The Top Order Cricket Podcast

It's an excitement overload this week as we're together to record in the same room for the first time since August!

We start the show by celebrating Ajaz Patel's incredible achievement - becoming the third player in history to take 10 wickets in an innings - before we break down a heavy loss for the Black Caps and look ahead to the rest of the summer for NZ and India. Will Ross Taylor hold his spot? Was Virat Kohli out? Was Ajinkya Rahane really injured? Is there a way to level the playing field for all teams on away tours? And much more!

After a much-anticipated swish, Binksy picks himself off the floor and we discuss England selections for The Ashes, plus grounds, tradition and our bold predictions for the series.

For more general Ashes content, check out our previous episode - a preview of the series with Melinda Farrell.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear from you on any of our platforms. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website, and a few of our episodes are available on YouTube - we're chipping away at populating this channel.

Next up, we'll have another Hall of Fame episode (introducing entrants 65 to 61). If you can't wait that long, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of history-maker Ajaz Patel, Colin 'Funky' Miller, Graham Thorpe, Katey Martin, Bharat Sundaresan, Shane Bond and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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A little series called The Ashes is on the horizon, there's drama everywhere and Melinda Farrell joins the show to chat through the storylines before the action gets underway.

As we mentioned on the show, Melinda Farrell is an all-round cricket personality who produces brilliant content across a number of different platforms. You can find her written work here, view her YouTube channel here (including The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous with Bharat Sundaresan) or find her on Twitter.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear from you on any of our platforms. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website, and a few of our episodes are available on YouTube - we're chipping away at populating this channel.

Next up, we'll have our This Week in Cricket show to discuss the India v Black Caps series, followed by another Hall of Fame episode (introducing entrants 65 to 61). If you can't wait that long, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of history-maker Ajaz Patel, Colin 'Funky' Miller, Tim Southee, Frankie Mackay, Jarrod Kimber, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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On this episode, we're joined by Black Caps' leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

As well as re-living the final few moments of the first Test between NZ and India, we talk about matchups, head knocks, glue hands and big wickets as Ish looks back at a T20 World Cup campaign that took the Black Caps all the way to the final.

Naturally, with Baldy and Lippy on the call, the conversation turns to the art of spin bowling and Ish talks about what he learned from playing Test cricket at such an early stage in his career - and why he's keen to get back in the whites for the Black Caps.

We round out the show by discussing Ish's most recent role for the Rajasthan Royals and the magic of the IPL.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear from you on any of our platforms. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

Next up, we've got Melinda Farrell joining us to help preview The Ashes, followed by another Hall of Fame episode (introducing entrants 65 to 61). If you can't wait that long, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Ajaz Patel, Michael and David Hussey, Tim Southee, Katey Martin, Jarrod Kimber, Graham Thorpe and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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This week's show is dominated by our reaction to the Black Caps' gritty draw against India in the first Test at Kanpur.

The Kiwis among us are celebrating a job well done, but do the neutrals think the #1 ranked Test side should be happy with a draw? As the conversation continues, we break down the key performances and talking points from a fascinating match, including:

And plenty more before quickly touching on the Covid situation in South Africa, some highlights from the New Zealand domestic scene and a new role for Baldy as the group's head of talent identification.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. We managed to speak with a few extra guests this week, so have delayed the release of our next Hall of Fame episode (introducing entrants 65 to 61) - it'll be available in about a week's time.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Ajaz Patel, Michael and David Hussey, Jeetan Patel, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. Coming soon, you'll see interviews with Ish Sodhi reflecting on the T20 World Cup, and Melinda Farrell to help us preview The Ashes.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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What a rollercoaster few months it has been for the Australian men's team! Justin Langer reportedly lost the dressing room, their World Cup build up was awful, David Warner couldn't get a game at the IPL and then they go and win the T20 World Cup but only a week or so later Tim Paine resigns from the Test captaincy because of a sexting scandal. Never a dull moment.

We give our thoughts on the way Cricket Australia has handled the situation and look ahead to what might happen on the field with a new captain and potentially a new wicketkeeper for The Ashes.

