Show Notes
Episode Summary
Australia are finally back in Test cricket, and Menners and Damien Watson preview the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. They discuss the pressure on Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green, whether Australia's ageing Test side needs to start planning for the future, and make some big predictions for the next 12 months of Australian cricket.
The guys also discuss Travis Head's back-to-back AB Medal, the surprisingly casual awards ceremony, Bharat Sundaresan's Stuart Broad Logies campaign, the complex Ash Gardner and Georgia Voll situation, The Hundred and the infamous Andrew Symonds fishing incident.
Key Moments
(2:15) Australia vs Bangladesh Preview — Bangladesh's disastrous tour match raises questions about whether they can compete with Australia.
(5:17) Weatherald, Labuschagne & Green Under Pressure — Three Australian batsmen with plenty to prove in the opening Test.
(13:06) Is Australia's Test Team Too Old? — The guys debate whether Australia should start blooding younger players before the inevitable rebuild.
(17:15) Australia's Next 12 Months — Predictions for Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand, India, the World Test Championship and the Ashes.
(23:44) Travis Head Wins the AB Medal — Head takes back-to-back medals, but the guys question the casual presentation and lack of ceremony.
(27:56) Bharat's Stuart Broad Love-In — Menners takes aim at Bharat Sundaresan's campaign to get Stuart Broad a Logie.
(31:08) Ash Gardner, Georgia Voll & The Power Imbalance Debate — A detailed discussion about relationships, leadership and potential conflicts of interest in Australian women's cricket.
(43:33) Andrew Symonds' Fishing Incident Revisited — The infamous Darwin fishing story leads to a broader discussion about Symonds, Monkeygate and Cricket Australia's treatment of him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Cricket Unfiltered
South Africa have levelled the series in stunning fashion, crushing Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Kaberha. Travis Head’s century and Scott Boland’s gutsy 40 offered some resistance, but the damage was done after Australia’s disastrous batting collapse on day four.
Australia’s second Test campaign against South Africa has descended into chaos, with a catastrophic batting collapse leaving them on the brink of defeat in Gqeberha. After being bowled out for just 99 in their first innings, Australia were forced to follow on and finished day four at 4/156, still 170 runs behind. Menners examines the batting failures, questions the selectors’ decisions and looks at the futures of Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster. Travis Head remains Australia’s biggest hope of saving the Test, while Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer have starred for South Africa. Can Australia somehow survive day five, or are the teams heading to Cape Town level at 1–1?
South Africa produced a remarkable turnaround on Day 3 in Gqeberha, recovering from 5/97 to declare at 9/425 and put Australia under enormous pressure in the second Test.
Menners wraps up a frustrating second day in Gqeberha, where torrential rain again restricted play and Australia made inroads into South Africa's batting lineup. Scott Boland led the charge with four wickets, while Matt Renshaw produced a stunning catch to dismiss Ryan Rickelton.
Rain interrupted the second Test between Australia and South Africa at St George’s Park, with just 12.2 overs possible on Day 1. But there was still plenty to discuss, as Scott Boland ripped through the South African top order, taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries to leave the hosts at 2/20.