ABC Cricket Podcast
Broadcaster Corbin Middlemas and ex-Test opener Ed Cowan pull apart the biggest issues in cricket. Your weekly deep dive into the sport.
Episodes
Grandstand at Stumps: A Temba ton as Bavuma blasts South Africa into the box seat
South Africa wrestled back momentum on day 3 of the 2nd Test against Australia on the back of a brilliant century to captain Temba Bavuma.
Grandstand at Stumps: More rain and more pain for South Africa
Australia are in control of the 2nd Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, despite the start of play being delayed for almost 6 hours on day 2.
Grandstand at Stumps: Boland shines through the rain
Only 60 minutes of cricket was played on Day 1 at St Georges Park with rain delaying the start and stopping play multiple times before an early stumps was called, with South Africa is 2/20.Australia won the toss and elected to field. Off spinner Nathan Lyon was left out of the side, with Australia opting for an all out pace attack. Inclusion Scott Boland provided the only highlig
Renshaw's Renaissance
Send a voice message to the boysEd Cowan and Corbin step through Australia's remarkable come-from-behind victory over South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead. From 6/124 on day one to winning by 214 runs, they dissect Matt Renshaw's career-defining innings, the batting order flexibility debate, Nick Maddinson's recall, and what to expect when Kagiso Rabada returns for the sec
Grandstand at Stumps: Hazlewood's haul helps Australia home
Josh Hazlewood achieved career best figures on the final day of the first Test in Durban to bowl South Africa out for 206 and seal the win for Australia. It was emphatic turnaround after the team found themselves 6 for 124 on day 1.Corbin Middlemas, Phil Jaques and Jason Gillespie wrap up all the action from Day 4 in Durban. Ben Cameron catches up with Josh Hazlewood and the team
Grandstand at Stumps: This is Matt Renshaw's Test Match
Australia is closing in on victory in the 1st Test in Durban. South Africa needs a world record chase to run down 421 but lost 4 wickets before the close of play.Matt Renshaw top scored again for Australia with 82 in the 2nd innings and he remains the only player in the match to pass 50 runs. Not only that he picked up his first ever Test wicket snaring the big scalp of the Prote
Grandstand at Stumps: Smith scoops 4 catches to return to World Leading mark
Australia stuck to their task to notch a 106 run first innings lead as South Africa's batters failed to capitalise on good starts. 6 players got to 30 but nobody managed to kick on - the top score in the innings was David Bedingham with 49.Steve Smith was immaculate in the field and showed his anticipation to take two catches from reverse sweeps and 4 in total. And the day finish
Grandstand At Stumps: Renshaw's redemption ton puts Australia in box seat
Matt Renshaw's second Test century, almost a decade after his first, led Australia to a dominant position in the First Test against South Africa in Durban. Renshaw batted for 397 balls as he reached his highest Test score of 190. With support from Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, the Queenslander took the game away from a tired South African attack as the Australians piled on 390. Jo
Grandstand At Stumps: Renshaw and Cummins save Australia as Maddinson experiment fails
Australia scrambled to 6/187 when bad light brought a premature end to the first day's play, thanks largely to an unbeaten half century partnership between Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins. Captain Cummins elected to bat first upon winning the toss, and pulled a surprise selection with Nic Maddinson picked to open the batting alongside Travis Head despite not not playing a first clas
In The Nic of Time? Who Bats At 5?
Cam Green's injury has thrown Australia's batting order into chaos ahead of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Ed Cowan breaks down the selection dilemma: does Cooper Connolly get the gig at five, or does the shock recall of Nic Maddinson — who hasn't played first-class cricket in 19 months and was battling cancer this time last year — steal the headlines?To get in to
Baird out, Cowan in?
Sorry what, are we losing one of our hosts to the Cricket Australia board? With Mike Baird stepping down after no longer having the support of Cricket NSW, Corbin chats to the guy who might replace him, Ed Cowan. We talk through the timeline, "the moment" of change for Baird, why "this is not an ideal situation" and the hope that this is a turning point.Most importantly for the f
CA board shakeup, Zimbabwe scares and what's a false #3?
