ABC Cricket Podcast

The countdown is on to the 2025-26 Ashes series, and we are asking legendary ABC commentator Jim Maxwell to count down his six favourite Ashes memories. Jim and fellow ABC commentator Corbin Middlemas look back at some of the moments that have defined this rivalry. Part two follows Jim to Lords in 1972 where he watched from the stands as Bob Massie put on a bowling clinic.

Ed is joined once again by Trent Copeland to unpack all the big stories from the Sheffield Shield, including the rise of Brendan Doggett. Could a Test debut be on the cards this summer?The guys also dive into England’s seemingly cursed tour of New Zealand, the Aussie women’s shock World Cup exit, and the biggest news of the week - tickets are now on sale for our live show!Head to the link for all the details and to grab your ticket: https://ab.co/4hFEk8V

Good luck facing Josh Hazlewood this summer, England.With Corby on a break, Ed is joined by Trent Copeland to unpack the ODI series against India - and the big takeaway? Josh Hazlewood looks in ominous touch heading towards the Ashes.The guys break down all the key talking points from the series, including Sharma and Kohli’s poetic SCG farewell, check in on the latest from the Sheffield Shield, and dive (again) into the never-ending Ashes selection debate.

What’s your favourite Ashes moment? As part of the lead in for the 2025-26 series, legendary ABC commentator Jim Maxwell is breaking down his six favourite memories from a career spanning more than five decades. In this six part special, Jim and Corbin Middlemas pull apart the moments that have defined a famous rivalry. Part one is the saga that has framed the coming clash, the stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023.

The countdown to The Ashes is well and truly underway, but while we wait, we've got a short-format series against India to enjoy. Did Corbin and Ed like what they saw in the first ODI against India?Sheffield Shield players are still auditioning for a national call up, who can catch the selectors' eye? And does Cam Bancroft need to take a breather from cricket?Plus, all the latest from the Women's World Cup as teams start to cement their semi-finals spots.

With Pat Cummin's back injury most likely to rule him out of some Ashes matches, Trent Copeland and Ed Cowan take you through the next tier of players who will be closely monitored to step up into the squad.As the General Manager of Sydney Thunder, Trent shares how they secured Ravi Ashwin for the entire Big Bash season.Plus, the team bring you the latest from the Women's World Cup where Alyssa Healy's captain's knock ensured a recording breaking win for Australia against India.

Sheffield Shield is back for another season, who's auditioning for a spot in the Ashes?Teddy and Corbin take you through their rankings of prospective players who could be opening for Australia.Plus, you'll hear the wash-up from the New Zealand v Australia T20 series and the latest on the Women's ODI World Cup.

‘This is England’s best chance in a long time to take the urn home.’ Teddy and Corbin break down England’s newly announced 16-man squad for the Ashes this summer.We also update our race to open the batting rankings.Are we getting a bit nervous about these Ashes? Maybe…

It’s raining runs in Aussie cricket - hundreds from Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and more!But as Ed asks: are all runs created equal?We dive into the recent run frenzy, update our race to open the batting standings, size up the old enemy, and check in on Captain Pat’s back worries.

“My overarching reaction is one of sadness, but not surprise.”Teddy and Corbin unpack the recent controversy as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav led his team in refusing to shake hands with Pakistan players at the Asia Cup. Plus, which players are best placed to open alongside Usman Khawaja? We launch our very easy to understand ranking system that we’ll update as the first Test draws closer.

Spoiler: We’re very worried. Teddy and Corbin discuss the recent news that Pat Cummins will miss the NZ and India white-ball series as he manages a lower back issue in a race to be fit for the first Test of the Ashes. We also check in on Marnus, before diving back into our mailbag.

Spring has arrived, and so has our ever-growing mailbag.We’re diving headfirst into your best questions as the summer of cricket draws near. Keep them coming, we can’t get enough from our fellow cricket nerds.

Australia’s T20 and ODI series against South Africa wrapped up in Mackay on Sunday, but the lingering question remains: does anyone really care?Corbin and Ed do their best to park the cynicism as they unpack a white-ball contest with little at stake - beyond putting the Top End on the cricketing map, which we are behind! We also find time to debate Cam Green’s best spot in the Test order, Marnus’ continuing drought, and why selectors are stuck between quick fixes and long-term planning.

Corbin and Ed dig into Todd Greenberg’s comments this week that not every nation in world cricket needs to aspire to play Test cricket.Is the longest format the pinnacle for all, or just the preserve of a privileged few?The lads break it down, challenge the idea, and explore what it means for the future of the game.

Corbin joins us live from Darwin, fresh off calling the T20 opener between Australia and South Africa.Ed and Corby dive into Australia’s unstoppable streak in the shortest format - but why has the Top End been missing from the cricket map?Plus, with the Ashes looming, the guys spotlight the surprise contenders shaking up Australia’s top six.

‘How good is Test cricket?’Teddy and Corbin revel in the drama of the India-England Test series, as the fifth Test heads into a thrilling final day - another reminder of why we still believe in the magic of Test cricket. Then, it’s a pivot from the pitch to the boardroom, as we unpack the growing noise around the future of the Big Bash and the prospect of private ownership and expansion.

Ed and Corbin dive into the fiery fallout from the fourth Test in Manchester, where India snubbed Ben Stokes's offer to shake hands - choosing instead to chase runs with Washington Sundar closing in on a maiden ton. Whose side are we on? Is England turning into the villains of the game? And what does this all mean for the Ashes later this summer?

With Ed Cowan out sick, Corbin Middlemas calls up World Cup winner Xavier Doherty to join us this week! The pair unpack the early takeaways from the West Indies T20 series, from Jake Fraser-McGurk’s rocky recall to Mitchell Owen’s debut, and why this might just be the best fielding team Australia has ever put on a cricket field. Plus, what Nathan Ellis and Scott Boland have in common, and what Nathan Lyon’s shock omission says about Australia’s red-ball approach.

The final day of play between the West Indies and Australia saw records topple and milestones reached, but what happened to the West Indies in their second innings? Meanwhile at Lord's England secure a memorable win over India. Plus, you’ll hear all the latest news from the cricketing world.

Australia wraps up the Frank Worrell Trophy against the West Indies, but the same old batting headaches remain. Teddy and Corbin break down Steve Smith’s masterclass, Cam Green’s crucial knock, and the brilliance of the Aussie bowling attack.Plus, fresh concerns over the top order and a statement win for India over England. Curious times with the Ashes just a few months away.

We dive deep into Australia’s ongoing top-order batting crisis - what went wrong in Barbados?From unpredictable pitch conditions to questionable shot selections, we unpack how key players like Sam Konstas and Cameron Green are struggling to find their feet at the top. What does the lack of a clear batting strategy mean for Australia ahead of the Ashes? Is there a way forward for the Aussies’ fragile top order, or are bigger changes on the horizon?

As Australia kicks off their new WTC campaign in the Caribbean, Corbin and Ed dive deep into the shifting sands of Aussie selection, batting combinations, and the tough calls that shaped this Test XI.There's also a nostalgic detour to Barbados with Ed reliving his Test memories at Kensington Oval, while the pair debate missed selection windows, and the price of wish-casting the next great Aussie opener.

In a jam-packed episode, it's Gemini season, and the birthday boys are serving up humble pie after South Africa's stunning triumph in the World Test Championship Final. Ed and Corbin break down how the Proteas dismantled Australia at Lord’s - tactically, emotionally and symbolically.

Teddy and Corbin preview the biggest red-ball showdown of the year (until the Ashes) - Australia vs South Africa at Lord’s.They dive into all the key questions: What will the Aussie XI look like? Will Marnus make the cut? How will the English weather play a role? And of course - who’s taking home the WTC mace?Get ready for the ultimate cricket chat ahead of the WTC Final, and don’t forget: from Wednesday June 11 at 7:30pm AEST, you can hear every ball live and ad-free on the ABC listen app.

With just over a week to go until the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, excitement is building and so are the questions. What will the Aussie line-up look like? What should it look like? And could this be Steve Smith’s final outing in the baggy green?Plus, we dive deep into the fiery stadium debate brewing in Tasmania.

England and Zimbabwe faced off in a one-off Test that went exactly how you’d expect - a lopsided English run-fest.Teddy and Corbin dissect the Test, and ask the big question: is there anything we can take from this ahead of the Ashes? Plus, a deep dive into how the Aussies are faring in the County circuit. Who’s firing, who’s flopping, and is Marnus Labuschagne running out of luck?

The World Test Championship final is coming, and we want you ready and locked in cricket nerds. Teddy and Corbin break down the Aussie squad and pick their ideal XI. Who opens? Where does Cameron Green fit? What's next for pod favourite Sammy K?

IPL or exit row?As tensions flare on the India-Pakistan border and airspace closures disrupt international travel, Australian cricketers face a high-stakes decision: return to the IPL or stay home?In this ep, we unpack the complex web of safety concerns, financial pressures, career risks, and personal responsibilities that players are grappling with.

Teddy and Corbin discuss the news surrounding Kagiso Rabada, who is currently serving a “provisional suspension” after admitting to a positive test for a recreational drug.What does this mean for the World Test Championship?Speaking of the WTC, let's get the team chat started early! Who will open the batting for the Aussies? Will Cam Green play? Is Marcus Harris back in the mix?We also find a lot of time to revel in the arrival of 14-year-old Indian Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed the second-fastest IPL century of all time this week.

Big moves are brewing in American cricket!New Zealand Cricket makes history, becoming the first national board to invest in an overseas T20 league, teaming up with Major League Cricket for a brand-new franchise in 2027.What could this mean for MLC’s future - and for cricket’s big moment at the LA Olympics?Plus, we dive into all the latest IPL drama, including Glenn Maxwell getting dropped after Virender Sehwag’s suggestion that the Big Show was treating the tournament like a ‘holiday’.

Corbin and Ed reflect on the recent retirement of Will Pucovski - a prodigious talent whose career was marred by repeated concussions.His story sparks a timely discussion about the challenges of facing the short ball in modern cricket and whether helmet technology has truly progressed to protect players adequately. Are we doing enough? What lessons can the sport take from Pucovski’s journey, and how can cricket evolve to better safeguard its athletes?

