Polly Starkie is 20 years old. She is a sports journalist, cricket commentator and writer. She is studying Multimedia Journalism at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Richard Starkie is Polly’s dad. He’s 54 years old and has taught Modern Languages in Birmingham schools for the last 27 years.

In 2021 we started The Noughtie Child Podcast together to explore the differences between our generations. We ran out of things to say after about six weeks. So we started talking about women’s cricket. And we haven’t stopped talking about it ever since.

In our weekly podcast we bring you news, views, analysis and comment on the women’s game domestically and internationally together with exclusive interviews, poor dad jokes and occasional updates on the life of one of the country’s top young sports journalists trying to make it in the cut-throat world of sports media and the life of a slightly worn-down middle-aged man trying to teach teenagers the meaning of the past participle.

We are running the Adidas Manchester Marathon on Sunday 27th April 2025. We are running it in aid of The Cricketers’ Trust, who provide support for professional cricketers and their families when they need it most. It’s a token of our appreciation to all the players who provide us with such joy every summer. Please give generously to support this most excellent cause.