You can almost smell the South Africa test series but before it begins there's domestic cricket and an ODI series win against a plucky Zimbabwe on the brain. As well, Cricket Australia lose a board member, why Steve Smith should be promised an Olympics spot and is a false number three batter actually a thing? Plus the mailbag is overflowing so we punch through plenty of your ques
Interrogating the Big Bash sale decision and NSW's opposition
Cricket Australia will push on with privatisation starting with the Renegades so Corbin and Ed have PLENTY to discuss. Mike Baird and Todd Greenberg fronted the media last week spruiking the sale despite strong opposition, so here's everything you need to know.Is the BBL going that bad? Where will the money go? What role do the players have from here? How will NSW react to this?
Marnus gets his "last chance saloon"
The test squad for South Africa has three names on it that the boys are keen to discuss - Labuschagne, Neser and Connolly. Corbin and Ed think it's clear from George Bailey's comments that Marnus is on his last chance and Cooper Connolly is the future but question why Michael Neser is included as a back up instead of a younger option.Plus there's news around the BBL stand off whi
Rabada out, Lord's dire deck, and T20 Eurovision
Australia's chances in South Africa jumped today with Kagiso Rabada likely out of the series and the Lord's pitch continues to disappoint. Corbin and Ed chop up all the news in the cricket world including England's first multi-game series win since 2024, India and Sri Lanka's draw and they discuss what the point of the European T20 competition is.Plus we have a backlog of listene
Has Marnus Labuschagne 'tinkered' his way out of the Test side?
After another lean series from Marnus Labuschagne, Ed Cowan is wondering whether he has 'boiled the frog slowly' by continuing to tinker with his batting set-up while still not making runs. Corbin and Ed discuss whether he should be on the plane to South Africa in October and if he's not, who is? They each put forward their XI for the first Test of that series. Another two day Te
Grandstand At Stumps: Starc domination, Aussie redemption and batting capitulation
It's only day 2 but that's all she wrote with Australia monstering a win over Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs to level the series. Mitch Starc took ten wickets and his hot form won him the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series. In Grandstand at Stumps Corbin Middlemas, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Phil Jaques and Stuart Clark discuss the highs and lows of the s
Grandstand At Stumps: Mitchell Starc "I don't think 18 wickets means it's a bad wicket"
orbin Middlemas, Jason Gillespie, Phil Jaqques and Stuart Clark dissect a topsy-turvy day of cricket that saw 18 wickets fall in Grandstand at Stumps. They chat to the Aussie hero, Mitchell Starc, for his take on how they handled the bat and the ball. Plus, Ed Cowan has his thought of the day.To get in touch, email Corbin & Ed at abccricketpodcast@abc.net.auABC Grandstand cri
The fallout from Darwin and what needs to change for Mackay
After the humiliation of Darwin, Corbin & Ed have lots to chat about including the how, the why and the where to next. There's questions around selection, preparation, psychology and strategy and whether this is a blip or an early warning sign.There's not much time to waste either with Mackay starting on Saturday, so do the Aussies make changes or give those in the hot seat a
Grandstand At Stumps: The greatest upset
A fairy tale finish for Bangladesh and what may be the greatest upset of the game for Australia as the first Test in Darwin wraps up on day 4. Corbin Middlemas, Phil Jaques, Xavier Doherty and Jason Gillespie break down the days play in Grandstand at Stumps. They chat to Steve Smith from the Australian camp and are joined by player of the match, Hasan Mahmud from Bangladesh. Plus
Grandstand At Stumps: A Bangladesh upset is brewing and it's getting stronger by the session
It's day 3 and Aussie fans are still waiting for the expected comeback, but while Josh Hazlewood took his 300th Test wicket, it took until after lunch for the locals to finally get Bangladesh all out. Corbin Middlemas, Xavier Doherty and Jason Gillespie dive into all the talking points and chat to Australian fast bowler Mitch Starc during Grandstand at Stumps.To get in touch, ema
Grandstand At Stumps: Bang-ball baffles Aussie bowlers on Day 2
Bangladesh have settled into their work and kept the Australians out on the field all day. They were led by their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and rookie-opener Tanzid Hasan, who scored an incredible maiden Test century. Corbin Middlemas, Xavier Doherty and Jason Gillespie break down they days play in Grandstand at Stumps and chat to the Aussie bowling coach James Franklin.To ge
Grandstand At Stumps: Aussies wilt on the first day of Top End clash
