
ABC Cricket Podcast
byABC Australia
SportsCricket
Broadcaster Corbin Middlemas and ex-Test opener Ed Cowan pull apart the biggest issues in cricket. Your weekly deep dive into the sport.
Episodes(40 episodes)
A "proper" Sheffield Shield final sees SACA triumph and the Vics buckle
"It was a classic", according to Corbin & Ed and it's hard to argue with that advertisement for long form Australian cricket with South Australia back to back Sheffield Shield champions for the first time in 124 seasons.The boys shower praise on the modern day legend that is Alex Carey and the whole SACA team, winning a game where they were behind for almost all of it. There's also debate whether higher honours are around the corner for Liam Scott and Nathan McAndrew, how the sub rule was implemented, the Junction Oval pitch and Victoria's capitulation....
Published: Mar 30, 2026Duration: 48m 55s
Straight up, this episode is MUST listen
If you’re craving some behind the scenes insights and thorough debate on BBL privatisation, the Brad Haddin appointment, a disgruntled Cam Green and a Shield final then you’ve come to the right place.It might be late March but cricket conversation feels as juicy as ever and Corbin & Ed turn the hotplates on to chat the self-imposed BBL decision deadline, what other options exist and how would an Indian involvement look in reality.Plus, Brad Haddin's appointment ruffled some feathers, Cam Green's frustrations got the better of him, BBL coach rumours and the boys...
Published: Mar 23, 2026Duration: 50m 20s
Shield final confirmed but the season batting numbers are grim reading
We know it will be Victoria vs South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final but the real question is, why have the runs been so hard to come by this season? Corbin and Ed dive into the top run scorers including thoughts on Konstas, Bancroft, Renshaw, Handscomb and the rest.There's also the NSW One Day Cup win and how it reflects on Greg Shipperd's sacking, The Hundred auctions and if that foreshadows what the Big Bash could morph into and some quirky cricket stories including a father son batting partnership for the ages.And...
Published: Mar 16, 2026Duration: 40m 23s
Reckoning with the depth of India's T20 dominance
India thumped NZ to make T20 World Cup history and Corbin and Ed can't see anyone competing with them in the near future. The boys break down their dominance and the strength of a system geared towards the shortest format of the game. The pair also cover New Zealand's struggles, how the World Cup might look in the future and what Australia's showing might mean for LA 2028 Olympic qualification, given the Kiwis performance.Elsewhere, Brendon McCullum has secured the ominous "full support of the board", the One Day Cup final hits Bellerive, Alyssa Healy goes o...
Published: Mar 9, 2026Duration: 35m 24s
T20 World Cups every two years just don't resonate
The T20 World Cup final awaits but the real question is - should this tournament continue to be staged every two years?! Sure, there's a Finn Allen century to marvel at and a Jacob Bethell performance to savour, but what is the care factor here in Australia.So as well as ponder whether New Zealand might be set for their all time cricketing moment against a red hot India on home soil, Corbin and Ed debate if Australian cricket fans care about a trophy that comes around every five minutes. And more broadly, will the Aussie obsession...
Published: Mar 6, 2026Duration: 40m 21s
T20 World Cup semis and Alyssa Healy's fairytale finale
Has there been a better finale in cricket than Alyssa Healy's day out in Hobart against India with a 150 and a cheeky couple of overs with the ball. Corbin and Ed are on opposite sides of the coin as to the right time to retire but they're in unison on Healy's legacy and her deserved white ball goodbye.The T20 World Cup has two tantalising semi finals in New Zealand vs South Africa and India vs England to look over including a stand out tournament from Will Jacks and a memorable performance for Sanju Samson....
Published: Mar 2, 2026Duration: 34m 43s
“I would hate it”: The possible BBL flow on of The Hundred’s Pakistan issue
As potential Pakistan player bans for Indian owned teams in The Hundred get debated in the UK, Corbin and Ed ponder the domino effect here in the BBL if the league is privatised. Speaking of the Big Bash, Sydney Thunder join their cross town rivals the Sixers in looking for a new coach for next season and the guys chat through the challenge of finding T20 coaches vs state cricket ones. Plus they aren't happy with the One Day Cup Final being moved leaving zero state cricket on this weekend.The T20 World Cup Super E...
