Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark Wood

England finally broke their drought in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but the speed of the win caught everyone off guard. Corbin and Ed unpack a Boxing Day Test that raced from first ball to result in just two days, with Ed capturing the feeling around the ground simply: “It felt deflating.”England's win was shaped by standout individual performances. Josh Tongue earned Player of the Match after spearheading Australia's first-innings collapse, with Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson providing key support. In the chase, Jacob Bethell steadied the innings before Harry Brook closed out the win. For Australia, Scott Boland again impressed, while Travis Head and Alex Carey offered resistance with the bat.Despite the constant action, Ed reckoned that “some things in life are best enjoyed slowly,” and this match “didn't get time to breathe,” with Corbin describing it as a contest where “the result arrived before the story.” England took the points. Corbin and Ed look ahead to what comes next.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Australia batted twice on day one of the Boxing Day Test as chaos reigned at the MCG. Corbin and Ed unpack a day that moved too fast, exposed modern batting under pressure, and ended with Scott Boland improbably opening the batting before stumps.Test cricket, on fast-forward.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

The guys step back from the daily wrap to confront what the series result now unlocks. “We've now got lots of selection debates,” Cowan says, and few are bigger than Usman Khawaja's role, Josh Inglis' opportunity, and how much weight selectors place on decisions already made.With Pat Cummins set to rest, Steve Smith a likely return, and Nathan Lyon unavailable, the guys also dig into the spinner question, the case for Bo Webster, and how Australia balance investment versus reward now that the series is decided.Beyond the Ashes, there's time for a wild Big Bash run chase, designated hitter debates, and the IPL auction fallout.The urn is secure. The thinking is just getting started.Corbin joins from Perth with a travel-damaged mic after Adelaide celebrations. Same opinions, slightly rougher audio.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Australia sealed the Ashes in Adelaide by staying patient long enough for England to defeat themselves.For a moment on day five, with wickets in hand and runs still on the board, the chase felt alive. But Australia never panicked and, as Ed Cowan explains, every time England edged towards belief, they handed momentum straight back.England played their best cricket when they showed restraint, and lost it when they didn't.Australia trusted time, conditions, and discipline, waited for the mistakes, and closed out the series without needing to force the result. The composure of this Australian squad stood out again, with Pat Cummins setting the tone with calm leadership, Scott Boland finishing with relentless discipline, and Marnus Labuschagne finding ways to influence the game beyond the bat.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Australia tightened their grip on the third Ashes Test on day four, leaving England 228 runs away with just four wickets in hand as the match heads into a decisive final day. With special guest Stuart Clark joining Corbin Middlemas, the mood was one of inevitability. As Corbin put it, “the shorthand of the day is that Australia are on the cusp of victory.”Nathan Lyon was central to that squeeze, ripping through England's middle order in a decisive evening spell. Clark summed it up succinctly: “Lyon had them in a spin in that final session,” triggering a collapse that tilted the match firmly Australia's way. Pat Cummins again underlined his value, striking before and after the breaks and dismissing Joe Root for the 13th time in Tests. “He's a freal, your strike bowler and your workhorse,” Clark said.The conversation also turned to England's shifting approach, with Bazball increasingly shelved under sustained pressure. Clark was blunt in assessment: “Bad planning. Bad preparation. What did they think was going to happen?”With four wickets left and history stacked against them, England face a final-day climb Australia expect to finish.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by special guest Stuart Clark to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Day three in Adelaide belonged to Travis Head. A century soaked in pressure, nerves at 99, a dropped chance, and another moment added to the legend at his home ground.Australia's lead has blown past 350, England are running out of answers, and Ed is ready to call the series. Corbin and Ed unpack Head's dominance, England's quiet retreat from Bazball, Stokes carrying too much, and the selection questions simmering beneath Australia's control.Even the technology had a better day, after a rough start to the series.Day four awaits, and the pressure is on.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Possibly the longest shownotes in history thanks to Gemini 3 Pro. Bless the swamp from which this AI slop emerged and enjoy the episode. Or just read this, I suppose. The title sucks terribly. Do better, Gemmo! Show Notes with Time‑Shifted Timestamps(All timestamps below have been shifted forward by 25 seconds to allow for theme music, as requested.)00:00 – Welcome, Cricket and the Pink Ball at the Gabba00:00:25 – Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) opens episode 137 of The Two Jacks and notes they're recording just after midday on 4 December.00:00:36 – Quick chat about the looming day–night Test at the Gabba and the prospect it could finish very quickly.00:00:44 – Hong Kong Jack explains why dusk session timings in Hong Kong line up perfectly with “Asahi o'clock”.00:01:07 – The Jacks wonder which pink ball is in use – Duke or Kookaburra – and what that means for Mitchell Starc and the batters.00:01:30 – They flag that full cricket chat will come later in the episode.Tai Po Fire, Mourning and Accountability in Hong Kong00:01:53 – Jack the Insider pivots from sport to tragedy: an update on the Tai Po (Typo) fire in Hong Kong, now with 159 dead, from ages 1 to 97.00:02:07 – Hong Kong Jack describes the government‑ordered three‑day citywide mourning period, mass flower layings, official ceremonies and a three‑minute silence.00:02:35 – Discussion of schools cancelling Christmas parties and staff functions in solidarity; a sense the tragedy is being taken seriously across society.00:02:55 – Hong Kong Jack outlines the judge‑led inquiry: not only into the Tai Po fire's causes, but also systemic issues in building management and renovation contracts on large estates, with hints of corruption.00:03:30 – Evidence emerging that the green construction cloth lacked proper fire retardant and that flammable materials were used to seal lift wells, helping the fire move inside.00:04:23 – Bodies, including one man, found in stairwells and lobbies; Hong Kong Jack cautions against jumping to conclusions before investigators reconstruct the fire.00:04:53 – Arrest tally climbs to around 12, mostly consultants/contractors involved in management and renovations rather than labourers.00:05:35 – Hong Kong Jack notes large numbers of displaced residents in hotels and temporary accommodation and outlines generous government payments to families of foreign domestic workers killed (about HKD 800,000 per family).00:06:05 – A harrowing vignette: a Javanese truck driver receives a final phone call from his wife, trapped with her employers' baby, seeking forgiveness because there is no escape.00:06:35 – The Jacks reflect on the horror of the story and promise to revisit the inquiry as more facts emerge.Australia's Under‑16 Social Media Restrictions & VPNs00:06:50 – Jack the Insider turns to domestic Australian politics: the under‑16 social media restrictions about to kick in.00:07:05 – He notes overwhelming parental support (around 80%) but says the government is now “hosing down expectations” and reframing the policy as a long‑term “cultural change” effort.00:07:30 – Platforms not yet on the restricted list – Roblox and Discord – are flagged as problematic globally for child sexual exploitation, illustrating rollout gaps.00:08:05 – They discuss technical enforcement: existing account age data, length of time on a platform and the likelihood that some adults will be wrongly flagged but quickly reinstated.00:08:35 – Jack the Insider explains the government's theory of cultural change: a generation that grows up never having had TikTok or Instagram under 16 “won't know what they're missing”.00:09:00 – Hong Kong Jack compares Australia to mainland China's efforts to control the internet and points out China still can't stamp out VPN usage, predicting similar Australian difficulties.00:09:25 – Jack the Insider clarifies that VPNs are not