The Top Order Podcast

The World Cup is over but the cricket rolls on and we're back to review the week that was and look forward to what's to come. In this episode of the show, we discuss the India v Australia T20 series, in which we've seen Steve Smith at the top of the order, Rinku Singh making a big impact from a small number of deliveries and the talent of Yashasvi …

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is over, with Australia securing their sixth title, beating a fantastic Indian side in the final. In this episode of the show, we bounce around a range of topics to review the tournament as a whole, including: Was this Australia's most unexpected white-ball title? How will this win change Pat Cummins' legacy? Wh…

After 45 pool games and two semi-finals, the Big Dance is finally here: Australia, India, Ahmedabad, 130,000 people in the crowd and more than a billion watching from afar. In this episode of the show, Baldy, Raj and Stu look review the final, discussing the key players and moments. We talk the toss, the powerplays, Pat Cummins as a bowler and a ca…

After 45 pool games and two semi-finals, the Big Dance is finally here: Australia, India, Ahmedabad, 130,000 people in the crowd and more than a billion watching from afar. In this episode of the show, Baldy, Binksy and Stu look ahead to the final, discussing the key players and match ups, each side's path through the tournament and predict how the…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa. After a tournament filled with huge scores and sixes raining down from the sky, we were transported back to 1999 for a low-sco…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the first semi-final, between India and the Black Caps. The hours before the game were filled with social media controversy about the pitch, but out in the middle it was a run-fest as …

After 39 days of pool play, the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 has reached the business end of the tournament, which means there was time for all of us to get together in-person to look ahead to the semi-finals. It was great fun to be back in the same room together, with plenty of laughs alongside reflections about the tournament as a whole and w…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the final match of the pool play, between India and the Netherlands. A flat wicket and a dominant Indian batting performance saw the final match of the pool play become a run-fest as f…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 38 double header games between Australia v Bangladesh & England v Pakistan. In the early game, Bangladesh were sent in at Pune and reached 306-8, with contributions from young …

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 37 match between Afghanistan and South Africa. Both teams have now completed their group stage, and it's probably fair to say that both nations have exceeded their expectations…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 36 match between the Black Caps and Sri Lanka. With the threat of rain in the forecast, Stu was delighted when Kane Williamson won the toss and sent Sri Lanka in to bat. From t…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 35 match between England and the Netherlands. To say the English campaign hasn't gone to plan is a bit of an understatement. And batting first at 192-6, many fans might have fe…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 34 match between Australia and Afghanistan. Glenn Maxwell is remarkable! 201* out of a total of 293, taking Australia from 91-7 to an incredible win. Baldy and Stu break down t…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 33 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Charith Asalanka scored 100 for Sri Lanka as they posted 279 batting first, but that proved not enough as impressive contributions fr…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the top of the table clash between India and South Africa. Two top sides, at Eden Gardens among a sea of blue shirts - this game had all the ingredients for an epic encounter. It didn'…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 31 double-header, featuring the Black Caps v Pakistan and England v Australia. The boys are a bit flat this morning after a remarkable game of cricket in Bengaluru, which saw N…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 30 match between Afghanistan and the Netherlands, which saw Afghanistan win their third consecutive game to keep their semi-final dreams alive. Baldy and Stu discuss the lack o…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 29 match between India and Sri Lanka. India have been in top form so far in this tournament, cementing themselves as title favourites. Could Sri Lanka do anything to halt the h…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 28 match between South Africa and the Black Caps. The game started well for New Zealand when Tom Latham won the toss and Trent Boult picked up an early wicket, but from then on…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 27 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh. It was a must-win game for both teams, but the result seemed decided within a few overs of the match, with Shaheen Shah Afridi knockin…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 26 match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, which saw Afghanistan keep their semi-final hopes alive with an all-round bowling performance and fifties from Rahmat Shah, Hashmatu…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 25 match between India and England. The home side are unbeaten, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and co looking unstoppable so far in this tournament, but they face an England sq…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 24 double header featuring Australia against the Black Caps and Bangladesh v the Netherlands. Clashes between Australia and New Zealand at the Cricket World Cup never disappoin…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 23 match between Pakistan and South Africa. The Proteas batting lineup has been on fire, particularly Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, whereas Pakistan come into this game…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 22 match between England and Sri Lanka. Both sides have performed well below their own expectations so far in the tournament - a must-win game for England and Sri Lanka in orde…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 21 match between Australia and the Netherlands. The Netherlands have equipped themselves well in this tournament so far, but it was all about Australia today as they improved t…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the match between South Africa and Bangladesh, which saw the Proteas post another massive score as they moved to second on the table. Bangladesh took two early wickets, but from then o…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. We're no longer calling them upsets... Afghanistan were brilliant again overnight, defeating Pakistan for the first time and recording their second win in three matches. Afghanistan took full toll as their four spinners (yes…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the 21st match of the tournament, between the only two previously unbeaten sides - India and the Black Caps. The game was missing Kane Williamson and Hardik Pandya, but there were stil…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 17 double-header, featuring matches between The Netherlands and Sri Lanka plus England v South Africa. Sri Lanka made inroads in the early game, but an impressive partnership b…

