grassroots talent? What more can state and private schools do to open doors for young players? And what responsibility do village cricket clubs have to make newcomers feel part of the team? From affordable opportunities and welcoming club environments to coaching and pathways into senior cricket, the trio explore how the game can grow beyond the boundary rope. Because cricket needs its next generation — and that means making sure young players have somewhere to start, somewhere to develop and somewhere they want to stay. This episode has a bit of everything: comedy, cricketing disasters, social media stories, England debates and an honest look at the future of the game we all love. We want to hear from YOU!

  2. Oct 27

    Jenny Returns Girls' Cricket, County Academy Controversies & Rob's Grassroots Rant!

    This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite Nomadic No. 11, Rob, welcome back Jenny from Sheep Shed Sessions for another episode packed with grassroots cricket, girls' development, personal milestones and, of course, one of Rob's infamous rants! Jenny is back to reflect on an impressive season of cricket, sharing her highlights, lessons learned and ambitions for the future. With the season drawing to a close, what's next for Jenny? How will she approach the winter nets, and what is she hoping to improve before the new season gets underway? There's plenty to look forward to, both on and off the pitch! Jenny also gives us an insight into her work coaching Under-14 girls' cricket, explaining how she's helping her young players develop their skills, confidence and love for the game. But coaching isn't just about helping others improve. Jenny is also looking to take her own cricket to the next level as she considers joining her men's team while preparing to help her ladies' side compete in the top-flight division of her northern league. Can she balance playing, coaching and developing her own game? And what will the winter months bring for both Jenny and her teams? There's also some exciting personal news, as Jenny announces her latest small sponsorship deal! Congratulations, Jenny — it's fantastic to see grassroots cricket and its content creators getting recognition. It wouldn't be Triggered at Midwicket without the Nomadic No. 11 getting something off his chest! This time, Rob turns the conversation towards the progression of girls' and ladies' cricket, asking whether enough is being done to give talented young players a genuine future in the game. The trio discuss the role of county academies and whether too many opportunities are going to players from a select number of private schools. Should county teams be doing more to support state schools and grassroots cricket? Are counties working hard enough to identify talented players who don't have access to private-school facilities, specialist coaching or established cricketing networks? And if the ECB and counties genuinely want to grow the women's game, shouldn't investment start with the young girls picking up a bat at their local clubs and schools? Rob shares his frustrations from his own experience as a volunteer coach, raising a difficult question that many grassroots volunteers may recognise: What's the point of developing talented juniors if they have nowhere to go when they outgrow their current teams? Are we building a proper pathway into senior cricket, or simply encouraging more girls to play without creating enough opportunities for them to progress? It's a passionate debate about accessibility, investment and the future of the women's game — and one we want YOU to be part of. We want to hear from players, parents, coaches, volunteers and everyone involved in grassroots cricket. 🏏 Are girls getting enough opportunities to progress? 🏫 Should county academies do more to recruit from state schools? 🔥 Is the current pathway fair to everyone? 👧 What happens to talented junior girls when they outgrow their age-group teams? 👏 And how can clubs and counties better support their volunteer coaches? Share your experiences and let us know what needs to change. A massive thank you to Jenny for joining us again, and best of luck with your winter training, coaching and the season ahead!

  3. Oct 16

    ECB Contract Controversies & The Private School Cricket Problem!