It's been more than two decades since international Test Cricket has been played in the Top End, with Australia taking on Bangladesh for their first Aussie tour in 23 years. The Aussies won the toss and elected to bat, but as we come to the close of day 1 the question needs to be asked, can the Aussies handle heat of the north? Corbin Middlemas is joined by Phil Jaques and Xavier
'Nowhere to hide’ or free swing? Your Australia v Bangladesh preview
The first of potentially 21 tests in 12 months starts this week in Darwin and Corbin and Ed debate whose place in the team is most at stake, what we can expect from the Marrara pitch and how the Bangladesh team might go. It's everything you need to know ahead of the Top End series to kick start a mammoth year of test cricket.The guys also dip into a low key Allan Border Medal nig
Stokes to the BBL, Clicky Ponting and Stephen Fleming's unique CV
A new England coach, a village cricket cheating scandal goes global and test cricket is just over a week away - this sport never disappoints. Corbin and Ed chat through why Stephen Fleming was just about the only qualified person to take the reins in the new England set up and why Ben Stokes to the BBL would be momentous.Plus, where do Green and Carey bat in the line-up, what can
The Aus squad has us asking if Lyon, Boland or Hazlewood miss out
The Australian squad for the first Bangladesh test in Darwin dropped and Corbin & Ed get their selectors hat on to try squeeze 13 into 11. Inglis is the logical spare but do the Aussies shun Nathan Lyon's spin again with Head and Webster in the team or has Scott Boland come close to usurping Josh Hazlewood in his return to test cricket?There's also a few Bangladesh player sto
Could Langer or Lehmann really be the next English test cricket coach?
With Justin Langer and Darren Lehmann's names being floated as possible English head coach replacements for McCullum, Corbin and Ed break down these vastly different characters and why they may or may not fit the role.The boys also chat through the Ash Gardner news and the relevance to actual cricket, the legacy of Sir Garfield Sobers, the various white ball cricket results from
Pass/fail? We score Brendon McCullum's Bazball era
Brendon McCullum has been sacked as English test cricket coach, so was the chapter worth pursuing or are they back where they started? Corbin & Ed assess the Bazball reign that brought wins, aggression and new faces with off field issues and on field brain fades. Expect some contrarian views for a contrarian coach.As well, the boys wonder who coaches England next, whether thi
The Women's T20 World Cup trophy is back where it belongs
Hannah Darlington drops by to chat with Corbin and Ed about the convincing victory for Sophie Molineux's Australian team who beat England at Lord's - there's simply no better feeling. The trio dive into the legacy of Perry, Mooney and Gardner, what this win and team will be remembered by and also why it was an extra important one for the new heroes of Australian women's cricket.T
Ben Stokes retirement sums up what's wrong with Bazball
Ben Stokes' departure as English captain and player has Corbin and Ed declaring it in many ways, a perfect encapsulation of the Bazball era. So a year out from the next Ashes, England are left with questions like who will captain, will McCullum stay on and what does this team represent?Our Aussie women have also made the World Cup semis by eliminating India and it's the T20 resur
Did Australia just qualify for the LA Olympics by smoking Bangladesh?
After the 3-0 whitewash of Bangladesh and Australia's subsequent leap over NZ in the T20 rankings, Corbin and Ed await the conveniently timed announcement that the qualification period is closed and we will be at LA 2028. As well, the boys look at the trends, Aussie line up changes and upsets of the Women's World Cup in England. And speaking of, New Zealand's trouncing of the Eng
It's June but the temperature in Aus cricket is boiling
Corbin and Ed reunite while the furnace of Australian cricket knows no off-season. The guys break down the latest developments in the BBL privatisation push that saw Cricket Victoria announce the Stars and Renegades are no more, the other States throw their hands in the air and the players push back against the current model. Plus Ben Stokes broke his own team rules, Cooper Conno
Adam Voges on Cam Green's future, why he left WA and T20 coaching challenges
One of the greatest figures in WA cricket, Adam Voges, joins Corbin this week to talk about the next chapter in his coaching journey and reflect on their recent dominance. Voges opens up on why he departed the state job but wanted to remain the Scorchers coach, where he thinks Cam Green's future lies in the Aussie test team, which of the WA youngsters will step up and how new coa
The teenager redefining cricket and Ed's all time ODI World XI
The IPL is done for another year and Josh Hazlewood and Tim David's RCB win back to back titles, but it's teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who is the talk of the cricket world. Corbin & Ed marvel at the 15-year-old who won player of the tournament (and a car he can't even drive yet) and wonder how quickly India can find a spot for him in the national team. Plus, would the
IPL 2026: Head vs Kohli, the tournament trends and best Aussies
The IPL can be brutal to follow in the Australian time zone so we figured you might need a primer as the tournament comes to a close. Matt Roller from ESPN Cricinfo has been there for every game and joins Corbin to chat through the trends of the tournament, which Australian players and coaches performed best and what's with Virat Kohli and Travis Head beefing again.The IPL genera
The players want it all - protection, pay, leave and loyalty
Corbin and Ed announce the biggest watch in the sale of the BBL discussions are the players. With articles, leaks, push backs and general murmurs, it feels like our cricketers have plenty of concerns and requests and we don't know what to believe and how they can expect to have their cake and eat it too.The boys also discuss why state contracts as opposed to freelance cricket sti
Todd Greenberg on the "damn difficult" BBL privatisation process
The man in the middle of the BBL privatisation debate is Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg and he sits down with Corbin for half an hour to pull back the curtain on one of the most talked about cricket decisions in decades.Find out why Greenberg says that trying to convince the States was “like trying to land a very big jumbo jet on a very skinny runway”. The two run through t
Setting the record straight on the BBL sale and what comes next
Cricket Australia have pressed pause on their proposed sale of the Big Bash for now so Corbin & Ed get into why all the states weren't on board, what needs to change and what the road ahead looks like.Ed sets the record straight on NSW's concerns, how they would like to see the original report recommendations implemented as well as what other states may have been taking into
If cricket is for sale, what do the players think?
There's been plenty of chat about BBL privatisation so Cricketers Association CEO Paul Marsh joins Corbin to give us the perspective of those at the centre of the competition, the players. Marsh talks through the concerns of the playing group, a new MOU proposal, player payments and possible ownership of teams and the risk to the test schedule.Given Marsh now sits in the same cha
Inside the BBL privatisation stand off
It’s complicated, discussed mostly behind closed doors and momentous for the future of Australian cricket, so who else would you want to chat through it all than Corbin & Ed.The band is back together and there’s one thing on everyone’s lips in Australian cricket – will Cricket Australia sell the eight Big Bash teams? The boys break down why the deadline passed with no formal
Ryan Harris talks 'rhino rev ups', SACA glory and Australian coach aspirations
It's been a wildly successful two seasons for Ryan Harris in his first head coaching role with South Australia and he sits down with Corbin to talk us through his journey, philosophy and dreams. From lifting training standards and teaching SA to win, to conversations with fringe players, to pitching the case for Liam Scott's baggy green - it's a remarkable insight into the new fo
George Bailey chats relationships with the press, retirements and Ashes reviews
Chief selector George Bailey is one of the most influential figures in Australian cricket and joins Corbin to talk through the life of a selector. With the release of the contract list, Bailey outlines how the team plans to cope with an intense run of games and possible retirements across the next 18 months, who might step up and lessons from the Ashes.As well, Bailey chats throu
A "proper" Sheffield Shield final sees SACA triumph and the Vics buckle
"It was a classic", according to Corbin & Ed and it's hard to argue with that advertisement for long form Australian cricket with South Australia back to back Sheffield Shield champions for the first time in 124 seasons.The boys shower praise on the modern day legend that is Alex Carey and the whole SACA team, winning a game where they were behind for almost all of it. There'
Straight up, this episode is MUST listen
If you’re craving some behind the scenes insights and thorough debate on BBL privatisation, the Brad Haddin appointment, a disgruntled Cam Green and a Shield final then you’ve come to the right place.It might be late March but cricket conversation feels as juicy as ever and Corbin & Ed turn the hotplates on to chat the self-imposed BBL decision deadline, what other options ex
Shield final confirmed but the season batting numbers are grim reading
We know it will be Victoria vs South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final but the real question is, why have the runs been so hard to come by this season? Corbin and Ed dive into the top run scorers including thoughts on Konstas, Bancroft, Renshaw, Handscomb and the rest.There's also the NSW One Day Cup win and how it reflects on Greg Shipperd's sacking, The Hundred auctions a
Reckoning with the depth of India's T20 dominance
India thumped NZ to make T20 World Cup history and Corbin and Ed can't see anyone competing with them in the near future. The boys break down their dominance and the strength of a system geared towards the shortest format of the game. The pair also cover New Zealand's struggles, how the World Cup might look in the future and what Australia's showing might mean for LA 2028 Olympic
T20 World Cups every two years just don't resonate
The T20 World Cup final awaits but the real question is - should this tournament continue to be staged every two years?! Sure, there's a Finn Allen century to marvel at and a Jacob Bethell performance to savour, but what is the care factor here in Australia.So as well as ponder whether New Zealand might be set for their all time cricketing moment against a red hot India on home s
T20 World Cup semis and Alyssa Healy's fairytale finale
Has there been a better finale in cricket than Alyssa Healy's day out in Hobart against India with a 150 and a cheeky couple of overs with the ball. Corbin and Ed are on opposite sides of the coin as to the right time to retire but they're in unison on Healy's legacy and her deserved white ball goodbye.The T20 World Cup has two tantalising semi finals in New Zealand vs South Afri
“I would hate it”: The possible BBL flow on of The Hundred’s Pakistan issue
As potential Pakistan player bans for Indian owned teams in The Hundred get debated in the UK, Corbin and Ed ponder the domino effect here in the BBL if the league is privatised. Speaking of the Big Bash, Sydney Thunder join their cross town rivals the Sixers in looking for a new coach for next season and the guys chat through the challenge of finding T20 coaches vs state cricket
Selectors under fire, South Africa shock India and the BBL money fight heats up
Australia are out of the T20 World Cup and the temperature has risen quickly. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan unpack whether this was a planning failure, an injury crisis, or a warning sign for life beyond the “Big Three”. Was the campaign really shambolic, or just tournament cricket doing what it does? And how much heat should the selectors actually wear?There’s a heavyweight upse
Blame game: unpacking World Cup recriminations
Corbin Middlemas and Xavier Doherty unpack the group-stage exit from every angle. Was it selection? Was it the bowling? Or was it simply a poorly timed injury crisis? The Steve Smith omission dominates the debate, while questions swirl around squad balance, generational transition and whether Australia truly prioritise T20 cricket.With Cummins and Hazlewood absent, did the attack
Zimbabwe shock, Super Over thriller, and pink-ball intrigue
Australia’s T20 World Cup hopes are under pressure after a loss to Zimbabwe. Corbin and special guest Xavier Doherty break down the selection dilemmas, Sri Lankan spin conditions, and what tournament play does to even the best teams. India’s dominance over Pakistan continues, while South Africa and Afghanistan deliver a double Super Over classic. Back home, India’s women outplay
The best T20 game ever and Steve Smith boards the flight
A double super over, Pakistan backflip, an Italian victory fuelled by Sydney grade cricket and where will Steve Smith slot into the team if he even does. The T20 World Cup has heated up across the last few days and Corbin and Ed run through the biggest talking points including that South Africa win over Afghanistan with a rare second super over.The podcast records just as the Aus
T20 World Cup scares, the Shield shines and Vaibhav destroys
The T20 World Cup is off and running and the theme is "nearly" wins for the minnows and lucky escapes for the big guns. Corbin and Ed run through the first six games that saw Nepal give England a scare, India rely on SKY to post a target and the Dutch squander a winning position against Pakistan. There's a look forward to Australia's opening match against Ireland on Wednesday too
Australia without their big three, World Cup quirks and Shield chaos
The T20 World Cup is about to begin, but Australia start without Cummins, Starc or Hazlewood, raising bigger questions about depth, ageing fast bowlers and long-term planning across formats. Corbin and Ed unpack the tournament schedule, Australia’s soft launch, and whether Cricket Australia has been clear enough about priorities in an era dominated by franchise leagues.They also
Pakistan's Cup Boycott and Australia's Shaky Preparation
Corbin and Ed unpack a major World Cup flashpoint after the Pakistan government announced it will not allow the national team to play India, prompting ICC warnings and raising serious questions about power, politics and the future structure of international cricket. The pair examine what the standoff could mean for global revenues, Test nations, and the balance of influence in th
Australia's World Cup pressure points and BBL's future
Australia’s T20 World Cup warm-ups are underway, but how much should we actually read into the results?Corbin and Ed unpack the loss to Pakistan, Australia’s ongoing issues against spin, and what warm-up matches are really designed to reveal ahead of a major tournament. They dig into selection logic, role clarity, and the shrinking opportunities for fringe players as the World Cu
