Test Match Special No Balls: Madness in Melbourne & menstrual moans
Dec 30, 2025
Alex Hartley and Kate Cross celebrate England's Ashes win in Australia after nearly 15 years. They explore the surreal two-day Test at the MCG and candidly discuss the challenges female players face during menstruation. The conversation about normalizing periods takes center stage, alongside supportive strategies for athletes. With humor and insight, they reflect on social media's toxicity and the significance of open discussions surrounding women's health in sports.
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Two-Day Test Signals Bigger Problems
- The Boxing Day Test at the MCG finished in two days, highlighting a worrying trend of bowler-friendly, short matches.
- Kate Cross and Alex Hartley argue this undermines the spectacle and may have financial consequences for cricket.
Pitch Standards Show Double Standards
- The pair note inconsistent pitch assessments: bowler-friendly tracks get flagged while batter-friendly flat wickets rarely draw criticism.
- They suggest this inconsistency lets poor batting-friendly surfaces go unremarked while penalising bowlers when extreme movement occurs.
Big Win, Poor Series Quality
- The hosts found the series overall disappointing despite England's notable win in Australia.
- They stress the win is significant but the series quality and fan experience were lacking.