Cricket Unfiltered

Menners is joined by Victorian sportswriter Jono Baruch to dissect the fallout from a deeply flawed Boxing Day Test that ended in just two days. While England’s win is acknowledged as legitimate, the focus quickly turns to the pitch, the loss of spectacle, and the wider consequences for Australian cricket. They examine why the MCG surface failed Test cricket, the financial and broadcast impact of short matches, and whether Australia’s push for result wickets has gone too far. The discussion then shifts to the Australian team’s looming transition, including hard questions around Marnus Labuschagne’s form, Usman Khawaja’s future, Cameron Green’s role, and whether Travis Head has finally locked down the opening position. (01:05) England’s Boxing Day win — legitimate result or hollow victory?(05:55) Bazball, bad pitches, and why this Test changed nothing(10:05) Why the MCG pitch became the real story(19:45) Has Australia gone too far with bowler-friendly wickets?(30:10) Australia’s batting concerns: Marnus Labuschagne under pressure(38:40) Khawaja, Green, Head — and what the next Test team might look like 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: [email protected] Email the show your cricket takes: [email protected] 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

England have finally won a Test in Australia — but on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test, the result is overshadowed by a surface that turned the match into a two-day lottery. This episode breaks down how a disastrous MCG pitch distorted the contest, cost Cricket Australia millions, and robbed fans of what should be a marquee Test match. It covers Australia’s batting collapse, England’s aggressive chase, key moments across both innings, and why this Test may be remembered less for the scoreline and more for the fallout — from pitch preparation failures to the broader consequences for Australian cricket. (1:06) England finally win a Test in Australia — and why it feels hollow (4:03) The MCG pitch disaster and how it shaped the match (7:29) The numbers that show just how extreme this Test was (10:00) Day 2 recap: Australia collapse, England chase 175 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: [email protected] Email the show your cricket takes: [email protected] 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

A jaw-dropping Day 1 at the MCG saw 20 wickets fall in front of a record Boxing Day crowd, with both Australia and England bowled out in a single day on a controversial, grass-laden pitch. Menners breaks down how Australia were skittled for 152, England collapsed for 110 in just 2.5 hours, and why the state of the surface has put Cricket Australia and the MCG under serious scrutiny. From selection calls and captaincy criticism to standout bowling performances and the wider implications for the Test and the series, this is a furious, forensic wrap of one of the wildest opening days in Ashes history. (0:56) Record Boxing Day crowd, 20 wickets fall, and immediate reaction to a surreal opening day (4:14) Pitch controversy: grass length, curator decisions, and why this Test is racing toward an early finish (9:53) Australia bowled out for 152: key dismissals, partnerships, and batting failures (10:44) England implode for 110: selection calls, Bazball criticism, and bowling dominance 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: [email protected] Email the show your cricket takes: [email protected] 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

Recorded on Christmas Day, Menners jumps on Cricket Unfiltered to react to a flood of news ahead of the Boxing Day Ashes Test. He breaks down Australia’s likely XI, selection calls around Cameron Green, Usman Khawaja and the bowling attack, and why Steve Smith’s comments on the MCG pitch matter. There’s also a blunt assessment of England’s spiralling tour — from injuries and team changes to the fallout from the Noosa trip — and why Bazball culture and leadership under Stokes and McCullum is being exposed. A sharp, opinionated preview of what’s coming at the MCG, and why Australia head in as overwhelming favourites. (0:00) Christmas Day cricket debate and Boxing Day Test context (2:55) Australia’s XI, Cameron Green’s role, and selection frustrations (7:10) Bowling attack combinations and who misses out (12:40) England’s injury crisis, Noosa fallout, and Bazball leadership questions 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: [email protected] Email the show your cricket takes: [email protected] 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

Australia retain the Ashes in record time and the reaction from England is every bit as messy as their cricket. Menners tears into Ben Stokes, Bazball spin, and the latest round of “moral victory” nonsense, before turning to Australia’s Boxing Day Ashes squad announcement. With injuries to Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins, the episode breaks down the logic behind the selections, the options for Melbourne, and how Australia might balance their XI at the MCG. There’s also praise for Cummins’ leadership, frustration with Cricket Australia decisions, and a couple of classic “Can’t Let It Go” moments as the Boxing Day Test looms. England’s Ashes meltdown: Stokes, excuses, and moral victories (1:02) Australia announce Boxing Day squad: Lyon out, Murphy in, Cummins sidelined (7:10) MCG XI debate: batting order, Green, Inglis, and bowling balance (14:25) Can’t Let It Go: Day 5 ticketing and the overloaded international calendar (20:55) 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: [email protected] Email the show your cricket takes: [email protected] 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