After two days of cricket where both sides couldn't be split, Australia broke the game open on the third day with a dominant performance. Jack Paynter is in Barbados and saw Josh Hazlewood tear through the home side, and he joins Josh Schonafinger to dissect the Aussies' win. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify and on YouTube . Send your show feedback to podcasts@cricket.com.au or by using this contact form here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 28, 2025•11 min•Season 9Ep. 13
There were a number of third umpiring decisions that went against the West Indies on day two in Barbados and the hosts weren't happy about it. Jack Paynter is at the Kensington Oval and joins Josh Schonafinger to talk through the day's play. Hear from WI coach Daren Sammy from the 05:12 mark. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify and on YouTube . Send your show feedback to podcasts@cricket.com.au or by using this contact form here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
Jun 26, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 12
Australia's new-look batting order was knocked over for 180 before their old-look (is that a saying?) bowling attack got them back into the game with four late wickets. Jack Paynter is in Barbados and joins Josh Schonafinger for the day one recap of the first Test of this Australia v West Indies Frank Worrell Trophy. Click here for the day one match report and the day one video wrap (Australia only) . Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify and on YouTube . Send your show feedback to p...
Jun 25, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 11
Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann dominated in tandem in Sri Lanka in February and they might be expected to do it all again in Australia's three-Test series against West Indies starting on Wednesday night. The spin duo join Jack Paynter in Barbados ahead of the first Test to talk about what they've learned from one another, what they know about the conditions and the opposition and the perks of travelling to the Caribbean. The chat begins at 2:45. EPISODE INDEX 02:45 - Lyon and Kuhnemann chat b...
Jun 23, 2025•21 min•Season 9Ep. 10
In an unusual move, the Australian team has confirmed two changes to its XI for the first Test against West Indies, which is still five days away! Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped and Steve Smith is unavailable with a busted finger, allowing Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis to regain their spot in the side. Jack Paynter is with the team in Barbados and joins Josh Schonafinger for an update on the Aussie squad. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify and on YouTube . Send your show feedba...
Jun 20, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 9
South Africa have ended their ICC finals curse by defeating Australia by five wickets to win the 2025 World Test Championship final! Aiden Markram was a deserved player of the match for his fourth-innings century, but there were solid contributions from Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada and to a lesser extent David Bedingham and Lungi Ngidi. Jack Paynter was at Lord’s and chats to Josh Schonafinger about where it all went wrong for the Aussies and what it means for the Proteas. Don't forget to subscri...
Jun 14, 2025•10 min•Season 9Ep. 8
A chanceless, unbeaten century for Aiden Markram has South Africa only 69 runs away from claiming their first WTC title! Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood ensured Australia's target for the Proteas would be 282 but from that point on it was all SA. EPISODE INDEX: 01:20 - Smith finger injury 04:20 - Markram century 06:50 - Changed conditions 07:50 - Bavuma innings and injury 09:40 - Lord’s lunch day three ARTICLE: Day three report VIDEO: Day three wrap (Australia only) Don't forget to subscribe on A...
Jun 13, 2025•11 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Fourteen wickets on the first day wasn't a fluke! It happened again on day two! Some elite bowling has the WTC final on a knife's edge. Forget the draw - this one could be over in three days! EPISODE INDEX: 00:50 - What the hell happened? 02:25 - Cummins gets to 300 05:30 - Carey and Starc's important stand 06:20 - Handled the ball? 11:16 - Lord's lunch update, day two ARTICLE: Day two report VIDEO: Day two wrap (Australia only) Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify and on YouTube Se...
Jun 12, 2025•13 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Australia were bowled out on the opening day of the World Test Championship final but it wasn't all doom and gloom as the Australian quicks ensured South Africa were immediately on the back foot too. Jack Paynter joins the Unplayable Podcast from Lord's to give us the rapid recap from day one in London. EPISODE INDEX: 00:47 - Moment of the day 01:32 - Best innings 03:30 - Best spell 06:00 - The non-call that could hurt South Africa 07:21 - Didn't see that coming! 10:30 - What was on the Lord's l...
Jun 11, 2025•12 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Cameron Green's return to the Australian set up is one of the more intriguing sub-plots to the World Test Championship Final. That's why we're delighted that Green joins Jack Paynter in this very special episode of the Unplayable Podcast. The Green chat begins at 6:00 and before that, Jack gives Josh Schonafinger an update on the latest happenings in London, which includes the return of Josh Hazlewood and a long training session for Marnus Labuschange. Don't forget to rate and subscribe the show...