illegal in Australia; about 27% of connected Australians already use one, probably now closer to a third.00:09:55 – He strongly recommends everyone use a VPN for privacy and location masking, and warns that good VPNs now explicitly advise not to choose Australia as an exit node because of the new regime.00:11:00 – They note that Malaysia and several European countries (Denmark, Spain, France and EU initiatives) are eyeing similar under‑age social media restrictions, with large fines (Australia's up to about AUD 50 million or 1% of turnover).00:12:20 – Meta is already scanning and booting under‑age users, but teenagers are sharing tips on evading age checks. Jack the Insider describes various age‑verification methods: selfie‑based AI checks, account age, and Roblox's move to ban under‑15s.00:13:45 – Anecdote about Macau security doing ID checks: Hong Kong Jack's son is checked for being over 21, while Jack's own age makes ID unnecessary—an amusing generational moment.00:14:55 – The Jacks agree the policy is unlikely to stop kids having TikTok accounts but might “nudge” behaviour toward less screen time.00:16:00 – Jack the Insider stresses the real dangers of the internet—particularly organised child sexual exploitation rings like the notorious “764” network—and questions whether blunt prohibition can solve these issues.Bruce Lehrmann, Appeals and Costs00:18:22 – They move to the Bruce Lehrmann defamation saga: his appeal has failed and he's likely millions of dollars in debt.00:18:45 – Discussion of the prospect of a High Court appeal, the low likelihood of leave being granted, and the sense that further appeals are “good money after bad”.00:19:22 – Jack the Insider notes outstanding criminal charges against Lehrmann in Toowoomba relating to an alleged statutory rape, and outlines the allegation about removing a condom after earlier consensual sex.00:20:07 – They discuss the probable difficulty of prosecuting that case, and then pivot to the practical question: who is funding Lehrmann's ongoing legal adventures?00:20:35 – Hong Kong Jack explains why some lawyers or firms may take on such cases for profile, despite poor prospects of payment, and they canvass talk of crowdfunding efforts.00:21:07 – The Jacks agree Lehrmann should have left the public stage after the criminal trial was discontinued; now, bankruptcy in 2026 looks likely.00:21:58 – Limited sympathy for Channel 10 or Lisa Wilkinson; more sympathy reserved for Brittany Higgins and Fiona Brown, who are seen as exceptions in an otherwise “pretty ordinary” cast.NACC, Commissioner Brereton and Conflicts of Interest00:23:24 – The Jacks turn to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) and Commissioner Paul Brereton's side work for Defence.00:24:03 – Hong Kong Jack recounts Senate Estimates footage where officials first claimed Brereton's Defence consulting work occurred outside NACC hours, then later admitted more than ten instances (possibly close to 20) during NACC office time.00:25:25 – Discussion of conflict‑of‑interest: the Commissioner maintaining a paid Defence relationship while heading the body that may need to investigate Defence.00:25:57 – The Jacks question the tenability of his position, especially given the NACC's opaque nature, its minimal public reporting obligations and a salary around AUD 800k–900k plus expenses.The Struggling Australian and Global Economy, Productivity and ANZ00:26:20 – Jack the Insider outlines Australia's sluggish economy: inflation remains sticky, GDP growth is flat, and government spending is driving much of the growth.00:27:00 – They discuss a small, tentative rise in productivity (around 0.2% for the quarter) and the Treasurer's caution that productivity figures are volatile.00:27:57 – Hong Kong Jack stresses that historically, economies escape malaise through productivity‑driven growth; there is no easy alternative, in Australia or globally.00:28:23 – Broader global picture: the US isn't in outright recession but is crawling; Europe is sluggish; Poland is a rare bright spot but rapid growth brings its own risks.ANZ and Post‑Royal Commission Failures00:28:54 – Focus shifts to ANZ's continuing governance and compliance failures after the Banking Royal Commission.00:29:30 – Jack the Insider shares a personal story about dealing with ANZ's deceased estates department following his mother and stepfather's deaths and the difficulty in releasing funds to pay for funerals.00:30:20 – Justice Jonathan Beach's scathing remarks: ANZ is still mishandling deceased estates, charging fees and interest to dead customers, despite years of warnings.00:31:34 – They recall Royal Commission revelations about “fees for no service” and charging the dead, plus ANZ's recent exclusion from certain Commonwealth bond business due to rorting.00:32:12 – The Jacks see this as a clear culture problem: five years on, the basics still aren't fixed, suggesting inadequate investment in compliance and little genuine reform.UK Justice Backlog and Curtailing Jury Trials00:33:05 – The conversation moves to the UK's proposal to restrict jury trials for offences likely to attract less than a two‑year sentence.00:33:35 – Hong Kong Jack notes the English historical attachment to jury trials dating back to Magna Carta, and that defendants have long had the right to opt for a jury if imprisonment is possible.00:34:38 – Justice Minister David Lammy, once a fierce critic of similar Tory proposals, is now advancing the idea himself, creating a political shambles.00:35:02 – They weigh up pros and cons of judge‑only trials for complex financial crimes, where juries may struggle to follow long, technical evidence.00:36:10 – Jack the Insider points out that even judges can find such cases difficult, but there is at least some expertise advantage.00:36:22 – They revisit the Southport riots and harsh sentences for people inciting attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers, arguing that common‑sense community judgment via juries may be better in such politically charged cases.00:37:26 – Ultimately, they doubt the reforms will meaningfully reduce the UK's huge court backlog and see it as another noisy but ineffective response.Ethics in Politics, Misleading Voters and the “Ethics Czar” Problem00:39:21 – Discussion moves to the UK budget, alleged “black holes” and whether the Chancellor misled voters about a AUD 22 billion‑equivalent gap.00:40:14 – They examine calls for the Prime Minister's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to rule on ministerial truthfulness, and Hong Kong Jack's discomfort with handing moral judgment to “anointed officials”.00:40:51 – The Jacks argue accountability should rest with Parliament and ultimately voters, not appointed ethics czars, whether in the Johnson era or now.00:41:36 – In Australia, Tony Burke's handling of “ISIS brides” returning to Australia is cited: he asked officials to leave a meeting so he could talk politically with constituents. The Jacks see this as legitimate hard‑headed politics in a very complex area rather than an ethical scandal.00:43:03 – Jack the Insider defends the principle that Australian citizenship must mean something, especially for children of ISIS‑linked families; stripping citizenship or abandoning citizens overseas can be a dangerous precedent.00:44:08 – Anecdotes segue into a broader reflection: politicians have always misled voters to some extent. They quote stories about Huey Long and Graham Richardson's defence of political lying.00:45:24 – They swap observations about “tells” when leaders like Malcolm Turnbull or Julia Gillard were lying; Scott Morrison, they say, had no visible tell at all.00:46:22 – Cabinet solidarity is framed as institutionally sanctioned lying: ministers must publicly back decisions they privately opposed, and yet the system requires that to function.Ukraine War, Peace Efforts and Putin's Rhetoric00:46:42 – The Jacks discuss reports of draft peace deals between Ukraine, the US and Russia that Moscow rejected over wording and guarantees.00:47:17 – Jack the Insider describes a gaunt Foreign Ministry spokesman, not Sergey Lavrov, delivering Russia's objections, sparking rumours about Lavrov's status.00:47:56 – Putin goes on TV to reassure Russians they're winning, threatens destruction of Europe if conflict escalates and claims territorial gains Russia doesn't actually hold.00:48:17 – Hong Kong Jack argues European fantasies of imposing a “strategic defeat” on Russia are unrealistic; retaking all occupied regions and Crimea would exact unbearable costs in lives and money.00:49:33 – The Jacks infer that Putin will eventually need to “sell” a negotiated deal as a victory to his own public; his current bluster is partly domestic theatre.00:49:50 – They note some odd, Trump‑like US talk of structuring peace as a “business deal” with economic incentives for Russia, which they find an odd fit for a brutal territorial war.Trump's Polling Collapse, Economic Credibility and 202600:50:13 – Attention turns to Donald Trump's polling in his second term: his net approval is negative across all major polls, in some cases approaching minus 20.00:51:04 – Jack the Insider highlights Trump's recent promises of USD 2,000 cheques to every American plus no income tax—claims they see as fantastical and electorally risky when voters inevitably ask “where's my money?”