1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Bene 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zed B. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,387 Speaker 2: Let's get you across the Tasman Our. Australian correspondent Adam 4 00:00:15,427 --> 00:00:18,227 Speaker 2: Peacock joins us. So let's start with Test cricket. Adam 5 00:00:18,227 --> 00:00:21,587 Speaker 2: Australia India tied at one all after three tests and 6 00:00:21,667 --> 00:00:25,507 Speaker 2: their five Mats series. The iconic Boxing Day Test coming 7 00:00:25,547 --> 00:00:27,667 Speaker 2: up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on Thursday. Is 8 00:00:27,707 --> 00:00:30,507 Speaker 2: there still the Boxing Day Test, the biggest event of 9 00:00:30,547 --> 00:00:31,947 Speaker 2: the of the sporting. 10 00:00:31,627 --> 00:00:35,987 Speaker 3: Summer, Yeah, Piineyer, it's it's Look, it's the focal point. 11 00:00:36,147 --> 00:00:37,827 Speaker 3: Day one of the Boxing Day Tests. We get our 12 00:00:37,827 --> 00:00:40,227 Speaker 3: biggest crowd, probably the biggest crowd you'll get for Test 13 00:00:40,227 --> 00:00:43,707 Speaker 3: cricket anywhere in the world, say for maybe if they 14 00:00:43,787 --> 00:00:46,467 Speaker 3: play a massive Test in i Matabad in India, one 15 00:00:46,507 --> 00:00:49,267 Speaker 3: hundred thousand mcgy. I think it's sold out Day one 16 00:00:49,307 --> 00:00:51,867 Speaker 3: already and fair enough too because it's so evenly poys 17 00:00:51,907 --> 00:00:53,947 Speaker 3: this series and now we've got the added storyline of 18 00:00:54,027 --> 00:00:58,947 Speaker 3: changes to the Australian team. And it is great, this 19 00:00:58,947 --> 00:01:01,627 Speaker 3: this series, and it's it promised to be great, I 20 00:01:01,627 --> 00:01:03,347 Speaker 3: should say, and I think it's living up to it 21 00:01:03,347 --> 00:01:05,147 Speaker 3: with the twist and turn so far. 22 00:01:05,467 --> 00:01:08,667 Speaker 2: Absolutely look at I'm here here on the side of 23 00:01:08,667 --> 00:01:11,227 Speaker 2: the tasmhen. We've been watching it with great interest. You 24 00:01:11,307 --> 00:01:14,507 Speaker 2: talked about the changes. Nathan McSweeney dropped as an opener 25 00:01:14,547 --> 00:01:18,387 Speaker 2: and comes nineteen year old Sam Constance. What a what 26 00:01:18,507 --> 00:01:20,987 Speaker 2: a potential debut for her. Imagine walking out to beat 27 00:01:21,067 --> 00:01:24,147 Speaker 2: on boxing day at the MCG as a nineteen year old. 28 00:01:24,147 --> 00:01:25,427 Speaker 2: What can you tell us about this kid? 29 00:01:25,987 --> 00:01:28,987 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's been on the radar. You talk to and 30 00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:32,387 Speaker 3: you know New Zealand's favorite Sun Brad hadden't my mate. 31 00:01:32,427 --> 00:01:35,827 Speaker 3: On my Willow Talks podcast, he kind of said about 32 00:01:35,867 --> 00:01:38,027 Speaker 3: eighteen months ago, he said, I'll watch out to this 33 00:01:38,107 --> 00:01:40,747 Speaker 3: kid who is just blazing a trail in what we 34 00:01:40,827 --> 00:01:42,507 Speaker 3: call grade cricket over there, and I'm sure you all 35 00:01:42,547 --> 00:01:46,307 Speaker 3: over New Zealand level below first class and he was 36 00:01:46,347 --> 00:01:49,587 Speaker 3: going up the grade like every like, get promoted to 37 00:01:49,627 --> 00:01:53,267 Speaker 3: third grade, century, second grade, century, first grade centry into 38 00:01:53,307 --> 00:01:55,187 Speaker 3: the New South Wales squad. And he started this summer 39 00:01:55,227 --> 00:01:58,467 Speaker 3: really really well. He's just he's just a really well 40 00:01:58,547 --> 00:02:02,107 Speaker 3: balanced cricketer. You know, probably the first time you saw 41 00:02:02,227 --> 00:02:05,667 Speaker 3: Cain Williamson the first time we saw Michael Clark, just 42 00:02:05,707 --> 00:02:08,387 Speaker 3: go man, he's got a bit, he's got a bit 43 00:02:08,427 --> 00:02:11,747 Speaker 3: of variation and it all looks bloody good. So he 44 00:02:12,107 --> 00:02:13,907 Speaker 3: looks like that at the moment. Of course that the 45 00:02:13,907 --> 00:02:16,867 Speaker 3: added trashure now comes with temperament and handling setbacks, and 46 00:02:17,267 --> 00:02:18,707 Speaker 3: you know, sometimes you're going to get a good ball 47 00:02:18,747 --> 00:02:20,347 Speaker 3: from Boomer that you don't do anything about it, You're 48 00:02:20,347 --> 00:02:23,827 Speaker 3: going to get out and well, he looks like he's 49 00:02:23,827 --> 00:02:26,387 Speaker 3: already made test player. I don't know he's mature enough 50 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:28,587 Speaker 3: to handle this first go at. It remains me seen, 51 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:31,787 Speaker 3: but I think everyone over here can't dispute the kid 52 00:02:31,787 --> 00:02:32,867 Speaker 3: has got a ment talent. 53 00:02:33,187 --> 00:02:35,347 Speaker 2: I know he hasn't got any runs Nathan McSweeney, but 54 00:02:35,507 --> 00:02:37,627 Speaker 2: that's a bit tough on him because Osmond Kawaja hasn't 55 00:02:37,627 --> 00:02:39,707 Speaker 2: exactly said the world on fire either, has he? 56 00:02:40,667 --> 00:02:44,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, I reckon he is really harsh for McSweeney because 57 00:02:45,467 --> 00:02:49,267 Speaker 3: he's almost been set up not to fail. But it 58 00:02:49,307 --> 00:02:51,347 Speaker 3: was a hard attach than it needed to be by 59 00:02:51,427 --> 00:02:54,747 Speaker 3: opening because he's not and they thought, well, he's technique 60 00:02:54,747 --> 00:02:56,627 Speaker 3: and his sentiment will be able to handle that position. 61 00:02:56,707 --> 00:03:00,067 Speaker 3: That hasn't worked out that way. Like I said, in 62 00:03:00,107 --> 00:03:02,427 Speaker 3: the last sentence with copying a good ball from Boomer 63 00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:05,347 Speaker 3: and he's capped the field of those. So yeah, it's 64 00:03:05,387 --> 00:03:06,947 Speaker 3: hard on him, but I think he's got a future. 65 00:03:07,147 --> 00:03:09,467 Speaker 3: He's the right age. They like him as a leader, 66 00:03:09,507 --> 00:03:12,667 Speaker 3: as a captain, as a tactician. He's led some Australia 67 00:03:12,707 --> 00:03:16,147 Speaker 3: A teams, been promoted to that role. He's only mid twenty, 68 00:03:16,267 --> 00:03:20,307 Speaker 3: so he's got well enough times to kind of figure 69 00:03:20,347 --> 00:03:22,027 Speaker 3: it all out like the Shield Devil and come back 70 00:03:22,027 --> 00:03:22,627 Speaker 3: a better player. 71 00:03:22,707 --> 00:03:26,267 Speaker 2: All right, look forward to the Boxing Day test starting Thursday. Meantime, 72 00:03:26,307 --> 00:03:30,147 Speaker 2: the Big Bash is underway. Is there still attracting crowds 73 00:03:30,187 --> 00:03:31,387 Speaker 2: and eyeballs to Big Bash? 74 00:03:32,267 --> 00:03:35,587 Speaker 3: Yeah? Yeah, I'm getting some good TV numbers and decent 75 00:03:35,707 --> 00:03:39,267 Speaker 3: enough crowds. I think it's become a part of the 76 00:03:39,347 --> 00:03:44,747 Speaker 3: stomach summer diet of sport over here. They spread it around. 77 00:03:44,747 --> 00:03:47,467 Speaker 3: What they did do, which was probably smart. They reduced 78 00:03:47,467 --> 00:03:50,467 Speaker 3: a number of games so now it feels like each 79 00:03:50,507 --> 00:03:52,787 Speaker 3: game is a bit more important. So they went I 80 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:55,747 Speaker 3: think they went from fourteen to ten. The feedback from 81 00:03:55,747 --> 00:03:58,187 Speaker 3: the playoff was it just went too long and probably 82 00:03:58,187 --> 00:04:01,027 Speaker 3: did to date into the other cricket over summer. It's 83 00:04:01,027 --> 00:04:04,067 Speaker 3: weird over here and probably the same as well. We 84 00:04:04,147 --> 00:04:06,547 Speaker 3: watched cricket all around the world and we look forward 85 00:04:06,587 --> 00:04:08,467 Speaker 3: to our summer, but our some only video last two 86 00:04:08,547 --> 00:04:12,827 Speaker 3: months December, bit in November, December, January and then by 87 00:04:12,827 --> 00:04:15,387 Speaker 3: the end of January. For instance, this year our Test 88 00:04:15,387 --> 00:04:19,707 Speaker 3: cricketers have been over in Sri Lanka and focus will 89 00:04:19,707 --> 00:04:21,907 Speaker 3: be on the women's team playing it an Ashes Test 90 00:04:21,907 --> 00:04:24,747 Speaker 3: in cg So, yeah, the big bash. I think they've 91 00:04:24,747 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 3: got it right the calendar now and yeah that they 92 00:04:26,707 --> 00:04:29,467 Speaker 3: are getting decent crowds around the country, which is great 93 00:04:29,467 --> 00:04:29,747 Speaker 3: to see. 94 00:04:29,827 --> 00:04:33,867 Speaker 2: Good to see indeed, a big another big event on 95 00:04:33,907 --> 00:04:36,827 Speaker 2: your sporting calendar, the Australian Tennis Open. I know you're 96 00:04:36,867 --> 00:04:40,547 Speaker 2: big on this. I see sixteen year old Cruz Hewitt. 97 00:04:40,867 --> 00:04:43,067 Speaker 2: I recognize the surname. The son of one of your 98 00:04:43,067 --> 00:04:45,507 Speaker 2: tennis greats, Lton Hewitt's got a wild card into qualifying 99 00:04:45,507 --> 00:04:48,027 Speaker 2: for the Gussie Open. What's the mail on Cruz Hewitt 100 00:04:48,227 --> 00:04:49,947 Speaker 2: and his chances of emulating his old. 101 00:04:49,827 --> 00:04:53,907 Speaker 3: Man, Yeah, like he's probably got there on merit just 102 00:04:53,947 --> 00:04:57,347 Speaker 3: about Look it helps the last name. It helps probably 103 00:04:57,387 --> 00:04:59,387 Speaker 3: that the old man is the Davis Cup captain and 104 00:04:59,987 --> 00:05:03,707 Speaker 3: has a a fair bit of sway Insie Tennis Australia, 105 00:05:03,707 --> 00:05:05,787 Speaker 3: which a Davis Cup captain should have. By the way, 106 00:05:05,787 --> 00:05:08,827 Speaker 3: I'm not saying anything wrong with that, so yeah, look, 107 00:05:09,107 --> 00:05:11,347 Speaker 3: he's been around the place in junior's for the last 108 00:05:11,507 --> 00:05:13,507 Speaker 3: couple of years and he's showing a bit, so yeah, 109 00:05:13,547 --> 00:05:15,947 Speaker 3: chuck him in and as long as it's fair and 110 00:05:15,947 --> 00:05:19,427 Speaker 3: equitable for the other two news of his standard getting 111 00:05:19,667 --> 00:05:21,787 Speaker 3: the same treatment which has been the case over the 112 00:05:21,867 --> 00:05:24,987 Speaker 3: last ten years and not haven't investigated