    This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite No. 11 who's definitely NOT Jimmy Anderson, Rob, are back for another episode packed with cricket debates, controversial decisions and a rant or two guaranteed to get you triggered! Before getting stuck into the cricketing chaos, Sophie and Rob kick things off by congratulating everyone who has played, volunteered and supported their clubs throughout another cricket season. A special shout-out also goes to everyone who picked up awards at their respective clubs! 🏏👏 Whether you've been scoring runs, taking wickets, coaching, umpiring, scoring or simply keeping the teas flowing, you've all played your part in making this season what it was. The pair then turn their attention to the latest ECB central contracts announcement. Who's been handed a one-year deal? Who's secured a two-year contract? Who's been dropped, and who has earned a place in the development central contracts group? And, more importantly, has the ECB got its selections right? Posh Girl Sophie certainly has some questions about the decisions, with a few selections raising eyebrows. Rob, however, believes some of the contracts make perfect sense when you look at recent performances. But what about Ollie Robinson? Rob highlights Robinson's impressive performances in an England shirt, his bowling figures and the records he's been breaking that have stood for more than 60 years. Are the ECB rewarding the right players? Have some cricketers been unfairly overlooked? And do central contracts genuinely reflect performances on the pitch? We want to hear your verdict! Next up, the conversation moves to the ECB's initiative to introduce more cricket into state schools. Both Sophie and Rob agree that getting more children involved in cricket is a positive step. But here's the big question: Will it actually make a difference? Will county clubs take the initiative seriously? Will schools commit to developing cricket properly? And will more opportunities at school level translate into genuine pathways into county academies? Rob isn't entirely convinced. Everyone's favourite No. 11 has concerns about how the current pathways and academies operate, questioning whether the system could remain too restrictive for state-school children while private-school pupils continue to benefit from greater opportunities and access. Things get particularly interesting when the pair discuss reports concerning Sussex County Cricket's girls' pathway, where applicant numbers reportedly fell from 39 to just 14, with all 14 successful applicants coming from only three private schools. Is the cricketing pathway genuinely accessible to everyone, or does your school still determine your chances? Rob certainly has something to say about that — and let's just say the rant is well and truly on! Are talented state-school cricketers missing out? Is enough being done to identify players who don't have access to the same facilities and coaching? And can the ECB's new initiative address the barriers that have existed for years? Or are we simply talking about improving access at grassroots level without fixing the problems further up the pathway? This episode raises some important questions about the future of English cricket. 🏏 Are the ECB's central contracts fair? ⭐ Which players deserved a contract but missed out? 📊 Are England rewarding performances or potential? 🏫 Can state-school cricket compete with the private-school system? 🚀 What needs to change to make county academies more accessible? 💬 And what would YOU do to make cricket a game for everyone? Get involved in the comments, share your experiences and let us know whether you agree with Sophie and Rob. Because if there's one thing we've learned, it's that cricket isn't just about what happens between bat and ball — it's about who gets the opportunity to pick up a bat in the first place.

  4. Oct 9

    From Cricketer to Umpire: Cricket Umpire 86 John Temperton Gets Quizzed!

    This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite No. 11 who's definitely not Jimmy Anderson are back with another special guest — social media creator and cricket umpire 86 John Temperton! We get to know the man behind the umpire's coat as John takes us through his cricket journey and explains how he made the transition from playing the game to standing in the middle. Why did John decide to become an umpire? What made him swap the bat and ball for the white coat and finger? And what has he learned since making the transition? The trio also get stuck into the Laws of Cricket, with John sharing some of his more controversial opinions. Are there laws that need changing? Are some rules simply confusing? And, most importantly... Has John ever made a massive umpiring boo-boo? Has he ever given the wrong decision during a game? We find out! We then move away from the crease and into the world of content creation as John tells us all about his experience at the Content Creator Cup. Where did the idea come from? How long has John been involved? What was the experience actually like? And who came up with the idea of getting cricket content creators together to compete? We also get an insight into John's social media content as he reveals where he gets his ideas from and what inspires the videos he posts across his platforms. Before we let John escape, Sophie and Rob have one final question: If you could umpire three people in cricket, who would you choose? Who makes John's ultimate umpiring wish list? And why? Finally, we wish John all the best for the upcoming season as he once again takes on his personal challenge of Road to 50 Runs. Can he finally reach the milestone? You'll have to follow the journey to find out! So grab a cuppa, settle in and join Sophie, Rob and John Temperton for another episode of... Don't forget to let us know your thoughts:🏏 Which cricket law would YOU change?👨‍⚖️ Would you make a good umpire?😂 What's the worst umpiring decision you've ever seen?🎥 What cricket content do you love watching?⭐ And who would be in your three-player umpiring dream list?

  5. Oct 2

    England, The Ashes & Franchise Cricket: Keelan's Hot Takes Before Australia!

    Everyone's favourite No. 11 is back! After battling illness, Rob returns to the hosting chair as Posh Girl Sophie welcomes a very special guest to Triggered at Midwicket — their coach, Keelan! And Keelan isn't holding back. He brings his hot takes, strong opinions and controversial cricket views to the podcast as we get stuck into everything from England's current direction to the future of the game. What does Keelan make of England right now? Are they heading in the right direction, or are there problems beneath the surface? The trio get stuck into England's performances, selection and where the team needs to go next as the big fixtures continue to approach. We look ahead to South Africa and then the big one... The Ashes. Can England compete when the pressure really ramps up? What does Keelan expect from the series? And what does England need to get right if they're going to challenge Australia? The conversation turns to Ben Stokes' latest media comments, with Keelan giving us his take on what was said and what it could mean for England moving forward. Do you agree with him? Then we take on one of the biggest debates in modern cricket: Is franchise cricket helping the game or taking something away from international and county cricket? With T20 leagues continuing to grow around the world, where does Keelan think the balance should sit? Keelan also takes us through his own transition from playing cricket to coaching. What made him swap the playing side for coaching? What has he learned along the way? And how different is life on the other side of the boundary? And with Keelan heading down under to Australia for another six months of coaching and playing, we get his thoughts on what lies ahead. 🇦🇺 New country. 🏏 More cricket. 🎙️ More stories. 🔥 Plenty more opinions! So settle in with Posh Girl Sophie, the returning Teamless Nomad Rob and Coach Keelan for another episode packed with cricket chat, hot takes and controversial opinions. Do you agree with Keelan? Let us know your thoughts on England, South Africa, the Ashes, Ben Stokes, franchise cricket and everything else we discuss. 🏴 ENGLAND CRICKET🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA & THE ASHES🎙️ BEN STOKES' LATEST MEDIA RELEASE🌍 FRANCHISE CRICKET — GOOD OR BAD?🏏 FROM PLAYER TO COACH

