300 episodes

A Pom, an Aussie and two Kiwis walk into a bar ... it’s not a joke, it’s The Top Order, a cricketing podcast where good friends mix their own banter and opinion with extended interviews with some of cricket's most interesting characters from the past and present day.

The Top Order Cricket Podcast The Top Order Podcast

    • Sport
    • 4.9 • 30 Ratings

A Pom, an Aussie and two Kiwis walk into a bar ... it’s not a joke, it’s The Top Order, a cricketing podcast where good friends mix their own banter and opinion with extended interviews with some of cricket's most interesting characters from the past and present day.

    IPL 2024 Power Rankings: Week 1 - Rachin's debut, Hardik's confusing return & Andre Russell goes boom

    IPL 2024 Power Rankings: Week 1 - Rachin's debut, Hardik's confusing return & Andre Russell goes boom

    In this episode of the show, Binksy and Stu cast their eye over the first few days of IPL action and unveil the first power rankings of the 2024 tournament.
    Recorded on Monday 25 March, after each of the 10 teams had played one game, we look back at the big moments and key players from the 5 matches so far, including:
    CSK debuts for Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Mustafizur RahmanBowling woes for RCBHardik Pandya's confusing return to the Mumbai IndiansWhy we should never doubt the Gujarat TitansSanju Samson's fireworks starting the season with a bang for Rajasthan RoyalsNicholas Pooran hitting back at Baldy for LSGAndre Russell proving to Stu he's still a matchwinnerHeinrich Klaasen's almost heroics for Sunrisers HyderabadSam Curran's big day out for Punjab KingsThe Delhi Capitals drop-a-thonAnd much more!
    We'll be back on Thursday evening (NZ time) with more news and views from IPL 2024, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
    You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan 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 thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.
    Thanks for listening.
    0:00 Intro
    1:50 CSK v RCB - defending champs start where they left off
    5:35 Rachin Ravindra's debut
    7:40 RCB - it's early, but are there danger signs already?
    11:30 Gujarat Titans - why do we still underrate them?
    14:40 Mohit Sharma and contributions from everywhere
    16:08 Ashish Nehra's wizardry
    18:15 Mumbai Indians - Jasprit Bumrah outstanding, but what about Hardik Pandya's role?
    22:10 Mumbai's seam-bowling injuries
    22:55 Rajasthan Royals - Sanju Samson's great start
    26:10 Trent Boult in the powerplay
    28:15 LSG - underwhelming performance or decent fightback?
    31:55 KL Rahul at the top of the order
    32:40 KKR - Andre Russell goes boom
    36:00 Should KKR be ranked higher?
    37:35 Buyer's regret on Mitchell Starc?
    39:35 Sunrisers Hyderabad - Heinrich Klaasen's almost heroics
    40:00 SRH player combinations - did they get it right?
    44:35 Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals
    45:00 Sam Curran stars for Punjab
    49:30 Alarm bells for DC?
    50:25 Impact player rule
    53:35 Two-bouncer rule
    56:00 Outro

    • 57 min
    IPL 2024 Preview Part 2: Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad

    IPL 2024 Preview Part 2: Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad

    In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy, Stu and Raj preview the IPL tournament, covering Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
    Wall-to-wall T20 cricket is about to begin, with the IPL followed by the T20 World Cup and in this episode (part 2 of 2) we focus on five teams, discussing squad news, why each team can win, potential weaknesses, key players and predicted finishing order. We also give our overall tournament predictions, including semi-finalists, champions and the winners of the purple and orange caps.
    Teams covered are:
    Mumbai Indians: Mumbai have arguably the best batting lineup in the competition, stacked with local talent. There's the return of Hardik Pandya and what that might mean for the harmony of the side with him taking the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, plus a few question marks about their spinners - but does that even matter when Jasprit Bumrah is in your side?
    Punjab Kings: There's an English flavour to this squad, with Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran all set to feature during the tournament. Add the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada and Harshal Patel to that and the bowling attack looks solid, but can Shikhar Dhawan and co score enough runs to take them to the playoffs?
    Rajasthan Royals: T20 opening partnerships don't get much better than Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler, and the addition of Shane Bond to the coaching staff has the New Zealanders excited for 2024. There's great spin depth, batting firepower and lovely Trent Boult, but where are the allrounders?
    Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli! Faf du Plessis! Glenn Maxwell! Cameron Green! Mohammed Siraj! The RCB lineup won't be short on matchwinners, but who will fill the fourth overseas spot in the XI? And will their bowling lineup be able to defend anything under 200?
    Sunrisers Hyderabad: It was a busy auction for Daniel Vettori and the Orange Army. Pat Cummins joined as captain, plus Travis Head and Wanindu Hasaranga to round out a remarkably strong collection of 8 overseas players. Which four will they choose from game to game? We debate this, plus discuss whether Umran Malik can get back to his best, how much we'll miss Dale Steyn's hair and whether Captain Cummins's golden run is set to continue in 2024.
    We'll be back again regularly during the tournament with more news and views, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
    You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan 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 a href="mailto:thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 1 hr 4 min
    IPL 2024 Preview Part 1: CSK, Delhi, Gujarat, KKR and LSG

    IPL 2024 Preview Part 1: CSK, Delhi, Gujarat, KKR and LSG

    In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy, Stu and Raj preview the IPL tournament in two parts, starting with CSK, DC, GT, KKR and LSG.
    Wall-to-wall T20 cricket is about to begin, with the IPL followed by the T20 World Cup and in this episode (part 1 of 2) we focus on the first five teams (by alphabetical order) to discuss squad news, why each team can win, potential weaknesses, key players and predicted finishing order.
    Teams covered are:
    Chennai Super Kings: New Zealand eyes are focused on the fortunes of new Black Caps' recruits Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra - will they become CSK fan favourites? We also debate how damaging Devon Conway's injury will be and, of course, whether MS Dhoni will lead #WhistlePodu to another title.
    Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant's return is filling all the headlines, but is it fair to put so much expectation on his shoulders? There's also talk about the Australian connection, the spin strength of Kuldeep and Axar, and whether young players like Kumar Kushagra and Yash Dhull will have a positive impact.
    Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya is gone, but there's still plenty of experience in this squad as they look to return to a third consecutive final. We discuss the impact of Mohammad Shami's injury, try to figure out which overseas players will best balance the side and whether Spencer Johnson has a big role to play.
    Kolkata Knight Riders: Binksy's old favourite Andre Russell is back for another campaign, but can they improve on last year's 7th placed finish? We're excited to watch another Rinku Singh season, and there's excitement about a spin attack that could include Suyash Sharma alongside Varun Chakaravarthy, but what about the seamers?
    Lucknow Super Giants: The not-just-regular giants have made the playoffs in both of their two seasons, but there are plenty of questions leading into this upcoming campaign. How fit is KL Rahul? Can Shamar Joseph light up the tournament? And can Deepak Hooda get back to the form that saw him earn an international call up?
    Look out for part 2, which will release in 24 hours' time, in which we'll discuss the Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. We'll also predict our semi-finalists, winners and leading wicket-taker and runscorer.
    We'll be back again regularly during the tournament with more news and views, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
    You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan 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 a href="mailto:thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 55 min
    This Week in Cricket #154 - Matt Henry shines, Rohit Sharma's leadership and Alex Carey breaks NZ hearts

    This Week in Cricket #154 - Matt Henry shines, Rohit Sharma's leadership and Alex Carey breaks NZ hearts

