Brad Hogg and our experts talk Australia, Ben Stokes batting at No 3 for England and bowlers getting the yips...
Tuesday 13 November 2018 16:11, UK
Brad Hogg joins the boys for the latest Sky Cricket Podcast to assess if Australia can recover swiftly from the ball-tampering scandal.
The side's form on the pitch has gone south since the episode in South Africa in March which led to bans for key men Steve Smith and David Warner as well as batsman Cameron Bancroft.
Australia were whitewashed 5-0 in an ODI series in England and have recently lost a Test series in the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan and a 50-over series at home to South Africa.
Australian left-arm spinner Hogg - commentating on England's ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka - says it could be some time before the Baggy Greens are a dominant force again, with the veteran insisting his nation must invest in grass-roots cricket.
Hogg, Michael Atherton and David Lloyd - the latter while supping a Sri Lankan beverage in Kandy - also reflect on where Australia find their players from and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) calling on Cricket Australia to reduce Smith and Warner's year-long suspensions.
Plus, Hogg, 47, discusses his longevity as a player, which has included 145 appearances for Australia - 123 of them in one-day internationals - and spells at Warwickshire, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers, Western Australia and Cape Cobras.
England's second Test in Kandy is also talked about - a victory for Joe Root's side will secure a first series win in Sri Lanka since 2001 and a first away from home in close to three years.
What do our pundits make of England's decision to keep fit-again Jonny Bairstow on the sidelines - and promote Ben Stokes to No 3?
Plus, Hogg reveals what he makes of fellow left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who helped the tourists to a thumping 211-run win in the first Test in Galle, and why he is fan of new England opener Rory Burns.
For all that, plus bowlers - including Bumble - getting the yips; whether it is good for sport to have one dominant team or player; Athers' boxing grandad, Thomas; snooker and more listen to the Sky Cricket Podcast - there is also a late cameo from former Sri Lanka star Russel Arnold!
We want your feedback about the podcast and what topics you would like them the team to cover in future episodes - so let us know on Twitter @SkyCricket or in the feedback form below (skysports.com only).
Watch day one of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England, in Kandy, live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) from 4am on Wednesday.
