1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to Fox Crickets Podcast the follow on. 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: My name is Courtney Walsham, a reporter with Fox Sports Australia. 3 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: Recently had the pleasure of being joined by Mel Jones, 4 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: a former Australian Test cricketer and Fox Sport analyst, to 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 1: discuss the upcoming series between Australia and India, but also 6 00:00:19,560 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: the Ashes series Australia versus India that will unfold next month. 7 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 1: We start a chat by having a chat about something 8 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: a cause very close to Mel's heart. She's been heavily 9 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: involved in getting a group of Afghanistani women who now 10 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:38,839 Speaker 1: live in Melbourne having fled their country a couple of 11 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: years ago back in twenty twenty one involved in cricket again. 12 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: Delighted to say that they're going to be able to 13 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: play a match on the eve of the Ashes Tests 14 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 1: in Melbourne between Australia's women and England's women in late 15 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 1: January Afghanistan against a team of cricketers without borders at 16 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: the Junction Oval. Here's Mel talking into that as we 17 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: talk about all things Australian cricket. 18 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:05,320 Speaker 2: They get to train as an elite group, which is 19 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: what they were doing before the takeover. They get to 20 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 2: feel as if they're united in one again and we 21 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 2: all know how important, you know, connection is to anything 22 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 2: these days. And they're playing wonderful organization in Cricket without Borders, 23 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 2: who a fantastic group and themselves doing great stuff. And 24 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: so to be on the first day of the Ashes Test, 25 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 2: you know, you look at we're celebrating ninety ninety years 26 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 2: of Test match cricket, which albeit there's not a Test 27 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 2: match cricket over that time, but you know, Australia has 28 00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 2: been in a very fortunate position of celebrating that. This 29 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 2: year we're celebrating ten years of WBBL domestic tournaments. We've 30 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,200 Speaker 2: got all these wonderful things that you know, we can 31 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 2: hang our hat on and with pride and everything, and 32 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 2: I think this is another way that we can show 33 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,760 Speaker 2: that it's not just about Australian cricket, it's the bigger 34 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 2: picture and how can we be sort of global citizens 35 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 2: and be part of the solution. So yes, it's been 36 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 2: a long build and a lot of that has been 37 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 2: for you know, for protection and security of the women, 38 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 2: making sure that they got to a place that they 39 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 2: were happy with as well. So you know, some people 40 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 2: have been maybe a little bit too critical of the 41 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 2: slowness of things. But sometimes, yeah, sometimes things need to 42 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,079 Speaker 2: take a little fraction of time just to make sure 43 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:16,799 Speaker 2: you get things right. 44 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:20,639 Speaker 1: It would be a moment of triumph. There's one I've 45 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: been I think wanted to ask you for a couple 46 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: of years, and this is a question without notice, and 47 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:28,239 Speaker 1: it is about another moment of triumph, but in another 48 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: role that I do. I had the fortune of spending 49 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: a bit of time with Ashbarty, helping them with some 50 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:37,959 Speaker 1: of her columns, and I do remember commentating that famous 51 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 1: Wimbledon triumph and her leaving the court and pointing to 52 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: you in the stands Now on that moment, I haven't 53 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: had the chance to ask you. It's three years ago 54 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:51,360 Speaker 1: since she won that amazing moment IV one of fifty 55 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 1: years earlier. Were you a tennis fan or was it 56 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: Ash that brought you to tennis? And I suppose you're 57 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: dealing with her having known that we saw her playing 58 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 1: cricket and on one where she could have got to 59 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 1: as a cricular as well. 60 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, I just got goosebumps again thinking about it. 61 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 2: It was it was just a huge day. I've grown up, 62 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 2: just loving sports, so I can. I think my earliest 63 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 2: sporting memory was an old black and white sort of 64 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 2: TV you know, dial clicklick click for you know, and 65 