With the World Cup starting on Thursday, Australian domestic cricket once again commencing and, most importantly, Round 1 of "Premier" cricket getting underway, it's time for us to reflect on wasted Saturdays.

Who will win the World Cup? Is it India's to lose? What hope does Australia have? Can England defend the crown? 

Should ODI's just be confined to World Cups? Incoming MCC President Mark Nicholas thinks so. 

Meanwhile Hayley Matthews plays one of the all-time great innings in Australia, scoring 132 off 64 in West Indies' world record run chase at North Sydney Oval. Is the gap closing? Do we like it? No. 

Dan Brettig is on the show to preview what we suspect is going to be a 'low' summer in Australia, rather, one that doesn't involve India or England, and what I might mean for blooding new trappings for the eyes. 

Spencer Johnson joins us from his home in South Australia to tell us about his journey from West Torrens to representing his country, via the Big Bash, The Hundred and MLC.

We’re back with Ponting Wines this summer. Use the code GETAFEW to get 20% off all select purchases at http://www.pontingwines.com.au

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back! Because when there’s international-cricket-with-actual-jeopardy, we can only kneel to hoover up these last remaining crumbs. Along the way we’ve also got Stokes selling salad stories and quoting Spiderman, lid-lifting about Bairstow and Piers gear, hard-hitting journalism about Modi’s India/Bharat and the BJP, and why the World Cup will be perversely good. New Zealand all-rounder and debutant Father Jimmy Neesham joins us to talk about light horses and environments, while CricInfo’s Alex Malcolm lays bare Australia’s issues ahead of next week’s tournament. AskTGC comes in from Loose McNasty, pertaining to impossible social dynamics caused by one’s identity as “The Cricketer”. Excuse the indulgence, but me think it mazing. 

We’re back with Ponting Wines this summer. Use the code GETAFEW to get 20% off all select purchases at http://www.pontingwines.com.au

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ashes: spirit, morality, tribalism, culture, Broady. He’s good, isn’t he? (Knows what he’s doing.) We take your visceral minutes. dribble about all (some) things Ashes, briefly talk about other cricket, and finish with a failure-inspired #AskTGC. Heartfelt thanks to everyone’s who’s supported TGC during this series. A deeply special one for us, though we’ll never admit that, as men. Anyway, 2-2: let’s all fuck off.

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com. Use the code 'goodareas' for free shipping (valid in both the UK and AUS).

• Budgy Smuggler are searching for the final 4 contestants to compete in the final of World’s Most Ordinary Rig in Australia this November 🔥
• How to enter:
• 1️⃣ Post a picture of yourself or a mate in Smugglers at peak ordinariness.
• 2️⃣ Hashtag #WorldsMostOrdinaryRig and @budgysmuggler | @budgysmuggleruk | @budgysmugglerfrance
• 🇦🇺Final 10 win a trip to Sydney, Australia with a mate.
• 🏆 World’s Most Ordinary Rig Winner wins $10k AUD cash money, a 12 month Budgy Smuggler modelling contract and the title of ‘World’s Most Ordinary Rig’

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retain [verb]: continue to have (something); keep possession of. While England stroke their chins soberly, pondering morality and the impact of clouds on children, Australia’s grubby little convict mitts clutch the urn, with g-strings and court jester hats close by. Elsewhere, India dusts West Indies, Harmanpreet gets mist, Pakistan beats Sri Lanka, and Headingley helps a man settle his divorce.

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com. Use the code 'goodareas' for free shipping (valid in both the UK and AUS).

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

Limited edition merch available: gradecricketer.com

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major League Cricket is here and so is Zampa's reference to the 20th of April. Is it good? Are we watching? What does The Star Spangled Banner mean to powerplays? Australia have successfully retained the Women's Ashes, but this is of course not enough, despite it being good for the game. The best series ever though; Alyssa Healy thinks not. India absolutely smash the West Indies in the 1st Test. How will splitting up the islands benefit anyone? Do the West Indies just need to WANT IT more? Alex Malcolm from ESPNCricInfo joins us in the studio to preview the 4th Men's Ashes Test at Old Trafford. It's some really nuffy cricket chat but also we complain about why bad things happen to the team that we like and how nothing is fair. #AskTGC comes in from Scotland and also Edmonton, Canada. What is the truth of cricket? Will our world's completely capitulate?

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com. Use the code 'goodareas' for free shipping (valid in both the UK and AUS).

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

Limited edition merch available: gradecricketer.com

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com. Use the code 'goodareas' for free shipping (valid in both the UK and AUS).

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

Limited edition merch available: gradecricketer.com

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We emerge from obstacles technical and travel to drag ourselves to the microphone for a late crack at the scenes from Lord’s. Danny Rood starts things off, before we pore over events legally, philosophically, sociologically, tribally, viscerally, clumsily, and in grade terms. Also, Stokes and Smith can play. Following a rare defeat at The Oval overnight, Alyssa Healy claims her team "is allowed to lose a game of cricket". Very interesting! Scotland look poised to hurdle the full-member only World Cup, and AskTGC ponders the real meaning of the Spirit of Cricket, as well as whether or not his question should have included some "cock stuff".

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com. Use the code 'goodareas' for free shipping (valid in both the UK and AUS).

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

Limited edition merch available: gradecricketer.com

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In lieu of our lost cast, here's an extended visceral minute post Lord's. Full cast out Thursday.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We record this from The Oval in south London the day before The Lord's Test match, where anything can happen but one thing is for certain, this is very cult-like and we're having a nice time. Barney Ronay stops in to talk about the good things and the things we are allowed to question. What is tackles? What is Tongue? Speak in absolutes and with such certainty forever. Never change. Do push ups. We celebrate Ash Gardner's 12 wicket haul in the women's Test, the hopefully bright future of 5 day Tests for women and also if we'll accept anything other than a clean sweep. Nathan Lyon is about to embark on his 100th consecutive Test match for Australia, while England have already named their spinner-less 2nd Test starting XI. Why? There's other news about first pitches at The Olympic Stadium, West Indies failure in Zimbabwe, Netherlands' success and some other, more irreverent, stuff in-between.

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com. Use the code 'goodareas' for free shipping (valid in both the UK and AUS).

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

Limited edition merch available: gradecricketer.com

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We come to you direct from Manchester, basking in the afterglow of a podium Australian Test win in the modern era. We skin the cat as many ways as possible, chronicling the feelings 24 hours post victory, where it ranks, the game itself, and what next. Inside that we cover Cummins, Springsteen, Uzzie, Gaz, Stokes, Robinson, Ponting, KP, other names that make us feel things, and your Visceral Minutes. 

We also preview the Women’s Ashes, where once again we threaten effigies should Australia not emerge with the full complement of points. 

Budgy is backing us big time this English summer, get around them at budgysmuggler.com

Get Shane Watson’s book, “Winning The Inner Battle”, at shanewatson.au

Limited edition merch available: gradecricketer.com

You get discounts, early access and an exclusive podcast every week when you sign up at patreon.com/gradecricketer

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.