Jun 08, 2025•21 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Not only is Test cricket nearly back, we've got a massive one-off game to savour! Australia v South Africa at Lord's from June 11. Jack Paynter is in London following the team and he joins Josh Schonafinger to talk all things training, personnel and preparation. Jack was also able to throw a few questions the way of head coach Andrew McDonald as he embarks on guiding his team to an historic back-to-back WTC crown. In case you missed the news, here are the big stories of the week: Aussies return ...
Jun 05, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 3
So close to the World Test Championship final now! Josh Schonafinger and Jack Paynter talk all things Test decider, plus look at which Aussies have done well in India at the IPL and in England in county cricket. Plus, Adam Burnett has a quick chat to Alex Carey about what it's like to prepare for another WTC final. Hazlewood v Boland stats comparison South Africa's WTC Final squad Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 29, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Welcome to the Unplayable Podcast for 2025! Josh Schonafinger and Jack Paynter get the ball rolling ahead of a massive couple of months of men's internationals, starting with the World Test Championship final which rolls right into the Aussie tour of the West Indies. Also on the agenda is Kagiso Rabada's drug ban, Virat Kohli's retirement, the latest on the IPL and PSL postponements and the Aussies doing well in county cricket. ARTICLE: Australia announce their WTC squad of 15 VIDEO: George Bail...
May 13, 2025•24 min•Season 9Ep. 1
It's the biggest domestic match of the year so we've got two big guests to do the occasion justice! SA recruit and batter Jason Sangha is first cab off the rank, discussing his massive state switch, weird injuries, close wins and big tons. Then Queensland legend and current bowling coach Andy Bichel jumps on the line to talk about the camp that helped the Bulls' bonding, their new head coach Johan Botha and the large crop of talented young quicks learning under his tutelage. The interview with S...
Mar 24, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 38
We love the Champions Trophy. That's the official position of the Unplayable Podcast, anyway. Australia are into the semis, despite having two of their three games washed out. They now leave the host nation (Pakistan) to play against India in Dubai. Not the least bit confusing... Adding to the level of difficulty for the Aussies is the injury to Matt Short, leaving a spot opening the batting with Travis Head vacant. Who will get the privilege? Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify Th...
Mar 03, 2025•16 min•Season 8Ep. 37
It's South Australia hosting Victoria in the final of the Dean Jones Trophy this Saturday! Yep, in case you missed it, Deano's been celebrated with the One-Day Cup named in his honour . Huge! Josh Schonafinger and Adam Burnett take the opportunity to look at the career of Dean Jones, from start to finish. What made him tick, who influenced his career, the big moments, the not-so-great moments, and plenty more. Want to see a Deep Dive on a specific player or person? Let us know here . If you not ...
Feb 26, 2025•53 min•Season 8Ep. 36
What a win by Australia! Apologies in advance - but this episode is an instant reaction to Australia's record win over England recorded at 4am! It was a great day to be a keeper with Josh Inglis and Alex Carey both outstanding, plus Australia had good contributions from Adam Zampa, Matt Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify This episode, brought to you by Qantas, the Spirit of Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
Feb 22, 2025•8 min•Season 8Ep. 35
Australia's next challenge is the Champions Trophy, a 50-over tournament hosted by Pakistan, which begins for the men in green and gold against England on Saturday night.However, without seven members of their 2023 World Cup winning squad, it's going to be quite the task for the Aussies. Travis Head and Adam Zampa don't seem too concerned however, with both of the key players confident the depth in Australian cricket will see them through to the business end of the tournament. Jump straight to H...
Feb 20, 2025•50 min•Season 8Ep. 34
Australia's squad is Champions Trophy ready. Only thing is, there's no Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Marsh or Stoinis. Josh Schonafinger and Jack Paynter look at the changes, predict the best XI and take a look at the unusual history of the tournament. Then, Andrew Ramsey joins Josh from the noisy press box in Colombo to recap the second Test and look ahead to the two ODIs against Sri Lanka. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify This episode, brought to you by Qantas, the Spirit of Aust...
Feb 12, 2025•25 min•Season 8Ep. 33
The Aussies were firing, the Sri Lankans were not. The first Test in Galle was a one-sided affair, but newly-crowned Allan Border Medalist Travis Head is expected the hosts to hit back, just as they did in 2022. Andrew Ramsey is on the ground in Sri Lanka and joins Josh Schonafinger to preview the second five-day encounter. Plus, we get an injury update on Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and what that means for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Read more on Sam Konstas heading home here Read more o...
Feb 05, 2025•23 min•Season 8Ep. 32
The BBL's done, so who's ready for some more Test cricket? Australia are in Sri Lanka and take on the hosts from Wednesday, January 29 in Galle. Andrew Ramsey is there and has the first-hand account from the training sessions of both sides and some curious behaviour around the playing surface. He joins Josh Schonafinger to talk through the latest updates from the picturesque, southern Sri Lankan city. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and on Spotify This episode, brought to you by Qantas, the S...
