101. Big Papi, with Marcus Stoinis

Australia is back to what it does best: mercilessly dominating vastly inferior opponents on Perth-based cricket grounds. Marnus is providing much needed security at number 3, and Starc is bowling 145km and displaying excellent body language while doing so. So why do we still feel unsatisfied? Probably because it was 40+ degrees the entire fucking test and the existential fear of climate change continues to dominate our every thought.   If day-night tests are really the future of test cricket, then what does that mean for the future of the actual “red” ball? And what would Bradman think about pink ball cricket anyway? Josh Hazlewood is out of the Boxing Day test; will selectors choose to titillate the masses with a left-field replacement, or will Langer institute a reward-based selection? Either way, we desperately need fresh narratives in order to feel something, and also for content reasons.   Marcus Stoinis joins us to discuss the role of the traditional alpha dog in modern cricket; how the rare unit movement is challenging perceptions of modern masculinity; and what it’s like to get in the boxing ring against Justin Langer (as a teenager). It’s a strong debut from the Stoin.   Meanwhile, #AskTGC delves into ‘keeper vs bowler alpha powerplays and the risk-reward of aggressive manscaping, while reminding us that Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself and the bowlers knew about sandpaper.   As always, thanks to our friends at @BudgySmuggler for their ongoing support of whatever this thing is.         We’re performing live across Australia in 2019. Our dates:   Brisbane – Princess Theatre, Thursday November 21, 7.30pm (with Jason Gillespie) - Sold Out Adelaide – Rhino Room, Saturday November 30, 12pm (with Shaun Tait) - Sold Out Melbourne – Corner Hotel, Friday December 27, 7.30pm (with John Hastings) Melbourne – Corner Hotel, Saturday December 28, 7.30pm (with John Hastings) Sydney – Comedy Store, Friday January 3, 7.30pm (Richard Chee Quee) Sydney – Comedy Store, Saturday January 4, 7.30pm (Richard Chee Quee)   Tickets at https://gradecricketer.club/upcoming-events   ***   We do events, too. If you have sporting entertainment needs and prefer material sourced after 1975, please talk to us. We’ve performed across Australia and the UK, and love telling stories from clubland, or interviewing those who tell them even better. Contact [email protected] for more details.   ***   We have merch, namely Stubby Holders, and Smugglers. Head to https://gradecricketer.club/shop for the specifics   ***   Big thanks to Jarryd Biviano @thefifthcreative and Julia Dowe for our podcast art, Toby Shain for the voiceovers + fake ad production, and Adrian Leung for our intro tune.   ***   Email the show at [email protected]   ***   We’re able to do all of this thanks to the fit, intelligent, enterprising people at Budgy Smuggler. It either is, or is nearly, summer somewhere in the world. For the entirety of your colourful swimwear needs, head to budgysmuggler.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.