.00:51:39 – They compare Trump's denial of inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures to Biden's earlier mistakes in minimising pain; telling people “everything's cheaper now” when their lived experience contradicts that is politically fatal.00:52:34 – Hong Kong Jack notes history shows that insisting things are fine when voters know they aren't only accelerates your polling collapse.00:53:02 – They briefly touch on a special election in Tennessee: a safe Trump district where the Republican margin has shrunk. They caution against over‑reading the result but note softening support.00:54:14 – CNN's Harry Enten is quoted: this has been Trump's worst ten‑day polling run of the second term, with net approval among independents plunging to about minus 43 and a negative 34 on inflation.00:55:15 – They speculate about what this means for the 2026 midterms: Trump won't be on the ballot but will loom large. A future Republican president, they note, might still face governing without a Congressional majority.Disability, Elite Colleges and the Accommodation Arms Race00:56:07 – The Jacks discuss Derek Thompson's forthcoming Atlantic piece on surging disability registrations at elite US colleges: more than 20% at Brown and Harvard, 34% at Amherst and 38% at Stanford.00:57:10 – Hong Kong Jack explains how disability status yields exam and assessment advantages: extra time, flexible deadlines, better housing, etc., and why wealthy students are more likely to secure diagnoses.00:57:48 – They cite intake breakdowns at one college: small numbers for visual/hearing disabilities, larger numbers for autism, neurological conditions and especially psychological or emotional disabilities—suggesting a big shift in what counts as disabling.00:58:45 – Jack the Insider counters that many of these conditions were under‑diagnosed or ignored in the 1970s and 80s; growing recognition doesn't automatically mean fraud.00:59:40 – He brings in chronic conditions like ME/CFS: historically treated as malingering or “all in the head”, now increasingly accepted as serious and often disabling.01:00:02 – Hong Kong Jack quotes a Stanford professor asking, “At what point can we say no? 50%? 60%?”—underlining institutional concern that the system can't cope if a majority claim accommodations.01:01:05 – They wrestle with the employer's problem: how to interpret grades achieved with significant accommodations, and whether workplaces must also provide similar allowances.01:02:21 – Jack the Insider's answer is essentially yes: good employers should accommodate genuine disability, and it's on applicants to be upfront. He stresses diversity of ability and that many high‑achieving disabled people are valuable hires.01:03:40 – Hong Kong Jack remains more sceptical, shaped by long legal experience of people gaming systems, but agrees lawyers shouldn't be the priestly class defining morality.Cricket: India–South Africa, NZ–West Indies, BBL and the Gabba01:04:25 – They pivot back to sport: a successful South African tour of India, including a series win in Tests and a 1–1 one‑day series with big hundreds from Virat Kohli, Gaikwad and Aiden Markram.01:05:31 – Quick update on New Zealand's Test against the West Indies in Christchurch, with New Zealand rebuilding in their second innings through Ravindra and Latham.Women's Cricket and Phoebe Litchfield01:06:19 – Jack the Insider raves about the Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat game and singles out Phoebe Litchfield as the best women's batter in the world: technically sound, not a slogger, scoring “runs for fun” and hailing from Orange.Gabba Day–Night Test: Australia v England01:06:50 – With Usman Khawaja out, they discuss the unchanged 12 and whether Bo Webster plays, potentially pushing Travis Head up to open.01:07:39 – For England, Mark Wood hasn't recovered; they bring in Will Jacks, a batting all‑rounder and part‑time spinner, to bolster the order but lose their fastest bowler.01:08:11 – If you win the toss? Bat first, they say—if the conditions allow—and look to control the game with the bat for four hours or more.01:08:44 – They caution that with recent heavy Queensland rain, the pitch could be juicy whether you bat first or second; the key is getting cricket on Saturday.01:08:48 – Hong Kong Jack rates this as the best England attack to tour Australia in a long time, especially with Wood and Archer firing in Perth, although Archer's pace dropped markedly in the second innings.01:09:36 – They dissect England's first‑Test collapse: at one stage it was an “unlosable” match according to Ponting and the stats, but reckless strokes from set batters (Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook) handed it back to Australia.01:09:55 – Mitchell Starc's extraordinary home day–night record—averaging around 17 with the pink ball—looms as a big factor.Franchise Cricket, Empty Stadiums and Saving the Red‑Ball Game01:12:11 – Jack the Insider describes watching the ILT20 in the UAE: near‑empty stands, disengaged fielders and an overall “soulless” spectacle aimed solely at TV viewers in South Asia and the Gulf.01:13:49 – Despite his love of cricket, he worries this is a glimpse of the future if the longer formats aren't protected and nurtured. He pleads, in effect, for saving Test and other red‑ball cricket from being cannibalised by anonymous franchise leagues.Class and Cricket: Private Schools, Clubs and Stuart Broad01:14:11 – The Jacks explore the class divide in English cricket: all but one of England's Perth XI finished school at private schools; the sole exception is captain Ben Stokes, who grew up partly in New Zealand.01:15:05 – In contrast, Australia's pathway still runs largely through club cricket, though private schools with professional coaching (like Cranbrook) give some players a head start.01:15:47 – Jack the Insider notes Sam Conscientious (Sam Constance / Cummins reference is implied) spending two years at Cranbrook, reflecting how elite schools build academies with ex‑first‑class coaches that state systems can't match.01:16:20 – They agree state‑school kids like the Waugh twins still come through club cricket, but in England, some top private schools effectively operate as de facto county academies.01:17:31 – Anecdotes about Stuart Broad: a likeable “nepo baby” of former England player Chris Broad, who was toughened up by a formative season at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne sub‑district cricket. Local players loved him.01:18:20 – Hong Kong Jack recommends Broad's appearance on The Front Bar as essential viewing for understanding his character and the cultural contrasts between English and Australian cricket.01:18:40 – More class culture: Chris Cowdrey, briefly England captain, shows up in full whites and blazer to toss with Viv Richards in surf shorts and thongs. When Cowdrey starts reading out England's XI, Viv cuts him off: “Mate, I don't care who you play, it's not going to make any difference.”F1, Oscar Piastri's Bad Luck and AFLW Glory01:21:11 – Brief detour to Formula 1: Oscar Piastri's season with McLaren seems dogged by terrible luck and questionable team decisions that have cost him a near‑certain championship.01:21:57 – Jack the Insider reflects on how F1 drivers like Piastri have effectively been in vehicles since toddlerhood, climbing the ladder from go‑karts to supercars.01:22:50 – They express hope he can clinch the title in the final race, but wryly note that F1 rarely grants fairytale endings.AFLW01:22:23 – AFLW: North Melbourne complete an undefeated season to win the premiership, comfortably beating Brisbane in the grand final.01:23:07 – Hong Kong Jack praises it as the best AFLW season yet, with marked improvement in depth and skill across the competition. North remain the benchmark everyone else must chase.Wrap‑Up, Tom Stoppard Anecdote and Season Timing01:23:49 – The Jacks look ahead to watching the Gabba Test, beers on ice for Jack the Insider and the late Hong Kong dusk session for Hong Kong Jack.01:24:01 – They note the death of playwright Tom Stoppard at 88 and share a favourite story: Spielberg offers him the Jaws screenplay; Stoppard declines because he's writing a play—“actually for BBC Radio”.01:25:11 – Final reflections on how Stoppard would have improved Jaws, then a note that the podcast will soon reach its final episodes for the year, with plans to feature listener feedback before a short summer break.01:25:56 – Jack the Insider signs off, thanking listeners and Hong Kong Jack, and promises they'll be back next week.

