Cricket Unfiltered

Australia's Test series against South Africa is just around the corner, so Menners and Damian Watson get stuck into the rivalry, the state of Australia's white-ball cricket and, inevitably, the ghosts of Sandpapergate.

Australia has already lost the ODI series, raising questions about the middle order, Pat Cummins' captaincy and who can fill the Glenn Maxwell-shaped gaps in the side. Jack Edwards' breakout performance and Sam Harper's push for Test selection also get plenty of attention.

There's also plenty happening off the field, with Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird stepping down amid the ongoing Big Bash privatisation saga, while the boys discuss the future of the BBL and whether fans are at risk of losing the identity of their teams.

And then it's back to 2018. Menners reflects on covering Sandpapergate at the time, the toxic atmosphere surrounding that South Africa series, Steve Smith's emotional press conference and how the scandal changed Australian cricket forever.

Key moments:

(04:55) Why Australia-South Africa is still such a fierce rivalry(08:48) Jack Edwards' breakout performance and Australia's ODI middle-order problem(13:20) Australia's World Cup concerns and the Pat Cummins captaincy question(15:12) Could Mitch Marsh really return to Test cricket?(20:00) Mike Baird steps down as Cricket Australia chairman(26:38) Is Big Bash privatisation threatening the identity of the teams?(33:00) Why Sandpapergate became such a boiling-point moment(43:42) Menners remembers covering Sandpapergate and Steve Smith's emotional return

We’ve launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

🛒 Shop now:https://www.chickensaltoftheearth.com/shop/category/Cricket-Unfiltered?c=5469591

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From caps to tees, rep your love of cricket with some top-quality gear.

Exactamundo is a video, animation, design and content production company. They produce digital signage, on-screen graphics, sideline animations and videos for sports teams like the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and numerous American NBA, NFL and MLB teams.

They also create high quality videos and animations for the corporate world, such as product promos and explainer videos.

Check them out at exactamundo.com.au

Get the inserted AD’s FREE VERSION of the show on our Patreon Page

Subscribe to our YouTube page for live streams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7koDKpKxe0e3yC7NXQx6Q

Linktree for listening on podcast apps and finding us on social media:

https://linktr.ee/cricketunfiltered

Show twitter:

https://twitter.com/auscricketpod

Menners on twitter:

https://twitter.com/amenners

TIKTOK: @cricketunfiltered

Sponsorship enquiries for host read ads: andrew@piccolopodcasts.com.au

Email the show your cricket takes: cricketunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Piccolo Podcasts: https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

Founder Andrew Menczel. The first episode aired August 2013.

It is a multi award-winning podcast team, the show has featured 15 Australian captains and some of the greatest legends of cricket and an episode is archived in the Australian National Film and Sound Archive. Menners is an accredited cricket journalist and commentator and his interview with Alex Blackwell won a Cricket NSW Media Award. The show was the first ever regular weekly Australian cricket podcast.

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Australia are 1–0 down to South Africa after a disappointing ODI in Durban, with plenty to discuss around the middle order, Jack Edwards’ debut, Cooper Connolly’s form and who should be batting at No. 3. Menners also looks back at Australia’s unbeaten Zimbabwe series, the One-Day Cup getting underway, Australia A’s tour of India, Mark Wood’s international retirement and the latest Gabba pitch news. Plus, a very close call between India and Japan provides this week’s “Can’t Let It Go.”

(0:04) Australia collapse against South Africa(4:38) Where did Australia’s ODI chase go wrong?(8:44) Cummins, Marsh and the captaincy question(12:38) One-Day Cup gets underway(16:59) Australia A in India and the domestic cricket squeeze(20:00) Mark Wood retires from international cricket(21:15) The Gabba pitch is moving(22:30) India nearly stunned by Japan

Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here!

We’ve launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

🛒 Shop now:https://www.chickensaltoftheearth.com/shop/category/Cricket-Unfiltered?c=5469591

🎁 Use Promo Code: CU10 for 10% off your first order!

From caps to tees, rep your love of cricket with some top-quality gear.

Exactamundo is a video, animation, design and content production company. They produce digital signage, on-screen graphics, sideline animations and videos for sports teams like the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and numerous American NBA, NFL and MLB teams.

They also create high quality videos and animations for the corporate world, such as product promos and explainer videos.

Check them out at exactamundo.com.au

Get the inserted AD’s FREE VERSION of the show on our Patreon Page

Subscribe to our YouTube page for live streams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7koDKpKxe0e3yC7NXQx6Q

Linktree for listening on podcast apps and finding us on social media:

https://linktr.ee/cricketunfiltered

Show twitter:

https://twitter.com/auscricketpod

Menners on twitter:

https://twitter.com/amenners

TIKTOK: @cricketunfiltered

Sponsorship enquiries for host read ads: andrew@piccolopodcasts.com.au

Email the show your cricket takes: cricketunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Piccolo Podcasts: https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

Founder Andrew Menczel. The first episode aired August 2013.

