Cricket Unfiltered

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

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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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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

Australia wrapped up the Bangladesh series with a dominant innings-and-51-run victory in Mackay, but the two-day Test leaves plenty to discuss. Menners questions the quality of Australian pitches after another Test finished inside six sessions, while also assessing Australia's unresolved batting problems heading into South Africa.

Mitchell Starc was the star with 10 wickets, Cameron Green continued to strengthen his case at No. 5, and Nathan Lyon bounced back with three wickets. Menners also looks at Shoriful Islam's outstanding 7-48, Bangladesh's historic series win in Darwin, and what Australia should do with its batting order for the South Africa tour.

(0:58) Australia crush Bangladesh — but another two-day Test raises serious pitch questions

(5:39) Australia's batting problems remain unresolved despite levelling the series

(9:59) Starc destroys Bangladesh as Australia wraps up a huge innings victory

(14:19) The South Africa batting lineup — Renshaw, Head, Patterson and the No. 6 dilemma

(16:00) Should Labuschagne be dropped? And why Head should remain an opener

(18:14) Starc's incredible 10-51 and Australia's road to South Africa

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

What a day in Mackay! An extraordinary 18 wickets fell on the opening day of the second Test, with Mitchell Starc producing a devastating spell of 6-12 as Bangladesh were bowled out for just 64.

But Australia couldn't capitalise. After getting themselves into a dominant position, the batting order collapsed yet again, with Shoriful Islam taking 6-35 and Australia stumbling to 8-165 at stumps. Cameron Green's unbeaten 51 and Steve Smith's 42 have given Australia a lead of 101, but Bangladesh have fought their way back into the contest.

Menners looks at Starc's incredible performance, the concerns around Australia's batting, another failure for Marnus Labuschagne, Bo Webster's place in the side, the spicy Mackay pitch and whether Australia have left the door open for Bangladesh to turn this into a much closer Test.

(00:04) — An extraordinary 18-wicket day in Mackay(04:40) — Mitchell Starc's incredible start and record-breaking first over(09:09) — Bangladesh bowled out for 64 and Australia's missed opportunity(13:15) — Marnus Labuschagne's latest failure and his Test future(17:17) — Steve Smith and Cameron Green fight back before Australia collapse again(19:30) — Shoriful Islam destroys Australia's middle order(20:00) — Australia reach 8-165 and Bangladesh fight their way back into the Test(21:10) — Can Australia finish the job on day two?

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

Australia are staring down the barrel of a series defeat to Bangladesh, and Menners and Damian Watson ask whether the first Test was a one-off or a sign of deeper problems for the Australian side. They discuss Jake Weatherald’s axing and Matt Renshaw’s return, Marnus Labuschagne’s future at No.3, Beau Webster’s position and whether Australia should start blooding younger players.

Plus, Bangladesh’s impressive victory gets plenty of credit, Steve Smith vs Ricky Ponting, David Warner’s drink-driving offence, Justin Langer winning The Hundred, Australia’s performances in the men’s and women’s competitions, Alex Carey’s 50th Test and India’s win over Sri Lanka.

(01:20) — Was Australia complacent against Bangladesh?

(04:06) — Could Australia really lose the series 2-0 at home?

(10:45) — Why Australia dropped Jake Weatherald and brought back Matt Renshaw

(17:25) — Marnus Labuschagne: is this his last chance at No.3?

(21:42) — Should Australia start turning over the team?

(29:12) — Steve Smith vs Ricky Ponting: who was better?

(32:37) — David Warner’s drink-driving offence and the fallout

(35:21) — Justin Langer wins The Hundred + the Australian performances

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