On August 21st 10 years ago, while the Ashes played out between Australian and English sides captained by Michael Clarke and Alistair Cook, and a young man called Steve Smith scored his maiden test century, a fellow called Andrew Menczel (aka Menners) released the first ever regular weekly cricket podcast.
The Australian Cricket Podcast, as it was then known, was a pioneering show for all sports podcasts. It came from Menners desire for something for Australian cricket fans:
“I went on an English cricket podcast and I thought Aussie fans deserve a podcast! I have always wanted to do a great show for cricket fans and especially fans of the Aussie cricket team”.
Since then Menners and Cricket Unfiltered have interviewed cricketers from both here and overseas, winning a 2022 NSW Cricket Media Award for ‘Coverage of Gender and Diversity’ for his interview with former Australian captain Alex Blackwell.
Menners dream guest was former Australian captain Steve Waugh who appeared in a November 2021 episode.
And not just cricket related awards.
The podcast launched his media career. Menners has now written columns, appeared on a number of major tv and radio networks including BBC, CNN, Fox Sports, AL Jazeera and Star Sports India. He is now a cricket commentator in Australia on both men’s and women’s matches for Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.
Menners says:
“Podcasting has changed my life, I never thought it would lead to so many opportunities, tremendous experiences and friendships. Commentating at the SCG on first-class cricket was something I never thought would happen but I have been so lucky. I also produce a number of podcasts in multiple genres and won an award for a true crime podcast”.
More than 700 episodes have been released so far with millions of downloads around the world. A 2018 interview with Stuart MacGill is now included in the National Film and Sound Archives.