Cricket Unfiltered

Stuart MacGill makes his official co-host debut on Cricket Unfiltered, joining Menners in-studio for a wide-ranging, unfiltered discussion on Australian cricket. MacGill goes deep on spin bowling, selection philosophy, and his frustration with Australia overlooking specialist spinners — particularly at the SCG. The pair also unpack George Bailey’s role as selector, the future of Australia’s bowling depth, and the dangers of prioritising short-term results over long-term development.

The conversation then shifts to the Big Bash League, with analysis of the Sixers’ finals loss, the Scorchers’ dominance, Steve Smith’s impact on the tournament, and whether the BBL schedule and pitches are helping or hurting the spectacle. The episode finishes with strong views on BBL privatisation, ICC geopolitics, Bangladesh’s World Cup exclusion, and the growing influence of India on world cricket — setting the tone for what MacGill brings as a co-host: experience, honesty, and zero filter.


(0:55) – Stuart MacGill officially joins as co-host and sets the tone for Cricket Unfiltered


(4:18) – Spin bowling, SCG selections, and why Australia risks killing the art


(16:16) – Big Bash Final review, Sixers vs Scorchers, travel debate, and tactics


(45:18) – BBL privatisation, ICC politics, Bangladesh out of the World Cup

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. 

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The Big Bash League reaches fever pitch as Steve Smith and David Warner produce a stunning SCG spectacle, while controversy erupts around player behaviour, team dynamics, and proposed new BBL rules. Menners and Damien Watson unpack Perth Scorchers’ dominance, Sydney Sixers’ brutal finals travel scenario, and Babar Azam’s difficult tournament under intense scrutiny.

The episode also features strong reactions from Mitchell Starc and David Warner to the newly announced “designated batter” rule, analysis of record-breaking TV ratings for the BBL, and discussion around Australia’s T20 squad selection for the upcoming Pakistan tour. Broader questions about the future of the Big Bash, including private ownership and long-term identity, are also explored.

Plus, a major show update: former Australian Test spinner Stuart MacGill is announced as a regular new co-host, adding a fresh and experienced voice to the program moving forward. The episode wraps with positive news on Damien Martyn’s recovery and a look at emerging Australian talent in the T20 format.


(1:33) Big Bash booming: crowds, ratings, finals picture and Perth’s dominance


(7:18) Babar Azam controversy, Steve Smith strike dispute & cultural clash


(16:20) Starc and Warner react strongly to the new BBL “designated batter” rule


(23:05) Record BBL TV ratings, comparison with Australian Open & future concerns

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

In this episode, Menners is joined by Damian Watson to unpack a huge week in cricket, starting with the announcement that Alyssa Healy will retire following the upcoming series against India. The discussion reflects on Healy’s extraordinary career, leadership, defining innings, and her impact on women’s cricket both on and off the field.

From there, the conversation turns to the 2025–26 Ashes, analysing the historically short series, standout performers like Mitchell Starc and Travis Head, and what the numbers reveal about England’s struggles. The episode also tackles the controversy around pink-ball Tests, England’s resistance to day-night cricket, and why fan-first scheduling is critical to the health of the game.

Attention then shifts to the Australian Test team’s future, with searching discussion around opening combinations, Marnus Labuschagne’s form, Cameron Green’s role, Alex Carey’s place in the order, and how the side should evolve without forcing wholesale change.

The show wraps with analysis of the BBL’s resurgence, Mitchell Starc’s return, overseas imports, the WPL vs WBBL debate, listener feedback from the Ashes, and a worrying proposal that could reshape junior cricket pathways across Australia.


(01:20) Alyssa Healy retirement: career highlights, leadership & lasting legacy


(09:52) Ashes by the numbers: two-day Tests & record-low balls bowled


(15:00) Pink-ball Test controversy & England pushback


(21:07) Australian Test team review: openers, Marnus, Green & Carey-at-six


(37:01) BBL state of play: crowds, imports & Starc’s return


(44:25) WPL vs WBBL: growth, money & scheduling crossroads


(50:58) Listener mail & Ashes fallout


(54:12) Grassroots alarm: Tasmania, ACT & NT pathway concerns

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 complete a dominant 4–1 Ashes victory, and Menners is joined by Jack Hope (The Cricket Podcast) for a wide-ranging post-series debrief. From the on-field demolition of Bazball to the off-field cultural questions surrounding England’s preparation, leadership, and discipline, this episode pulls no punches. The pair dig into the Harry Brook nightclub controversy, England’s shallow bowling depth, questionable planning, and whether McCullum and Stokes can survive another Ashes failure. There’s also praise for Australia’s tactical sharpness, Travis Head’s series-defining impact, and a look ahead to what both teams might look like by 2027.


(0:55) – Opening reactions: Ashes won 4–1 and the “grave dancing” begins


(2:45) – Is Bazball officially dead? Stokes’ post-series admissions


(5:30) – England’s meek Ashes performance and failure to win a live Test


(6:45) – Harry Brook nightclub incident and England’s off-field culture


(11:15) – Why McCullum and Rob Key are under serious pressure


(20:00) – England’s bowling depth crisis and selection failures exposed


(27:15) – Travis Head, Starc, and Australia’s tactical superiority


(34:50) – Looking ahead: Can England bounce back in 2027?

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 complete a crushing 4–1 Ashes series win with a fitting finale at the SCG, as Alex Carey hits the winning runs to seal a dominant campaign. From record-breaking crowds and standout performances by Travis Head and Mitchell Starc, to the unravelling of England’s Bazball philosophy, this episode delivers a passionate, boots-on-the-ground wrap of a resounding Australian triumph. There’s analysis of key moments, umpiring controversies, selection debates, emotional farewells, and why this English side leaves Australia not just beaten — but exposed.

Timecodes


(0:55) Carey seals the Ashes at the SCG and Australia clinch a 4–1 series win


(1:45) England’s Bazball bravado collapses and the fallout from 2023


(3:45) Record SCG crowds and scenes of celebration on the field


(7:15) Starc’s historic series, Head’s impact, and Player of the Series debate


(10:20) DRS and umpiring controversies ignite tempers late in the match


(13:25) Khawaja’s farewell, emotional moments, and what this series means for Australian cricket

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