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 2: hiding from mum under and doing that sort of watching 66 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,959 Speaker 2: the Moscow Olympics in nineteen eighty sort of thing. So 67 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 2: I've always and I always got up and I always 68 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,480 Speaker 2: watched this for some reason. Wimbledon always it was an 69 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:31,679 Speaker 2: interest to me for some reason, so you know, I 70 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 2: think it was getting used to getting up watching the 71 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 2: guys play the ashes well then England, so always got 72 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 2: up and watched the wimbleden well, the whole tournament wasn't 73 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 2: just the finals as a kid, so it was always 74 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 2: quite quite connected to that tournament specifically. Always loved tennis. 75 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 2: Did tennis listen as a kid, thought it was a 76 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 2: great sport. It was probably more drawn two team sports 77 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 2: kind of thing. So yeah, So had been had been 78 00:03:56,840 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 2: a tennis fan. Had met Ash through the WBBL when 79 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 2: she was playing with the Brisbane Hate and she is. 80 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 2: She's a cricket tragic like you stand. I've stood next 81 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 2: to her at the Gaber and watched a Test match 82 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 2: session and she's one of those people you can chat, chat, 83 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 2: chat but then she knows when the ball's coming in, 84 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 2: she'll turn and just keep an eye on it and 85 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,159 Speaker 2: keep talking. She's that kind of you know, she knows 86 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 2: the game, so she and she's just a ripping individual. 87 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 2: So it was fortunate enough through Craig Tilett Tennis Australia 88 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 2: got me tickets for the final, and because I was 89 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 2: over there and I thought that'd be great to go. 90 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 3: And I never thought of even asking. It was last. 91 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 2: Minute, and I thought I'd be way up in the 92 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 2: middle of nowhere sort of thing, and just happened to 93 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 2: be in seats as the as the players walk out 94 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 2: onto center court, and I can remember Vily sort of 95 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 2: tossing up whether or not to where my or wenszballs 96 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 2: always will be t shirt And glad I did because 97 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 2: I sat there and Ash when she was serving the 98 00:04:57,040 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 2: end at Easha and I was sitting never glanced in 99 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 2: out direction at all, and so I just thought, Oh, 100 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 2: she has no idea we're here, but we're quite vocal. 101 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 2: I was, is the mattress going on? But at the 102 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 2: other end, when she was serving the first time she 103 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:11,359 Speaker 2: went down to serve that end, she looked up to 104 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: serve and I was basically in her eye lines, so 105 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:14,360 Speaker 2: she didn't notice me, but. 106 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 3: She noticed the T shirt. 107 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 2: And I've spoken to her after it and she said 108 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 2: it was just a bit of it was like a 109 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 2: comfort factor almost for her that she knew, and then 110 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:24,840 Speaker 2: she spotted that it was me wearing it that I 111 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 2: don't think I helped it all, but it was just that, 112 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: you know, there was so much normality about the indigenous 113 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 2: connection with Yvonne and things like the dress that she 114 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 2: was wearing as well, and all those sorts of things. 115 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 3: So super special day. 116 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 2: And I as she was leaving with the trophy again, 117 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,359 Speaker 2: I had no idea that she even knew that I 118 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 2: was there. So yeah, when she turned and pointed, I 119 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 2: just lost my bundle either. 120 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 3: It was just the most amazing. 121 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 2: Of course, my phone goes off there because everyone's like 122 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:53,719 Speaker 2: she pointing to it and all that sort of stuff. 123 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,280 Speaker 3: So yeah, it was. It was a magical day, that's 124 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 3: for sure. 125 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:00,839 Speaker 1: Thank you for retelling that. It's it's one that sticks 126 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:04,039 Speaker 1: in my mind as well. From Afar another moment of 127 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: triumph that innings on debut the leading to it. So 128 00:06:09,279 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 1: we talk about a century nineteen ninety eight, you know, 129 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 1: Australian We hope to play more tests, clearly in women's cricket, 130 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 1: but Australia doesn't have that many opportunities. So the moment 131 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 1: comes along and you step out and you're English born 132 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: and you step out and come up against the old 133 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: art or the old rival in an Ashes and you 134 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,280 Speaker 1: make a century. Can you talk through that experience a 135 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 1: little bit? 136 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:38,200 Speaker 3: Just for background. Mum's Zossie. Dad's from Trinidad. 