A whole mess of AI generated shownotes. Enjoy! 00:25 – Christmas in Hong Kong, KFC in JapanJoel (Jack the Insider) opens Episode 138 and checks in with Jack (Hong Kong Jack) about Hong Kong's love of Christmas shopping, surreal mall installations and the absence of nativity scenes, before detouring to Japan's KFC-at-Christmas tradition.​01:50 – Australia's world‑first social media ban for under‑16sThe Jacks unpack the new national ban on social media for under‑16s, the generational politics of Gen Alpha kids and millennial parents, and the “pick up a book, go for a bike ride” messaging from Anthony Albanese and Julie Inman Grant.​They read out Vox pops about kids discovering life without apps, YouTube‑driven body image issues, and the early scramble to alternative chat and file‑sharing apps like LemonAid.​05:35 – Social engineering, High Court challenge and mental health concernsThey describe the policy as a conscious piece of social engineering aimed at reshaping youth culture over a decade, and note the High Court challenge led by the Digital Freedom Movement and Libertarian MLC John Ruddick.​Beyond Blue, Headspace, ReachOut and the Black Dog Institute warn about cutting off access to online mental‑health support, as the Jacks weigh the internet's harms against the value of peer support communities for young people.​09:35 – Enforcement gaps, workarounds and parental resistanceThe Jacks discuss uneven implementation, with some under‑16s apparently still able to access Facebook and Instagram while other apps are wiped, and a rush into less‑regulated platforms.​They note reports that up to a third of parents will quietly help kids stay online and float the idea of a nationwide “kitchen‑table” style forum to help parents understand the risks and responsibilities around kids' social media use.​12:00 – A social experiment the world is watchingThey canvas overseas interest, with Denmark, Spain and others eyeing bans at 15 rather than 16, and Sarah Ferguson's description of Australia's move as a live “social experiment” whose results are very much unknown.​13:05 – Richo's state funeral and the dark arts of NSW Labor RightThe conversation turns to Graham “Richo” Richardson's state funeral, his reputation as Labor's master organiser and electoral numbers man, and his long life “on the public purse”.​Joel recounts Richo's link to Balmain Welding and Stan “Standover” Smith, arguing that New South Wales Labor Right's success always had a darker underbelly.​15:10 – Paul Brereton, the NACC and conflicts of interestThey examine National Anti‑Corruption Commission boss Paul Brereton's updated disclosures about his ongoing work with the Inspector‑General of the ADF and Afghanistan war‑crimes inquiries, revealed via FOI.​The Jacks question whether someone so intertwined with Defence can credibly oversee corruption matters touching Defence acquisitions, and whether carving out whole domains from his remit makes his appointment untenable.​18:25 – A quiet NACC, no perp walks and media theatreThe Jacks note how quietly the NACC has operated in Canberra—“blink and you'd miss them”—with none of the televised “perp walks” beloved of New South Wales ICAC coverage.​Jack welcomes the absence of media spectacle; Joel admits to missing the grimace‑through‑the‑cameras moment as accused figures run the gauntlet.​19:50 – Victorian youth vote turns on LaborNew polling of 18–34‑year‑olds in Victoria shows Labor's vote down 11 points to 28 per cent and the Coalition's up 17 points to 37 per cent, with the Greens steady at 20 per cent.​The Jacks argue the Victorian Labor government looks to be in terminal decline, discuss leadership options for Jacinta Allan, and canvass how quickly preference “cascades” can flip a long‑term government once momentum turns.​22:15 – Green exports vs coal, Treasury modelling under fireThey dissect Treasury modelling which suggests “green exports” (critical minerals, rare earths, battery inputs) will surpass coal and gas within a decade, and note scepticism from former Treasury official and now CBA chief economist Stephen Yeaman.​The Jacks highlight International Energy Agency updates showing coal demand in key markets staying high, and the reality that renewables growth is largely meeting new demand rather than cutting deeply into existing coal and gas use.​25:05 – Coal to 2049 and the reality of the gridJack points to Australian market operator projections that coal will remain in the domestic mix until at least 2049, while Joel questions which ageing coal plants will physically survive that long without new builds.​They agree modelling must continually be revised against actual demand profiles in China, India, Indonesia and elsewhere, where coal still supplies half or more of electricity.​27:20 – 30‑year suppression orders and transparencyThe Jacks shift to a 30‑year suppression order over evidence behind Tanya Plibersek's decision to block a $1 billion coal mine until 2055, and more broadly the proliferation of long‑term suppression orders in Australia.​They criticise the over‑use of secrecy in both environmental and criminal matters, arguing it breeds suspicion that justice and accountability can be bought by the wealthy.​28:25 – The “prominent family” sexual assault case in VictoriaWithout naming the individual, they discuss a Victorian case involving the convicted son of a prominent family whose identity remains suppressed even after guilty findings for serious sexual offences.​They worry that blanket suppression encourages rumour, misidentification and a sense that powerful people get special treatment, even when protection of victims is a legitimate concern.​30:05 – From undercover cop to gangland wars: how secrecy backfiresJoel revisits an NSW example where an undercover police officer's drink‑driving conviction was suppressed for 55 years, and Melbourne gangland cases where key cooperating witnesses remained pseudonymous for decades.​The Jacks argue that when authorities create information vacuums, gossip and conspiracy inevitably rush in to fill the space.​33:50 – MP expenses, family reunion travel and Annika Wells' bad day outThey turn to MPs' entitlements and “family reunion” travel: Annika Wells' ski‑trip optics and poor press conference performance, Don Farrell's extensive family travel, and Sarah Hanson‑Young's $50,000 in family travel for her lobbyist husband.​While acknowledging how hard federal life is—especially for WA MPs—they question where legitimate family support ends and taxpayer‑funded lifestyle begins.​37:05 – Why family reunion perks exist (and how they're abused)The Jacks recall the tragic case of Labor MP Greg Wilton as a driver for more generous family travel rules, given the emotional cost of long separations.​They conclude the system is necessary but ripe for exploitation, and note the Coalition's relatively muted response given its own exposure to the same rules.​39:15 – Diplomatic drinks trolleys: London, New York and the UNJoel notes Stephen Smith's stint as High Commissioner in London—the “ultimate drinks trolley” of Australian diplomacy—and his replacement by former SA Premier Jay Weatherill.​Jack mentions Smith's reputation for being stingy with hospitality at Australia House, in contrast to the traditionally lavish networking role of London and New York postings.​40:40 – Barnaby Joyce joins One NationThe big domestic political move: Barnaby Joyce's shift from the Nationals to One Nation, including his steak‑on‑a‑sandwich‑press dinner with Pauline Hanson.​The Jacks canvass whether Joyce runs again in New England or heads for the Senate, and the anger among New England voters who may feel abandoned.​42:25 – One Nation's growth, branch‑building and Pauline's futureThey dig into polling from Cos Samaras suggesting 39 per cent of Coalition voters say they'd be more likely to vote One Nation if Joyce led the party, and the risk of the Coalition following the UK Tories into long‑term decline.​The Jacks note One Nation's organisational maturation—building actual branches and volunteer networks in NSW and Queensland—and wonder whether Pauline Hanson herself now caps the party's potential.​45:20 – Kemi Badenoch, a revived UK Conservative Party and Reform's ceilingAttention swings to the UK, with fresh polling showing Labour slumping to the high teens, the Conservatives recovering into the high teens/low 20s, and Reform polling in the mid‑20s to low‑30s depending on the firm.​They credit new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for lifting morale by dominating Keir Starmer at the despatch box, but caution that Reform's rise may still be more protest than durable realignment.​49:45 – Fragmenting party systems in Europe and the UKDrawing on Michael Gove's comments, the Jacks sketch the new “four‑party” pattern across Europe—radical left/Green, social democratic, Christian Democrat centre‑right, and populist right—and argue the UK is slowly following suit.​They suggest both Labour and the Conservatives can no longer comfortably absorb all votes on their respective sides of politics, with Reform and Greens carving out durable niches.​53:05 – US seizes a Venezuelan tanker, Trump calls it the “biggest ever”The Jacks look at the US Coast Guard's seizure of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker accused of moving Venezuelan and Iranian oil in support of foreign terrorist groups.​Joel notes Trump's boast that it's “the largest tanker ever seized”, while quoting Pam Bondi's more sober explanation of the sanctions basis.​54:45 – Five years of social media to enter the US?They examine a Trump‑era proposal to require even visa‑waiver travellers to provide five years of social media history before entering the United States.​The Jacks question the logistical feasibility, highlight the trend of travellers using “burner phones” for US trips, and argue measures like this would severely damage American tourism.​57:10 – SCOTUS, independent agencies and presidential powerThe Jacks discuss a pending US Supreme Court case about whether presidents can hire and fire the heads of independent agencies at will, with even liberal justices expressing sympathy for expansive executive authority.​They link this to a broader global question: how much power should be handed from elected ministers to expert regulators, and how hard it is to claw that power back once delegated.​01:00:25 – Trump's national security strategy and an abandoned EuropeThey turn to the Trump administration's new national security strategy framing Europe as both security dependent and economic competitor, and signalling an end to automatic US security guarantees.​The Jacks describe openly hostile rhetoric from Trump figures like J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio towards Europe, and portray it as part of a broader American drift into isolationism as China and Russia advance.​01:02:20 – Europe rearms: Germany, Poland and conscription talkThe conversation moves to European responses: big defence spending increases in Poland and Germany, and German plans to assess 18‑year‑olds for potential limited conscription.​Joel argues Europe may need to build its own strategic table rather than rely on a fickle US ally, while Jack stresses serious military capability is the price of a genuine seat at any table.​01:03:50 – Biden, the border and a blown political callThe Jacks examine a New York Times reconstruction of how the Biden administration mishandled southern border migration, from 75,000 encounters in January 2021 to 169,000 by March.​They say Biden officials badly underestimated both the scale of migration and the law‑and‑order backlash, including resentment from migrants who followed legal pathways.​01:07:05 – Migration then and now: Ellis Island vs the Rio GrandeJack recounts Ellis Island's history: the small but real share of arrivals turned back at ship‑owners' expense, and how many migrants later returned home despite being admitted.​They contrast a heavily regulated, ship‑based 19th‑century system with today's chaotic mix of asylum flows, cartels and porous borders, and argue that simple “open borders” rhetoric ignores complex trade‑offs.​01:09:55 – Americans know their ancestry, and that shapes the debateJoel notes how many Americans can precisely trace family arrival via Ellis Island, unlike many Australians who have fuzzier family histories.​He suggests this deep personal connection to immigration history partly explains the emotional intensity around contemporary migration and ICE enforcement.​01:10:30 – Ashes 2–0: Neeser's five‑for and Lyon's omissionSport time: Australia go 2–0 up in the Ashes with an eight‑wicket win at the Gabba.​The big call is leaving Nathan Lyon out for Michael Neser; the Jacks weigh Nesser's match‑turning 5/42 and clever use of Alex Carey standing up to the stumps against the loss of a front‑line spinner over key periods.​01:11:55 – Basball meets Australian conditionsThey discuss the limits of “Bazball” in Australia, praising Stokes and Will Jacks' rearguard while noting most English batters failed to adapt tempo to match situation.​Jack cites past blueprints for winning in Australia—long, draining innings from Alastair Cook, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahul Dravid—that hinge on time at the crease rather than constant aggression.​01:15:05 – Keepers compared: Alex Carey vs England's glovesJoel hails Carey's performance as possibly the best keeping he's seen from an Australian in a single Test, including brilliant work standing up to the seamers and a running catch over Marnus Labuschagne.​They contrast this with England's struggling keeper, question whether Ben Foakes should have been summoned, and note Carey's age probably rules him out as a future Test captain despite his leadership qualities.​01:17:05 – England's bowling woes and Jofra Archer's limitsThe English attack looks potent in short bursts, especially Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, but lacks the endurance to bowl long, hostile spells over a five‑day Test in Australian conditions.​Archer hasn't bowled more than 10 overs in an international match for over two years, and the Jacks argue that's showing late in games as speeds drop and discipline wanes.​01:25:45 – World Cup 2026: Trump's “peace medal”, Craig Foster's critiqueSwitching codes to football, they note FIFA awarding Donald Trump a “peace” medal ahead of the 2026 World Cup and his delight in placing it on himself.​Craig Foster attacks world football for embracing a US president he accuses of human‑rights abuses, prompting the Jacks to point out FIFA's recent World Cups in Russia and Qatar hardly make it a moral authority.​01:27:20 – Seattle's Pride match… Iran vs EgyptJack tells the story of Seattle's local government declaring its allocated World Cup game a Pride match, only to discover the fixture will be Iran vs Egypt—two teams whose governments are unlikely to embrace that framing.​01:27:55 – Stadiums in the desert and the cost of spectacleJoel reflects on vast, underused stadiums in the Gulf built for the World Cup and now often almost empty, using a low‑attendance cricket game in Abu Dhabi as an example of mega‑event over‑build.​01:29:05 – Wrapping up and previewing the final show of 2025The Jacks close Episode 138 by flagging one more episode before Christmas, thanking listeners for feedback—especially stories around the social media ban—and promising to return with more politics, law and sport next week.​a