It is a multi award-winning podcast team, the show has featured 15 Australian captains and some of the greatest legends of cricket and an episode is archived in the Australian National Film and Sound Archive. Menners is an accredited cricket journalist and commentator and his interview with Alex Blackwell won a Cricket NSW Media Award. The show was the first ever regular weekly Australian cricket podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cricket Unfiltered turns 13! Menners and Damian Watson celebrate the podcast’s milestone before diving into Australia’s impressive ODI win over Zimbabwe, Matt Renshaw’s century, Cooper Connolly’s continued emergence and Ollie Peake’s growing claims for a Test and limited-overs spot.

The boys look ahead to the 2027 World Cup and debate whether Australia’s current batting lineup has enough power in the lower order. They also discuss Travis Head’s warning about the potential hostility awaiting Australia in South Africa, Mitchell Starc reaching No.1 in the Test bowling rankings, and Nick Maddinson’s appointment as NSW Sheffield Shield captain.

From Karachi, Noorish Khan joins the show to discuss the ongoing problems surrounding Pakistan cricket, Jason Gillespie’s departure, fan frustration and the challenges facing the sport at the highest level.

Plus: Steve Waugh and the Amsterdam Flames, the Steve Waugh–Shane Warne relationship, David Warner firing back at the Barbie Army, Usman Khawaja’s BBL future, and Steve Smith’s international career.

Timecodes

(0:55) Cricket Unfiltered turns 13 — the podcast’s remarkable journey(5:40) Australia’s ODI win: Renshaw, Connolly and Peake impress(13:09) Can this Australian batting lineup win the 2027 World Cup?(17:20) Travis Head prepares for a hostile South African tour(22:00) Nick Maddinson named NSW captain & Mitchell Starc reaches No.1(25:49) Steve Waugh, Amsterdam Flames & the Warne relationship(31:17) Noorish Khan on the crisis facing Pakistan cricket(36:44) Warner fires back, Khawaja’s future & Steve Smith’s plans

#CricketUnfiltered #AustralianCricket #PakistanCricket

Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here!

We’ve launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

🛒 Shop now:https://www.chickensaltoftheearth.com/shop/category/Cricket-Unfiltered?c=5469591

🎁 Use Promo Code: CU10 for 10% off your first order!

From caps to tees, rep your love of cricket with some top-quality gear.

Exactamundo is a video, animation, design and content production company. They produce digital signage, on-screen graphics, sideline animations and videos for sports teams like the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and numerous American NBA, NFL and MLB teams.

They also create high quality videos and animations for the corporate world, such as product promos and explainer videos.

Check them out at exactamundo.com.au

Get the inserted AD’s FREE VERSION of the show on our Patreon Page

Subscribe to our YouTube page for live streams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7koDKpKxe0e3yC7NXQx6Q

Linktree for listening on podcast apps and finding us on social media:

https://linktr.ee/cricketunfiltered

Show twitter:

https://twitter.com/auscricketpod

Menners on twitter:

https://twitter.com/amenners

TIKTOK: @cricketunfiltered

Sponsorship enquiries for host read ads: andrew@piccolopodcasts.com.au

Email the show your cricket takes: cricketunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Piccolo Podcasts: https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

Founder Andrew Menczel. The first episode aired August 2013.

It is a multi award-winning podcast team, the show has featured 15 Australian captains and some of the greatest legends of cricket and an episode is archived in the Australian National Film and Sound Archive. Menners is an accredited cricket journalist and commentator and his interview with Alex Blackwell won a Cricket NSW Media Award. The show was the first ever regular weekly Australian cricket podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marnus Labuschagne has been picked again — and Menners is not impressed. This week, Menners breaks down Australia's Test squad for the South Africa tour, questions Marnus' continued selection and asks whether the selectors are doing more harm than good. He also looks at the inclusion of Cooper Connolly and Matt Kuhnemann, and whether Australia is doing enough to future-proof its Test attack.

Then it's back to the increasingly chaotic saga of Big Bash privatisation, with Cricket Australia pushing ahead despite disagreement among the states and players. Menners looks at Cricket Victoria's role, the proposed sale of the Renegades, the potential impact on grassroots cricket and why he thinks Australian cricket's governance has gone badly wrong.

And finally, it's another chapter in the never-ending Jonny Bairstow stumping saga.

