Cricket Unfiltered

Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh joins Menners to discuss his new photography exhibition, The Spirit of Cricket India, and reflect on an extraordinary life in the game. Waugh shares stories from his travels through India, explains how photography became a passion alongside cricket, and revisits some of the defining moments of his playing career. From the 1989 Ashes and the famous 1995 victory in the Caribbean to the 1999 World Cup and his iconic SCG century, Waugh offers insights into leadership, resilience, teamwork, and what continues to drive him long after retirement from professional cricket. 


(1:25) How cricket tours sparked Steve Waugh’s passion for photography, writing and exploring different cultures. 


(5:56) The inspiration behind Waugh’s next project documenting the spirit of cricket in Australia. 


(12:08) The 1989 Ashes breakthrough and the lessons that transformed his batting career. 


(17:49) Reliving the famous 1995 West Indies tour and the innings that changed Australian cricket. 


(21:23) The 1999 World Cup campaign, captaincy pressure and one of his greatest ODI innings. 


(30:41) Life after cricket, charity work, mentoring and why Steve Waugh doesn't believe in retirement.

Timecodes

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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. 

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In this edition of Menners Masterclass, Andrew Menczel sits down with retired cricketer Stephen O’Keefe for a candid look back on a remarkable career. From his early days in Sydney cricket to Test match success in India, O’Keefe reflects on the highs, lows, teammates, rivalries, sledging culture, leadership, retirement, and the lessons he learned along the way. Along the journey, he shares stories about Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Michael Clarke, Pat Cummins and many of the great characters of Australian cricket. 

Timecodes:


(1:54) O’Keefe reflects on retirement and his final Big Bash season. 


(13:03) Sledging, mental battles and the art of staying competitive on the field. 


(28:32) Growing up, discovering cricket and breaking into New South Wales. 


(41:43) Test cricket, debut memories and the famous 2017 India tour. 


(55:01) O’Keefe discusses mistakes, personal challenges and lessons learned. 


(1:00:08) Winning Sheffield Shields, Big Bash titles and reflecting on a career well spent.

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

Cricket Unfiltered returns with plenty of fire as Menners and Damian Watson tackle the Virat Kohli vs Travis Head drama, the fallout from online abuse, Australia’s next wave of ODI talent, and some wild ICC proposals that have Mad Menners coming off the long run. The boys also dive into the future of the Big Bash, concerns around batting in Australian cricket, and controversy surrounding Cricket Australia governance — before finishing with a musical-themed Ashes sledge and some classic “Can’t Let It Go” chaos. 

Timecodes:

(2:14) Virat Kohli vs Travis Head reignites after IPL handshake drama

(5:35) Online abuse targeting Travis Head’s family and the darker side of social media

(15:21) Josh Inglis captains Australia as Ollie Peake closes in on debut

(21:42) Mad Menners unloads on the ICC’s pink ball proposal for bad light in Tests

(26:04) Cricket Australia’s batting concerns, Sheffield Shield scheduling debate, and Big Bash impact

(44:20) Wicked opens the Women’s World Cup — and Menners has a Les Misérables plan for England in the 2027 Ashes

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From a potential Big Bash launch in India to a major format shake-up and Pat Cummins firing back at the media — it’s been a huge week in cricket.

Menners and Damian Watson break down the latest developments around the Big Bash League, including plans to open the season in Chennai and proposed changes to player payments and recruitment. They also dive into the growing tension between players and media following Cummins’ public response, and what it says about the modern cricket landscape.

Plus, there’s discussion on Andrew Flintoff’s reported move to the Sydney Thunder, the rise of streaming in cricket broadcasting, and all the key storylines from the IPL as the finals approach.


(02:40) Big Bash set for India? Chennai season opener


(08:45) BBL overhaul: auction system vs draft


(12:20) Andrew Flintoff to Sydney Thunder


(15:50) Pat Cummins vs media fallout


(21:14) Streaming rights and cricket’s future


(29:55) IPL wrap: Ponting’s slide and Aussie form

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

Menners and Damien Watson break down the latest fallout from the Big Bash privatisation saga, including reported player frustration and what comes next for Australian cricket’s financial model.

The episode also dives into Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, key selection debates, and whether the team is under pressure to deliver. On the men’s side, a new-look squad for Pakistan and Bangladesh raises questions about player availability, workload management, and the growing influence of franchise cricket.

Plus, a look at rising stars like Ollie Peake and J. Davies, IPL updates, and the broader direction of the game as global schedules and financial pressures reshape international cricket. 

(02:50) Privatisation fallout and Todd Greenberg’s response

(05:00) Broadcast rights, revenue concerns & future of the Big Bash

(11:45) Player pay dispute and contract tensions emerge

(12:50) Will players start skipping international cricket for leagues?

(23:16) Australia T20 World Cup squad breakdown

(33:26) Squad rotation, IPL clashes & impact on team cohesion

(36:04) Rising stars: Ollie Peake and future selections

(42:05) IPL ladder, Aussie performances & finals outlook

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