Corbin Middlemas is back as the gents break down England and Australia's Ashes preparation or lack of, ahead of the first Test in Perth.  The pair discuss who will and won't play the first Test in Perth, wrap up the Sheffield Shield action and go deep on what's the secret to a great salad roll. Across the 2025-26 Ashes series, ABC Grandstand cricket commentator Corbin Middlemas is joined by former Test opener Ed Cowan to bring you the latest highlights and match analysis to keep you up to speed. The pair discuss the key players and big issues that are dominating the cricket agenda. Whether it's Ashes results, the latest in live fixtures or you just need a hit of cricket banter, Corbin and Ed are here to keep you up to date on the game in Australia and abroad.  Catch every episodes of ‘The ABC Cricket Podcast,’ hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ed Cowan on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport This podcast was formerly known as ‘The Grandstand Cricket Podcast’. 

With the 2025-26 Ashes on the horizon we are discussing legendary commentator Jim Maxwell's top six Ashes moments from his more than 50-year career. In episode three, he and Corbin Middlemas revel in Allan Border and Jeff Thompson's almost miracle at the MCG in 1982. 

The countdown is on to the 2025-26 Ashes series, and we are asking legendary ABC commentator Jim Maxwell to count down his six favourite Ashes memories. Jim and fellow ABC commentator Corbin Middlemas look back at some of the moments that have defined this rivalry. Part two follows Jim to Lords in 1972 where he watched from the stands as Bob Massie put on a bowling clinic. 

Ed is joined once again by Trent Copeland to unpack all the big stories from the Sheffield Shield, including the rise of Brendan Doggett. Could a Test debut be on the cards this summer? The guys also dive into England’s seemingly cursed tour of New Zealand, the Aussie women’s shock World Cup exit, and the biggest news of the week - tickets are now on sale for our live show! Head to the link for all the details and to grab your ticket: https://ab.co/4hFEk8V

Good luck facing Josh Hazlewood this summer, England. With Corby on a break, Ed is joined by Trent Copeland to unpack the ODI series against India - and the big takeaway? Josh Hazlewood looks in ominous touch heading towards the Ashes. The guys break down all the key talking points from the series, including Sharma and Kohli’s poetic SCG farewell, check in on the latest from the Sheffield Shield, and dive (again) into the never-ending Ashes selection debate.

What’s your favourite Ashes moment? As part of the lead in for the 2025-26 series, legendary ABC commentator Jim Maxwell is breaking down his six favourite memories from a career spanning more than five decades. In this six part special, Jim and Corbin Middlemas pull apart the moments that have defined a famous rivalry. Part one is the saga that has framed the coming clash, the stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's in 2023. 

The countdown to The Ashes is well and truly underway, but while we wait, we've got a short-format series against India to enjoy. Did Corbin and Ed like what they saw in the first ODI against India? Sheffield Shield players are still auditioning for a national call up, who can catch the selectors' eye? And does Cam Bancroft need to take a breather from cricket? Plus, all the latest from the Women's World Cup as teams start to cement their semi-finals spots.

With Pat Cummin's back injury most likely to rule him out of some Ashes matches, Trent Copeland and Ed Cowan take you through the next tier of players who will be closely monitored to step up into the squad. As the General Manager of Sydney Thunder, Trent shares how they secured Ravi Ashwin for the entire Big Bash season. Plus, the team bring you the latest from the Women's World Cup where Alyssa Healy's captain's knock ensured a recording breaking win for Australia against India.

Sheffield Shield is back for another season, who's auditioning for a spot in the Ashes? Teddy and Corbin take you through their rankings of prospective players who could be opening for Australia. Plus, you'll hear the wash-up from the New Zealand v Australia T20 series and the latest on the Women's ODI World Cup.

‘This is England’s best chance in a long time to take the urn home.’  Teddy and Corbin break down England’s newly announced 16-man squad for the Ashes this summer. We also update our race to open the batting rankings. Are we getting a bit nervous about these Ashes? Maybe…

It’s raining runs in Aussie cricket - hundreds from Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, and more! But as Ed asks: are all runs created equal? We dive into the recent run frenzy, update our race to open the batting standings, size up the old enemy, and check in on Captain Pat’s back worries.

“My overarching reaction is one of sadness, but not surprise.” Teddy and Corbin unpack the recent controversy as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav led his team in refusing to shake hands with Pakistan players at the Asia Cup.  Plus, which players are best placed to open alongside Usman Khawaja?  We launch our very easy to understand ranking system that we’ll update as the first Test draws closer.

Spoiler: We’re very worried.  Teddy and Corbin discuss the recent news that Pat Cummins will miss the NZ and India white-ball series as he manages a lower back issue in a race to be fit for the first Test of the Ashes.  We also check in on Marnus, before diving back into our mailbag. 

Spring has arrived, and so has our ever-growing mailbag. We’re diving headfirst into your best questions as the summer of cricket draws near.  Keep them coming, we can’t get enough from our fellow cricket nerds.

Australia’s T20 and ODI series against South Africa wrapped up in Mackay on Sunday, but the lingering question remains: does anyone really care? Corbin and Ed do their best to park the cynicism as they unpack a white-ball contest with little at stake - beyond putting the Top End on the cricketing map, which we are behind!  We also find time to debate Cam Green’s best spot in the Test order, Marnus’ continuing drought, and why selectors are stuck between quick fixes and long-term planning.

Corbin and Ed dig into Todd Greenberg’s comments this week that not every nation in world cricket needs to aspire to play Test cricket. Is the longest format the pinnacle for all, or just the preserve of a privileged few? The lads break it down, challenge the idea, and explore what it means for the future of the game.

Corbin joins us live from Darwin, fresh off calling the T20 opener between Australia and South Africa. Ed and Corby dive into Australia’s unstoppable streak in the shortest format - but why has the Top End been missing from the cricket map? Plus, with the Ashes looming, the guys spotlight the surprise contenders shaking up Australia’s top six. 

‘How good is Test cricket?’ Teddy and Corbin revel in the drama of the India-England Test series, as the fifth Test heads into a thrilling final day - another reminder of why we still believe in the magic of Test cricket.  Then, it’s a pivot from the pitch to the boardroom, as we unpack the growing noise around the future of the Big Bash and the prospect of private ownership and expansion. 

Ed and Corbin dive into the fiery fallout from the fourth Test in Manchester, where India snubbed Ben Stokes's offer to shake hands - choosing instead to chase runs with Washington Sundar closing in on a maiden ton.  Whose side are we on? Is England turning into the villains of the game? And what does this all mean for the Ashes later this summer? 

With Ed Cowan out sick, Corbin Middlemas calls up World Cup winner Xavier Doherty to join us this week!  The pair unpack the early takeaways from the West Indies T20 series, from Jake Fraser-McGurk’s rocky recall to Mitchell Owen’s debut, and why this might just be the best fielding team Australia has ever put on a cricket field.  Plus, what Nathan Ellis and Scott Boland have in common, and what Nathan Lyon’s shock omission says about Australia’s red-ball approach.