The Black Caps start their World Test Championship title defence in India tomorrow afternoon (check out our full preview on an earlier episode), but first we look back at the three T20s that did pose some interesting questions:

There are also shout outs to Sophie Devine and her Perth Scorchers in the WBBL, AB de Villiers on his incredible career and some confusing dialogue in Bangladesh involving Mushfiqur Rahim.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. There'll be another Hall of Fame episode (introducing entrants 65 to 61) dropping in a few days.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Ajaz Patel, Michael and David Hussey, Jeetan Patel, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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Test cricket is back (almost)!

After a heavy diet of T20 cricket over the past couple of months, the Black Caps are in India to begin their defence of the World Test Championship mace.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. There'll be another Hall of Fame episode (introducing entrants 65 to 61) dropping in a week's time.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Dion Nash, Finn Allen, Graham Thorpe, Shane Bond, Frankie Mackay, Jarrod Kimber, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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

Is T20 the most important format in the game today?

Recorded just prior to the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup, this two-part episode charts the evolution of T20 cricket from novelty or experimental format to the present day, when big-money franchise tournaments have become a major part of the cricketing calendar.

To hear more content from us, keep an eye on your feed on Monday (afternoon NZ time) for our preview of the New Zealand v India Test series.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Gary Stead, Finn Allen, Graham Thorpe, Shane Bond, Frankie Mackay, Jarrod Kimber, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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

Is T20 the most important format in the game today?

Recorded just prior to the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup, this two-part episode charts the evolution of T20 cricket from novelty or experimental format to the present day, when big-money franchise tournaments have become a major part of the cricketing calendar.

Remember to listen to Part 2 of this discussion, which is also out now, and keep an eye on your feed on Monday (afternoon NZ time) for our preview of the New Zealand v India Test series.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Matt Henry, Niall O'Brien, Mike Hussey, Frankie Mackay, Daniel Brettig, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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The T20 World Cup ended with Australia being crowned the champions of the world as New Zealand were heartbroken again in another white-ball tournament. We re-live the emotions of the final and some incredible batting from Kane Williamson, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh.

We also look back at the tournament as a whole to discuss the format, schedule, key players and our favourite moments. It was a tough episode for the Kiwis - but Baldy kept the gloating to a minimum and saved his shoeys for after the recording.

We'll be back again later this week (Saturday morning NZ time) with two episodes on the evolution of T20 cricket, before we preview the upcoming New Zealand vs India Test series (Monday afternoon NZ time). Before then, please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Ajaz Patel, Mike Hussey, Katey Martin, Bharat Sundaresan, Jacob Oram, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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Keen listeners of the show might be looking for our discussion about the evolution of T20 cricket, but two brilliant semi-finals had us buzzing with excitement so we decided to jump on the mics again for this extra episode to look back at these great games and then look forward to the big dance.

Emotions were running high, but Binksy remained gracious in defeat in the face of Lippy's celebrations as we discussed the Black Caps' impressive victory against England, which had a few eerie similarities to that memorable World Cup final in 2019. We talk about the outstanding knocks from Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham, the impact of Devon Conway's injury and whether match-up cricket has gone too far.

Later in the show, Baldy attempts to claim underdog status for all Australians, despite Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis powering them across the line against Pakistan. Raj wants to know why David Warner walked off the field despite being not out and we discover that the secret to winning at cricket is to not play cricket.

Of course, we finish with predictions, but these have now become so meaningless that they've morphed into a strange game of reverse psychology - good luck trying to decipher that nonsense.

In a few days' time, we'll be back again to re-live the glory and heartbreak of the final, but while you are waiting please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter and Facebook, & @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show. We'd love to hear if you're enjoying the change to the format of our shows and the more regular releases. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.

If you haven't already, dip back into our guest episodes, which include the likes of Tim Southee, Niall O'Brien, Mike Hussey, Katey Martin, Daniel Brettig, Barry Richards and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.

And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at [email protected].

Thanks for listening.

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