(00:04) Big Bash privatisation chaos and Cricket Australia's latest announcement(05:55) Marnus Labuschagne picked again — is selection becoming a problem?(09:12) Why dropping Marnus might actually be better for him(10:46) Cooper Connolly gets the call — and should Steve Smith really move to No.3?(13:29) Australia's fast bowlers and the failure to future-proof the Test team(17:44) The Big Bash privatisation plan — what's really going on?(21:57) Cricket NSW pushes back and questions the governance of the process(26:30) The Jonny Bairstow hypocrisy saga returns

Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here!

We’ve launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

🛒 Shop now:https://www.chickensaltoftheearth.com/shop/category/Cricket-Unfiltered?c=5469591

🎁 Use Promo Code: CU10 for 10% off your first order!

From caps to tees, rep your love of cricket with some top-quality gear.

Exactamundo is a video, animation, design and content production company. They produce digital signage, on-screen graphics, sideline animations and videos for sports teams like the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and numerous American NBA, NFL and MLB teams.

They also create high quality videos and animations for the corporate world, such as product promos and explainer videos.

Check them out at exactamundo.com.au

Get the inserted AD’s FREE VERSION of the show on our Patreon Page

Subscribe to our YouTube page for live streams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7koDKpKxe0e3yC7NXQx6Q

Linktree for listening on podcast apps and finding us on social media:

https://linktr.ee/cricketunfiltered

Show twitter:

https://twitter.com/auscricketpod

Menners on twitter:

https://twitter.com/amenners

TIKTOK: @cricketunfiltered

Sponsorship enquiries for host read ads: andrew@piccolopodcasts.com.au

Email the show your cricket takes: cricketunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Piccolo Podcasts: https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

Founder Andrew Menczel. The first episode aired August 2013.

It is a multi award-winning podcast team, the show has featured 15 Australian captains and some of the greatest legends of cricket and an episode is archived in the Australian National Film and Sound Archive. Menners is an accredited cricket journalist and commentator and his interview with Alex Blackwell won a Cricket NSW Media Award. The show was the first ever regular weekly Australian cricket podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Menners and Damian Watson are back, covering Australia’s disappointing Test series draw with Bangladesh and what comes next for Marnus Labuschagne.

They discuss Australia’s ODI squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup, the emergence of Ollie Peake and Joel Davies, Pat Cummins’ captaincy and the injury blow to South Africa with Kagiso Rabada set to miss the upcoming series.

The boys then turn their attention to England’s latest drama, with Brydon Carse’s nightclub incident raising questions about the culture of the England team, before discussing the huge news that Ben Stokes will play the full Big Bash season with the Adelaide Strikers.

Plus, changes to Shield cricket and domestic pitches, Cricket Australia’s transgender participation policy, more chaos from Pakistan, Whateley’s return to Fox Cricket and the European T20 Premier League.

(2:50) Australia’s Bangladesh series and the disappointment of a two-day Test

(5:00) Marnus Labuschagne’s future and the South Africa Test squad

(8:54) Australia’s ODI squad and the next generation

(13:08) Pat Cummins and the 2027 World Cup captaincy

(19:29) Brydon Carse’s nightclub drama and England’s culture problem

(30:54) Ben Stokes signs with the Adelaide Strikers

(38:41) Shield cricket changes and making pitches more batter-friendly

(44:21) Cricket Australia’s transgender participation policy

Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here!

We’ve launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

🛒 Shop now:https://www.chickensaltoftheearth.com/shop/category/Cricket-Unfiltered?c=5469591

🎁 Use Promo Code: CU10 for 10% off your first order!

From caps to tees, rep your love of cricket with some top-quality gear.

Exactamundo is a video, animation, design and content production company. They produce digital signage, on-screen graphics, sideline animations and videos for sports teams like the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and numerous American NBA, NFL and MLB teams.

They also create high quality videos and animations for the corporate world, such as product promos and explainer videos.

Check them out at exactamundo.com.au

Get the inserted AD’s FREE VERSION of the show on our Patreon Page

Subscribe to our YouTube page for live streams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7koDKpKxe0e3yC7NXQx6Q

Linktree for listening on podcast apps and finding us on social media:

https://linktr.ee/cricketunfiltered

Show twitter:

https://twitter.com/auscricketpod

Menners on twitter:

https://twitter.com/amenners

TIKTOK: @cricketunfiltered

Sponsorship enquiries for host read ads: andrew@piccolopodcasts.com.au

Email the show your cricket takes: cricketunfilteredpodcast@gmail.com

Piccolo Podcasts: https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

Founder Andrew Menczel. The first episode aired August 2013.

It is a multi award-winning podcast team, the show has featured 15 Australian captains and some of the greatest legends of cricket and an episode is archived in the Australian National Film and Sound Archive. Menners is an accredited cricket journalist and commentator and his interview with Alex Blackwell won a Cricket NSW Media Award. The show was the first ever regular weekly Australian cricket podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices