England take control on a rain-affected opening day of the Fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, finishing 3/211 after winning the toss and batting aggressively. Menners reacts to Australia’s unprecedented decision to play without a frontline spinner at the SCG for the first time since 1888, questions the balance of the XI, and breaks down the Root–Brook partnership that swung momentum England’s way. There’s detailed analysis of Australia’s bowling plans, concerns about pitch preparation in Australia, and reflections on emotional moments before play, including tributes and ceremonies at the ground. England are firmly on top — and Australia are already under pressure.

(0:54) Match recap: England win the toss, fast scoring, and end Day 1 strongly at 3/211

(2:14) Australia’s XI under the microscope: no spinner at the SCG and what it says about pitches

(5:48) Root and Brook seize control as Australia’s attack looks one-dimensional

(11:42) Pitch concerns, tributes at the SCG, and why England are well placed in the match

Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here!

We’ve launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

🛒 Shop now:
https://www.chickensaltoftheearth.com/shop/category/Cricket-Unfiltered?c=5469591

From caps to tees, rep your love of cricket with some top-quality gear.

Exactamundo is a video, animation, design and content production company. They produce digital signage, on-screen graphics, sideline animations and videos for sports teams like the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League, Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and numerous American NBA, NFL and MLB teams. 

They also create high quality videos and animations for the corporate world, such as product promos and explainer videos.

Check them out at exactamundo.com.au

Get the inserted AD’s FREE VERSION of the show on our Patreon Page

Subscribe to our YouTube page for live streams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk7koDKpKxe0e3yC7NXQx6Q

Linktree for listening on podcast apps and finding us on social media:

https://linktr.ee/cricketunfiltered

Show twitter:

https://twitter.com/auscricketpod

Menners on twitter: 

https://twitter.com/amenners

TIKTOK: @cricketunfiltered

Sponsorship enquiries for host read ads: [email protected]

Email the show your cricket takes: [email protected]

Piccolo Podcasts: https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/

Founder Andrew Menczel. The first episode aired August 2013. 

It is a multi award-winning podcast team, the show has featured 15 Australian captains and some of the greatest legends of cricket and an episode is archived in the Australian National Film and Sound Archive. Menners is an accredited cricket journalist and commentator and his interview with Alex Blackwell won a Cricket NSW Media Award. The show was the first ever regular weekly Australian cricket podcast. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices