The Unplayable Podcast

What better time to chat to Australia's greatest ever off-spinner than right before a Test series? The interview with Lyon starts at 15:54, where he discusses fitness, Test preparation, sub-continent conditions, Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath and plenty more.  Before that, cricket.com.au journalist Louis Cameron, who is in Sri Lanka, joins Josh Schonafinger to talk about Australia's tour so to date.   Sri Lanka v Australia series home: https://www.cricket.com.au/tours/Sri%20Lanka%20Australia%20Mens%20Tour%20Test%20ODI%20T20%202022/9ZwprkjgWUq2tw8BsLvCWQ 

Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson is back on tour with the national side and eager to make a big impact in the three-match T20I series. The chat with Richardson starts at 16:48. Before then, Louis Cameron in Colombo chats with Josh Schonafinger about the series ahead, how the Aussies will shape up and which Sri Lankans to watch out for.  Watch Pathirana's incredible bowling action here: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/sri-lanka-name-test-odi-t20-squads-australia-tour-matheesha-pathirana-baby-lasith-malinga/2022-05-21 Coach McDonald left behind with COVID: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/andrew-mcdonald-covid19-head-coach-australia-men-sri-lanka-tour-t20-squad-departure/2022-06-01 

Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson is back on tour with the national side and eager to make a big impact in the three-match T20I series. The chat with Richardson starts at 16:48. Before then, Louis Cameron in Colombo chats with Josh Schonafinger about the series ahead, how the Aussies will shape up and which Sri Lankans to watch out for.  Watch Pathirana's incredible bowling action here: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/sri-lanka-name-test-odi-t20-squads-australia-tour-matheesha-pathirana-baby-lasith-malinga/2022-05-21 Coach McDonald left behind with COVID: https://www.cricket.com.au/news/andrew-mcdonald-covid19-head-coach-australia-men-sri-lanka-tour-t20-squad-departure/2022-06-01 

Usman Khawaja, in a rare moment when he wasn't at the batting crease in Pakistan, joined Louis Cameron ahead of the third Test to discuss his Saqlain Mushtaq impersonations and the evolution of his bowling action (2:03), whether he gets sledged in English or Urdu (or Pashtun!) (4:45), his dropped catch in Karachi while he was wearing a helmet (9:30), how he has found his best method against spin bowling (12:30), his high-fat, low-carb diet and how tennis has helped him stay fit (19:39) and the type of coach Australia needs (28:00).

As Australia's women win and their men draw, let Josh Schonafinger and Louis Cameron walk you through the events of these two sides over the past week.  Perfect run outs, reverse swing, Usman Khawaja, Covid-dodging and World Cup rivals plus plenty more is discussed on this week's episode. 

Josh Schonafinger and Louis Cameron open the batting on a flat one and prove difficult to remove. They discuss the drawn first Pakistan-Australia men's Test in Rawalpindi and consider changes for the second match in Karachi (0.06), reflect on the legendary Shane Warne after his recent death (15.31), consider the Australian women's leg-spin conundrum at the ODI World Cup in New Zealand (20.26) and preview the Marsh One-Day Cup final following a bizarre domestic 50-over season (27.39).

 The cricket world is in mourning today with the loss of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. This episode was originally published a little over two years ago for Shane Warne's 50th birthday and it includes stories of the great man from Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Mike Atherton, Ian Healy, Mike Hussey, Nasser Hussain and Shane Warne himself. We hope you enjoy these great tales of the champion cricketer.

Ahead of the final two Dettol T20Is against Sri Lanka, the straight-shooting Adam Zampa joined Louis Cameron on the Unplayable Podcast to discuss the finale to the home summer (0.37), the fuel for Australia's World Cup victory (11.11), missing out on an Indian Premier League payday (19.05), saving horses on his Byron Bay property (22.48), his impeding fatherhood and more.

Ahead of Australia's Dettol T20I series against Sri Lanka, Unplayable favourite Kane Richardson returns to the podcast to chat about his move to the Gold Coast (2.28), Justin Langer's four years as the men's team coach and the credentials of Andrew McDonald (6.12), whether Adam Zampa might channel Michael Jordan in his leg-spin duel with Wanindu Hasaranga (15.00), the big three quicks that 'aren't going away' (17.37) plus the looming IPL auction on his birthday (24.12).