Published: Feb 27, 2026Duration: 39m 22s
Selectors under fire, South Africa shock India and the BBL money fight heats up
Australia are out of the T20 World Cup and the temperature has risen quickly. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan unpack whether this was a planning failure, an injury crisis, or a warning sign for life beyond the “Big Three”. Was the campaign really shambolic, or just tournament cricket doing what it does? And how much heat should the selectors actually wear?There’s a heavyweight upset to dissect as South Africa hand India their heaviest T20 World Cup defeat, plus England steady themselves and the Super 8 permutations start to tighten. Back home, Curtis Patterson’s purple patch rolls on...
Published: Feb 23, 2026Duration: 42m 30s
Blame game: unpacking World Cup recriminations
Corbin Middlemas and Xavier Doherty unpack the group-stage exit from every angle. Was it selection? Was it the bowling? Or was it simply a poorly timed injury crisis? The Steve Smith omission dominates the debate, while questions swirl around squad balance, generational transition and whether Australia truly prioritise T20 cricket.With Cummins and Hazlewood absent, did the attack lack bite? Is this a glimpse of life after the golden core? And what does Olympic qualification now mean for Australia’s short-form focus?Beyond the World Cup autopsy, the Sheffield Shield delivers drama — Scott Boland rips thro...
Published: Feb 20, 2026Duration: 50m 33s
Zimbabwe shock, Super Over thriller, and pink-ball intrigue
Australia’s T20 World Cup hopes are under pressure after a loss to Zimbabwe. Corbin and special guest Xavier Doherty break down the selection dilemmas, Sri Lankan spin conditions, and what tournament play does to even the best teams. India’s dominance over Pakistan continues, while South Africa and Afghanistan deliver a double Super Over classic. Back home, India’s women outplay Australia in Sydney and the Sheffield Shield race heats up. Doherty also shares insight into his transition from international player to match referee.ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by Ed Cowan to bring you all th...
Published: Feb 16, 2026Duration: 46m 10s
The best T20 game ever and Steve Smith boards the flight
A double super over, Pakistan backflip, an Italian victory fuelled by Sydney grade cricket and where will Steve Smith slot into the team if he even does. The T20 World Cup has heated up across the last few days and Corbin and Ed run through the biggest talking points including that South Africa win over Afghanistan with a rare second super over.The podcast records just as the Australia and Zimbabwe match begins so the boys ponder whether Smith is a like for like replacement for Marsh at the top of the order or if he fits...
Published: Feb 13, 2026Duration: 36m 13s
T20 World Cup scares, the Shield shines and Vaibhav destroys
The T20 World Cup is off and running and the theme is "nearly" wins for the minnows and lucky escapes for the big guns. Corbin and Ed run through the first six games that saw Nepal give England a scare, India rely on SKY to post a target and the Dutch squander a winning position against Pakistan. There's a look forward to Australia's opening match against Ireland on Wednesday too and whether Connolly, Kuhnemann or both are picked to bolster the spin attack.Another round of Sheffield Shield saw a special innings from Kurtis Patterson, Gabe Bell...
Published: Feb 8, 2026Duration: 46m 8s
Australia without their big three, World Cup quirks and Shield chaos
The T20 World Cup is about to begin, but Australia start without Cummins, Starc or Hazlewood, raising bigger questions about depth, ageing fast bowlers and long-term planning across formats. Corbin and Ed unpack the tournament schedule, Australia’s soft launch, and whether Cricket Australia has been clear enough about priorities in an era dominated by franchise leagues.They also debate World Cup expansion, Italy’s unlikely qualification, and whether a 20-team tournament risks drifting too far from meaningful competition. Back home, the Sheffield Shield returns with 46 wickets falling on day one, sparking a sharp discussion about pitches, batt...