137 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 2: Mum was traveling in the UK and couldn't quite get 138 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,719 Speaker 2: back to Australia in time to have me there, so it. 139 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 3: Was just Australia. So yeah, So I was born in Barnstable. 140 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 2: I was the three months old when mum was well 141 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 2: enough to sort of travel and come back. 142 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 3: So handy for the passport. But that's that's it. Yeah, 143 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 3: grew up letely Aussie, so I'll look at it. It was phenomenal. 144 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 2: We played the World Cup in ninety seven and we 145 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:09,280 Speaker 2: won that World Cup and it was there was a 146 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 2: journalist with the England side that traveled during that World 147 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 2: Cup and wrote a book called Mad Dogs and English Women, 148 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 2: and the book came out just before that ninety eight 149 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 2: Ashes tour, so most of us read it on the 150 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 2: plane going over and there's a few things in the 151 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 2: book that we didn't pack too kindly too, So we 152 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 2: were like right, not that we needed any sort of 153 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 2: external motivation to come up and play England. And I'll look, 154 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 2: you know, when I think about that Ashes tour, one 155 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: is that we were still playing in clots. That was 156 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: the last series tour that we ever played in those feral, horrendous, 157 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 2: hideous not even a fashion piece sporting that's fire. But 158 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 2: you know, the fact of like, like I said, grew 159 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: up watching Ashes series, Middle of the Night and things 160 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: like that, So the chance to pull on a baggy green, 161 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 2: to pull on the vest with the end of those 162 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: sorts of things was just so so special. And to 163 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 2: play in a test match. And you know, we played 164 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 2: two day cricket back then, so we had the better 165 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 2: understanding of RedBull cricket than what the players do do now, 166 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 2: but we sort of had. The rivalry was built off. Yes, 167 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 2: we've got a super history within the women's game, but 168 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 2: it was also built in a weird kind of way 169 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 2: off the men's as well. And I'd love to say 170 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:23,120 Speaker 2: it was a green seema and it was doing all sorts, 171 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 2: but it was it was a road. It was a 172 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 2: high scoring brigand match and I do remember we're in 173 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 2: bits draft, so top order had departed, so Bark Lisa Kartly, 174 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 2: Blinda Clark and Karen Rowland, which is sort of unusual 175 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: for that Australian team that was sort of banked on 176 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 2: the runs. And you know, one of the things I 177 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 2: was sort of saying to myself every night is you 178 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:49,720 Speaker 2: only get one chance to make a good first impression, 179 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,319 Speaker 2: so this is your this is your lot here. And 180 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:55,839 Speaker 2: ridiculously I'd never hit one hundred at club cricket or 181 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 2: state cricket coming into this, so it was my first 182 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,240 Speaker 2: ever hundred, not just izsie hundred. So it was I 183 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 2: do remember getting into the nineties. 184 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 3: And it wasn't it. I don't think I was nervous 185 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 3: to keep hitting the field and. 186 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 2: A best mate Joort your price run out of film 187 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 2: because there was no digital cameras back then and all, 188 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:13,839 Speaker 2: like I remember hearing it saying, is I've run out 189 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 2: of run out of shots? You know when you got 190 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 2: to thirty six ex pros and should I think so? 191 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:20,199 Speaker 2: I think I was annoying my teammates more than anything else. 192 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: It took me a little while to get past the 193 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: three figures, but yeah, very very special. 194 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 1: We'll talk about putting in your best foot forward that 195 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 1: obviously went to a couple of World Cups, and your 196 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:33,440 Speaker 1: appearances in World Cup winning teams and I had a 197 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 1: distinguished career on the pitch. But now you're behind the 198 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 1: microphone as part of your roles. And we have got 199 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: quite an intrigue in summer of cricket coming up historical 200 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: leg as we talked about the ninety year, the ninetieth 201 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,439 Speaker 1: anniversary test at the end at the MCG at day 202 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: Night a fair in late January early February, which I 203 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: think some massive moment for cricket in the country. But 204 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 1: we'll start firstly just with the series coming up against India. 205 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 1: I think we played a couple of months ago the 206 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 1: last game to qualify for the for the semi finals, 207 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 1: the ODI World Cup semi Finals or the T twenty 208 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 1: World Cup semi finals, and it felt like well in 209 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,199 Speaker 1: some parts of Australi versus harm and Preet, which is 210 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: probably not the first time that that's happened and may 211 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: not be the last time. What are we expecting from 212 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 1: Australia and India in this three match series. 213 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's this one's actually a little bit of an 214 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 2: unknown in a few ways. There's been selections, so no 215 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 2: Shefali Verma selected for the Indian side, which is race 216 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 2: a few eyebrows. There's a lot of chats around the 217 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:42,199 Speaker 2: captaincy and the leadership of India having been underneath the 218 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 2: leadship of Harm and Petkor for so long and having 219 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 2: not won major tournaments and so there's you know, there's 220 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 2: all that that discussion. There's the fact that Australia toured 221 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 2: India December of between three and that was sort of 222 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 2: that was three zip to Australia and searingly hot conditions, 223 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 2: but that was sort of the the sort of launching 224 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 2: pad of a young Phoebe Lichfield over there. So you've 225 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 2: sort of got the young guns coming through and wanting 226 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 2: to establish themselves. You've got some senior players on both 227 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 2: sides sort of transitioning that sort of not end of career, 228 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 2: but just sort of trying to manage, you know, people 229 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 2: saying well, is that it for them or is it not? 230 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 2: And whether they think it or not, it's that white 231 00:11:22,559 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 2: noise kind of piece around both teams. And then you've 232 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 2: got a world Cup in India in September of next 233 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: year as well, so that's really close and that's that's 234 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 2: India's big piece. So for India there's probably a little 235 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,839 Speaker 2: bit more on it than for Australia at the moment, 236 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:43,080 Speaker 2: both most likely qualify with the points system coming into it, 237 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 2: so there's no concerns about that. But you want to 238 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 2: be coming into a World Cup having beaten the big 239 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 2: teams going into a tournament, and particularly when it's a 240 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:55,599 Speaker 2: home World Cup. The Indian men have won the T 241 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 2: twenty World Cup recent and we saw marine parade in 242 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:03,199 Speaker 2: Mumbai with millions com millions of people jam packing that bus. 243 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:06,600 Speaker 2: And you know, if Indian win the Women's World Cup 244 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 2: at home, there will be scenes like that the Women's 245 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 2: Premier League with RCB winning in Delhi and the women 246 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 2: winning there with at least Perry and Schmidimandona and Bangalore. 247 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 2: Bengaluru was in milkdown. So it's it's huge for the 248 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:25,679 Speaker 2: Indian side. So I think they're that they just they 249 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 2: need to hit the ground running and do it very well, 250 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:30,320 Speaker 2: very quickly, so that they can get a few wins 251 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 2: on the board. 252 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 1: You touched a little bit about the young and the 253 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 1: old and I was wondering where is the Australian team 254 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 1: at you know that that run came to an end, 255 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:43,080 Speaker 1: the glorious running and clearly you can have a one 256 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 1: off and it was an amazing moment from New Zealand. 