 On Tuesday Australia named a 16-player squad to face Sri Lanka in five T20Is as they officially begin their campaign for back-to-back T20 World Cup victories. Martin Smith joins Josh Schonafinger to chat about Ben McDermott's rise, Glenn Maxwell's role, the use the quicks and much more.

 Test legend Ricky Ponting joined Louis Cameron for one final time this summer to recap the Australia's dominant Ashes series. Ponting names his Player of the Series, weighs in on English kids in Sheffield Shield, nominates four key players for the Aussies' future and backs Justin Langer as coach. Josh Schonafinger then joins Louis as the pair revisit their pre-Ashes predictions and heap praise on Hobart as a Test venue.

 Ashes series complete! Australia walked away from Hobart 4-0 winners of cricket’s oldest rivalry - and Louis Cameron was there to see it happen!  As the final few wickets fell on the historic Test match, he spoke to Ricky Ponting for his analysis, discussing Cameron Green’s exceptional bowling, Mark Wood’s success with the short ball, Alex Carey’s series and Steve Smith’s form.  This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia.

 After a hectic day of Test cricket - where 17 wickets fell - there was plenty to unpack for Ricky Ponting as he joined Louis Cameron for the latest edition of the Unplayable Podcast. They chatted about Australia's dominance with the ball, England's repeated failures with the bat, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Joe Root and plenty more. This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia.

What a day of Test cricket! We may have only got 59 and a half overs on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test, but there was no shortage of action. Louis Cameron spoke to Aussie Test legend Ricky Ponting about the green Hobart pitch, Marnus Labuschagne's weird dismissal, Travis Head's irrestible form and the rise of Cameron Green.  This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia.

 In this episode of the Unplayable Podcast, Louis Cameron is in Hobart to chat to Marnus Labuschagne to preview the fifth and final Ashes Test match, and the pair also discuss Labuschagne's battle with Mark Wood, Usman Khawaja's hot form, Pat Cummins as skipper and spending hours and hours at the Kookaburra bat factory.

Ponting's Recap: 'They've probably been sloppier in the field this test', Sydney day five   It came down to the very last ball, but England hung on for a draw to deny Australia the chance at a whitewash. At the end of a thrilling day five, cricket.com.au’s Louis Cameron chatted with legend Ricky Ponting to talk through it all.   They covered Australia's missed chances and the key decisions made by captain Pat Cummins, Zak Crawley's impressive innings, and what another standout performance by Scott Boland means for Australia's bowling pecking order.   This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia

Finally the rain stayed away in Sydney and day four delivered plenty of highlights and talking points. At the end of the day's play, cricket.com.au’s Louis Cameron chatted with legend Ricky Ponting to talk through it all. They covered the irresistible form of Usman Khawaja, selection dilemmas for the Hobart Test, Cameron Green’s innings, Australia’s declaration, Marnus Labuschagne’s technical change to Mark Wood and Joe Root’s captaincy. This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia

Ponting's Recap: 'Some of the tougher batting conditions I've seen in Australia', Sydney day three On the back of courageous knocks from Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, England kept themselves in the contest on day three in Sydney and cricket.com.au's Louis Cameron chatted with legend Ricky Ponting to discuss all the talking points from the day’s play.   Items covered were Australia's amazing first session, Bairstow's gritty century, Ricky's thoughts on the batting conditions throughout the whole series and Alex Carey's form with the gloves.   This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia.

 Usman Khawaja was the shining light on day two of the Sydney Ashes Test match, and cricket.com.au’s Louis Cameron chatted with legend Ricky Ponting to discuss all the talking points from the day’s play.  Items covered were Khawaja’s knock, his LeBron-inspired celebration, Steve Smith’s battle with Stuart Broad, a potential Hobart selection dilemma and Broad’s performance with the ball.   This podcast is proudly brought to you by HCL - the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia

  Ponting's recap: 'He might've been a little bit overconfident', Sydney day one The Unplayable Podcast's Louis Cameron spoke to Test legend Ricky Ponting for his Ashes analysis of a rain interrupted day one in Sydney, where honours were shared, after the two late wickets of set batters Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschagne left Australia on 3-126 at stumps.   They chat about England selecting what looks to be their best XI, Stuart Broad's continued dominance over David Warner, and Marcus Harris' second gritty innings in a row and where it leaves Australia's opening partnership heading into future Tests.   This podcast is brought to you by HCL, the official digital technology partner of Cricket Australia.