Black Caps' missed opportunities v India, Bavuma's heroics & Australia's batting in the spotlight

In this episode of the show, Baldy, Raj and Stu look back at a busy week of international cricket, which saw the New Zealand summer begin with a T20 series against India, as well as South Africa roaring back in the second test against Australia to level that series at 1-1.

We start the show with the Black Caps v India T20 series, which at the time of recording had begun with two wins for the visitors, both at Hagley Oval. New Zealand did a lot of things well - there were two excellent innings for Glenn Phillips, positive signs for Bevon Jacobs, success for both Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell with the ball - but India's star-studded batting lineup found a way in both matches to power to victory. There are questions about Daryl Mitchell's role, the fast-bowling combinations, whether it is even possible to stop an Indian batting lineup with Abhishek Sharma & Sanju Samson at the top and the likes of Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir & Nitish Kumar Reddy all the way down at 8, the lively crowds and even NZ A v India A as we review a fun start to the NZ summer of cricket.

As the conversation continues, the rest of the show focuses on South Africa's outstanding response in the second test against Australia, which saw them secure an innings victory to level the series. Of course there's plenty of praise for the home side, who were helped by Temba Bavuma's big hundred, lower-order runs (and wickets) from Marco Jansen & Simon Harmer, plus the return of Kagiso Rabada and how that boosted the South African bowling lineup.

On the flip side, Australia's batting finds itself under the microscope again, who despite a 3rd innings hundred for Travis Head and plenty of fight from Scott Boland, crumbled to be all out 99 in their first innings and relinquish their grip on the series - a series that looked to be all but theirs after the first two rain-affected days of this test match. We debate what was real about that performance and what the outliers are; we ponder how many changes might make with Cameron Green and Josh Inglis fit again, plus the potential return of Nathan Lyon; and talk generally about the Australian selection process and whether they are moving the team in the right direction.

We'll be back again soon with more news and views from the South Africa v Australia series, Black Caps v India and any other cricket news that catches our eyes. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or !) 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.

0:00 Intro
1:25 Black Caps v India first two T20s: Missed opportunities?
6:50 Black Caps batting questions
10:20 BJ Jacobs & Glenn Phillips
15:35 India's batters got the best of NZ's seamers
25:00 NZ's focus on the test series
27:30 NZ A v India A
30:00 South Africa v Australia second test
32:10 What's real from this series so far? Australia's batting questions
42:40 Nathan Lyon's non-selection
45:10 Temba Bavuma's heroics with Marco Jansen & Simon Harmer
50:00 Kagiso Rabada's return
51:45 Australia's selection questions