257 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:48,840 Speaker 1: We've had all a Lissa Healy with a grumbling knee, 258 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: I suppose through the the WBBL and it's injury concerns 259 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,080 Speaker 1: through that World Cup itself. 260 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 3: MiG Landon's obviously. 261 00:12:56,760 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: Very fondly remembered, but we moved on. We've had a 262 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 1: couple of you talked about Phoebe Litchfield. You wonder whether 263 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: Annabel Sutherland as you move up the order, where are 264 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 1: we add in terms of austrain cricket. Is it Is 265 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:12,160 Speaker 1: it a period of transition ahead of what is a 266 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 1: significant summer. 267 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, hugely so. 268 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 2: And I think it's a period of transition which they 269 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 2: would have seen coming for a number of years now. 270 00:13:21,920 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 2: Hence why and I think you know, you see Annabel 271 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: Sutherland captaining the Melbourne Stars this year, Phoebe Lichfield captaining 272 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 2: the Sydney Thunder, so there's definitely and Sophier Melanie's captain 273 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 2: Melbourne Renegades for a number of years now, so I 274 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 2: think when you sort of look through the transition piece 275 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 2: with leadership, I think they'll be very very happy with 276 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:45,560 Speaker 2: where things sit that they've got, you know, three astute, 277 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 2: you know, strong leaders and still developing, yes, but wonderful 278 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 2: cricketers to start with, great cricket brains and very good 279 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 2: leaders in those three that could easily sort of step 280 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 2: up when you know, whether that's a planned one or 281 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:03,439 Speaker 2: just you know, through injury or something along those lines. 282 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 2: So I think they've done certainly well there. There's probably 283 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,880 Speaker 2: been a little bit of concern in around the Quicks 284 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 2: with the Limit now out again with a shoulder injury. 285 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,800 Speaker 2: Darcy Brown had the hip problems through the WBBL and 286 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 2: was sort of being managed there, so sort of being 287 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 2: around that Quicks you sort of go. But then you 288 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 2: got Chloe Ainsworth coming through and Lucy Hamilton, so there's 289 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 2: some young guns coming through the system which potentially might 290 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 2: be in a game earlier than what they're expecting. But 291 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 2: again that's the beautiful sport, isn't it. And you get 292 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 2: an opportunity and you run with it. Spinners, we're looking 293 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 2: pretty good. We've got leggies throughout the country. Left arm 294 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 2: orthodox ash Gardener's world class with right arm orthodox and 295 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 2: that is coming through George re vol has shown in 296 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 2: the WBBL nothing sort of phases her walking out on 297 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 2: the MCG hitting ninety seven, not out in a. 298 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 3: Run chase kind of thing. So yes, we probably are 299 00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 3: in a transition phase. 300 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,600 Speaker 2: But I think when you look at the of sort 301 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 2: of domestic cricketers, I think Shelley Nchki and the team 302 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 2: will be recently confident that they can manage it. 303 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,680 Speaker 1: And all these matches will be live on Fox throughout 304 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 1: throughout December and obviously into January. And that brings me 305 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: to my next question. We talk about the Bordy Gavisco 306 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: Trophy now being on a parallel with with the Ashes 307 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,520 Speaker 1: in the men's cricket. Are we at that stage in 308 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: women's cricket or is it still the Ashes that is 309 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:29,560 Speaker 1: the ultimate prize And can you see that Australia India 310 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 1: rivalry getting there in women's cricket. 311 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't know. Is it a parallel the men's 312 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:35,840 Speaker 3: I'm not too sure yet. 313 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 2: Like I love it, I love India Australia in men's 314 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 2: Test match crickets. It's phenomenal. Maybe I went to a 315 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:47,200 Speaker 2: bit old school. Yeah, I know exactly where you're at, though. 316 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 2: I think they're both two fantastic matchups, but for slightly 317 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 2: different different reasons in a way. For the for the 318 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:59,720 Speaker 2: women's side of things, it's probably still you know, the 319 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 2: the foe. 320 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 3: That's his history, isn't it. 321 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 2: And so when you look at Shelley Nichke coaching the 322 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:09,680 Speaker 2: Australian women's cricket team, she's played in multiple ashes and 323 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 2: has been brought up on that, so she brings that 324 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 2: story intensity to it. And I know Shelley I to 325 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 2: in India back in two thousand and four together and 326 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 2: that was her debut series, and so we'd have fleeting 327 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 2: matches against India, but it just didn't have the history 328 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 2: and all those sorts of things. But we're creating it 329 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 2: now through these wonderful match ups between individuals in a 330 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 2: heally versus core and the like, and the fact that 331 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 2: you've got the Women's Premier League. It's the richest tournament 332 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 2: in the world and alsi's want to be playing in it. 333 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 2: So I think they feel as if, you know, they 334 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 2: can score runs, take wickets, do well against India, it 335 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 2: sort of puts their name forward for those kinds of 336 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 2: opportunities as well. So yeah, it's if an ed crowds 337 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 2: like you go to India, you could be playing in 338 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 2: pac stadiums these days as well, which is the recent 339 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 2: series in a d why Pattel Stadium completely choppers for 340 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:04,679 Speaker 2: the games and you know, we know the passion of 341 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,360 Speaker 2: Indian cricketers and that's that's something very special to play 342 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 2: in front of. So it's building every year, which is 343 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:10,680 Speaker 2: which is wonderful. 344 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 1: Onto the main fair then the English coming out. 345 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:16,920 Speaker 3: It's January. 346 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 1: It's three T twenties, three ODIs and the fabulous four 347 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,320 Speaker 1: day Test match to finish, and we know that England 348 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: are preparing really well for this. They've got similar I 349 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: think a similar program against South Africa. I think the 350 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: same program basically the three T twenties to three ODIs 351 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:39,560 Speaker 1: and the four day Test match. How strong are the 352 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 1: English team? We saw them probably exit a bit of 353 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: a shock leading into that they didn't make it through 354 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 1: to the semi finals of the World Cup. It was 355 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: a little bit of interesting comments I guess from Alex 356 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 1: Hartley afterwards. She of course a little stir with the 357 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: maybe question in the fitness of a couple of players 358 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 1: and there's been a strong defense back from Heaven Night, 359 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 1: just be prior to the South Africa tour. Now, I'm 360 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,639 Speaker 1: all for the English being in disarray before they come 361 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 1: to Australia form but I'm suspecting they're not quite in disarray. 362 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 1: I suspect they're probably going to provide an exceptionally strong challenge. 363 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: I'll get your take on that day, because you're the 364 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: expert in this field. 365 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, definitely. 366 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 2: If I can rewind a little bit to the last 367 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:24,560 Speaker 2: Ashes series in England and Australia prepared that their focus 368 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 2: really wasn't the Test match the first Test match at 369 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 2: Trent Bridge, which they won, and it was one of 370 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:31,320 Speaker 2: the best Test matches I've seen or played in or 371 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 2: in the women's game. It was a great pitch to 372 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 2: begin with and that's so so critical. And then England 373 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 2: fought back and so it was a drawn series in 374 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 2: terms of points. Australia win it because they retained it. 375 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,680 Speaker 2: They had had the trophy to begin with, but England 376 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 2: won the od I and the T twenty series, so there, 377 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 2: I think they're exceptionally confident in all three formats that 378 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,960 Speaker 2: they can they can go toe to toe with Australia 379 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,719 Speaker 2: right throughout throughout the competition. They've got the the best 380 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,120 Speaker 2: bowler in the world and Sophie Egleston. They've got Natsiba 381 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,800 Speaker 2: Brunt who's phenomenally skillful and with both bat and ball. 382 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 2: They've got you know, the cricket leader in Heather Knight, 383 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,160 Speaker 2: who knows the game, team so well and the game 384 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 2: so well. So there's that