Cricket Unfiltered

Ben Stokes' Excuses, Bangladesh Preview & Australia's Test Future

Cricket Unfiltered is back with plenty to unpack as England appoint Stephen Fleming as Test coach, sparking debate about the direction of English cricket and whether Joe Root's return as captain is the right move. Menners and Damian Watson also dissect Ben Stokes' revealing podcast interview, including his comments on Australia's media, England's drinking culture and his retirement. Closer to home, they preview Australia's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and discuss which players will survive the next 21-Test journey leading into the next World Test Championship cycle. Plus, the latest BBL news, The Hundred, Australian stars dominating overseas, and another edition of Can't Let It Go. (0:55) Stephen Fleming becomes England's Test coach and the Michael Hussey coaching rumours. (7:20) Ben Stokes' podcast interview dissected: Aussie media, drinking culture and retirement comments. (20:23) Bangladesh series preview and why they're more dangerous than many think. (26:53) Australia's 21-Test journey: who survives and who misses out? (39:02) BBL changes, overseas signings and Ben Stokes linked to Australia. (42:59) The Guyana Super League, Ollie Peake's rise and The Hundred update. (48:55) Allen Border Medal predictions and Mitchell Starc's outstanding season. (51:36) Can't Let It Go: Australia A squads, 'Clicky Ponting' and more. 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

England's Summer of Hell Continues & Australia's Road to Greatness

England endures another chaotic week as Menners and Damien Watson unpack the club cricket cheating scandal, the controversial 2027 Ashes schedule, rumours of Joe Root returning as Test captain and concerns over the future of The Hundred. They also preview Australia's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, discuss Andrew McDonald's plans for the squad, examine Ash Gardner's leadership situation, debate the future of Australia's Big Bash, and wrap up with David Warner's drink-driving case, Peter Siddle's incredible longevity and another edition of Can't Let It Go. (0:04) England's extraordinary week of controversy: cheating scandal, Ashes schedule backlash and ECB criticism. (11:22) Bangladesh squad announced, injury concerns and Australia's preparations for the Test series. (17:09) Andrew McDonald's selection philosophy, World Cup squad sizes and Australia's chance to build a legacy. (22:01) Ash Gardner's Sydney Sixers captaincy and managing conflicts of interest in cricket. (25:08) Listener question: a new proposal for Australia Day and why it makes sense. (27:47) The Hundred's declining crowds, Big Bash privatisation concerns and franchise identity. (32:10) Peter Siddle's remarkable longevity and the growing number of global T20 leagues. (35:20) Can't Let It Go: David Warner's court case, Billy Konstas, Pakistan's struggles and a remarkable world record. 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's Test Selection Calls & Vale Sir Garfield Sobers

Australia's Test squad for the Bangladesh series has been named, with selectors backing experience over experimentation despite growing pressure on several key positions. Menners and Damian debate whether Josh Hazlewood should still hold off Scott Boland, how much time Marnus Labuschagne has left at No.3, and whether Cameron Green and Beau Webster can coexist in the same XI. The episode also pays tribute to the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers following his passing, reviews a record-breaking Major League Cricket tournament, unpacks the ICC's controversial new World Cup formats, and discusses the retirement of NSW stalwart Moises Henriques. Timecodes (1:20) Australia's Test squad for Bangladesh announced – Hazlewood vs Boland, Marnus under pressure and the batting order debate. (17:40) Remembering Sir Garfield Sobers – reflecting on the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen. (24:10) Major League Cricket review – Washington Freedom's world-record chase, Steve Smith shines and the tournament's growing impact. (30:00) The Hundred begins and Matthew Mott takes over as Sydney Sixers BBL coach. (32:15) ICC confirms controversial new formats for the 2027 ODI World Cup and future T20 World Cups. (41:10) Could Justin Langer become England's next Test coach? (44:20) Moises Henriques retires after an outstanding domestic career, plus "Can't Let It Go". 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

Baz Finally Gone | Gardner in the Spotlight

Baz McCullum's tenure as England's Test coach is over, and Menners and Damian Watson unpack what they see as the end of the "Bazball" era, debating his legacy, England's coaching future, and the reaction from the English media. They also discuss the off-field headlines surrounding Ash Gardner and the wider implications for professional sporting teams, before diving into the newly released Big Bash schedule, major ICC proposals that could reshape international cricket, and the latest news from around the cricket world. Timecodes (01:00) Baz McCullum's exit headlines a huge week in cricket (02:10) Ash Gardner story and discussion on relationships in elite sport (13:40) Bazball is over: McCullum's departure and England's future (27:25) Big Bash schedule released: India opener, venues and Christmas cricket (42:55) ICC proposals that could reshape international cricket (57:30) World Club T20, tournament changes and future formats (59:20) Can't Let It Go: Stuart MacGill appeal, Sheffield Shield fixtures and England's miserable fortnight 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

Molineux Leads Australia to World Cup Glory | Stokes Ends a Zero

Australia are T20 World Cup champions once again, with captain Sophie Molineux leading the side to an unbeaten campaign and silencing any doubts about her appointment as skipper. Menners and Damian Watson break down Australia's dominant win over England, Molineux's inspiring leadership journey, and the standout performances from Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield. The conversation then shifts to the fallout from Ben Stokes' retirement, England's latest Test series collapse, New Zealand's outstanding comeback victory, and the biggest cricket headlines from around the world, including Moises Henriques representing Portugal and ongoing governance issues in Australian cricket.  Timecodes (1:24) Sophie Molineux leads Australia to another T20 World Cup title (5:09) Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield star in the World Cup final (13:52) Australia's dominance and the future of the Women's T20 World Cup (20:53) Ben Stokes retires as England's Test turmoil deepens (29:50) New Zealand's historic series win and England's uncertain future (34:00) Cricket news: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Cricket Victoria, Moises Henriques and ICC proposals (41:12) Can't Let It Go: baseball catches, Liam Plunkett and the WBBL fixture (46:17) Final thoughts and looking ahead to next week's show 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