Australia ground England into the dust in brutal 40-degree heat, building relentless pressure and leaving them hanging on. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan highlight Alex Carey's five catches, sparking a broader question about England's approach and whether, in Cowan's words, “they're as skilful as they think they are.”They work through individual performances in England's attack, from Jofra Archer's outstanding moments to others who struggled, before turning to key match-ups including Pat Cummins' ongoing duel with Joe Root, and the growing DRS and Snicko controversy. With technology again under scrutiny, the guys summed it up simply: “Technology is better than it's ever been – but it's not perfect.”Listener feedback, selection philosophy, and execution under pressure all come into focus as Australia continue to look repeatable, composed, and ruthless.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

December 18, 2025 - Paul Lidy of the DMH Foundation and Mark Wood, new Chair of the DMF Board joined Byers & Co to talk about a strong year of progress at DMH, generosity, and community support over the past year. Listen to the podcast now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia hold the early edge after Day One in Adelaide, finishing on a surface that, as Ed put it, “looked tennis-bally” and made scoring off the front foot hard work. Corbin and Ed break down the dismissals, uneven bowling, and why conditions are likely to ease as the Test unfolds.The guys talk Alex Carey's century, the impact of Steve Smith's late withdrawal, Usman Khawaja's recall and 82, and the looming influence of Mitch Starc once Australia take the ball.With a record crowd, big tactical questions ahead, and, in Cowan's words, “a proper day of Test cricket” in the books, the verdict is clear: the game is alive, but Australia are slightly ahead.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

England arrive in Adelaide facing a must-win Test, but the odds are stacked. Australia have lost just once in their last 11 Tests, and only one team in the 149-year history of Test cricket has ever come back from 2–0 down.Brendon McCullum backs continuity, rejecting “knee-jerk” selection calls. Bashir and Tongue remain in the frame, with Ed noting Bashir could be “more effective on day one in Adelaide than at any other point in the series.” The batting order looks locked in, but Ed warns it's “a hard bet that it just turns around.”Corbin's been doing the calculations, and the numbers show this red-ball Adelaide Test is far tougher for batters than the pink-ball version. Ed explains why: “The ball can get caught in the grass and bounce more slowly - it almost feels like you're facing a tennis ball,” making the toss and bowling first crucial.They also discuss a rare India–Pakistan umpiring pairing, ongoing Australian selection debates, preview the BBL where Perth's list stands out, and wrap up with the Hurricanes dominating the WBBL final as Lizelle Lee stars and Elyse Villani signs off in style. It's a packed episode across the wide world of cricket.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Neil Manthorp is joined by the former England fast bowler Steve Harmison to look ahead to this week's third Ashes Test between Australia and England in Adelaide. They discuss the team news for the game, as Josh Tongue replaces Gus Atkinson for England's only change, as first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir is again overlooked. They also reflect on Mark Wood's latest injury setback, and debate if that is the last we will see of him in Test Cricket. CODE Sports' Cricket Writer Ben Horne discusses some of the Australian selection dilemmas ahead of this Test. Plus, they look at some big money moves for England players in The Hundred, round up the week's other big stories, and bring you The Final Word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Norman is joined by the former England bowler Darren Gough to look ahead to the third Ashes Test between Australia and England, which starts in Adelaide on Tuesday night in the UK. They hear from Brendon McCullum, who has backed his Top 7 to come good and discuss any possible changes they'll make to the bowling attack for this week's Test. Double Ashes winner Steve Harmison discusses what next for Mark Wood's career after he picked up yet another injury to rule him out of the entire series. Australian Cricket Writer Bharat Sundaresan discusses the big stories out of the Australia camp ahead of this series, and debates if Usman Khawaja will come back into the side. Plus, they get the latest from talkSPORT's man in Adelaide, Cameron Ponsonby, and they discuss reasons to be optimistic as an England fan ahead of the third Test. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bazballers have been re-charging in Noosa and the series is on the line in Adelaide. What levers can Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes pull to keep the tourists alive in the Ashes? Usman Khawaja is available for selection. Will he find a place in the middle order? Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon loom as inclusions, who will be discarded in their place? And what made Ed Cowan "spew in my mouth"? Ed and Corbin Middlemas address these issues as well as the BBL and WBBL. PLUS, your questions answered in the listener mailbag. ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

It is all about the Ashes as Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Charu Sharma assess where it went wrong for England in the second Test match at Brisbane and ask how that performance will impact Adelaide and the rest of the series. We are joined by three-time Ashes winner and former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. He reacts to Brendon McCullum's comments that England were ‘overprepared', tells us how the Ashes winning team he was involved in back in 2010/11 prepared and compares the wicketkeeping of Jamie Smith and Alex Carey. He also tells us what the England team will miss the most about Mark Wood after he has been ruled out of the series after a reoccurrence of his knee injury. Plus, we ask what is the best/quirkiest cricket T-shirt? Photo: Matt Prior of England poses with a flag after winning the Ashes series during day five of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Nas and Ath are at the Lane Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills for the latest episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.Ahead of the 3rd Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, they chat about their memories of playing and watching cricket at the famous ground.They also discuss England's decision to head to Noosa for some rest and relaxation after the 2nd Test and the news that Mark Wood has been ruled out of the rest of the series with injury.Watch every episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast on YouTube here: Sky Sports Cricket Podcast on YouTubeListen to every episode of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast here: skysports.com/sky-sports-cricket-podcastYou can listen to the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast on your smart speaker by saying "ask Global Player to play Sky Sports Cricket Podcast".Join in the debate on Twitter @SkyCricket.For all the latest Cricket news, head to skysports.com/cricketFor advertising opportunities or to get in touch with the pod email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk

In this episode of the show, it's a full house as we look back at the second Ashes Test between Australia and England, which saw the hosts take a 2-0 lead after a comprehensive win at the Gabba. As per tradition, we start with the victors: first to praise Australia and then to attempt to understand why they've been so dominant so far - and where England have let themselves down. There's talk of key moments, of selection, of game management and much more as we bounce around a number of different talking points. As the episode continues, the conversation turns to individuals: Mitchell Starc's starring role in the series and his overall status in the Test game; Is Jake Weatherald looking like the long-term solution for Australia at the top of the order?; Joe Root's first hundred on Aussie soil; Alex Carey's performance with the gloves; criticism of Jofra Archer and whether England are actually learning from their mistakes. To round out the show, we look ahead to the options facing both sides for the third Test in Adelaide as injury ins and outs seem set to play a major role: Mark Wood and Josh Hazelwood out for the series, but Pat Cummins is on track to return. We'll be back in your feed at the end of the week with more from the cricketing world. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. 0:00 Intro: Ashes 2nd Test Review 1:45 Australia's dominant victory: more impressive than the first test? 3:15 Did we underestimate Australia before the series started? 7:00 Why are England not performing up to expectations? 19:40 Key performers: Mitchell Starc stars again 23:40 Nathan Lyon's exclusion & stats-based decision-making 27:20 Are England making tactical errors? 34:35 How much is the Bazball mindset contributing to these results? 37:35 Alex Carey's performance with the gloves 42:45 Joe Root's first hundred in Australia 44:40 Is Jake Weatherald a long-term solution at the top for Australia? 49:30 Selection questions for the third Test: Australia 53:20 Selection questions for the third Test: England 57:15 Quick predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kelly Cates is joined by England batter Dawid Malan to react to the news that England bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series - before former England bowlers Isa Guha and Steven Finn and Durham head coach Ryan Campbell join Mark Chapman to discuss England's defeat in the 2nd Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Welcome to your Monday!  Pepper-Gate!  Non-Profit Jobs shrinking.  Kroger CEO and the price of goods.  Mark Wood and the Trans Siberian concert on Dec 17. Brother Joseph DeSimone in the 3rd hour. Only on the Live the Live The Dream Media Network!

While Australia sit 2-0 up in the series, the guys dig into whether England have fallen into an “exaggerated sense of their own ability” as they enjoy their “reset in Noosa” ahead of the third test.It took Stokes and Jacks finally “playing properly” on the last day for England to show any real fight, and Corbin and Ed explore whether that flicker of resistance tells us anything or simply exposes a team that is, in Ed's words, “just not very good”.Selection changes feel inevitable for England, with Archer's effort labelled “a pathetic test”, Jacks battling to hold his place and Bashir's absence becoming harder to explain.Back to Australia, the lads also touch on the players who seem to vanish at the edges of selection talk, with Beau Webster slipping under what Corbin jokingly frames as an “invisibility cloak.” plus is Australia's depth so strong that fringe players can disappear from view for months and still be closer to a baggy green than anyone in England's touring squad.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

2-0 after two Tests. A commanding performance delivers a clinical win. Neser top five wickets, Smith took a screamer, Stokes was brave but couldn't hold back Australia.Archer clashed with Smith in an odd clash late, but in the end it was Australia with a decisive lead.Join Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan as they explore the key moments and what this 2-0 lead means for the rest of the series.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Trent are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Mitchell Starc is constructing an Ashes masterpiece. His defiant batting led Australia to a vital lead as England unravelled with the ball. The veteran bowler then turned it on with the pink ball to leave England teetering on the brink. Trent Copeland joins Corbin Middlemas to unpack another eventful day from Brisbane.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Trent Copeland to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Trent are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Australia in control, but England hangs on. Another rollercoaster day of action as Weatherald arrives, England fights, and the Test hangs in the balance.Dropped catches, botched opportunities and more. Simplification? Probably, yet we enter a crucial day three poised evenly and delicately.Across the 2025-26 Ashes series, ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'.

Ooft. A rollicking day of momentum shifts leaves the second Test evenly poised. Joe Root scored a maiden Aussie hundred. Nathan Lyon was overlooked in astonishing scenes. Mitchell Starc did Mitchell Starc things. Joffra Archer went bonkers with the bat. A wild day one at the GABBA? Just your average day of Test cricket in Brisbane. Corbin and Ed pull it apart.Across the 2025-26 Ashes series, ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

Neil Manthorp is joined by the former England fast bowler Steve Harmison to look ahead to the second Ashes Test, which gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday morning. They hear from England captain Ben Stokes, and debate what the make up of the side will be with the absence of Mark Wood. CODE Sports' Cricket Writer Daniel Cherny discusses the latest from the Australian camp, as the debate over who should open the batting rolls on. The Kent Head Coach Adam Hollioake joins the show to discuss his first season in charge of the county and his experience working with the England Lions on this current tour of Australia. Plus, they hear from the former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn, and they bring you The Final Word. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No team is prettier in pink than Australia; victorious in 12 of 13 Test matches in this format. Why are they so strong and how will England seek to counter that to level the Ashes? We pull apart likely tactics to understand how both sides will approach the pink Test at the traditional Australian fortress of the GABBA. Featured: Alex Malcolm, journalist, Cricinfo. UPDATE: post release Usman Khawaja was ruled out of Australia's team. Head to the ABC news website for full details.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Usman Khawaja has unloaded on the Perth pitch. How justified is the spicy criticism and how much is reputation management? The opener is racing to be fit, but the conversation has centred on whether Travis Head should open. The South Australian believes batting orders are overrated and Pat Cummins agrees. Steve Smith is trialling NFL style ‘eye black' will it make a difference? One factor that will matter is the absence of English tearaway Mark Wood, the boys discuss how England could adapt their approach in Brisbane.PLUS, the team hit international cricket, Sheffield Shield and Ellyse Perry doing Ellyse Perry things in the WBBL.Across the 2025-26 Ashes series, ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all the highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episode of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'

In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu look back at South Africa's 2-0 sweep of India, and look ahead to the upcoming series between the Black Caps and the West Indies, as well as the second Ashes Test. We start the show by discussing South Africa's dominant victory against India in the second and final Test of that series, which saw lower-order runs from Senuran Muthusamy and Marco Jansen backed up by impressive performances from Jansen and Simon Harmer with the ball. There's plenty of praise for the visitors, but why were they able to be so successful? Are they better than we thought? Was Shubman Gill's injury that impactful? And how much pressure does another home sweep pile on Gautam Gambhir? Next we head back to New Zealand, where we look forward to the Test series against the West Indies, which starts at Hagley Oval on Tuesday. It's a matchup that favours the Black Caps on paper, but how much have injuries impacted the strength of this Kiwi side? We talk through possible lineups, what's at stake for the likes of Devon Conway and Tom Latham with a big 12-18 months ahead, and the role Mitchell Santner could fill at number 7 in the batting order. To round out the show, we chat about the Ashes, with team selection in focus. Mark Wood is out for England, Pat Cummins isn't yet back for Australia and the Travis Head or Usman Khawaja to open the batting question still remains. Plus: could Nathan Lyon miss out, and should we even have pink-ball Tests at all in the Ashes? We'll be back in your feed next week to review the Tests and anything else that catches our eyes from around the world. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. 0:00 Intro 1:10 India v SA Test series review: South Africa's statement win 10:50 Jansen, Stubbs, Muthusamy all step up 13:45 Simon Harmer's performance & do Indian batters have a weakness against spin? 22:25 How much pressure is on Gautam Gambhir? 30:30 Black Caps v West Indies Test series 32:15 Injuries and absences for NZ 34:35 Black Caps bowling attack 37:50 What's at stake for New Zealand as a team and individually? 48:00 Will this be Kane Williamson's last Test series at home? 52:00 The Ashes 2nd Test preview: will Travis Head open for Australia? 1:00:00 England selection questions and build up 1:03:30 Do we need a pink-ball Test in the Ashes? 1:07:10 Could Cummins still play? Would Nathan Lyon miss out? 1:12:45 Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gonna use my…imagination.1980 saw the UK chart taking some incredible leaps forward into the new decade. As the 1970s biggest superstars, Pink Floyd, stepped aside as the last chart topper of that decade and ushered in something fresh, new and suitably brassy. As always, the pop landscape would continue to be varied, diverse, sometime a bit bonkers but of course nothing short of fascinating. Would we have it any other way?Welcome to the eighties. And as viewed through the lens of the ultimate compilation collections of NOW - the yearbook, extra volume and vault, it's a fascinating opportunity to revisit that iconic year 1980. A year of punk, pop, disco, funk, new wave and electronica. Could there possibly be a more transitional and eclectic year? Special guests and pop aficionados Mark Wood and Andrew Harrison turn the clock back to explore an amazing twelve months of pop culture. The new decade was exploding into a world of new possibilities, new technology, new trends. And whether it was through TV, film, magazines or of course music, this is a year you really need to return to. Let's take a chance and fly away, somewhere…. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 19, Episode 19: No, that's not true, they're back driving on the golf course. But we're not going to talk too much about Ashes wash-up... ok, only a little. The wider world is still waiting, where South Africa are dominating India in the second Test of their series, where there are comebacks for Final Word faves Kemar Roach and Dane van Niekerk, and where another tasty Shield round has taken place. Also, more on the possible 12-team World Test Championship, and you'll never believe who's playing each other in the T20 World Cup. Pre-order your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/tfwbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Melbourne launch is November 27 at the Commercial Club in Fitzroy Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thefinalword⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to stop snoring?! Get 5% off a Zeus with the code TFW2025 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zeussleeps.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Stomping Ground beer giveaway is coming soon! Here is their range: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stompingground.beer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mauriceblackburn.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find previous episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Title track by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Urthboy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ashes Warm-ups Cause Slew of Career-Threatening Injuries; Betting Odds Narrow. Jeremy Zakis reports that Ashes warm-up matches are causing a slew of injuries to older players around 35, including Mark Wood of England and Sean Abbott of Australia, both suffering hamstring injuries. The competition in Perth at Subako Stadium will emphasize muscle and speed due to the dry pitch. Australia's odds to win the first test have dropped to 3:2, reflecting England's stronger perceived standing. Guest: Jeremy Zakis. 1920