Teddy and Corbin break down Cricket Australia’s freshly announced 23-man contract list—with some predictable inclusions and surprise omissions.Who’s in, who’s out, and what does it all mean for the future of the Aussie side?The lads also dive into the latest from the IPL and County cricket, and we tackle the complexities of the WCA’s new Global Game Structure Report.

After 29 long years, South Australia has claimed the Sheffield Shield, pulling off a record-breaking run chase in the final to defeat Queensland by four wickets.This historic victory deserves a deep dive, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing you.Join us as we break down the match, celebrate the key moments, and revel in the glory of this long-awaited triumph.Drink it in, Croweaters - this one’s for you!

After Queensland’s head of elite cricket Joe Dawes slammed his absence from a recent Sheffield Shield match, Usman Khawaja fired back at “inflammatory” and “untrue” claims in a fiery press conference – and we need to talk about it.Teddy and Corbin break down the entire 17-minute presser before turning their attention to the big Shield final. Can South Australia break their 29-year drought, or will it be Khawaja and his Queensland Bulls? A big week for us cricket nerds!

A predictable and ultimately underwhelming Champions Trophy, stars like Steve Smith retiring from the format, and the rise and rise of T20 cricket — are we witnessing the slow inevitable demise of the 50-over format?Teddy and Corbin break it all down, from the fading appeal of the one-day game, to the upcoming conclusion of the Shield season.

We’re not trying to be nasty or petty, but England really sucks at the moment. They’ve been bundled out of the Champions Trophy, and Teddy and Corbin want to talk about it. We also break down South Australia’s drought-ending win, as they set their sights on a history-making double.

Teddy and Corbin break down Australia’s five-wicket win over England in its ICC Champions Trophy opener in Lahore, which included a Josh Inglis masterclass. It was the highest total in the tournament's history, and how glorious that it came against the old enemy, England. Finally, a big congratulations to our brilliant co-host Corbin Middlemas who was awarded ‘best sport coverage by an individual’ at the ASC Media wards this week. Well deserved indeed.

Just another golf trip hey?Ed Cowan responds to Travis Head’s social media jab at our fearless co-host, we dissect the Matt Kuhnemann throwing saga and cast our eye over the Aussie Champions Trophy line-up.

A sweep in Sri Lanka!Teddy and Corbin break down Australia’s masterclass in Galle. Who found the fairway, and who sliced it into the rough?We also look forward to the Champions Trophy. Are we excited? Not really…

What a dominant weekend for Aussie cricket!Both the men and the women have enjoyed monstrous Test wins, and Teddy and Corbin will dissect both of them. The men thrashed Sri Lanka, and the women embarrassed England.What can we learn from these very one-sided results? Tune in to find out.

Remember the name! If you didn’t know who Mitch Owen was before last night, you sure do now! Teddy and Corbin break down the BBL final, and THAT match-winning knock from Owen.The lads then turn their attention to Sri Lanka. Who will don the Baggy Green this week in Galle?

Ed and Corbin react to Australia’s 15-man squad for the Champion's Trophy, as well as our squad to tour Sri Lanka. Then finally, we get to do our Big Bash wrap, where we catch up on all the news and results from our domestic comp. Then the guys debate the idea of a two-tier Test system. Good idea, or bad idea?

Was that the best summer of cricket ever?It sure felt like it, and now it’s all over.But don’t fret cricket fans, we’re here to make sense of it all. The SCG Test, the Australian win, and what’s next for our all-conquering Aussie team.

Was that the best Test we’ve seen in recent years? Probably!Teddy and Corbin break down the five-day epic at the MCG, day by day, moment by moment. Our longest ever podcast! Happy New Year cricket nerds.

Teddy and Corbin react to the news that Nathan McSweeney has been dropped from the Australian Test side, and he’ll be replaced by 19-year-old Sam Konstas for the Boxing Day Test.We also find some time to catch up on the start of the Big Bash season.

Is Brisbane the Test that got away?Teddy and Corbin break down the drawn Test in Brisbane. Yes, it rained a lot, but did the Aussies blow a chance to go 2 – 1 up in this series?

Is Adelaide the best Test venue in the world? We say yes! Teddy and Corbin dive into Australia’s dominant win in Adelaide, and what it means for the rest of the summer.

All roads lead to Adelaide! Teddy and Corbin prep for the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, and Ed tries his best to answer the question that every Australian batter is asking themselves right now, how do you face Jasprit Bumrah?

Well, that was a disaster.Teddy and Corbin spend the entire episode dissecting one of the worst losses on home soil we’ve seen from the Aussie Test side in years. Buckle up cricket nerds!

Teddy and Corbin address the media storm that came for our pod last week, before diving headfirst into the opening Test in Perth. Who’s under pressure, what can we expect from the pitch, and what can we expect from India?We then find time to discuss Australia’s recent T20 sweep over Pakistan, the peculiar timing of the IPL auction, and much more. Big ep!