The Scorchers do it again, finals fallout, and the weekend in world cricket
The Perth Scorchers claim another Big Bash title and Corbin and Ed unpack what continues to set the competition’s most successful club apart. The final, the pitch in Perth, and the Scorchers’ tactical edge are all examined, alongside an honest assessment of the Sixers and their heavy reliance on Steve Smith.The discussion widens to the health of the BBL, including crowds, broadca
As the BBL heats up, CA prepares to sell it
We are edging to the conclusion of a cracking season of BBL at the very same time Cricket Australia is readying to generate investment in the league.Ed and Corbin look at what's defined the season from an on field point of view, from standout performances and game flow to how the tournament has connected with fans at key moments. With the final in view, the focus is on what make
Steve Smith is shaping the BBL finals picture
The Big Bash League is moving toward its finals phase and Steve Smith is once again at the centre of the conversation.Corbin and Ed unpack how the BBL is shaping up, which teams are finding form at the right time, and where the key match-ups are likely to land as the tournament tightens. Steve Smith’s run of form sparks a broader discussion about selection, player power, and his
Ashes to Bashes: who's rising, ready and matters in the BBL
With the Ashes done and January cricket in full swing, Corbin and Ed turn their focus to the Big Bash and what this season. They assess crowd momentum, the impact of Test players returning straight into T20 cricket, and how teams are shaping up as finals approach. There’s a deep dive on emerging talent announcing themselves, veterans finding new life, and why form lines in this p
Ashes retained, standards exposed: what this series really told us
Australia retain the Ashes with a 4–1 series win, but the margin tells only part of the story. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan step back from the daily grind to assess how the series actually played out, from selection calls and tactical shifts to England’s evolving approach and the standards that ultimately separated the sides.They revisit the moments that shaped the series, the T
Ashes D5: 5th Test – Big moments, big players as Australia dominate the Ashes
Australia sealed the Ashes 4–1 with a composed five-wicket win on day five at the SCG, finishing the series in control when it mattered most.England’s resistance ended early, losing their final two wickets for 40 as Mitchell Starc completed a defining series with 31 wickets. Chasing 160, Australia had a few untidy moments but were never seriously threatened, with Alex Carey strik
Ashes D4: 5th Test – Bethell arrives, Webster delivers as the Ashes enter the final day
Jacob Bethell gave England something they have lacked for much of this series: belief.Arriving at the SCG without a first-class century to his name, the 22-year-old played an innings defined by control, patience, and authority, announcing himself on the Ashes stage and dragging England back into a contest that had been slipping away.Australia still hold the upper hand, but Beau W
Ashes D3: 5th Test – Head, Smith centuries as Australia take control
Travis Head set the tone early, igniting the match with another decisive hundred that lifted the tempo and left England exposed. Once Head departed, Steve Smith took over, delivering a century built on discipline, patience, and total control. It was vintage Smith, marked by patience, clarity, and an absolute refusal to take the bait, as Australia seized command of day three.Corbi
Ashes D2: 5th Test – A good wicket, a missed opportunity, and Head hits back
England had the chance to bat Australia out of the contest on a high-quality SCG wicket, but despite a superb 160 from Joe Root, they failed to fully capitalise, leaving the door open once again.Root’s innings was the class act of the day, controlled, chanceless, and warmly received by the SCG crowd. Yet from a position of dominance, England were dismissed for a total that felt l
Ashes D1: 5th Test – Bad light, early stumps, England on top in Sydney
England finished day one of the fifth Ashes Test firmly on top after play at the SCG was called off early, leaving a sense that both the cricket and the crowd were short-changed.After winning the toss and batting first, England reached 3 for 211 from just 45 overs, with Joe Root 72 not out and Harry Brook 78 not out building an unbroken stand that Australia struggled to break. Th
Usman's pointed farewell and the final Ashes Test
Usman Khawaja announces his retirement, Corbin and Ed reflect on a career that spanned eras, conditions, and expectations. They unpack his late-career peak, the scrutiny that followed him, and the comments that surfaced again around preparation, media pressure, and how players are judged as they age.Attention then turns to the SCG. The weather, the pitch narrative, and the recent
The game, the money, what comes next