In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy, Jamie, Raj and Stu look ahead to the 2025-26 Ashes series between Australia and England. As usual, the Ashes hype machine has been in overdrive in recent months, but the cricket is finally (almost) here and the Top Order team are fizzing. We talk squads and potential line ups, key players and matchups, grounds and conditions, storylines to watch for and make our predictions for the series. How much will the Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood injuries hurt Australia? How excited are the English to unleash Jofra Archer and Mark Wood on an under-pressure Australian top order? Will Joe Root and Steve Smith imprint their class on the series? Will Nathan Lyon have an impact? Is it Scott Boland's time to shine? Can Harry Brook Bazball Australia to dust? Or will Marnus Labuschagne bounce back in a big way? And can Ben Stokes' boys etch their name into history on Aussie soil? Or will Steve Smith, Pat Cummins & co. inspire another victory for green-and-gold? There's all that and plenty more as we preview a series that's set to provide entertainment galore over the coming weeks. We'll be back in your feed regularly throughout this series to review/preview games and catch up on what's happening elsewhere in the world, including India v South Africa and Black Caps v West Indies. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. 0:00 Intro 2:00 Potential lineups for first Test - questions for Australia? 14:55 How will England manage their seamers through the series? 23:55 Has Australia won the preparation battle? 36:25 How will Australia's top order respond to pressure? 48:50 Key matchups: Nathan Lyon v England's middle order 54:20 Jofra Archer, Travis Head, Harry Brook, Joe Root 58:10 Mitchell Starc, Ben Duckett, captaincy 1:02:20 What can we expect from the pitches? 1:09:20 Predictions: Who will win The Ashes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Sydney driver charged over the death of a woman and her unborn baby; The UN to probe allegations of atrocities in Sudan; Scans clear England ace Mark Wood ahead of the first Ashes test against Australia.

Josh Hazelwood might have been cleared for the opening Ashes Test, but Corbin and Ed reckon his scare has laid bare different headaches for Australia. The English picture is more precarious. Frequently injured England star Mark Wood is already struggling with hamstring issues. How the tourists manage Wood and Jofra Archer looms as critical.  The pair also unpack England's tour-game hitout, the Lions' strong showing, what the latest Sheffield Shield round has revealed, and how selectors might fine-tune their plans heading into Perth.Across the 2025-26 Ashes series, ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by former Test opener Ed Cowan to bring you the latest highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.Catch every episodes of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,' hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast'.

Chief Cricket reporter Stephan Shemilt reports from Lilac Hill on a mixed opening day of England's Ashes tour. Ben Stokes picked up four wickets in his first competitive bowl since July, but there was an injury concern over Mark Wood. Stephan is joined by George Dobell from the Cricketer and we hear from England vice captain Harry Brook.

England's preparation for the Ashes couldn't be much more different to Australia's and it's drawn criticism. Is one warm-up match enough ahead of a huge series? That's one of many questions being asked of this squad. Is this the year Joe Root gets his elusive 100 in Australia? How will Mark Wood and Jofra Archer hold up? Can England win back the Ashes down under for the first time in over a decade? Featured: Jonathan Agnew, former England cricketer and ABC SPORT commentator. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Phoebe Litchfield on pain and glory at the World Cup and what comes next for a team theoretically in transition. English quick Mark Wood answers questions on sledging. Emma Lawrence unpacks how the rebooted Ashes has or hasn't changed international rugby league. Featured: Phoebe Litchfield, Australia batter. Emma Lawrence, NRL reporter, Channel Nine. Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

We celebrate the sounds of electroclash with Jonny Slut and Mark Wood, compilers of a new compilation, ‘When The 2000s Clashed: Machine Music For A New Millennium’, celebrating the genre and its influence on music today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 157: October 29, 2025 - Why is truth about 3I-ATLAS hidden by click-bait? Interview with Mark Wood,  U.S. Navy Captain (Ret) List of 3I/ATLAS anomalies   ==== NEW PRINTINGS NOW AVAILABLE: Glimpses of Other Realities, Vol. 1: Fact & Eye Witnesses   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/glimpses1  Glimpses of Other Realities, Vol. 2: High Strangeness   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/glimpses2 An Alien Harvest: Further Evidence Linking Animal Mutilations and Human Abductions to Alien Life Forms   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/aah ====   #LindaMoultonHowe #Earthfiles — For more incredible science stories, Real X-Files, environmental stories and so much more. Please visit my site https://www.earthfiles.com — Be sure to subscribe to this Earthfiles Channel the official channel for Linda Moulton Howe https://www.youtube.com/Earthfiles. — To stay up to date on everything Earthfiles, follow me on FaceBook@EarthfilesNews and Twitter @Earthfiles.  To purchase books and merchandise from Linda Moulton Howe, be sure to only shop at my official Earthfiles store at https://www.earthfiles.com/earthfiles-shop/ — Countdown Clock Piano Music:  Ashot Danielyan, Composer:  https://www.pond5.com/stock-music/100990900/emotional-piano-melancholic-drama.html

A bumper show for you today! Butch, Lawrence, Phil and Yas discuss what impact Pat Cummins' reported setback could have on the Ashes, the war of words is already underway and everyone seems to have forgotten what moral means. Also on the pod, a look ahead to England's white-ball tour of New Zealand, the panel's favourite commentators, India vs West Indies, Pakistan vs South Africa, a chat with Sonny Baker, and Phil spends half an hour with the one and only Mark Wood. 0:00 WPA Health Insurance / 0:37 Intro / 1:19 Mark Butcher / 13:35 Pat Cummins / 28:44 Brydon Carse / 30:14 Morals / 46:05 Mark Wood / 46:50 Dineticq / 47:30 Mark Wood interview / 1:17:09 New Zealand vs England / 1:19:39 TNT Sports / 1:23:23 Favourite commentators / 1:28:58 India vs West Indies / 1:30:23 Pakistan vs South Africa / 1:34:16 Sonny Baker / 1:42:35 Outro

Spearheaded by Josh Tongue, Notts secure a brilliant championship win over Surrey to go top of the table with one match to play. Simon Hughes and Simon Mann analyse where Notts seized control and assess the prospects for the last round of matches. They also hear from former Australian paceman Brett Lee on his thoughts about the Ashes, why he loves Mark Wood and what Freddie Flintoff did to him in the dressing room after that epic two run defeat at Edgbaston in 2005. #cricket #test #ashes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Merryn Somerset Webb sits down with  Mark Wood, Chairman of Everest Funeral Concierge, Chair of PensionBee, and former CEO off Prudential UK and AXA, to discuss how sweeping pension reforms could transform the way UK earners save and draw down their pensions.Update: We wanted to add clarification to a point made in the show. In the interview, it was suggested that taking your 25% tax-free lump sum at age 55 or later means you’ve “retired” and can no longer put money into your pension with tax relief. It is correct that from the normal minimum pension age (currently 55, rising to 57 in 2028), you can access up to 25% of your pension pot tax-free. The restriction only arises if you also start taking taxable income (for example, via drawdown or as a lump sum payment). At that point, the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) rules apply, and your future tax-relievable contributions are capped at £10,000 per year (current rules). However, withdrawing this lump sum alone does not mean you are treated as retired. You can continue to contribute to your pension and receive tax relief on those contributions, subject to the standard annual allowance.Thanks as always to those who wrote in seeking clarification.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alison Mitchell, Phil Tufnell, Michael Carberry and Ryan Campbell look ahead to this winter's Ashes. Will Ben Stokes be fit and firing, does McCullum stick with the regular top seven and will there be any wildcard choices from either side. Plus, we hear the latest on Ben Stokes and Mark Wood's fitness, consider Australia's batting choices and discuss the reception England can expect down under.

