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Still Not Out with Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie and Travis Wakeling
Aussie cricket, taking wickets, scoring double tons and more with Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie and co-host Travis Wakeling!
Still Not Out with Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie and Travis Wakeling
Still Not Out... the Sports Show ep 1!
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Dizz and Trav have opened their eyes to realise, there is more to life than cricket! Whilst we still have a BIG cricket agenda, Dizzy casts his eye over a couple of controversial coach "resignations" in recent weeks in other sporting codes...
- PSL wrap, Kingsmen nearly with an all time come back!
- IPL update with Trav
- Coach sackings, how do they unfold? Michael Voss and Mike Wells "resignations" through Dizzy's lens
- Aussie ODI & T20 squads - winners and losers
- BBL privatisation and the impact on the Australian cricket summer
Welcome to another episode of the Still Not Out Podcast. My name's Travis Wakeling. I'm very excited to be joined by Manny's back in town. And the podcast is inspired by, named after. How lucky am I? It's the evergreen Jason Dizzy Gillespie. How are you, my dear friend?
SPEAKER_01G'day, Trav, and hello to all our viewers and listeners, mate. It's great to see you. And it's nice to be back. Had a wonderful time overseas and in Pakistan at the PSL. But look, it's lovely to be home and uh and even better to be chatting to you, big fella.
SPEAKER_00You were excited. You even messaged me today to say that you were excited to catch up with me. So that made me that made me feel good. The Thursday morning good feels. That was uh that was nice. But mate, I must admit, before we're gonna dive into the PSL in just a sec, but you're missing something about me that you you haven't commented on. I've I've changed in the last you you have.
SPEAKER_01I've just I I wasn't gonna say it, um, but I will mention it. Um you've got the granny glasses on everybody.
SPEAKER_00I do have the granny glasses. Thank you. Thank you. I I thought I'd go the clear. I thought I'd go the clear because then I feel less like I've got glasses on.
SPEAKER_01Right, okay. Whatever floats your boat, mate.
SPEAKER_00Have you ever been tempted into contact lenses?
SPEAKER_01Not even a little bit.
SPEAKER_00Because I this was the option that was floated to me, is that contact lenses. But the thought of poking myself in the eye does not sit comfortably with me at all. So do you need these full time? Like I don't, but whenever I'm whenever I want to see something clearly, which obviously I want to see you clearly, um, I I do no, do you know what the the podcast was a bit of a catalyst for me? So I did you I did have glasses in the past and then I was just naughty and didn't wear them. But um I would catch myself when I look back at the video squinting a lot, like just reading reading our rundowns and squinting, you know. So I thought, well, at least this way I won't have to strain my eyes so much. And also doing overnight radio, which we'll talk about a little bit later as well. You get a bit tired, and all of a sudden everything is like 10 times harder to read and watch. So um, yeah, but no, I'm happy with them.
SPEAKER_01So I mean, for for for me, it's just uh I just reading close up, I I struggle with and looking at the screen, uh, it's a little bit blurry, like up close, but anything more than a couple of meters away uh is crystal clear for me. And if I put glasses on and try to look like more than two meters away, it becomes a little bit blurry. So yeah, very much I need it up close. So yeah, um, hence glasses on here, but uh basically outside of reading and up close like this, um I don't need glasses, so but they're not a fashion item for you. Certainly not. No, these are I think these are off the shelf or so yeah, just from office work, so just the one pluses or something.
SPEAKER_00So nice yeah, very good, very good. So PSL, you've come back, you've been back in town for about a week. Um, I must admit, mate, I couldn't have been more impressed with your with your Kingsman. Uh the comeback, they look gone for all money early, uh, four straight losses at the start of the year. But uh you guys were a canter. And on I I I did think I thought you were gonna win the final. Um it's always hard when you have to when you have to bat first in subcontinent conditions, but um yeah, talk us through that that experience, particularly the final, uh, where you gave yourselves a chance at even putting 129 on the board.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, look, we certainly did, but um, but yeah, I suppose starting with the tournament, you know, it was all new, fresh, new franchise. Um you know, and I think it just took us a while just to you know get to know each other, um, uh understand everyone, or for everyone to understand what their roles were, um, you know, a little bit of uh good performance along the way. We we our first four games, I suppose we we had three decent bowling performances um and one bad bowling performance, and we had one good batting performance and three bad bowling performances, and um yeah, that that just didn't marry up, unfortunately. But once we we sort of clarified roles, everyone was really clear, and we we had some guys who just started to feel more comfortable in in their space, then we we started to have have some success and we got on a bit of a role. You know, lads were really clear. But the move from Lahore to Karachi on the lower, slower surfaces there probably helped us a little bit. Um both our seam attack and also our batting group. So um with aggressive batting group, uh we batted quite deep. Um, you know, the I suppose bring Glenn Maxwell in, although he had a relatively quiet tournament. I think his energy and um presence around the group was a real positive. Um and you know, I thought we were led extremely well by Marnus Labershain. He he grew as a leader throughout the tournament. We moved him up after a few games, we moved him up to the top of the order. The franchise, when they recruited him, the the owners, they recruited him as a middle order player. And I was kind of saying uh that you know I think his best work will be at the top. And Marness was very keen to go into the top as well, take advantage of that, the the field restrictions in the power play, just free up Marness a little bit. And um, so we made that move, and and I think that certainly helped him. But certainly the biggest growth I saw with Marness Um just was in his leadership, um, which was fantastic. And, you know, there's you know, there's potential, you know, he's captain Queensland in the past and that, but he impressed me with his leadership, uh, his attention to detail, his thought processes, um, asked a lot of questions. We had some really good planning and strategy meetings, uh, and he was very vocal in those, um, sharing his thoughts, but he was very open to ideas and suggestions. So um, you know, and then as the tournament progressed, he became more confident talking in front of the group. Um, so much so it got to a point where he'd come up to me and go, Coach, I've got this. And he would just address the players. Um, normally I'd start it off and maybe bring one of the assistant coaches in to um to chat or one of the players, but Marnus at the end, then just second half of the tournament, he really stamped his authority on the side, which was which was a real positive. And um, and you saw the scenes him um in the in the PSO in our finals uh when we we won a couple of games and his excitement and enthusiasm, um, his much love there in Pakistan. The Kingsman boys, uh, the Kingsman family, they absolutely love Marnesson um because he cared and he he he worked hard, he um took time to get to know everyone. Um he was absolutely brilliant.
SPEAKER_00Do you know what? That's the thing that I was going to comment on. You know, we see all the social media clips. Um, and he just when you've got a skipper that's buying into, you know, let's and let's call it for what it is, it's a franchise. Um, but you've actually got your skipper buying in that emotionally, um, how you could just see that filter through with the rest of the boys. Um, and they looked like such a connected group for for a group of guys that had only been together for what five, six weeks in total. Um, I was just so impressed. And um yeah, that certainly some of his messaging that was coming across in those videos was it surprised me. I must admit, it surprised me. Did it surprise you?
SPEAKER_01Um I think I suppose not really because I didn't really know Marus before the tournament. So we'd kind of spoken on the phone a couple of times and sort of crossed paths in domestic cricket, uh, in my roles in in coaching roles and stuff and his roles as a player. So um, you know, our paths are crossed, but we didn't spend much time together before the tournament. So getting to know him was fantastic, and um, you know, and I I was just impressed with how he went about it. I I think he's more natural a leader than probably I thought. I I wasn't sure whether he was a leader just by going by my limited interactions with him. I wasn't sure if he was in um leadership material per se, but um, I can categorically say that yeah, he's very much a leader. And um, you know, Australian cricket um will be better for for Marness having had that experience in the PSL, because there's another option for for Australia to think about if they need um some leadership um in any of the formats. Um Marnus is is someone that they can maybe consider. So um look, it was a it was great fun, it was a great tournament. Um, you know, getting to the final was was fantastic. We only posted 129, batting first. Um when you lose four for two in the space of two overs in your middle or in the middle overs, um that really uh takes wind out of your sails, and and that ultimately cost us. Um we've you know we had a little dart at it early. We had him three down for not many, four for 40, I think. Um but um Aaron Hardy came in and on the back of his four for 27, he just steadied the ship and got 56 not out to uh to win the uh win the title for Peshawar's army. Um look, they were deserved winners. Um we gave it a good shot. The boys gave it their best. I was incredibly proud of their efforts. Um, but it was just a bridge too far ultimately. I think you know, we probably played our grand final a couple of times in the tournament. Um, you know, probably the end of the group stage and then a couple of the finals. Um, yeah, we were probably um probably played our finals by then, but um, but yeah, couldn't be happier. And um it's onward as onwards and upwards for the Hydra Bad Kingsman going forward.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it sure is. Now um as you know, I've been I've had to have my focus on another tournament that's been happening um next door. What's that? Uh have you heard of it? It's called the Indian Premier League. Not sure if you've um, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Did you ever you you never you know you played in the wrong era, didn't you, to win a con to win a conflict?
SPEAKER_01I played the wrong era, but I I was actually bowling coach of um Punjab Kings for one season under Michael Bevan. Adam Gilchrist was the captain. Um this was in the early 2010s, I think it was 2011 from memory. Um so had a had one season there, and that was that was a good experience. I learned a lot. Um, it was a proper eye-opener, I can assure you. Um but look, it was it was a good experience. I I enjoyed the enjoyed my time there. Um and yeah, but that's my only experience um of the of the IPL. Well the Kings are in free forms. So so what have you been doing in the IPL?
SPEAKER_00So I've been I've been uh working as the sort of anchor of the the coverage on SEN. So I go in and set up a studio. So I've in the studio back in back in Adelaide, we use the Fox feed um to for the ball-by-ball commentary, and then I come in in between overs and wickets and all that sort of stuff and sort of share my thoughts on the game. And I suppose the one of the challenges about taking the taking a Fox feed is that it is a TV call, so for me, it's about making that um painting a picture for those who are listening on radio. Um, so if it's describing something that I've seen, or um, you know, something maybe maybe the like even after the wicket, sort of talking through actually what that looked like uh as a as a viewer and painting a picture for the for the radio listener. So uh it's been awesome. I've loved it. It's a late night. Um and in the IPL, you can have up to an hour of rain delays with no um loss of overs. So I've had a couple of nights there where I've had a very late night because we've had rain delays of up to an hour and we haven't actually lost overs for that. So um a couple of couple of late ones, I think I'm there from 10 30 p.m. till about 3 30 in the morning, if it all goes to plan, and then if it goes over time, then I just stay there until until it's done. So I think my latest finish was about quarter past five in the morning. So wow. But no, it's good fun. I I love doing it.
SPEAKER_01So are you are you on your own in the studio?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, I am. Yeah, and then I throw down to the um to the coverage when the as the basically as the bowl is running in um for the over. So that's it, it's great. Um, it's been giving me a lot of insight, and and um certainly uh there's some things that I've taken out of watching more IPL this year that that I've realized uh uh about the game and um it's been fun. But it's nice watching the Aussies do well.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so I was just gonna say that the few of the Aussies. Uh who's really impressed you from an Australian perspective?
SPEAKER_00Cooper Connolly has been Cooper Connolly has been awesome. He uh made in T200 uh just over a week ago now. Um 107. It was actually a losing game. Um, but he's been really good all season for Punjab Kings. Um really set the tone. He's been batting at number three, so he's had a big roll with the bat. He hasn't been bowling. Um game one. He said he he stamped his authority in game one with 74. Um, that was off 30 something balls. It was really impressive. But um he's he's made three fifties and and a hundred um on this on the season. And he's he's quite the the thing for Cooper that he needs to, I suppose, focus on in is his start because if he like he's looks very shaky in his first few balls, um so he's basically going single-figure scores or he's going big. Um so he probably wants to look to reduce the that'll come with experience, Trav, as well.
SPEAKER_01That's right. So that'll come with experience. He's got probably one of the great mentors in world cricket and Ricky Ponting as his coach. So um, you know, who had a little bit of experience batting at three, just a little uh in cricket. Yeah, just a little bit. So that'll be great. But but the the experience he's getting um being exposed to all the quality cricketers in the IPL will only be good for him going forward in his career, not only for for Western Australia, the Perth Scorchers, but also hopefully um the Australian side.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, there was a young guy by the name of Virat Coley that made another hundred last night as well. I don't know if you've heard of him.
SPEAKER_01That's his ninth IPL hundred, is that right?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. And he's past 14,000 T20 runs now as well. So he's just a freak. Um he's been at RCB his whole career. He's he's their franchise player, but he's so they're the first team that are confirmed in the uh in the playoffs. Um so that's a big that's a big uh so the Punjab Kigs, they were top for a long time, weren't they?
SPEAKER_01And they're just hanging on now, aren't they? They're in free fall.
SPEAKER_00They're in free fall.
SPEAKER_01So they have how many games have they dropped in a row now?
SPEAKER_00Four in a row, they've lost. Um and so and they've lost to they've lost to teams that they should really be beating. So um it's been a it's been a bad run uh for them. Gujarat Titans are the ones to watch though, because they were sitting sixth only a week ago. They're now sitting second. They're the uh they're actually they've um confirmed their spot uh in the in the playoffs as well. And to do that, they had to beat the entire top four, and they did. So uh they had four games going or two against the top four sides, and they nailed every one of them. So they're in second now, and they're I mean, top two in the IPL is your double chance. So, you know, four teams go through to the playoffs. If you finish top two, you get uh you get a second chance if you lose that first um that first game of the playoffs.
SPEAKER_01So um so who are the teams, Trav, that are um probably out of the running that probably got little or no chance of qualifying for playoffs?
SPEAKER_00Well, the Mumbai Indians have had a shocker. Jasper Boomer is having an all-time bad series. He's averaging over 100 with the ball. Um he's he's I think he's taken three wickets for the series, and he's going um he's going at nine and over comfortably.
SPEAKER_01Um so is it just poor execution or have have batsmen worked out methods against him?
SPEAKER_00Oh, I think players have been working out ways to go after him. Look, it's been a high scoring series, particularly the first half of the season, was like the scoring was extreme. Um we had, I mean, there was a game between the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings uh where the Capitals put 264 on the board and then the Kings chased that down inside 19 overs. Um that's insane, isn't it? Oh it was video game numbers, but since then um the the the the bowling has made a comeback uh in the second half of the series and the plans have got have got better and better. So uh you're seeing you're seeing all of a sudden where the median score might have been 210 to 220 in the first half of the season. It's sort of been pegged back to around the 180 mark. So the bowlers have clearly adjusted their plans and and are doing it, yeah, doing it well.
SPEAKER_01So uh it's are they starting to play on used pitches as well?
SPEAKER_00Yes, they are.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so that that will always bring the scores down because then the slower bowls will come into play a little bit more. The changes of pace into the pitch, slower balls from the seamers um on those fresh surfaces that offer very little. They've got no grass on them. It's just the badders can hit through the line with a lot of confidence, knowing that it's gonna be one pace uh through uh changes of pace are easily picked because they don't really grip into the surface. So that doesn't surprise me when you're saying that the the scores are just dropping a little bit.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, definitely. And uh so yeah, yes, the the teams that are out. I mean, Lucknow Super Giants haven't got going at all. They've only had three wins from their 11 games. Mumbai Indians uh only three wins as well from their 11. So they're out officially. Colkata Knight Riders lost last night, so they are done officially, and the Capitals are an outside chance. Um they've got two games to go, they're three points off um fourth position, um, and that's the Punjab Kings who have a game in hand on them. So I don't think the Capitals will make it, but mathematically, uh, as you you know, as as a as a supporter, you're always looking for the mathematical chance. They are still mathematically a chance. I think the Royals are still very much in the chase um with a game in hand, they're only one win behind.
SPEAKER_01So what about the Chennai Super Kings?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, they're they're sitting in fifth. Um and they look if they can if they can have a couple of good games. I I see the Royals as more of a threat. And the Punjab Kings are still, you know, they're still in fourth. They're they're a game in hand on the on the rest of the the top three teams. So if they have a win tonight, they've got the call, they've got uh Mumbai Indians tonight. I've got that game um tonight. So um if they get a win tonight, then all of a sudden they're back up in third, bit of confidence, and they've got some, you know, they've got some star players. So uh you would think that they would be a red hot crack still. Uh so it's a wide open race, though. I I don't think anyone's really nailed down their spot as the leading contender this year. There's genuinely five teams, I think five teams that could still win it. So it's um yeah, no, it's interesting to watch. It's been an exciting series so far. But um, I wanted to talk to you. Now we're we are in a non- a non-traditional part of the cricket season. Obviously, cricket never stops these days, which is um which we love and it keeps us it keeps us working throughout the year, doesn't it? But um in saying that, I want I do want to turn this into a little bit of a sports show over the next few months. We've dabbled, we've dabbled in a little bit of other sports uh here and there, but um, I particularly want to get into your mind as a coach. Now we've seen two um two coaches sacked. Well, I shouldn't say sacked because that's never the messaging that comes out of the the clubs, but we all know, we all know what really happens behind closed doors. Michael Voss in the in the AFL, um, if you are listening over overseas, um, Australian Rules Footy. Um, we've seen Michael Voss, who's a legend of our game, um, after five seasons as head coach of Carlton. He's he's stepped down um after their loss on the weekend. Um, he's been under immense pressure for the last two years since Carlton made a preliminary final in 2023. They they haven't gone on with it since. And then in Adelaide, in the basketball, we've seen Mike Wells uh, for reported family reasons, um, decide to not continue his role as the coach of the Adelaide 36ers. What you've you've been a coach of multiple teams. I'm sure there's been teams that you've resigned from, there's been teams where you've been pushed out the door. You know, what did in the times where you are, I suppose, feeling the most pressure, what does that look like inside the four walls? How are you communicating with players around some of that external noise? And how how would you manage those kind of situations as someone who's been in just about all of them before?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, well, I'll honestly, I haven't been in a position where I've been tapped on the shoulder or I've been sacked. Um, I've I've tended to either just move on to another role or or whatever. But so I've been, I suppose, quite fortunate in that space. But I mean, let's talk about Michael Voss. I mean, I I personally think he's done a pretty decent job at Carlton. I think a 48% success rate, um I I think where where he's um probably the precious calm is probably the last this season, you know, the the last little bit since the prelim final that they made in 2024, um, you know, Carlton have struggled. Let's make no bones about it. Their second half fade outs have been well documented in the media by we've got guys with a lot more um football pedigree than me, but that that seems to be for me have been the catalyst. Um make no bones about it. Um Carlton went to speak to Vossi and say, How do you want to do this? We're moving on from you. Um we can either you can either say you're stepping aside and and moving forward, um, and or we're gonna announce that you're not gonna be here. And that that's how it works. And you know, it it gives, I suppose it gives the coach a chance to maybe save face a little bit. Um, but I think everyone knows that uh there's a shoulder tap there somewhere. There's at least a conversation somewhere about look, what do you think? Um, things aren't going great. Um we're we're seriously thinking we want to make change. What do you reckon? And that my guess would be that's what's exactly what's happened. And Vossi's gone away and gone, you know what, I don't need this. Um, you know, he he would have close relationships with everyone he's he's working with at Carton, uh, all the support staff, everyone involved, medical players, you name it, uh, trainers, everything. He'd have really close relationships and he would would not want to disrupt them going forward. So if he knows that the board, the CEO, uh there's an appetite for change, then it's a pretty straightforward decision from the coach's perspective. You know you're not wanted, you may it's time to move on. And then they do it as respectfully and openly as possible, um, which I think that's exactly what's happened to Carlton. And I think you know the club, uh I suppose the coach and the club come out of it in the best possible way. Have Carlton handled this as well as they could? Probably not. I mean, when it came out that they're targeting another coach from an um another AFL side in the offseason, um, gives you a pretty clear indication of where they saw their current head coach. Um so, you know, for me, I think the the football club could have handled this a lot better. Um, but it is what it is. Um, Vossi is a great football man, um, great person in the AFL industry and highly respected in everything he's done from a playing perspective to being a head coach, being an assistant coach, being in and around um the great game of football. Um, you know, he'll he'll be in demand, whether it be in uh some sort of coaching capacity or in the media.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think it's media.
SPEAKER_01I love I would love to get see here Vossi in the media. I'd love his insights. And being football fans ourselves and you know, watching all the or listening to the shows, watching them, um getting the insights of these former great players. Um, you know, I I would be fascinated to hear um some of uh Michael Voss and you know how how he sees the modern game and how he sees it evolving as well, um which would be absolutely fantastic.
SPEAKER_00It's almost become the the regular next step now for for coaches who who finish up in their roles, be it they want to go and sell themselves as um as analysts heading into it maybe a future coaching role or or just purely because they have such good nauseous. I mean, I love listening to James Heard still, who hasn't coached for uh quite some time now, but I love um his analysis on on Channel 9. I think they just love the game, plain and simple.
SPEAKER_01Um, you know, I look at myself who's you know transitioning out of full-time coaching and still like to do bits and bobs, but I'm I really love um talking about the game, the and commentary work, you know, chatting with you and I here, um talking about the game of cricket. Um, that's because we love the game. And um, you know, to go from coaching to then just doing something completely different. I'm not sure there are many coaches that actually do that because they just love the game so much. So whether it be in some sort of formal or informal media role or uh a more informal coaching role, I think it's very rare for coaches to completely disappear from the game entirely. They'll always have some sort of involvement. Um, and and I think that's not a bad thing because we we you don't want to lose that intel, I suppose, or all those insights, that knowledge, that experience. Um, I think that's that's really important.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, well, do you know who's been absolutely exceptional and the the best of the lot. Yeah, I look, I'm I'm gonna be completely biased here, but he's been bloody good, and everyone's saying it. We've got Kenny Hinckley at SEN. Uh, very lucky to have Kenny with us on the team. And my goodness, does he speak well in the media? His analysis is brilliant, his honesty is elite. And um yeah, I mean, as a as a port nuffe getting to know Kenny and working with Chad Corns as well. I've oh I've had an absolute ball this year.
SPEAKER_01Oh my you you you you'd be happy as a fat spider, wouldn't you? Just oh poor Adelaide, you know. Yeah, no, it's uh you're right. I've listened to a bit of Kenny's stuff on SEN and um just just his insights, you you know, you it it's a good balance. You know he's a coach, you know he's been a coach for a long time, and you you can hear it in his voice, and the analysis, the the deep thinking, um, but also the polish in being able to communicate that. Um, you know, and that that I suppose Cubs, you learn that as a coach, how to speak to the media because you get grilled a lot about every little decision that you make or or decision that has been made in the in with the with the club or or team. So he he's used to that. He's on the other side of the fence now, being able to analyse teams and um and be able to offer informed opinions. So that's what that's what the punters love. And and you being a Port Adelaide, absolute Port Adelaide tragic would be uh would be yeah, yeah, it still kills me that. Um but but it'd be great for you and to rub shoulders with Ken and Chatty Corns. Uh it must be a dream come true for you, mate.
SPEAKER_00It's it is good fun. I mean, it's probably it's probably my second most coveted career highlight. Do you know it's number two? Do you know it's number one? What's number one? Getting to work with you, great man.
SPEAKER_01Oh, come on, that's very kind of you to say, but I know you too well, and I know you love your footage so much. But I'm and you've been on shoulders with Kenny and Chatty on a regular basis. You would love that. I know that.
SPEAKER_00Well, it was nothing on going away for a weekend with you, mate. I'll tell you that for free. We did have fun. Let's see. We did have some fun. We did have some fun. I feel like you're still recovering from that hangover, but um you I want to talk some some 36s now. Um so Mike Wells, we touched on it, uh, finished up with the club two seasons after taking over from Scott Ninnis. Um, and within millimetres, millimetres of securing the club a championship in game seven, um, that Bryce Cotton last second layup uh in regular time just just rimmed out. And uh unfortunately he doesn't go back to the States with a championship, but uh geezy did a good job. But um the rumoured name that is uh that keeps coming up, Trevor Gleason, of course, was the uh Perth Wildcats coach for uh many of their championships and worked very closely with uh Bryce Cotton. So I wouldn't be totally upset with the whole situation if they were able to bring in Trevor Gleason as the head coach.
SPEAKER_01I'll I'll be shocked if Trevor Gleason is not announced as the Adelaide 36's coach. That's the the rumours it there's too many rumours flying around to ignore. And I I think uh I I think it's it's pretty much a done deal. Uh, I think we just have to wait and see. You know, all the all the people I've spoken to have uh suggested that it's um the talks have been um very meaningful and um there's a lot of there's an appetite for something to um to be done from both sides. So I I expect that to h to happen sooner rather than later. Um Mike Wells was an interesting one. He just signed a contract extension, hadn't he?
SPEAKER_00Um look, I do we believe that or no no no I I don't believe that, but anyway, yes, that is the uh that is the story that there's going.
SPEAKER_01But I mean But I mean that there was a lot of rumors about there being a little bit of unrest around the 36s, and um, you know, in the end, um, you know, the owner came out and said, you know, I was disappointed because you know, we've um we've made some serious progression under Mike Wells, and um, but it is a family decision. So look, we can only go by what we the what comes out of the the club, what came out of the Mike Wells's mouth. He he openly said that you know he he wants to be home back in the States with his family. Um it's time, you know, he's been traveling around on the road for 30 years, and it's time to put his family first. So look, we can't argue with that. That's that's a unbelievably valid reason. Um, and we just have to take that on face value. We can debate all we want, you know, the all the uh all the rumors and innuendos we we heard about Mike Wells. I mean, it's interesting, you know, DJ Vasilovich has has left, he's off to the New Zealand Breakers.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01I wonder, you know, um there was always speculation what the relationship between the coach and him was, and would he still be a 36er if Wells had left earlier or it was known that he was leaving earlier?
SPEAKER_00We don't know, do we? Well, we don't know, but we can probably we can probably assume, but it's it's um look, these kind of things. I mean, that rumour had been floating around for since the start of the season. Um of course. So it's you know, I'm generally one of if something doesn't go away, bit of smoke and fire. Um but you know, yeah, you you're right, you you can only take what you've the official word, and um, hey, like I said, if Trevor Gleason comes in, every all is forgotten, Diz. All will be forgotten.
SPEAKER_01He will be given plenty of time. He's he's had a lot of success in the MBL over a long period of time. He, you know, obviously our um our main player Bryce Cotton has a has a strong connection to him. Um, there's an appetite from Gleason, he's overseas coaching at the moment, isn't he? And he's keen to get back in the MBL from all all sources. Um, and my understanding is that the 36ers are very open to um to um having him involved. So Luke, let's wait and see. And uh yeah, it'll be very exciting times for the mighty 36ers, and uh it'd be great. It'd be great to get Trevor Gleason on board, I reckon.
SPEAKER_00It would be. And um, hey, just before we move back into cricket, because uh we we will we will talk some more cricket in just a minute. We've we've got a bit of a longer episode today, don't we, Diz? We had so much to talk about. We were looking at it, we were looking at it when we were we were chatting about what we what we wanted to work through today, and the the items for the agenda just kept coming. So we're we we're doing a bit of a longer episode today. That's all right, which is which people will love uh because you know there's been there's been lots happening, but um just on the AFL season as well, who are you liking at the moment? Who are you who's your uh your front runners? Uh personally, it's freed for me. I'm it's warfie time. That's the the big phrase that's been coming out, but uh it's warfy time and as a you know Port Adelaide can align with a Warfy time um slogan as well. So that yeah, I'm on, I mean, obviously I want Port to keep winning games, but I also see that there's a there there is a bigger picture at play here in um what they need to do in their recruiting space as well. So if it's not if it's not this season, I'm happy for it to be a couple of years down the track. But I'm liking Freo so far. Um have you got have you got a standout that you're uh that you've been following?
SPEAKER_01I'm liking the Gold Coast, actually. I think they're a they're a good team. And um they'll they'll be bolstered by the I suppose the news or the rumors that uh Ben King is gonna commit to Gold Coast for another two years, which would be which is a big coup for for the club. It's great for him. Um but yeah, I think they're just they're just ticking a lot of boxes for me at the moment. I think there's been a couple of surprises for me. Probably Melbourne has surprised me a little bit, as had the Swans. Um they're playing some some good footy. Um and there's probably been you know a couple of teams that are probably disappointing, and um, you know, a couple of I suppose surprises, disappointments of um but yeah, the that there seems to be a big gap at the moment between those bottom four teams and the top four teams. You know, it's never been it I can't remember a time when it's been much wider than this. Um you know, with some with you know the likes of Richmond, West Coast, Essendon. Uh you know, I I think North are showing some signs of progression under Alistair Clarkson. Yeah. Um but Essendon, West Coast, and Richmond. Richmond competed well against the Crows last week for for the first half. Um, but it's that that you know, the premiership quarter, the third quarter, when the crows just ran away with it. Um and Richmond had no answers. But um, but yeah, there just seems to be a bit of a gulf. I I think the crows are gonna uh uh are better than what they've shown, and I I think they'll they'll do well. Um, you know, I'm I'm quite bullish about the Adelaide Crows. I I think they're gonna be good. Port, they're gonna be your your your mates, they're gonna be in a bit of a transition at the moment. I think they'll struggle to have a strong impact on this season, but uh um I don't think all things are bad there uh by any stretch.
SPEAKER_00Um look at look at the losses, like it's ridiculous. So the crazy stat about Port's losses against Hawthorne, against Western Bulldogs, against the Crows. Now they've lost by three, two, and one point uh in those games. Those teams beat us by 80 plus points the last time we played them. So last year, so there's progression there, yeah. Absolutely. And you you're talking this a very similar group of players, albeit we don't have our skipper in the side at the moment, Connor Rosie. Zach Butter's doing an unbelievable job. Um, and obviously are you keeping him? I don't think so. No, I I'm very I'm almost certain. He's he's gonna be a bulldog, isn't he? I think so. I think so. Did you think?
SPEAKER_01He grew up, he grew up idolising the mighty Foots Gray. He did.
SPEAKER_00He did posters on his wall. And Mitch Cleary was brilliant on agenda setters um last night. He found these like handshakes at the coin toss from Marcus Bontempelli. So he went back through Bontempelli's first games to start the season, and he's gone with the gentleman handshake, straight, straight hand, gentleman handshake. But with Zach Butters, when they shook hands on Friday night, it was the the dap, the like the bro dap um that he went for. Oh wow. So he's he put this clip up, it was hilarious. I thought it was, I mean, even as a port fan, I I got a good giggle out of that. But um, look, it's one of those things you want to keep Zach Butters. You want to keep a player like him in your system and leading your club um alongside Connor Rosie. But if his heart's somewhere else, mate, then Which about I don't think it's his heart, though. I I think I think he wants, I think it's about family. Like it with Zach Butters, it would seem to me like if his family were in Adelaide, he would he would be a lifer at port. Right. But and the way that he has led the club this season with Rosie out has been extraordinary. He's been he's probably in he's probably leading the Brown Low at this point of the season. That's how good he's been. But I just think that if we're where we are as a as a club, and there's there's a lot of talk about there's not heaps of young talent coming through, and we've had to bypass the draft the last couple of years to trade in different different pieces. So, and we've got these three Academy guns in the next two drafts that we've got coming through. So that would seem to me that if you want to go all in on getting these three guys, and Zach wants to go, then you just make, I mean, obviously you don't have a choice when he's out of contract, but you make that deal happen and you make the best of uh of that situation, and you you and you bring in two to three really high draft picks, and that helps you turn one gun player into hopefully three gun players. Um, because I mean you're not thinking necessarily that people can get to Zach Butter's level because he's a generational player, but you probably bring in three star like genuine stars.
SPEAKER_01So you give yourself girls, you give yourselves a chance. Yeah. That's the point. And it's all about at the end of the day, if someone you you know that they don't that they're not fully invested and want to be there, they want to be somewhere, whether it be for family reasons or grew up idolizing this club and wants to be part of that club. That's cool. No dramas. And you just I think you just have adult conversations and you just come up with the best solution that satisfies all parties. There has to be compromise both ways. Um, certainly from a player's perspective. Zach Butters, if he wants to leave, he'll have to have to be a compromise there, and there'll have to be a bit of a compromise with Port Adelaide. But I just sense there's a lot of respect between the two parties, and I I I suspect what whatever decisions made will it'll be done um with a lot of care and a lot of respect, and um, you know, both parties will be satisfied.
SPEAKER_00How do you think we would go as an industry if because it's I mean it's widely reported on that the deal's basically done uh that he's that he's going. Now, without necessarily saying which club you're going to, how do you think we would deal in the AFL landscape if Port were to come out and say with a in a joint uh press conference with Zach that um Zach is going to go back to Melbourne for family reasons at the end of the year, but he's fully committed to keep continue leading the club for the next 10 weeks. What do you how do you think we would honestly go uh dealing with that?
SPEAKER_01Well, we see it in the NRL every day. So Jerome Louie, who's the captain of the West Tigers, he's agreed to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs from 2028. Yeah. So we're halfway through 2026 season, so he's gonna finish this season, he's gonna play all next season for the West Tigers, and then he's gonna leave and go to the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028. And this has been happening for years and years in the NRL, and they don't bat an eyelid anymore. And I I still find it hard to grasp, to be perfectly honest, how someone can be say they're fully committed to your side, knowing that next year everyone knows it's been announced that they're leaving to go to that club. Um, I still find that hard to believe. I I don't know if the AFL's quite ready for that. Um, but the NRL has been doing it for a long time, and it seems that it's just part of their landscape now. And maybe if that did come into AFL, it would be a bit of a shock to the system for everyone. But I think everyone, like with anything, people just get used to it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think so too. Should we talk some more cricket? We should talk some more cricket. Because there was some Aussie squads that have been released, and I think there's there's some for for two series that are pretty low-key, and not look, you and I are nufies, so we're gonna pay attention to them, but not everyone will, because some people are are summer, summer only cricket fans. But there's the one day series against Pakistan, and then a one day and T20 series against Bangladesh. And I think this is for the first time, or at least publicly spoken about for the first time, where players are missing an international series due to their IPL commitment. So the series in Pakistan collides with the IPL playoffs. So any side currently that has players in the running to play in IPL playoffs will are not forming part of the ODI squad to Pakistan. So what where are we at? What are your thoughts on this? Because this is it may have happened before, but I don't think it's been part of the actual release of the squad that hey, these players will be missing because they're playing IPL.
SPEAKER_01Yep, and and it's been delayed as well, um, until they got a clearer picture on what the top four would look like in the IPL playoffs. Um, so we see Travis Head's not available because Sunrises have been playing some really good cricket, Sunrisers Hydrobat have been playing some good cricket, and he's a big part of that franchise. Um so look, I I think it's the absolute reality of the situation that we're dealing with. And I I I actually I I do have some sympathy for George Bailey and his and his um selection panel. Um, because in years gone by it would be okay, Australia are playing, right? We pick our best squad and they go, regardless of what other commitments are on. They have they have in the past it was county cricket. Um so player was playing county cricket, but then their one-day series comes up, then they leave their county, they come and play, and then they go back to their county. Yeah, um, IPL, let's let's not beat around the bush. It's a sheer sheer volume of dollars on offer for players. If if they leave, they sacrifice a portion of it. And if they leave for two weeks, that's a significant amount of money to leave compared to if you leave a county for two weeks, you might be missing one county game in a one-day game or something. Um, you could miss four or five IPL games in a uh, you could probably miss five or six IPL games in a couple of weeks, period. So um it is a financial thing, there's no doubt about that. Um do I agree with it? I I think we all just have to accept it because this is the reality of the situation. But players, the danger is players have never been in a more powerful position in the history of the game.
SPEAKER_00So true.
SPEAKER_01Never been in a more powerful position. So that they and boards they are frightened that because we're seeing it in some of the countries that don't have, I suppose, are able to offer central contracts like Australia can or the U England can. Um New Zealand's an interesting example. We uh they had a uh during the PSL, they had um some they had Bangladesh uh playing some one-day T20 cricket against Bangladesh at the same time in Bangladesh. But they there's an agreement between the New Zealand Players Association and New Zealand cricket that they will not schedule wherever they can, they will not schedule um international fixtures during PSL or during IPL. Um, but if you remember, PSL this season was put in at the same time as IPL, even though it runs a bit shorter. So by that, the New Zealand cricket have said we're not going to stop any players. If if there is a New Zealand fixtures on during IPL, we'll avoid that where we can. But if there is fixtures, the players are free to play in the franchise tournaments like IPL and the PSL fell under that. So there are a number of um New Zealand players that would be playing for New Zealand normally, but were playing the PSL because that was a lot more lucrative. And that was a pre-arranged deal between the New Zealand Players Association and New Zealand cricket to not put any international cricket in that window. But unfortunately, with the squeezing of schedules, New Zealand cricket and Bangladesh got together and go, well, look, we don't have any other option to where we can fit this one-day series in with the future tours program. We must fit it in here. Um, it just means that we're gonna be missing some of our big name players to the IPL and PSL. It gives us an opportunity to look at some other players for that Bangladesh series, and that's what happened. And um, I think increasingly that's gonna happen. I uh don't be surprised if that's those conversations are already happening in Australian cricket. Um, if they haven't already happened, they will be happening. This is the reality. There's just too much money on offer in these franchise tournaments.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, and particularly if they do get to a point of privatization of the BBL, that will certainly become a part of the conversation if it if it hasn't been significantly.
SPEAKER_01Well, then the privatization of the BBL is a huge one because the if these private investors come in, they they will want their best players that they are paying a lot of money for to be available. So you throw up Boxing Day test, New Year's test, we've got BBL games in that. And if someone is paying one of the Australian cricketers a lot of money to play for the franchise, the privatised franchise in Big Bash, let's use Travis Head for an example. So Travis Head Sunrise's Hydro Batter have purchased one of the franchises in Australia and um they pay Travis Head an absolute monster salary to play for their team. Um they're gonna want him to play over that period and prioritize out over Australia. So this is where it gets this is where the privatization argument can could get a little bit tricky. Could it see a shift in whether the the big bash moves in the calendar? Or does the Boxing Day New Year's New Year's tests move in the calendar? So these are all the questions that uh uh no doubt are being spoken about at board level to Cricket Australia, the Players Association, and the like, and and all the states, all the stakeholders, no doubt all these things are coming up in conversations, and it'd be fascinating to be a fly on the wall traffic between the.
SPEAKER_00Sorry, I did waffle on a bit there. No, no, it's but it's so true, it's such a fascinating situation that we find ourselves in, and there is no easy solution, and no wonder these talks have been have stalled so many many times, because this will change the fabric of cricket, not only uh in Australia, but actually worldwide. So it's uh it's fascinating, it's gonna drag out for forever. Um, but it's obviously played a big part in Australian cricket offering Pat Cummins a $12 million deal um to sign on a multi multi-year contract with cricket Australia. Is this again, is this something we're gonna see a little bit more of in um in international?
SPEAKER_01Well, well, that's a tricky one because look at the age profile of the Australian setup. You've got the the older players in the Steve Smiths, the um Mitchell Starks, Josh Hazelwoods, um and the like. Then you've got I suppose the guys that are still going to be around for a few more years, Pat Cummins is captain, Travis Head Um are probably the two main players. They probably bookend the Australian team at the moment, um, Travis Head and Pat Cummins. And my understanding is that they're the guys that if these multi-year big contracts were to be offered, they would be probably the two biggest targets. I I think there's there's a lot of lot to play out here, Trav, because you've got the players association, you've got a a contract list, um you a player will be ranked, and next to that ranking is a dollar amount, is a figure that will that will be paid. It has to be 27% of Australian revenue. Um take into account that that's for men's and women's cricket. So um if they go and offer these big contracts to say Pat Cummins and maybe a Travis Head or someone like that, there's only so much in the pot. So where what goes out of the pot? What misses out? Is it uh domestic players contracts? Is it women's cricket? Uh is it grassroots that loses money? Is it is it club cricket? Um because something will have to move to accommodate those huge contracts.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01So, and how many are they going to offer? Is it just Pat Cummins? Is it maybe Pat Cummins, Travis Head, or is it a core group of six to eight players that they want to make sure are prioritizing playing for Australia? If that's the case, that's a lot of money, and it's a big chunk of that 27% of revenue that the players have. Um, so who misses out? So it's a it's fascinating. Um I I don't I don't know the answer. Um, I I think it's a real tricky one to navigate for the administrators. Cricket Australia obviously want to have their best players playing. I mean, in an absolute ideal world, they'd love to have Pat Carmins, Travis Head, for instance, say on big contracts, that knowing that they are committed to playing all three formats for Australia. They don't go and play IPL, they don't go and play PSL, they don't go and play county cricket, they are just committed to playing for Australia in all formats. And then if they can play a little bit of Big Bash, our uh or our marquee tournament in Australian cricket, then that's a bonus. But um but yeah, at the moment, I mean if if I was if I was involved in Australian cricket and with Pat Cummins as captain, I'd be prioritising test cricket and then let him play the IPL, and that's it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Pat, I'm not playing you in international T20 cricket, I'm not playing you in international one-day cricket, man. Yeah. I want you to play we've got 21 test matches in the next what 12-18 months. Mate, we need you to play 17 of those, and then you're free to play IPL and earn your fill there. And that's how I I would suggest it. I'd look respectfully to 50 over create, international 50 over create, international T20. Um in Pat Cummins' case, I'm not sure they're the priority, they or not sure they should be the priority. I think the test match, test matches are the priority for Pat Cummins and Australian in this next little period.
SPEAKER_00I tend to agree. Well, he's uh this I feel like they're starting to move in that direction. But let's have a look at these squads anyway, because on the flip side of it, some opportunities come up for some young players, and we talked about Olly Peak the whole cricket season and how excited we were by him. And you know, he was not only were we talking about his potential, but he was putting performances on the board, and so he's got a call up for the Pakistan leg of the ODI series. Um, so that's a big um big moment for Olly Peak. And in South Australia, we are pumped because our uh rising star Liam Scott also gets a crack at it um in Pakistan as well. I don't think he's in the Bangladesh squad. No, just so Pakistan series feet, Liam Scott and Olly Peak, two up and coming young players that we're excited to see wear the green and gold.
SPEAKER_01Yep, get them in and around the setup, I think, is not a bad thing at all. Um, and it's a reward. I mean, yeah, Olli Peak's done okay. He hasn't, I suppose, demanded selection, but what he has done is he's shown he's shown the selectors enough that says, you know what, this kid could does have the game that that could succeed at international level. So look, let's let's give him a crack, let's get him in in and around the environment and see how he handles that and go from there. And if we can if we can find an opportunity to get a game or two into him, then we will. Um Liam Scott has probably been rewarded for really good performances. Um, identified, he's been identified for a number of years now as a talent, and it's only been probably the last couple of years that that talent has come through. I think that's a combination of opportunity, but also getting over some body issues. He he had some um, you know, a few years back, had some unusual niggles, unusual injuries, broken thumb, and you know, at at inopportune times. But you know, he's been able to string some time together on the park and he's been really clear with his roles for South Australia and the strikers, and he's been given those opportunities and and he's taken them, which is great. So he's been rewarded for those performances. So I think they're two really good selections from George Bailey and and his selection panel. Um, and looking forward to seeing how they go.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, uh he and he has actually he's in the ODI squad for Bangladesh as well, but Aaron Hardy's been preferred to him for the T20 leg. Spencer Johnson in the T20 squad. So hopefully he gets over there and and plays because he's had all sorts of injury troubles over the over the years. And another one that I like to see in the squad is Riley Meredith. I think he just provides something a bit different. He's he's a unique bowler. You had a um good insight with him at the Kingsman. Um, so good to see him back around the uh the Australian squad as well.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, most certainly. I mean, first of all, you mentioned Aaron Hardy. I think he he's demanded selection with his performances for the Perth Scorchers, and also, you know, his PSL final and PSL tournament didn't go unnoticed as well. Spencer Johnson, great to see him back. He's had a wretched time last summer. Uh, missed basically the whole summer with injury, which was a real blow for Spence. But it's good to see uh the selectors showing some belief and faith in him, which is which is fantastic. Um, yeah, and Raleigh Meredith, of course, yeah. Had him at the Kingsman. Uh great lad. Um, very laid back, um laid back character, but um don't let that fool you. He's very, very committed, very keen, and very uh, very um uh very keen to impress. You know, he's a real competitor. The competitive juices flow, and uh I think he's a fantastic selection, and I'm sure he'll do really well. Didn't want to strap the pads on and face him in the nets at all, Diz? Absolutely not, too fast. It was hard enough taking a glove to him standing 20 metres back. That was fast enough, mate. Let alone strap the pads on and bat. No thanks.
SPEAKER_00That actually brings up a good point. It's just popped into my mind. When was the last time you you popped the pads on and jumped into the nets and had a hit?
SPEAKER_01Uh I think last year here at Glesby Sports, we uh got the net net set up here at Edwardstown, and um yeah, I was just I was uh feeding the machine to my son Jacko, and uh and then he said, uh Dad, when did you last have a hit? And I said, mate, I can't even remember. He said, Oh, do you want to have a hit? I said, Okay. I said, keep the machine slow. So he kept it really slow for me, and I just played a few shots and it was fun for about two minutes, and then I'll go on, what am I doing? I'm I'm 50 years old. What am I doing? I I don't need to be doing this. And uh, you know, I'd I'd rather be throwing balls or feeding the machine to my son who's you know he's got all his cricketing career ahead of him, mate. I've I've been there and done that, so um it was nice to hit a hit about a dozen off the off the bat, but um, but yeah, my time's done.
SPEAKER_00Hey, I enjoyed seeing that he's doing well uh playing for pint. Uh three for what was it, three for eight, came on and bowled a couple of overs in the in the death into the death overs and took three for eight. I enjoyed seeing the greatest.
SPEAKER_01He said, Dad, I was I came on. They brought me on the 17th over, and uh the game was kind of in the balance, and he just came in and yeah, he bought two overs, he got three for eight. He was he was pretty chuffed with himself, but I think he was a bit gutted he didn't get to bowl earlier. I think he he he he likes to take the new ball and charge in and stuff like that. But they they gave him a role to come in and use the older ball, and um, and he yeah, he did really well. But but no, he's loving it up in Darwin, uh, Pint Creek Club, and uh having a really good time up there. It's a it's a great lifestyle up there, and uh the the club are excellent and have been um very accommodating and he helps out coaching the juniors and um does bits and bobs and yeah, which is which is great.
SPEAKER_00That's good. Is he gonna go support the pair this weekend, uh Friday night, Port vs Sons at TIO?
SPEAKER_01Is he gonna head up and I'm sure it'll be hounding someone for some tickets, mate, to to go watch the footy. So we'll see, we'll see how he goes.
SPEAKER_00Like um some like father, then. Here we go. Uh you've got to learn from the best, right? You gotta learn from the best. Correct. Hey Diz, what's what's happening for the rest of the week, mate? What do you got going on? You're at the office today at Gillespie Sports as well. You're doing the biggest.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, not too much. With uh you know, there's a bit of a bit of kid sport, a bit of running around. Um yeah, but uh other than that, um pretty pretty chilled out weekend. I'll probably try and get a run in later today, I think. Keep yourself fit. Um, but yeah, uh Mrs. G, a bit unwell at the moment, so um probably been doing a bit of the heavy lifting um for the next little bit. Um before we go, mate, I just thought I'd mention the um England have appointed a new selector. Of course, yes. And the Australian Marcus North, um, who's been the Durham Director of Cricket since 2018. Uh North's um wife is English, and so he's been living over in England for uh well over a decade now. Um, and he's been the director of cricket at Durham in the north there for a while. But um, I just thought it was really interesting just seeing their test squad. Um, you know, I think it's probably no surprises to us after the ashes that Zach Crawley and Ollie Pope have been left out of their squad to shocking um for their for their test series coming up. Um Zach Crawley's averaged 17 for Kent. I mean, he played 64 test matches and with an average of 30. So um he's been given a good run. Um and he just hasn't he's obviously a highly talented player, Zach Crawley, but just hasn't had that consistency that they've probably craved or or have wanted. Um but they've brought in Ollie Robinson, who has 20 test matches under his belt, 76 wickets at 22. Um, you know, for me, I I think he's a fine bowler. Um, had him at Yorkshire when I first when I was there early. He actually gave him his first game in a Roses T20 match, and his job was to bowl two overs of Yorkers at the death. That was his job.
SPEAKER_00A bit of Jackson Gillespie about that.
SPEAKER_01How'd he go? That's all he did. Yeah, so he did that, then he ended up leaving the club and um going down south and and got a second, I suppose there was some disciplinary issues at Yorkshire, and um I think a lot of that was down to homesickness. He's from down south of of England, he's from Kent Way, but found himself at Sussex and uh has made a a really strong career out of himself. I I've always been a big fan of his. I think managed correctly, I think um, you know, he he can be a fine player. He he needs a bit of a bit of an arm around the shoulder at times, Ollie. But Ollie, for me, is probably one of the most researched fast bowlers I've ever coached. Um he's forever watching footage and um trying to identify weaknesses in batters. Um but I think the issue that he's had over the last few years with England is that they just haven't felt he's fit and robust enough to bowl in test matches consistently, and you know, his pace dropped off badly. Um, and that's probably what's cost him. But but look, I I think in English conditions, taking the new ball, he could be he could be um you know a tricky customer. Um a couple of other the ins. Uh Emilio Gay from Durham has come in. Uh he's averaging 92 with the bat in county cricket this year. So he he's Rob Key's acknowledged that he's going to open the batting. Um young lad James Rue from uh Somerset, 22 years of age. He's the backup keeper. He's got a brother as well. Left hand bat.
SPEAKER_00Is he one?
SPEAKER_01He's got 12, he's got 12 first class hundreds in 62 games.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's that's a good one. Now he he's got a brother as well, doesn't he, James Roo? That's that's pretty was part of the Lions tour.
SPEAKER_01Yes, that's right.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um his name, his first name escapes me, but um, but yeah, but young, young James Roo, yeah, uh fine young player. And um Rihan Ahmed and Shoah Bashir are the two spinners, so it'll be interesting to see which way they go after they brought Shoah Bashir to Australia, but he didn't bowl a ball uh in the ashes, and then Sonny Baker, yeah, young class bowler from Hampshire, who's had a had an indifferent debut um for England in in white ball cricket, but bowls with genuine airspeed, um enthusiastic. Um it'll be interesting to see if they they give him a um a test to boo. But um, but yeah, some change in uh the old enemy, mate. Yeah. I thought you'd be interested in to hear that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's a that's a lot of change, isn't it? There's you know, there's a lot of names missing from that. Uh no Joffra Archer. So I'm assuming.
SPEAKER_01Managing his workloads to build him up after being in the IPL. Obviously, there was a lot of discussion about. Uh Jacob Bethel being in IPL and not playing county cricket. I know there was a spat between uh Alistair Cook was questioning it, but Kevin Peterson came out and slammed Alistair Cook, which is ridiculous in its own right. Um, you know, I thought Alistair made actually quite a valid point that you know you want to put you're sitting on the bench in the IPL, you may as well be playing some county cricket to prepare yourself for Red Bull cricket. So um I thought it was a pretty valid argument, but obviously KP's always right, isn't he? So um yeah, so no, no what you can't you can't have a discussion. It's just what he thinks goes. So anyway.
SPEAKER_00Always a drama, which I kind of enjoy because if they were if if they were people who align with the the Australian way, I I wouldn't enjoy it as much. But because the because it all happens over the other side of the world and I can have a giggle at the expense of the England cricket team, I um I don't mind it. But no, uh Joffrey Archer's been bowling really quick in the IPL as well. So when he does get match fit, um and you know, I'm not sure what his plan is.
SPEAKER_01But it just needs the overs under his belt. He just needs the overs under his belt. He's been bowling four overs for the Royals. Uh he needs to be able to bowl. You you know, you need to be able to bowl 20 overs a day and be able to back that up day after day, you know. You know, come back and bowl another 10 overs if you need to, depending on the way the the test match is going. And um obviously bowling four overs in um um IPL cricket's probably not gonna get your body adjusted to that sort of workload.
SPEAKER_00No, very true. Well, hey Tiz, we've uh we've successfully killed about an hour, just over an hour of time for everyone listening. Yeah. So we've we've looked after you here, listeners. So I hope you've enjoyed the episode. The sports show. We've we've covered a bit of footy, we've covered a bit of a bit of uh basketball and our usual cricket, but uh plenty of good insight today from the great man. So Diz, mate, I hope you have a great week. And you know, if you too, mate. If you need some company now that you're not doing a whole lot, you just give me a give me a call, I'll come and come and have a beer or a coffee with you or whatever you you know, whatever you desire. We'll um we'll catch up and um I think next time we'll go back to Seacliff and have a have a catch up there. Um that'll be good. And we'll uh we'll have share a a beverage of some variety, whether it be a soda water or you know, whatever you feel like on the day. Mate, always good to catch up. Thank you for listening, everyone. Make sure you you do what you usually do and rate us five stars and share it with all of your friends. The podcast continues on, the cricket keeps rolling on, and uh we fancy ourselves as analysts of other sports as well. So we'll keep chatting to you as much as we possibly can. Thank you for joining us, and you have a wonderful week.