The two-day Boxing Day Test continues to spark a wider conversation about the state of Test cricket. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan begin in Melbourne, unpacking the fallout at the MCG, Matt Page facing the media, and how a Test meant to anchor the summer instead triggered public unease, with one listener summing it up starkly as “the death of Test cricket.”The discussion then mov
Ashes D2: 4th Test – England celebrate, but Test cricket isn’t meant to be rushed
England finally broke their drought in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but the speed of the win caught everyone off guard. Corbin and Ed unpack a Boxing Day Test that raced from first ball to result in just two days, with Ed capturing the feeling around the ground simply: “It felt deflating.”England’s win was shaped by standout individual performances. Josh Tongue earn
Ashes D1: 4th Test – If you blinked, you missed an innings
Australia batted twice on day one of the Boxing Day Test as chaos reigned at the MCG. Corbin and Ed unpack a day that moved too fast, exposed modern batting under pressure, and ended with Scott Boland improbably opening the batting before stumps.Test cricket, on fast-forward.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights
Ronball reigns as Ashes celebrations bring new questions
The guys step back from the daily wrap to confront what the series result now unlocks. “We’ve now got lots of selection debates,” Cowan says, and few are bigger than Usman Khawaja’s role, Josh Inglis’ opportunity, and how much weight selectors place on decisions already made.With Pat Cummins set to rest, Steve Smith a likely return, and Nathan Lyon unavailable, the guys also dig
Ashes D5: 3rd Test – Australia Retain the Ashes in Adelaide
Australia sealed the Ashes in Adelaide by staying patient long enough for England to defeat themselves.For a moment on day five, with wickets in hand and runs still on the board, the chase felt alive. But Australia never panicked and, as Ed Cowan explains, every time England edged towards belief, they handed momentum straight back.England played their best cricket when they showe
Ashes D4: 3rd Test – What did they think was going to happen?
Australia tightened their grip on the third Ashes Test on day four, leaving England 228 runs away with just four wickets in hand as the match heads into a decisive final day. With special guest Stuart Clark joining Corbin Middlemas, the mood was one of inevitability. As Corbin put it, “the shorthand of the day is that Australia are on the cusp of victory.”Nathan Lyon was central
Ashes D3: 3rd Test – So much for Bazball, It’s the Travball episode
Day three in Adelaide belonged to Travis Head. A century soaked in pressure, nerves at 99, a dropped chance, and another moment added to the legend at his home ground.Australia’s lead has blown past 350, England are running out of answers, and Ed is ready to call the series. Corbin and Ed unpack Head’s dominance, England’s quiet retreat from Bazball, Stokes carrying too much, and
Ashes D2: 3rd Test – England melt in Adelaide
Australia ground England into the dust in brutal 40-degree heat, building relentless pressure and leaving them hanging on. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan highlight Alex Carey’s five catches, sparking a broader question about England’s approach and whether, in Cowan’s words, “they’re as skilful as they think they are.”They work through individual performances in England’s attack, f
Ashes D1: 3rd Test – A proper day of Test cricket in Adelaide
Australia hold the early edge after Day One in Adelaide, finishing on a surface that, as Ed put it, “looked tennis-bally” and made scoring off the front foot hard work. Corbin and Ed break down the dismissals, uneven bowling, and why conditions are likely to ease as the Test unfolds.The guys talk Alex Carey’s century, the impact of Steve Smith’s late withdrawal, Usman Khawaja’s r
Heat rises on England, metaphorically and literally
England arrive in Adelaide facing a must-win Test, but the odds are stacked. Australia have lost just once in their last 11 Tests, and only one team in the 149-year history of Test cricket has ever come back from 2–0 down.Brendon McCullum backs continuity, rejecting “knee-jerk” selection calls. Bashir and Tongue remain in the frame, with Ed noting Bashir could be “more effective
The Adelaide litmus Test
The Bazballers have been re-charging in Noosa and the series is on the line in Adelaide. What levers can Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes pull to keep the tourists alive in the Ashes? Usman Khawaja is available for selection. Will he find a place in the middle order? Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon loom as inclusions, who will be discarded in their place? And what made Ed Cowan "spew
England Talk a Big Game, Australia Play One
While Australia sit 2-0 up in the series, the guys dig into whether England have fallen into an “exaggerated sense of their own ability” as they enjoy their “reset in Noosa” ahead of the third test.It took Stokes and Jacks finally “playing properly” on the last day for England to show any real fight, and Corbin and Ed explore whether that flicker of resistance tells us anything o