  6. Sep 25

    Woody Retires, England's Talent Debate & Jack's Cricket Journey

    This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and missing everyones favourite Nomadic No. 11 Rob due to illness is joined by No Contact County Cricket Jack for a proper cricketing deep dive! Jack takes centre stage as we get to know more about what brought him to the crease, his own cricketing journey, and what keeps him coming back to the game. We also look back at this year's county cricket season, including Jack's own experiences, his thoughts on how the county game has played out and what he believes could be done differently moving forward. The conversation then turns towards the England setup. What does Jack think England are getting right? What needs to change? And what does he make of the current England camp? The trio also discuss Stephen Fleming, his influence on the game and what his involvement could mean for England cricket. And then comes the debate that Rob absolutely cannot stand... Every week we're told England have another "generational talent" coming through. But are we really seeing a golden generation of cricketers? Or are we simply labelling players as generational talents far too early? Rob questions whether England genuinely have the level of talent everyone claims — or whether some players are lazy professionals wasting their own potential. Jack and Sophie have their say, Rob inevitably gets triggered, and we want to hear what YOU think! Are England producing genuine world-class talent? Are players being overhyped? Are expectations too high? Or are some players simply not making the most of the ability they've been given? And unfortunately, it wouldn't be Triggered at Midwicket without another piece of sad cricket news. This time, the trio reflect on the retirement of Mark Wood. One of England's modern-day fast bowlers, Woody has given everything to county and country, producing some unforgettable spells and moments throughout his career. So from all of us at Triggered at Midwicket: So long, Woody. ❤️ Thank you for everything you've given to English cricket. You've earned the chance to put your feet up, enjoy the next chapter and finally give that body a well-deserved rest! 🏏 What brought you to cricket? ⭐ Who are England's genuine generational talents? 🔥 Are players wasting their potential? 🏴 What should England change? 💬 And what are your favourite Mark Wood moments? Get involved in the comments and join Sophie, Rob and others for another episode of... TRIGGERED AT MIDWICKET! 🎙️🏏

  7. Sep 16

    England Selection, Ashes & Cricket in America

    Triggered at Midwicket is back! This week, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite teamless nomad Rob welcome TikTok's SRC Sam Cox, a sports writer from Manchester, for another packed episode of cricket chat, heated debates and some seriously difficult selection questions! With England looking ahead to their upcoming Test against South Africa, the big question is: who actually deserves a place on the plane? With Jacob Bethell recovering from injury, could he return and take the No. 3 spot from the impressive Jordan Cox? Or should England be looking elsewhere? Could Emilio Gay or Ben Duckett pay the price for underwhelming performances against Pakistan? Will Dan Lawrence make way? Or could England leave Jamie Smith out and hand the wicketkeeping gloves over to Cox? There are plenty of options — but only so many spaces! Listeners, we want your England XI: 🏏 Who gets on the plane? ✈️ Who stays at home? 🧤 Who should be England's wicketkeeper? 🔥 Who deserves the No. 3 spot? Rob and Sam get stuck into one of the biggest debates in English cricket: Is Harry Brook genuinely a generational talent, or is he simply an incredibly good batter who knows how to swing the willow? Does Brook have the maturity and consistency required to eventually take over from Joe Root as England's batting leader? And speaking of Root... With his incredible run-scoring record continuing, could he actually chase down Sachin Tendulkar's Test run record by the time England head to India in 2028? That's a HUGE question — and the boys aren't necessarily on the same page! We then look ahead to England's battles with South Africa and, further down the road, next year's Ashes. Will England be able to handle the pressure when the Ashes arrive? Could England dominate the series, or will the weight of expectation become a problem? And what about Australia? Will the Aussies arrive fit, firing and ready to defend the Ashes, or will their current crop of underperforming players be replaced before the series begins? Should Australia stick with experience, or is it time for some fresh blood? Sam gives us his verdict — now we want yours! Finally, Rob asks Sophie and Sam one of the biggest questions facing cricket: Can cricket genuinely become a major sport in America? Or will baseball always remain the favourite when Americans have grown up with a sport where someone eventually has to win? Could cricket's longer formats and the possibility of draws hold it back? And then we get into a fascinating sporting crossover: Could a professional cricketer actually transition into baseball? Could someone like Liam Plunkett make the switch? Or would it actually be easier for a baseball player to pick up cricket? Different skills, different techniques, different rules — but how much crossover is really there? And finally, we have something very special to celebrate. Triggered at Midwicket has hit 500 downloads and plays! 🎉🏏 That's also more than 100 hours of our podcast listened to — something we genuinely couldn't have achieved without everyone who's downloaded, streamed, shared, commented and supported the show. From Rob, Sophie and everyone involved with Triggered at Midwicket: THANK YOU! ❤️ And we're only getting started... 🎧 Listen to us on Spotify 🍎 Now streaming on Apple Podcasts 🎵 Also available on Amazon Music As always, get involved and tell us what YOU think! Who makes your England squad? Is Harry Brook a generational talent? Will Root break Tendulkar's record? Who wins the next Ashes? And can cricket really conquer America?