the exact breakdown 113 00:05:25,027 --> 00:05:27,467 Speaker 3: for this one. Don't have a problem with it that 114 00:05:27,867 --> 00:05:30,507 Speaker 3: he's you know, he's a big kid and he's I 115 00:05:30,507 --> 00:05:32,467 Speaker 3: think he's already tool and he's old man, so he's 116 00:05:32,467 --> 00:05:34,827 Speaker 3: over stick foot and you know, he looks to have 117 00:05:34,907 --> 00:05:36,987 Speaker 3: the attributes and whether or not he's good enough, we'll 118 00:05:37,027 --> 00:05:39,267 Speaker 3: soon find out. It's a totally different thing juniors to 119 00:05:40,547 --> 00:05:46,587 Speaker 3: proper open tennis in women's and men's with tennis. So yeah, 120 00:05:46,907 --> 00:05:48,707 Speaker 3: it's a big, big step. So we'll see how he 121 00:05:48,747 --> 00:05:50,707 Speaker 3: goes and shouldn't be judged on whatever happens in his 122 00:05:50,827 --> 00:05:52,147 Speaker 3: result he's first found qualifying. 123 00:05:52,267 --> 00:05:54,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, I often wonder about the burden of a surname, 124 00:05:54,707 --> 00:05:57,187 Speaker 2: you know, and look there's no getting away from it. 125 00:05:57,187 --> 00:06:00,667 Speaker 2: He's late on Ewart's boy. But yeah, I wonder sometimes 126 00:06:00,707 --> 00:06:04,587 Speaker 2: whether guys like Herm and others would just prefer if 127 00:06:04,627 --> 00:06:06,867 Speaker 2: they had, you know, a different name, or a name 128 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:09,987 Speaker 2: that wasn't so synonymous with the sport that they're trying 129 00:06:09,987 --> 00:06:10,787 Speaker 2: to pave their way in. 130 00:06:11,387 --> 00:06:14,267 Speaker 3: Well, it's the easiest thing to say for us. Mug 131 00:06:14,347 --> 00:06:16,627 Speaker 3: Hunter's watching for the first time. He's not as good 132 00:06:16,627 --> 00:06:19,787 Speaker 3: as he's old man. Yeah, it's like that's just a 133 00:06:19,787 --> 00:06:21,907 Speaker 3: flip and comment. We turned the TV off and and 134 00:06:21,907 --> 00:06:24,147 Speaker 3: forget about it. That's the kid. It would deeply hurt. 135 00:06:24,227 --> 00:06:27,947 Speaker 3: So yeah, I like judgment against what someone else did 136 00:06:27,987 --> 00:06:30,947 Speaker 3: twenty thirty years ago is completely irrelevant in my eyes. 137 00:06:31,027 --> 00:06:32,707 Speaker 3: So I'm interested to see how he goes and what 138 00:06:32,787 --> 00:06:33,507 Speaker 3: kind of game he's got. 139 00:06:33,587 --> 00:06:35,547 Speaker 2: Indeed, hey, this wasn't on the list, but the Melbourne 140 00:06:35,547 --> 00:06:38,467 Speaker 2: derby tonight in the A League means. The backdrop of this, 141 00:06:38,547 --> 00:06:40,947 Speaker 2: of course, is that Melbourne victory coach Patrick is Norbo 142 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:43,947 Speaker 2: has up and left the club half a dozen games 143 00:06:43,947 --> 00:06:46,787 Speaker 2: into the new season. He's only just taken over. What's 144 00:06:46,787 --> 00:06:47,867 Speaker 2: the reaction being to this. 145 00:06:48,507 --> 00:06:51,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, not kind, It's a bit of thanks for a 146 00:06:51,427 --> 00:06:54,347 Speaker 3: much puddy, but look, it's an opportunity overseas. It's to 147 00:06:54,387 --> 00:06:57,427 Speaker 3: be an assistant at Yokohama. That's where and Kevin Musket 148 00:06:58,347 --> 00:07:00,787 Speaker 3: and Harry Keele has been and John Hudson recently. John 149 00:07:00,827 --> 00:07:03,147 Speaker 3: Hudson just the snaring if they got a job in 150 00:07:03,187 --> 00:07:06,187 Speaker 3: j two yesterday, so he moved on from Yokama. But yeah, 151 00:07:07,227 --> 00:07:09,987 Speaker 3: kind of unfortunately points toward what's going on with the 152 00:07:09,987 --> 00:07:13,147 Speaker 3: A League in a wider sense. It's more attractive proposition 153 00:07:13,227 --> 00:07:15,387 Speaker 3: financially and career wise to go and be an assistant 154 00:07:15,427 --> 00:07:16,987 Speaker 3: in the JA League rather than be a head coach 155 00:07:17,027 --> 00:07:19,307 Speaker 3: or one of the biggest clubs. That's just the facts 156 00:07:19,427 --> 00:07:23,187 Speaker 3: of the matter, unfortunately. But yeah, it melt the victory 157 00:07:23,187 --> 00:07:24,427 Speaker 3: in a bit of a whole. So they've got the 158 00:07:24,467 --> 00:07:28,027 Speaker 3: assistant Arthur Dolls kind of taking over to Deny one 159 00:07:28,027 --> 00:07:30,547 Speaker 3: and led to believe, but I'll find someone that will 160 00:07:30,587 --> 00:07:32,627 Speaker 3: be fine. It's just a bit of work out for 161 00:07:32,707 --> 00:07:34,787 Speaker 3: Christmas that the crew at Melbourn victory had to do 162 00:07:34,787 --> 00:07:36,147 Speaker 3: that they didn't think they had to do it. So 163 00:07:37,107 --> 00:07:39,187 Speaker 3: I don't think it's impressed a lot of people, what 164 00:07:39,347 --> 00:07:41,827 Speaker 3: players and fans and fair enough too, he's just kind 165 00:07:41,827 --> 00:07:42,627 Speaker 3: of up and left. 166 00:07:42,987 --> 00:07:45,187 Speaker 2: Yeah, but weird, a bit odd, but yeah, I understand 167 00:07:45,187 --> 00:07:47,507 Speaker 2: the backdrop to it, as you say, the financial side 168 00:07:47,507 --> 00:07:50,387 Speaker 2: of it is probably easy to understand if even if 169 00:07:50,387 --> 00:07:53,307 Speaker 2: you don't necessarily agree with the decision that he's made. 170 00:07:53,307 --> 00:07:54,747 Speaker 2: All right, Adam, Well, I know you've got a bit 171 00:07:54,747 --> 00:07:56,867 Speaker 2: of pre Christmas work to do as well, apart from 172 00:07:57,147 --> 00:07:58,947 Speaker 2: chatting sport with me, So I wish you and your 173 00:07:58,987 --> 00:08:00,867 Speaker 2: family all the best for the first of season. Look 174 00:08:00,867 --> 00:08:02,067 Speaker 2: forward to catching up in the new year. 175 00:08:02,627 --> 00:08:05,947 Speaker 3: Thanks Piney. I'm actually my Christmas present myself today is 176 00:08:06,027 --> 00:08:09,387 Speaker 3: cleaning the house. And when I say I clean the house, 177 00:08:09,507 --> 00:08:13,187 Speaker 3: it's actually getting the house the outside, the facade of 178 00:08:13,187 --> 00:08:16,147 Speaker 3: the house, queen. So yeah, high pressure hose. 179 00:08:16,387 --> 00:08:16,627 Speaker 1: Wow. 180 00:08:17,187 --> 00:08:19,587 Speaker 2: Oh mate, well look at better you than me. Good 181 00:08:19,707 --> 00:08:21,587 Speaker 2: luck with that and we'll see you next year. 182 00:08:22,187 --> 00:08:24,427 Speaker 3: Can't wait, mate, if there is a next year after this? 183 00:08:26,947 --> 00:08:31,387 Speaker 2: He and Peacock after Kleaner's House, our Australian correspondent right 184 00:08:31,427 --> 00:08:33,947 Speaker 2: across the year and returning in twenty twenty five. 185 00:08:34,467 --> 00:08:37,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 186 00:08:37,747 --> 00:08:41,187 Speaker 1: to News Talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 187 00:08:41,187 --> 00:08:42,707 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.