    In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu discuss the second Test between the Black Caps and Australia, as well as some parting thoughts on the India v England series.
    Fresh from day 4 at Hagley Oval, we give our initial reaction to a see-sawing Test that saw Australia win by 3 wickets and secure at 2-0 series victory.
    We talk about a match-defining partnership between Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh, ask if Australia's bowling attack is their best of all-time and give praise to Matt Henry for his efforts during the series.
    There's also praise for Ben Sears, plus questions about Steve Smith as an opener and New Zealand's game management in the second Test.
    In the second half of the show, we move to the India v England series to discuss Rohit Sharma's captaincy, the future of Bazball under Stokes and McCullum and which young Indian players might have a long-term future in the Test side.
    We'll be back again next week with an extended IPL preview, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
    You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan 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 thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.
    Thanks for listening.
    0:00 Intro
    1:22 Black Caps v Australia immediate reaction
    4:09 Australia's ruthlessness and patience
    7:09 Is this the Australia's greatest ever bowling attack?
    9:00 New Zealand's bowlers
    11:40 Ben Sears
    14:45 Matt Henry's impressive series
    16:00 Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh
    18:25 The Steve Smith question
    21:40 New Zealand's missed opportunities
    24:20 India v England
    25:30 Rohit Sharma's captaincy
    32:00 Questions about the Bazball approach?
    38:25 Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep - who can stick in this Indian side?
    43:40 Outro

    • 45 min
    India v England 5th Test Review - India make it 4-1 in Ashwin's milestone match

    India v England 5th Test Review - India make it 4-1 in Ashwin's milestone match

    In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu discuss the 5th and final Test of England's tour to India, which saw the home side record a dominant victory to celebrate Ravichandran Ashwin's hundredth Test.
    We start the show by discussing the English reaction to a heavy defeat, and which players might face questions leading into their home summer.
    Then of course there is huge credit to India - batters such as Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have shown that the future is still very bright for India, while the experienced spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav got better and better throughout the series to pick England apart on their way to a 4-1 series victory.
    To finish the show, there's a word for Jimmy Anderson, who took his 700th Test wicket in his 187th match.
    We'll be back again next week with more news and views, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
    You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan 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 thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.
    Thanks for listening.
    0:00
    0:35 Deflating way for England to end series?
    11:00 Huge credit to India - Gill, Jaiswal, Ashwin, Kuldeep
    20:35 Jimmy Anderson's 700th wicket

    • 25 min
    Test Match Daily Update - India's run feast, Josh Hazlewood skittles the Black Caps and Kuldeep's Fab Five

    Test Match Daily Update - India's run feast, Josh Hazlewood skittles the Black Caps and Kuldeep's Fab Five

    In this episode of the show, Binksy, Baldy and Stu look back at the first two days of the final India v England Test, and day one of the Black Caps v Australia at Hagley Oval.
    Ravichandran Ashwin took 4 wickets in the first innings of his hundredth Test, but it was Kuldeep Yadav who stole the show with 5 delightful dismissals as he ripped out England's top order.
    When it was India's turn to bat, centuries for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, plus fifties for Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal and debutant Devdutt Padikkal have put India right on top at the end of day two.
    At Hagley Oval, the Black Caps won the first hour, but then Josh Hazlewood's relentless pressure took its toll and New Zealand crumbled to 162 all out. Matt Henry showed his class again, and Ben Sears bamboozled Steve Smith, but a return to form for Marnus Labuschagne edged Australia towards parity with six first innings remaining at stumps.
    We'll be back again in the next day or two with more news from both tests, but until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
    You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including a recent conversation with Mike Hesson, plus chats with former World Cup stars Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan 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 thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com.
    Thanks for listening.
    0:00 Intro
    0:35 Day 1 at Hagley Oval - Black Caps skittled again
    1:45 First hour of the day - Tom Latham looking fluid
    3:55 Quality seam bowling, led by Josh Hazlewood
    5:35 Australia's relentless pressure with the ball
    7:50 Is Marnus Labuschagne back?
    9:05 Ben Sears debut, a good selection?
    11:20 Baldy's high standards
    13:00 Hopes for day 2
    15:55 India v England
    16:55 Which of these English spinners will stick?
    20:05 How many of the young Indian batters will be there once Kohli and Rahul return?
    23:00 Kuldeep Yadav's fab five
    26:40 Hopes for day 3
    29:05 Natural variation

    • 30 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
30 Ratings

30 Ratings

10Buzz ,

KiwiDragon

Best NZ cricket podcast

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Great Listen

Well done team, really enjoyable listen!

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All-around cricket podcast

A top listen for all fans of the great game of cricket around the world

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