This Week in Cricket #162: Tim Southee steps down, the Bumrah cheat code & the T20 World Cup is here again

The Top Order Cricket Podcast

In this episode of the Top Order Podcast, we discuss another busy week of cricket from all around the world - from Sri Lanka's dominant win against the Black Caps in Galle, which led Tim Southee to step down from the captaincy, to India's whirlwind victory against Bangladesh in Kanpur. We also quickly look ahead to England's Test tour of Pakistan and the Women's ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE.

We start in a sombre mood, with the woes of the Black Caps front of mind after a crushing loss against Sri Lanka. We talk about the self-inflicted nature of the performance, whether New Zealand are actually equipped to win a series like this one, what's next for this Test side following Tim Southee stepping aside as captain and whether more changes should be made in the very near future. There's also praise for Kamindu Mendis and Nishan Peiris, and Sri Lanka in general as they keep their World Test Championship Final dreams alive.

Conversation then moves to Kanpur, where it looked like the weather would have the final say - until Rohit Sharma two-stepped down the wicket and launched the ball over long on. We discuss India's positive approach to the game, Jasprit Bumrah's offspin, high-level catching, Ravindra Jadeja joining the elite 300/3000 club and debate whether this Test is an advertisement for making four-day Tests the norm.

We finish the show by looking ahead to England's visit to Pakistan - do they have the bowling attack to take 20 wickets? And will Pakistan ever get it together off the field? - as well as a quick preview of the women's T20 World Cup, which will see Australia go in as favourites yet again, but Baldy assures us is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested tournaments in recent memory..

We'll be back again next week with more news and reviews from around the world. 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.

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Thanks for listening.

0:00 Intro

0:50 SL v NZ: the Black Caps collapse in Galle

8:45 - Did NZ actually have the tools to win in Sri Lanka?

13:25 - Tim Southee steps down as NZ Test captain: is it time for even more change?

23:55 - Kamindu Mendis and NZ's toss training

27:05 - India v Bangladesh: India's whirlwind win

31:35 - Should we move to four-day Tests?

34:50 - Jasprit Bumrah is a cheat code

38:55 - India brilliant in the field & Ravindra Jadeja joins 300/3000 club

42:20 - England v Pakistan: Why can't Pakistan sort out the off-field dramas?

45:15 - Expectations for England: will their bowling attack stack up?

54:25 - Women's T20 World Cup: can anyone stop this amazing Australian side?

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