India vs England, Australia v Sri Lanka & more!

In the latest episode of Chin Music, Tom Gallup and Moises Henriques dive deep into the heart of global cricket issues. From India’s white-ball dominance and England’s "Bazball" identity crisis to the future of Australian stalwarts like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the duo offers a raw, player-centric perspective on the game's biggest talking points.

The "Players’ Podcast" and Dealing with Failure

The episode begins with Moises reflecting on the volatile nature of professional cricket. Fresh off a plane from an 11-day trip, he recounts the sting of going from a man-of-the-match performance for New South Wales to a notably bad game involving a duck and expensive bowling. "I feel like my spells almost brought them back into the game or changed the momentum," Moises admits, opening up about how he still struggles with the psychological weight of letting his teammates down even after years in the system.

India’s Resurgence and England’s Risk Management

Shifting to international play, the hosts analyze India's recent clinical performance against England. Moises praises Shubman Gill’s clinical batting and ability to balance risk with freedom, contrastingly questioning England’s aggressive white-ball philosophy. With England losing 78 out of 80 possible wickets in their last eight white-ball games, Moises suggests they need to find an anchor. "Is it a brand of cricket that’s going to win them more games than they lose? I’m not sure," he notes, suggesting that while the approach is dangerous, it might currently be too high-risk.

The Ed Cowen Dial-In: Is Rohit Sharma "Done"?

In a surprise moment, former Australian opener Ed Cowen dials in live to the studio. When asked by Tom if Rohit Sharma’s recent century against England signifies a return to Test form or if the legend is finished at the top level, Cowen’s response is immediate and ruthless: "Done." While Moises remains a bit more convinced of Rohit’s mental headspace, the exchange highlights the polarizing views on the longevity of modern greats.

The Matt Kuhnemann "Throwing" Allegations

The duo addresses the controversial reporting of Matt Kuhnemann’s bowling action following the successful Sri Lanka tour. Moises expresses sympathy for his friend but maintains a firm stance on the rules. "If someone is bending the rules to their advantage, then I do think they should be called," he says. He notes the difficulty Kuhnemann faces now, as the spinner must undergo independent testing and potentially sit out of domestic cricket until his action is cleared.

Introducing "Lurkers & Lingerers"

A new recurring segment, "Tom’s Lurkers & Lingerers," makes its debut, categorizing players as either passing phases or long-term fixtures. Jacob Bethell (England): Moises labels him a lingerer despite a quiet Big Bash, citing the difficulty of his batting position and his versatile skill set. Jake Fraser-McGurk (Australia): Both agree he is a lingerer due to his unique X-factor, though Moises admits the young star is still figuring out his method on larger Australian grounds compared to the IPL. Chris Green: Moises predicts the spinner has a massive future in the media, calling him the "Brendan Julian of 2045."

The Future of the Test XI: Smith, Labuschagne, and Green

The conversation turns to the high-stakes selection headaches facing Australia ahead of the World Test Championship. Marnus Labuschagne: Despite a rough trot averaging 24 in the last 18 months, Moises backs him to stay. "I'm giving Marnus every chance... we need him there leading that batting order once Steve and Uzi aren't in the team." Steve Smith: Addressing whispers about retirement, Moises believes Smith’s love for batting will keep him in the game. "Until he loses the love for batting, I think he's just going to keep turning up." Cameron Green: Moises considers Green a must if fit, highlighting his ability to bowl 140km/h and provide a serious batting threat that statistically surpasses almost anyone in domestic cricket over the last decade.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.