Note: Bit of a problem with Stu's audio for the final 5-6 minutes of the episode. Recording remotely is presenting a few challenges, but we'll get there in the end! The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 16 match be…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the match between India and Bangladesh. With Shakib al Hasan out injured, this match was always going to be tough for Bangladesh, but their openers made a great start to put India unde…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the first game of the fourth round of matches, between the Black Caps and Afghanistan. After more than a few nervy moments, two big partnerships and some excellent out cricket saw New …

*Note Raj’s audio isn’t great in this episode, but given the daily nature of these shows, we’ve decided to release. Should be fixed for tomorrow’s episode! The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 13 match between Sou…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 12 match between Australia and Sri Lanka. Two former champions, both winless in the tournament before this game, this was always going to be an important match for one team to …

In this episode of the show we’re taking a brief detour away from our daily updates of the 2023 Cricket World Cup to speak with one of the best cricketing minds in the business. Mike Hesson took the Black Caps to their first ever World Cup final, their first ever number-one ranking in any format, and more recently guided RCB to three playoff spots …

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the match between England and Afghanistan, which saw the first major upset of the tournament. Baldy and Stu discuss the contrasting performance of both sides - Rahmanullah Gurbaz's fea…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the blockbuster encounter between India and Pakistan at Ahmedabad. The stars were out, and so were the blue shirts in the crowd, but did the game live up to the hype? Raj and Baldy als…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the match between the Black Caps and Bangladesh in Chennai, which was played on a much different pitch than we expected. Lockie Ferguson bowled fast, Daryl Mitchell hit sixes and Kane …

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the match in Lucknow between Australia and South Africa, which saw a second consecutive hundred to Quinton de Kock, an Aussie batting collapse, a Kagiso Rabada peach, a few dropped cat…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode Binksy, Raj, and Baldy get together to break down India vs. Afghanistan, and preview the clash between Australian and South Africa. What can we take from the Indian performance? There certainly seems to be no…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the day 6 double-header, featuring England v Bangladesh and Pakistan v Sri Lanka. In the early game, the dodgy Dharamasala outfield didn't stop England piling on the runs as a Dawid Ma…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the Day 5 match between the Black Caps and Netherlands, which saw New Zealand record a 99-run victory courtesy of an all-round batting effort led by 70 from Will Young and a 5-wicket h…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the match between India and Australia, which saw a win for the home side as Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin combined for 6 wickets and a big partnership from Vir…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the a day of contrasts that saw Bangladesh take on Afghanistan and South Africa against Sri Lanka. In game one, Shakib al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz combined for 6 wickets as Banglad…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the second match of the tournament, between Pakistan and the Netherlands, in which a somewhat scratchy Pakistan found contributions from the likes of Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and …

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is here, and the Top Order Podcast has you covered with regular game reviews and recaps. In this episode of the show, we discuss the opening match of the tournament, between England and the Black Caps, in which a sublime partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway secured a dominant victory for New Zeal…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is almost here, and what better way to celebrate than a two-part bonanza of cricket content. In this first episode, we take a close look at the four sides that we feel most aligned with - India, Australia, England and the Black Caps. For each team, we discuss: Why will things go well? What are the potential weaknesse…

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is almost here, and what better way to celebrate than a two-part bonanza of cricket content. We recommend you listen to part 1 first, but in this second episode, we take a look at South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Netherlands, before looking at tournament booms and busts and our predi…

On this episode of the show, we've got one eye on the ICC Men's World Cup as we discuss England v New Zealand, Australia v South Africa and the Pakistan v India Cup. The Black Caps named their World Cup squad this week, with spots for Will Young, Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham, but Finn Allen and Adam Milne miss out. Did they get the balance right?…