  8. Sep 10

    KP Returns, Controversial Signings & Cricket's Unpopular Opinions!

    This week on Triggered at Midwicket, Posh Girl Sophie and everyone's favourite teamless nomad Rob are joined once again by left-arm seamer Jack for another action-packed episode full of cricket debates, controversial opinions, questionable decisions and plenty of moments to get you Triggered! The big news this week is the return of Kevin Pietersen to the England camp as he prepares to take up a mentoring role. But what exactly does that mean? When will KP actually join the England set-up? What will his role be? Is he genuinely ready to work within the England structure again, or will he eventually decide that YouTube is the better option? And perhaps the biggest question of all… Will England fans actually welcome Kevin Pietersen back? With his official involvement not beginning until after the October tri-series involving England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Sophie, Rob and Jack ask why the delay — and whether this really is a serious cricketing appointment or simply a clever PR exercise. Rob then turns to Jack for his thoughts on England's performances against Pakistan so far. Have England genuinely been impressive, or has Pakistan's dramatic rebuilding process made England look better than they actually are? With Pakistan sending home seven senior players, as well as changing their coaching set-up, was this a brave decision or a monumental mistake? And Rob has a particular question for Jack: Why sack the bowling coach? Were Pakistan's bowlers really the problem when they didn't perform all that badly against England? And if Pakistan are struggling this badly, what happens when England come up against a much stronger South African side? Could the Proteas expose England's weaknesses when the Test series heads to South Africa? Of course, it wouldn't be Triggered at Midwicket without another controversy! This time, Hampshire are in the spotlight following their decision to sign fast bowler Scott Kuggeleijn. Was Hampshire trying to pull the wool over supporters' eyes, or was this simply a rushed decision after Sonny Baker's England call-up left them needing another bowler? Given Kuggeleijn's legal history and his acquittal, should he have been allowed to play? Or should Hampshire never have signed him in the first place? Were they simply desperate for reinforcements? Honest mistake, desperate signing or completely avoidable controversy? The trio debate both sides — and we want to know where YOU stand. Jack then brings some of his latest TikTok opinions to the podcast as the trio start asking: What would YOU change about cricket? The LBW law comes under the microscope. Why can a batter not be given LBW if the ball pitches outside leg stump, regardless of whether it's going on to hit the wickets? If the ball pitches outside off stump and the batter plays a shot, why can't they then be dismissed LBW? Make it make sense! Then things get even more confusing as the trio discuss the laws surrounding the bowler's foot and stumpings. A bowler can seemingly have their foot on the line and still deliver a legal ball, yet a batter's foot being on the crease rather than behind it can result in them being stumped. One rule for the bowler and another for the batter? What if the major counties and minor counties competed in a round-robin tournament? Could a team such as Suffolk actually find themselves taking on the likes of Lancashire — potentially even facing Jimmy Anderson and the stars of the county game? Rob immediately asks the most important question: Has anyone got Jonty Rhodes' number? Or perhaps someone needs to take the proposal directly to the ECB! Could one of the minor counties pull off the ultimate upset and win a trophy against the big boys? Or would the competition simply expose the gulf between the minor and major counties — and leave teams like Gloucestershire wondering why they ever agreed to let Oxfordshire into the competition? Another episode, another collection of cricket debates — and this time we want YOU involved.

About

Welcome to the podcast that celebrates everything cricket truly is — the glory, the graft, and the occasional complete shambles. From the unpredictable chaos of village greens to the high-pressure drama of the professional and international game, this show dives headfirst into the full spectrum of cricket. One week it’s tales of dropped sitters, dodgy umpiring, and post-match pints; the next it’s breaking down elite tactics, player performances, and the numbers behind the modern game. We shine a light on the unsung heroes too — the volunteers rolling pitches at dawn, marking creases, and kee