Episode notes
In this uplifting episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, Sydney Sixers rising star Elsa Hunter joins us for a vibrant conversation during a crucial stretch of the WBBL season. Elsa shares her insights on the Sixers' strong team vibe, the calm and powerful leadership of new captain Ash Gardner, and what it’s like learning from icons such as Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, and the squad’s international talent. She reflects on her journey from playing local boys’ cricket in Malaysia to becoming a WNCL champion with the NSW Breakers, opening up about finding joy in the game, coping with pressure on…
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The Cricket Library
The Cricket Library Podcast has the aim of providing a platform for people to share their stories of how the game of cricket has impacted their lives and the lives of others in a positive way. Guests range from people who have had a career in elite level cricket as well as cricket tragics from all
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E191 · 31 Mar 2026 · 47 min
Ken Piesse - A Life In Cricket Writing
In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with one of Australia’s most prolific cricket writers, Ken Piesse. With a career spanning decades, Ken has written more than 90 books on the game and served as editor of the legendary Cricketer magazine. His work has chronicled the stories of great players, historic matches, and the rich traditions that make cricket such a unique sport. In this conversation, Ken reflects on: His journey into cricket journalism and publishing Memorable encounters with cricket legends. The art of telling cricket stories through books.…
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E190 · 18 Mar 2026 · 40 min
Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey
What does it mean to truly love cricket? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with author and cricket tragic Nikhil Kulkarni to explore his deeply personal book, My Summer of Cricket. From a village in North Karnataka in India to the grand stadiums of Australia, Nikhil’s journey is one that will resonate with cricket lovers everywhere. This is a story of early morning radio commentaries, lifelong devotion, and the moments that define us as fans of the game. At the heart of the book is an extraordinary pilgrimage during the 2024–25 summer, where Nikhil…
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E189 · 5 Mar 2026 · 34 min
Gavin Dovey - From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket
What does it take to build a life in cricket at the highest level? In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis sits down with Gavin Dovey to explore a remarkable journey through Australian sport. Now the CEO of Northern Territory Cricket, Gavin has spent decades working behind the scenes of the game we all love so dearly. Before moving into administration, Gavin served as team manager of the Australia national cricket team, offering a unique perspective on the culture, leadership, and pressure that comes with representing Australia. In this wide-ranging conversation we…
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E188 · 28 Jan 2026 · 15 min
Tammy Bartaia - Bollywood Dreams
Tammy Bartaia is an International actress, TV presenter and author. From the age of seven her dream was to become an actress. She studied screen acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art ( Nida) in Sydney, Australia. She is well known to cricket fans around the world for her role in the Bollywood film UnIndian starring Australian fast bowler Brett Lee. Tammy sat down with Matt Ellis to share what it was like working with Brett and the parallels between performing on set and cricketers performing on their stage, the cricket stadium. Tammy has a passion for Bollywood and has a deep…
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E187 · 11 Jan 2026 · 57 min
Anupam Sharma - When Bollywood Meets the Baggy Green
Anupam Sharma sits down with MJ Ellis & shares the origins of his deep love for cricket, reflecting on how the game shaped his early life and continues to inspire his storytelling. We hear how his journey into the film industry began, including a remarkable encounter with Bollywood icon Feroz Khan — a moment that changed the trajectory of his creative life. With a unique perspective on the intersection of sport and cinema, Anupam reflects on his experiences working with cricketing legends like Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar, revealing the humanity behind the…
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E185 · 12 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Dr John Orchard - New Chapters in Cricket & Medicine
In this must-listen episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, Matt Ellis chats with Dr John Orchard, one of the world’s most respected voices in sports medicine. With decades of experience treating elite cricketers, Dr Orchard shares stories from his journey in the game, the evolution of injury management, and the driving forces behind his newly released book, Cricket Sports Medicine. What you’ll learn in this episode: Insights into injury prevention, management, and recovery in elite sport What goes on behind the scenes when star players get injured The collaborative effort behind Cricket…
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E184 · 4 Jun 2025 · 42 min
Faye Tunnicliffe - Pursuing Excellence
Faye Tunnicliffe is our latest guest on the Cricket Library Podcast! Delve into the world of someone dedicated to pursuing excellence and getting the best out of herself as a cricketer and human being. Faye shares with us the origins of her passion for cricket, her health and fitness journey, and learning to solve the Rubik's Cube. She delivers insights into her progression into the South African team and the personal growth that has helped shape her along the way. The world record holder for the longest net session opens up about the incredible achievement and reveals her invitation list…
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E183 · 24 Mar 2025 · 43 min
Monali Patel - From Passion to Profession
In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, we are joined by former Canadian cricketer Monali Patel, whose remarkable journey in cricket has taken her across continents. Monali shares how she discovered the sport as a teenager, her experiences representing Canada on the international stage, and what it was like to travel to Australia to play with the Northern Districts Cricket Club in Sydney. She also reflects on her transition into coaching and broadcasting, offering insights into her evolving role in the game. You can tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, passion, and…
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E182 · 13 Feb 2025 · 55 min
Malcolm Conn - Behind The Headlines
In the latest edition of the Cricket Library Podcast, award-winning cricket writer Malcolm Conn joins us for an engaging conversation about his many decades of covering cricket. Mal shares the origins of his passion for cricket growing up in the country, getting his first gig as a journalist, travelling the world covering the cricket, and taking us behind the scenes of one of the biggest stories in world cricket, for which he won a Walkley Award. He reflects on his early memories of watching Shane Warne bowl in Sri Lanka, Matthew Hayden's incredible 1st Class run tally on the 1993 Ashes tour…
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E181 · 2 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
James Knight - The Gift of Stories
This week, we’re thrilled to bring you the inspiring story of James Knight—a master storyteller, literacy advocate, cricket tragic and bestselling author. In this heartfelt conversation, James reflects on his journey from bush cricket fields to discovering the rich tapestry of cultures through cricket. He opens up about his battles with depression and shares how his experiences have shaped a life dedicated to making a positive difference. We also dive into his latest book, The Spirit of the Warriors, and explore how he uses storytelling to inspire others and foster a love of literacy.…
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