Brendon Julian on an "Accidental" Test Career, Warne’s Magic, and Australia’s Perth Collapse

In the second installment of the Chin Music podcast, hosts Tom and Mo (Moises Henriques) were joined by Australian cricket legend and Fox Cricket commentator Brendon Julian (BJ). The episode, filmed at the Fanatics Clubhouse, is a deep dive into Julian’s storied career and a post-mortem of Australia’s shocking first Test defeat to India in Perth.

The "Accidental" Test Cricketer: Tattoos, Ferraris, and the Ball of the Century

Brendon Julian shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at his 1993 Test debut in Manchester, a match he describes himself as "The Accidental Test Cricketer" for. Julian revealed he wasn't even supposed to play; it was only a last-minute decision by Allan Border and Bob Simpson due to rain that saw him included over spinner Tim May. He famously didn't have his gear at the ground and realized mid-match he’d left his baggy green at the hotel. 

The debut was further complicated by a dispute over his Test number (356) with fellow debutant Michael Slater. Slater, convinced that opening the batting made him 356, went as far as getting a tattoo and a custom Ferrari license plate. Julian eventually had to sign an affidavit to officially swap numbers and "give" Slater the 356 designation to match his ink.

Julian also made a cheeky claim to Shane Warne’s "Ball of the Century" to Mike Gatting. Because it was Julian's debut as a bowler, he technically should have kept the ball from his first over, but Warne (and history) had other plans. He noted that when he took his own first Test wicket shortly after, the team barely celebrated, as they were still busy watching the replay of Warne’s magic on the big screen. 

Dissecting the Perth Collapse: Fatigue, Selection, and "Ugly" Aussies

Turning to current events, the panel analyzed Australia’s heavy loss to India in the first Test. Moises Henriques defended the Australian bowling unit, pointing out the immense physical toll of bowling nearly 40 overs in five sessions under the Perth heat. Julian agreed, noting that the Indian batters, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, successfully "took it to the Australian bowlers" in a way few visiting teams do.

Key insights from the discussion included:

• Marnus Labuschagne’s Form: Julian suggested Labuschagne is "thinking about it too much" and has "forgotten how to score," becoming too focused on survival rather than his natural aggressive style. 
• The "Friendly" Narrative: Addressing criticism of the team’s "nice guy" persona, Julian argued that players shouldn't force an "ugly Aussie" personality if it isn't natural to them.
• Selection Pressure: Despite the loss, both Julian and Henriques felt the selectors would stick with the current top six for at least the next two Tests, citing the difficulty of replacing world-class talent like Smith and Labuschagne. 

20 Years of Fox Cricket: From Travel Shows to Double-Breasted Suits

Julian also reflected on his two-decade transition into the media. He revealed his early TV days included a five-year stint on the travel show Getaway, where he once had to be dropped from a helicopter in Switzerland despite having never skied before. 

Speaking on the evolution of cricket broadcasting, Julian highlighted how Fox Cricket pushed boundaries by miking up players like Shane Warne to give fans a "player’s eye view.” He also touched on the current fashion trends in the commentary box, admitting he was skeptical of the new double-breasted suits and copper colors but acknowledged it was all part of keeping the broadcast "talking point" worthy. 

As for the series outcome? Despite the 1-0 deficit, Julian predicted the battle would go down to the wire, eventually being decided in a high-stakes final session at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Watch the full episode on FanaticsTV.

‍