An artist’s impression of the English summer.
An artist’s impression of the English summer.

Cricket World Cup 2019June 14, 2019

The Offspin podcast: rainy days and father figures

An artist’s impression of the English summer.
An artist’s impression of the English summer.

In episode seven of The Offspin, with more bad weather in England and not a lot of cricket being played, we took the opportunity to reminisce on our personal journeys in the sport. And spend some quality time dissing Australian cricketers.

We are joined in the studio by a passionate cricketer who had little choice in his super fandom. When your father names you after one of the great Indian batsmen, you know your life is destined for cricket tragedy. A man on a mission, Sunil Nathu joined The Offspin just hours before he flew out to the UK to attend the World Cup.

With the Black Caps game against India rained off, we reflected on growing up on the cricket field, the lasting effect of having your father coach your team, and the pressure our parents still put on their adult children at the crease.

Back at the World Cup, we examine Steve Smith’s attempt at sponsored (it didn’t go well and was another reason to hate the Australian team). The bad Instagram post was followed up by David Warner proving he hasn’t learnt much in the last 12 months. We also discuss the potential effects of climate change on the power balance of cricket, and why Pakistan is such an enchanting team.

Download this episode (right click and save), listen on the player below, subscribe on iTunes or via Spotify.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BykDj7rJqc5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

For the next six weeks, join hosts Simon Day, Alex Braae and a rotating squad of sloggers, change bowlers and outfielders on The Offspin after each of the New Zealand team’s games. With the Black Caps playing all their games at wildly inconvenient overnight times, Simon and Alex will be swapping sleep for cricket, then rolling into the studio to drink Coffee Supreme (proud sponsors of The Offspin) and offer their expert analysis of the World Cup.

Like, share and subscribe to The Offspin, and drink Coffee Supreme to keep you alive after long nights of cricket this World Cup.

Download this episode (right click and save), subscribe on iTunes or listen via Spotify.

Keep going!
Suzie Bates in action during the 2018 T20I World Cup (Photo by Jan Kruger-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
Suzie Bates in action during the 2018 T20I World Cup (Photo by Jan Kruger-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

Cricket World Cup 2019June 13, 2019

The Offspin podcast: Suzie Bates on how to grow women’s cricket

Suzie Bates in action during the 2018 T20I World Cup (Photo by Jan Kruger-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
Suzie Bates in action during the 2018 T20I World Cup (Photo by Jan Kruger-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

White Ferns superstar Suzie Bates joins The Offspin to discuss the development of the women’s game, pay inequality, and provide her expert tips for the Black Caps on English playing conditions.

Suzie Bates is one of the greatest cricketers New Zealand has ever produced. She’s scored more than 4300 runs in 121 ODIs at an average of 42.64, including ten centuries. In 111 T20Is she’s scored 3100 runs. But she’s never played a test match. In fact, the New Zealand women’s team hasn’t played a test since 2004. And it’s only recently that cricket has become a viable career for this immensely talented player.

Four years ago New Zealand women’s cricketers could barely survive as professional sportspeople. In 2016 the 15 top female players got a “big pay rise”, but still earn a fraction of their male counterparts. Bates is now able to travel the world as a professional cricketer, playing in T20 leagues in Australia, England and India. Yet many of her White Ferns teammates still have day jobs, working in the police force, and as teachers.

Bates spoke to The Offspin about her hopes for the growth of the women’s game in New Zealand, her desire to play test cricket, and what it’s like to play in front of a sell out crowd in India.

She also gifted us a special White Ferns prize pack (including a White Ferns T20I playing shirt) to give away, and we’ve thrown in some Coffee Supreme too – listen to the podcast to find out how to win, and email your entry to simonday@thespinoff.co.nz.

Download this episode (right click and save), listen on the player below, subscribe on iTunes or via Spotify.

This White Ferns T20I shirt (and hat) could be yours!

For the next six weeks, join hosts Simon Day, Alex Braae and a rotating squad of sloggers, change bowlers and outfielders on The Offspin after each of the New Zealand team’s games. With the Black Caps playing all their games at wildly inconvenient overnight times, Simon and Alex will be swapping sleep for cricket, then rolling into the studio to drink Coffee Supreme (proud sponsors of The Offspin) and offer their expert analysis of the World Cup.

Like, share and subscribe to The Offspin, and drink Coffee Supreme to keep you alive after long nights of cricket this World Cup.

Listen to Suzie Bates on The Offspin, The Spinoff’s World Cup podcast. Download this episode (right click and save), subscribe on iTunes or the podcast service of your choice, or listen via Spotify.

This content was created in paid partnership with Coffee Supreme. Learn more about our partnerships here.