Slashing Through the Cordon Podcast

S01E13: The Urn Returns to its Rightful Owner

mrcrickettragic — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 17:40:21 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ – we start rejoicing joyously over the return of the Ashes to their rightful owners after just three Tests of the five match series. And while Australia has dominated, there have been good and poor aspects on both sides of the respective dressing rooms. Today we’ll look back and forwards at what has occurred and what it to come.

Questions that are answered this week are:

Where were the points that the Test match changed?

What were the highlights of the match?

What have been the differences in the series so far?

What must England do to survive?

What can Australia achievefor the rest of the series?

Is this the end for Cook, Anderson and Broad?

What are the lessons for both sides from the past two months?[...]

S01E12: Which is the Bigger Bashing League

mrcrickettragic — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 18:00:47 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’:

We discuss the start of WBBL03 over the weekend, and consider just how far this competition can build on the success of women’s cricket over the past 12 months.
England stumble from crisis to crisis, but is there really much to what is going on?
The 3^rd Test starts on Thursday and we have a little look see as to what might be about to occur.
And it’s Big Bash League time again, so have a look forward to what we can expect from the mens comp this season.

S01E11: “Send ‘em In” Joe and “No Follow On” Steve

mrcrickettragic — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 19:30:58 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ – we break down the 2^nd Test match, and try to work out where the winning and the losing of the match took place. Two captains made two contentious decisions during the Test, so how did they work out for each of them? Sledging is a bully boy’s game in some circle, just how annoying can it be? The Sheffield Shield is half over after this week’s matches, and we check out just where each state lies heading into the BBL break. And the Ben Stokes saga continues to roll on, and we discuss the pros and cons of the events over the last week.

S01E10: Smith Symphony Seals 1st Test Victory

mrcrickettragic — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 19:49:57 +1100

On this weeks episode, we delve deeply into the course of the 1st Test between Australia and England at the Gabba, and dissect how England went from being in control early in the match to being thrashed by ten wickets before lunch on the fifth day. We also have a look at the week in the Sheffield Shield and see how three completely different matches mirrored the excitement of the Test for long form cricket results. The first class game is not dead yet!

S01E09 The Gods (Selectors) Must Be Crazy!

mrcrickettragic — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 06:59:27 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’:

It’s time for a massive rant - the fallout from Australia’s selected squad for the first two Tests continues, and I’ve saved all of my best ranting for today’s episode, to try and dissect what the hell the selectors are actually thinking. Has Cricket Australia abandoned everything that has made Australian cricket great? Do they no longer value the Sheffield Shield as the premier domestic cricket competition in the world? Is it no longer the policy to allow states to choose their best team and then select Australia’s best team from them? And we also take a look at both sides of the looming Ashes battle, and consider how both can claim to be favourites for the battle ahead.

S01E08: Bancroft Bashes Way to Test Debut… Probably…

mrcrickettragic — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 17:46:52 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’:

We look at both sides of the looming Ashes battle, and with Australia’s squad to be announced on Friday we look at the final pieces of the puzzle and whether they will fit or not.
The day/night Women’s Test match is over, and we discuss the relative positives and negatives over the playing of the four day Test and what the future may, or should, hold.
Media mash ups and conspiracy theories. Who doesn’t like turning one innings into a Test debut! We discuss the ebst of the last week.
We have a look at England’s build up to the Ashes, and whether or not the course they are on could have been done better.
Picking a Test side. Loyalty or form? Yeah, i have a crack at the team.

S01E07: A Batting Backstop is Not a Wicket-Keeper

mrcrickettragic — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 17:57:11 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ – the English team has started its Ashes warm-ups, and we have a look at how their first week in Australia has progressed. Round 2 of the Sheffield Shield has been completed, and we investigate whether we are any closer to being able to name the twelve that will be in Brisbane in two weeks. The wicket-keeping scenario gets even sillier as the media try change the terms of the specialist position to a backstop who can bat. And the Women’s Ashes Test match starts this week, and we run the rule over the teams and their chances in the pink ball day night match.

S01E06: Is Pink Ball Cricket The Answer

mrcrickettragic — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 20:27:14 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ we examine the first round of the Sheffield Shield competition. Who advanced their case for Test selection, and who struggled? Has the age of the mature aged cricketer come to an end, with a number of elder statesmen overlooked last weekend. The pink ball day/night fixtures caused a few concerns for batsmen, were the conditions fair? Pakistan has finally played a game at home, what does the future hold? Bangladesh has gone winless in South Africa, is there an answer? And the Ben Stokes case takes another twist.

S01E05: What Constitutes a Selection Policy

mrcrickettragic — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:01:39 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ - the JLT Cup has been run and won, and we select our Team of the Tournament for your consideration. The Women’s Ashes series has started in Australia, and we discuss the perceived differences between the men’s game and the women’s game. And the Sheffield Shield starts here this week, and already the controversy has begun with the selection – or non-selection – of players already in the news. Does form in any variation of cricket count at the selection table?

S01E04: When Half-Arsed = All-Rounder

mrcrickettragic — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:52:06 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ we again look forward to the 1^st Ashes Test in Brisbane, having a look at the prospective candidates to fill the number six slot in the Australian Test team. The ICC has announced a new one day league and Test championship to try and retain interest in these formats – but are they really necessary? Ireland has locked in its first Test match opponent, but what can the rest of the cricket world do to help the new boys along? And with the finalists decided in the JLT Cup competition, has the tournament been a success or is it in need of another rethink?

S01E03: Australia’s Wicket-Keeping Conundrum

mrcrickettragic — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 20:29:41 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ we start to look forward to the 1^st Ashes Test in Brisbane, and consider exactly what Australia is looking for in a prospective wicket-keeper for the upcoming series. The T20 Internationals are underway in India, and we discuss at just what point does the shortening of a game of cricket get to be ridiculous. With Australia’s first victory in 8 matches against India in T20’s overnight, did the team selection for the match start to unlock some keys to the future direction of the game for our national team? And the People’s Champ, Peter Siddle, is making a statement where it counts the most – on the cricket field.

S01E02: Do We Start to Plan for the 2019 World Cup Now?

mrcrickettragic — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 17:46:57 +1100

On this week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ we face the harsh reality that although Australia is the reigning World Cup champions they currently suck more than a kid with a giant head sized lollypop. We also check in with the JLT Cup that has so far been a blessing in disguise for bored office workers looking to stream cricket into their work lives. Cameron White went nuts in Perth, and by doing so has he just kicked that door open a little further to a return to international cricket? Shane Watson scored runs, which won’t be discussed, and Jimmy Pattinson will be watching another Test series from the armchair.

S01E01: Australia’s ODI Conundrum

mrcrickettragic — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 17:44:58 +1100

On the opening week’s edition of ‘Slashing Through the Cordon’ we’ll be discussing Australia’s continuing dismal tour of India, the upcoming home JLT Cup domestic one day tournament, would Ben Stokes beat Conor McGregor in a boxing match, and what does all this mean for England’s Ashes squad announcement?