Published: Feb 6, 2026Duration: 47m 10s
Pakistan's Cup Boycott and Australia's Shaky Preparation
Corbin and Ed unpack a major World Cup flashpoint after the Pakistan government announced it will not allow the national team to play India, prompting ICC warnings and raising serious questions about power, politics and the future structure of international cricket. The pair examine what the standoff could mean for global revenues, Test nations, and the balance of influence in the game as the tournament approaches.Corbin and Ed ask is Australia’s World Cup preparation on track following a heavy T20 series loss to Pakistan, injuries mounting, form dipping and selection calls under scrutiny, is this a...
Published: Feb 2, 2026Duration: 38m 2s
Australia's World Cup pressure points and BBL's future
Australia’s T20 World Cup warm-ups are underway, but how much should we actually read into the results?Corbin and Ed unpack the loss to Pakistan, Australia’s ongoing issues against spin, and what warm-up matches are really designed to reveal ahead of a major tournament. They dig into selection logic, role clarity, and the shrinking opportunities for fringe players as the World Cup squad takes shape. The conversation then broadens to a Big Bash wash-up, exploring player movement, draft and free-agency debates, and where the BBL could be heading next. The episode also covers ICC World Cup governance questio...
Published: Jan 30, 2026Duration: 42m 56s
The Scorchers do it again, finals fallout, and the weekend in world cricket
The Perth Scorchers claim another Big Bash title and Corbin and Ed unpack what continues to set the competition’s most successful club apart. The final, the pitch in Perth, and the Scorchers’ tactical edge are all examined, alongside an honest assessment of the Sixers and their heavy reliance on Steve Smith.The discussion widens to the health of the BBL, including crowds, broadcast audiences, and the ongoing debate around scheduling and travel during finals. There is also a look at catching laws, replay culture, and how modern officiating is changing the live experience.Around the...
Published: Jan 26, 2026Duration: 47m 54s
As the BBL heats up, CA prepares to sell it
We are edging to the conclusion of a cracking season of BBL at the very same time Cricket Australia is readying to generate investment in the league.Ed and Corbin look at what's defined the season from an on field point of view, from standout performances and game flow to how the tournament has connected with fans at key moments. With the final in view, the focus is on what makes the BBL work when it is at its best, and how the event sets the tone for the broader cricket calendar.Along the way, C...
Published: Jan 23, 2026
Steve Smith is shaping the BBL finals picture
The Big Bash League is moving toward its finals phase and Steve Smith is once again at the centre of the conversation.Corbin and Ed unpack how the BBL is shaping up, which teams are finding form at the right time, and where the key match-ups are likely to land as the tournament tightens. Steve Smith’s run of form sparks a broader discussion about selection, player power, and his place in Australia’s white-ball plans.The episode also looks at Jake Fraser-McGurk’s development, pitch conditions across the competition, and debates around presentation and kits. ...
Published: Jan 19, 2026Duration: 48m 31s
Ashes to Bashes: who's rising, ready and matters in the BBL
With the Ashes done and January cricket in full swing, Corbin and Ed turn their focus to the Big Bash and what this season. They assess crowd momentum, the impact of Test players returning straight into T20 cricket, and how teams are shaping up as finals approach. There’s a deep dive on emerging talent announcing themselves, veterans finding new life, and why form lines in this part of the summer matter more than they appear. The conversation widens to Australia’s T20 World Cup frame, the role of overseas players, and where the domestic game sits in a global...
Published: Jan 12, 2026Duration: 36m 38s
Ashes retained, standards exposed: what this series really told us
Australia retain the Ashes with a 4–1 series win, but the margin tells only part of the story. Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan step back from the daily grind to assess how the series actually played out, from selection calls and tactical shifts to England’s evolving approach and the standards that ultimately separated the sides.They revisit the moments that shaped the series, the Tests that elevated it and the ones that dragged it down, and what this Ashes revealed about where both teams are headed next, with an eye already on the road to 2027.ABC Grandstand cric...
Published: Jan 9, 2026Duration: 39m 1s