Engeland se snelbouler Mark Wood hoop om volgende maand vir Durham in die graafskap-kampioenskap te speel voor die reeks om die As teen Australië. Die 35-jarige het nog nie sedert Augustus verlede jaar in 'n toets vir Engeland gespeel nie. Hy het in Februarie by die Kampioenetrofee 'n kniebesering opgedoen. Wood het in 'n onderhoud met die potgooi Stick to Cricket gesê hy is vasberade om fiks te wees vir die reeks om die As:

If you ever wondered how's the experience of climbing Mount Everest or staring into the eyes of polar bear or cycling across the US, this podcast is for you as we spoke with Mr. Mark Wood, famous explorer, speaker and author. Hear the stories of his adventures, lessons he picked on way up and down and motivation behind his expeditions. Enjoy!

Jimmy's back with more rounds of ‘Mark Wood I Lie to You?', Mattchin's beach cricket match, turning it up to a Hundred, loads of listeners ‘Little Yearns', a cricket history lesson and your ‘Correspondence of Uncertainty'. Go Well.

As usual, AI slop shownotes. They're all about 30 seconds off due to theme music. Enjoy! The Jacks start in Hong Kong's downpour before unpacking Tasmania's post‑election arithmetic and a machete “amnesty” with bins outside cop shops. They wade through protests, policing, and the far‑right's antics, then dig into the Gareth Ward case and the thorny politics of expulsion. There's a sharp turn into AI copyright fights, family life vs screens, and a listener letter on pilot mental health.Mid‑show is a deep dive on ME/CFS's genetic breakthrough, then a long, unsentimental look at Gaza, Hamas, ceasefires, and who could plausibly govern anything next. Stateside, Tulsi, Brennan, Mueller, and the Epstein files swirl together with youth‑vote and gerrymander chat. They close with sport: Wallabies' best fortnight in ages, a cracking England–India Test, Ashes nerves, AFL chaos at Melbourne, and a quick NRL/Swans CEO note—before ending on a Trader Joe's chicken funeral and a cheeky Ozempic joke.Chapters00:00:00 — Hong Kong's black rainTriple black rain signals; ~300mm in a day at Mid‑Levels.City empties as people stay home; flood photos doing the rounds.00:01:36 — Tasmania's numbers gamePremier commissioned without a majority; Greens won't move no‑confidence.Governor Barbara Baker's “test it on the floor” remark and what's in scope.Labor/Greens maths; low appetite for another poll, but conditions exist.00:05:49 — Bins for blades: the machete “amnesty”Drop‑off slots outside police stations; comparison to firearms amnesties.Media flurries vs actual incident data; last big cluster months ago.00:07:21 — Protests, policing, and the far‑rightSydney Bridge March crowd size; VIPs photographed with Khamenei backdrop.Nazis on Parliament steps in balaclavas; state‑by‑state policing contrasts.Flags, chants, and where police draw the line on intervention.00:14:18 — The Gareth Ward messConviction details; bail, incarceration, and expulsion difficulty.Kiama re‑election as an independent, salary while imprisoned.Appeals, precedent, and public disgust.00:20:20 — Farewells and AI fightsDavid Dale and Col Joy remembered.Productivity Commission's AI stance; artists vs scraping; Zuckerberg's book haul.Peter Garrett's industry savvy; JP Morgan's internal AI rollout.00:26:16 — Kids, screens, and breakfastThe great iPad panic; why we don't judge strangers' mornings.Family meals are good; mind your own business is better.00:28:23 — Mailbag: pilots and mental healthFAA caution vs counselling stigma; past “deliberate crash” cases.Policy that pushes people away from help is bad policy.00:31:10 — ME/CFS: genetics change the storyDecodeME links to immune and nervous system pathways.It's physiological, not psychosomatic; GET/CBT harm for PEM sufferers.RACGP guidance lag vs UK/US updates; a long‑overdue turn.00:37:10 — Gaza, Hamas, and the absence of good options2005 pull‑out, tunnels, aid skimming; ceasefire vs aid corridors.Who could govern Gaza; peacekeepers, UNRWA skepticism, and Hamas reality.Ehud Barak's Qatar funding allegations; elections, starvation, ethics.01:03:21 — US politics: Russiagate reruns and Epstein filesTulsi's evolution; Brennan on TV; Mueller was Trump‑era appointed.“Lock her up” vs AI Obama arrest video; the file‑release calculus.Youth‑vote shifts; Republicans' state‑house gerrymanders.01:21:42 — Media Watch vs SkyThe TikTok immigration clip Sky ran and then pulled.Why mainstream reporting beats cherry‑picked viral outrage.01:24:44 — Sport: a proper weekendWallabies find a game fans can love; Lions tour lifts the code.England–India: great chase, Siraj's spell, and pressure's toll.Ashes preview: Bazball mettle in Aus conditions; pace attack is the key.AFL: Simon Goodwin sacked, Melbourne chaos, Adelaide surging; NRL Panthers steady.Swans appoint Matthew Pavlich CEO.01:36:54 — Chicken funerals and closingA full black‑robed rite in a US supermarket.“Put Ozempic in the water” gag; letters and see‑you‑next‑week.Notable quotes00:00:25 — “We had three black rain signals… 300 mils in a day here at Mid‑Levels.”00:03:31 — “It's not for the governor to be deciding when numbers are tested.”00:06:01 — “Bins outside the police station so miscreants can slide the machete through the slot.”00:08:43 — “They stood on the steps of Parliament and zig‑hiled their way across that protest.”00:14:09 — “Personally, I think let people tell you who they are.”00:18:50 — “He's essentially been convicted of rape… he's going to get a holiday.”00:24:49 — “To boost productivity by 4%, it's decided you just let AI go.”00:33:59 — “It is neurological and immunological. It is not psychiatric.”00:47:42 — “There are no good choices at the moment.”01:25:26 — “The best fortnight for the Wallabies in a very, very long time.”Who and what gets mentionedPeople: Barbara Baker; Jacinta Allan; Bob Carr; Gareth Ward; Chris Minns; Meredith Burgmann; Bruce Learman; David Dale; Col Joy; Peter Garrett; Mark Zuckerberg; Jamie Dimon; Andy Devereaux‑Cook; Ghazi Hamad; Benjamin Netanyahu; Eyal Zamir; Ehud Barak; John Brennan; Tulsi Gabbard; Hillary Clinton; Bill Clinton; Pam Bondi; Prince Andrew; Michael Vaughan; Ricky Ponting; Dave Warner; Joffre Archer; Mark Wood; Simon Goodwin; Brad Green; Matthew Pavlich; Tom Harley; Abby Phillip; Scott Jennings; Van Jones.Places: Hong Kong; Tasmania; Melbourne; Sydney; North Shore; Central; Opera House; Kiama; Silverwater; Gaza; West Bank; Qatar; Egypt; Netherlands; Japan; Texas; California; Massachusetts; Illinois; New York; Maryland; Old Trafford; Perth; The Gabba; Adelaide; San Francisco.Organisations/teams: Greens; Labor; Liberal Party; National Socialist Alliance; IDF; Hezbollah; UNRWA; Palestinian Authority; Hamas; Mossad; BBC; Jerusalem Post; FAA; DecodeME; RACGP; Productivity Commission; Sky News; Media Watch; CIA; Wallabies; Penrith Panthers; Sydney Swans; AFL; NRL; JP Morgan.

Breaking News: The tables have been turned as Jimmy has a quiz for Mattchin and the rest of the Tailenders featuring England fast bowler Mark Wood. Plus a full review of the Men's 4th Test between England and India, Issy has been having a Blast in The Blast, what makes Ben Stokes so good, Joe Root and whale music and more listener suggestions for the ‘Professional Cricketing Bucket List'.

Jonathan Agnew presents your questions to England bowler Mark Wood in the TMS commentary box at Lord's. Who is his dream bowling partner? How do you mark your run up? And are the England bowlers in competition about who can bowl the fastest?