Well, Boxing Day is done and dusted. We’ve smashed the Kiwis on home soil and evicted an All Black for daring to drink half a mid-strength beer. We’re feeling safe, and therefore it’s time to play “silly buggers” to show we’ve learned nothing from sandpaper.

 

The MCG pitch was OK, but the bigger story is that the notorious Bay 13 has been replaced by the Boundary Social — yet another win for the corporates. Fucken good view though, while providing tremendous networking opportunities at a reasonable price.

 

Meanwhile Sydney is confirmed as another meaningless dead rubber test (assuming air pollution levels permit the game to go ahead). Regardless, we speculate over who should be dropped, and why Travis Head’s runs make us feel nothing.

 

Kane Richardson joins us for some deeply relatable chat that includes a) which professional kit to wear at grade cricket, b) T20 bowling strategy, and c) setting the record straight on his friendship with fellow vegan Adam Zampa.

 

Finally, #AskTGC tackles some big themes: getting champed by young upstart captains, Jackson Bird’s human sacrifice, and what to do when the woman of your dreams just doesn’t return your texts post-chop.

 

Thanks as always to BudgySmuggler for their ongoing support of this thing. Kaysports.com.au for the support with our debate. And Blinkist (https://www.blinkist.com/nc/partners/the-grade-cricketer) for the New Year's Resolutions. To the rest of you, have a great New Year and catch you next decade.

 

We’re performing live across Australia in 2019/2020. Our dates:

 

Brisbane – Princess Theatre, Thursday November 21, 7.30pm (with Jason Gillespie) SOLD OUT

Adelaide – Rhino Room, Saturday November 30, 12pm (with Shaun Tait) SOLD OUT

Melbourne – Corner Hotel, Friday December 27, 7.30pm (with John Hastings) SOLD OUT

Melbourne – Corner Hotel, Saturday December 28, 7.30pm (with John Hastings)

Sydney – Comedy Store, Friday January 3, 7.30pm (Richard Chee Quee)

Sydney – Comedy Store, Saturday January 4, 7.30pm (Richard Chee Quee)

 

Tickets at https://gradecricketer.club/upcoming-events

 

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We do events, too. If you have sporting entertainment needs and prefer material sourced after 1975, please talk to us. We’ve performed across Australia and the UK, and love telling stories from clubland, or interviewing those who tell them even better. Contact [email protected] for more details.

 

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We have merch, namely Stubby Holders, and Smugglers. Head to https://gradecricketer.club/shop for the specifics

 

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Big thanks to Jarryd Biviano @thefifthcreative and Julia Dowe for our podcast art, Toby Shain for the voiceovers + fake ad production, and Adrian Leung for our intro tune.

 

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Email the show at [email protected]

 

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We’re able to do all of this thanks to the fit, intelligent, enterprising people at Budgy Smuggler. It either is, or is nearly, summer somewhere in the world. For the entirety of your colourful swimwear needs, head to budgysmuggler.com.au

EXTRA HOUR of AskTGC EVERY WEEK: https://patreon.com/gradecricketer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.