Jan 27, 2025•16 min•Season 8Ep. 31
He's taken the cricketing world by storm and now 19-year-old Sam Konstas is getting started on his first overseas tour with the Test team; to Sri Lanka via United Arab Emirates. He caught up with cricket.com.au's Andrew Ramsey to discuss his epic debut, his role in the team, his nicknames and plans for the future. Head to 18:55 for the start of the Konstas chat. Before that, Rambo joins Josh Schonafinger to give an update from the ICC Academy on the Australian squad and their injuries. Hosted on...
Jan 23, 2025•25 min•Season 8Ep. 30
Australia have picked a 16-man squad for the land of left-arm spin that hints at, rather than heralds, a generational change. Louis Cameron and Andrew Ramsey consider the absence of Pat Cummins and whether Steve Smith instead of Travis Head was the right call to take the captaincy reins in Sri Lanka. Were Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell unlucky? How about Peter Handscomb? Which of Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis will play? Have we forgotten how good Cameron Green is? We haven't forgo...
Jan 09, 2025•22 min•Season 8Ep. 29
Test cricket is a tough sport for tough men, according to Gautam Gambhir, which all but rules out Louis Cameron and Andrew Ramsey from offering their opinions on a pulsating Australia-India Test series, the first Australia have won after being 0-1 down this century. They give it a crack anyway. Sam Konstas getting under India's skin, Beau Webster's remarkable debut, Scott 'The Brutaliser' Boland's 10-wicket Test and much more is discussed on the final episode of a thrilling campaign. This episod...
Jan 05, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 28
Top 10 for 10k: Steve Smith is on the verge of joining Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting as Australians to have 10,000 Test runs. He needs just 38 more as he heads into the Border Gavaskar Trophy finale against India in his hometown Test at the SCG. After some careful thought about his list, Smith chats to Louis Cameron about how he ranked his favourite Test centuries. No spoilers on what made No.1, but his list charts the ups and downs of his extraordinary career; his maiden Test tons...
Jan 02, 2025•23 min•Season 8Ep. 27
Andrew Ramsey delays his return from the MCG to his backpackers' hostel to join Louis Cameron after an extraordinary Boxing Day Test that had everything. Don Bradman thought he saw some big crowds. Pfffft, this Test has him covered. The biggest Test crowd ever? Probably. Is Bumrah better than Warnie? Maybe. Is he a shark? Hell yes. Melbourne real estate (and Rishabh Pant's inability to find it), sausages (and Yashasvi Jaiswal's ability to find those), snicko, Napoleonic Wars - all that's in here...
Dec 30, 2024•33 min•Season 8Ep. 26
Louis Cameron and Adam Burnett sum up the third NRMA Insurance Test from a sodden Brisbane. While the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin caught us all on the hop, the dominance of Jasprit Bumrah and Travis Head did not. Can they continue to carry their teams? Is Head hurt? (SPOILER: He's not). Is Josh Hazlewood hurt? (SPOILER: He is). Steve Smith scored his 33rd Test century, written into existence by one of cricket.com.au's own. Speaking of, did cameraman Tama Stockley spook Yashasvi Jaiswal? Th...
Dec 18, 2024•24 min•Season 8Ep. 25
Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc felt a little cramped at the Gabba nets on Thursday, so they headed over to AB Field to get their session in! That was just one of the interesting snippets out of both sides' preparation for the crucial third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match, with Louis Cameron joining Josh Schonafinger to detail how the teams are preparing. The Indians are given nothing away but Jasprit Bumrah looks to have shaken off his niggle while the brainstrust have a big call to make on Ro...
Dec 12, 2024•18 min•Season 8Ep. 24
Starc took six. Head hit a blazing hundred. Cummins took five. Take any of those performances individually and Australia would be in good shape. Get all three of them and Australia will win big. A massive 10-wicket victory for the hosts, levelling the series at one game apiece. Louis Cameron is in Adelaide and joined Josh Schonafinger to discuss the day-night Test, the Travis Head-Mohammad Siraj stoush, Marnus Labuschagne's return to form and plenty more. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple and o...
Dec 08, 2024•24 min•Season 8Ep. 23
On the eve of the Test match he has dominated for a decade, Mitch Starc joins the Unplayable Podcast. The chat with Starc begins at 3:15. Starc has been an absolute weapon with the pink cherry (66 wickets at an average of 18.71 back that up), but the left-arm quick doesn't buy into his own hype about the off-colour Kookaburra in day-night cricket. The 90-Test veteran also touches on the "ridiculous" rumours of a rift in the team, what it's like to share a field with up-and-coming superstars, Mar...
Dec 04, 2024•31 min•Season 8Ep. 22