They're got bowlers all the 385 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 2: way throughout that I think can keep pressure on Australia 386 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 2: and they've got batters to set or chase runs. So 387 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 2: I would say it's going to be as tight as 388 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 2: if not, you know, the last series still with a 389 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 2: trade winning, but I think it will be. 390 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 3: I think it will be one of. 391 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 2: Those series where people go remember that one, remember that series, 392 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 2: and not just the Test match. I think that'll be 393 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 2: you know, I think that will put a lot of 394 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 2: bums on seats, which is which is absolutely fantastic of 395 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,199 Speaker 2: the g But I think by the time we get 396 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:47,959 Speaker 2: down to the Test match, you would hope that cricket 397 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 2: lovers will be going, this is one that you don't 398 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 2: want to miss. 399 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: I will finish off perhaps on that Test match. The 400 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: initiative heavily promoted in Victoria's certainly, and you would hope 401 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:00,560 Speaker 1: that there's a lot of travelers al end of the 402 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:03,879 Speaker 1: Australian Open Tennis will be a lot of people in 403 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: town for that. It's the ninetieth anniversary, firstly your thoughts 404 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 1: on that, but then also just thrown forward to the 405 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: one hundredth anniversary in ten years. Are we hoping to 406 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: see women playing more tests by that and we hoping 407 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 1: it might be a two to three test series for 408 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:22,439 Speaker 1: example by that stage and a broader thing. What is 409 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:25,679 Speaker 1: your hopes for January and then for his time in 410 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 1: that regard? 411 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, the naysayers or not even naysays. I think 412 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:32,159 Speaker 2: some people just get a bit nervous when all of 413 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 2: a sudden you put it at a big stadium. You 414 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,440 Speaker 2: think the MCG one hundred thousand, don't do it. What's 415 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:39,400 Speaker 2: the point it's going to look empty. But if that's 416 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 2: what people said around the T twenty World Cup Final 417 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty, we had eighty six thousand there and 418 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 2: you sort of go give people their dues and give 419 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,280 Speaker 2: the players they do. They're elite athletes playing phenomenally good cricket. 420 00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:56,439 Speaker 2: Put them on the big stage and find out what 421 00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 2: the response is and then all of a sudden, you know, 422 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 2: maybe we need to market different maybe we need to 423 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,119 Speaker 2: do things differently to get the word out there. And 424 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,640 Speaker 2: so that's the challenge. I'd say curtos to Nikokley under 425 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 2: his leadership at Career in Australia to go, no, we're 426 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 2: not just going to put it at a boutique ground 427 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:14,800 Speaker 2: and make it look pretty. We're going to really lean 428 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 2: into it and give the players what they want and 429 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 2: say to the cricket loving fraternity, you know how to 430 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,120 Speaker 2: get to the g this is your place and it's 431 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 2: the value it's putting it on a certain standard. So 432 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 2: I love that side of things and to more cricket 433 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 2: test cricket. I actually think that the multi format series 434 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:37,399 Speaker 2: is one that countries can get their heads around and 435 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:41,960 Speaker 2: put into their program and navigate at the moment. I do, however, 436 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 2: think in maybe ten years time, the ASHES might broaden 437 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 2: out into more than just a one month test competition, 438 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 2: which I think would be absolutely fantastic as well. 439 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:58,080 Speaker 1: Look, I really appreciate you joining the follow on podcast. 440 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: It's an absolute pleasure. I know we've got great cricket 441 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 1: to come. As always on KO Sports and Fox Cricket 442 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:07,159 Speaker 1: five oh one. Lot's to look forward to with India 443 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:09,840 Speaker 1: and then with England next month. Thank you so much 444 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:11,679 Speaker 1: for your time well and absolutely pleasure to have you on. 445 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, and I'm hoping that Alisa Healy 446 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:16,439 Speaker 2: can enforce the follow on against England at the g 447 00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 2: That would be a little moment Nash's history as well.