We mentioned last week on the program that the Aussies had a mighty win over the English in the Blind Ashes. We spoke to Ed Hassle, the captain of the English team. Let's get an Australian perspective and speak to our vice captain, Ned Mica. Ned, great to catch up and congratulations to you on the team.

We mentioned last week on the program that the Aussies had a mighty win over the English in the Blind Ashes. We spoke to Ed Hassle, the captain of the English team. Let's get an Australian perspective and speak to our vice captain, Ned Mica. Ned, great to catch up and congratulations to you on the team.

Yeah, thank you very much, Peter. I'm absolutely happy to be here. And I'm very, very stoked with the with the ashes win. Yeah.

Yeah, thank you very much, Peter. I'm absolutely happy to be here. And I'm very, very stoked with the with the ashes win. Yeah.

Well, if memory serves last get you at the Ipswich game. So they, they beat us didn't they.

Well, if memory serves last get you at the Ipswich game. So they, they beat us didn't they.

Yeah they did. They've had the win over us in a lot of the tournaments that we've played them in. So although that game I don't think we we lost by too much. But yeah it was awesome to get them over here and in home soil. And it really showed that we've we've made a lot of improvements I guess.

Yeah they did. They've had the win over us in a lot of the tournaments that we've played them in. So although that game I don't think we we lost by too much. But yeah it was awesome to get them over here and in home soil. And it really showed that we've we've made a lot of improvements I guess.

Yeah, we gave them a bit of a wet welcome rather than a warm welcome didn't we? Yeah. The rain interrupted play a bit.

Yeah, we gave them a bit of a wet welcome rather than a warm welcome didn't we? Yeah. The rain interrupted play a bit.

Yes. Yeah, it definitely did. Um, I must say it was a bit challenging at times to to stay mentally focused and and upbeat when, when the, the weather kept washing our games out. But we managed to scrape a few in and in the end. And I guess the real positive thing is that no matter when we were playing with, we always had the right result at the end of the day.

Yes. Yeah, it definitely did. Um, I must say it was a bit challenging at times to to stay mentally focused and and upbeat when, when the, the weather kept washing our games out. But we managed to scrape a few in and in the end. And I guess the real positive thing is that no matter when we were playing with, we always had the right result at the end of the day.

Now you come into the team and one of the games you're starting team.

Now you come into the team and one of the games you're starting team.

Yeah I did, yeah. It was absolutely, um, really, really fortunate. And it was, it was such a such a privilege. And, um, you know, growing up, all you ever want to do is just play, play sport for your country. And I never thought that captaining it would be on the cards. So yeah, to get that opportunity, it was a it was amazing. And the faith that everyone showed in me to in that role, um, and the support on the day in particular was awesome. So yeah, absolutely loved the experience and yeah, hopefully, hopefully get some more of it. Sure.

Yeah I did, yeah. It was absolutely, um, really, really fortunate. And it was, it was such a such a privilege. And, um, you know, growing up, all you ever want to do is just play, play sport for your country. And I never thought that captaining it would be on the cards. So yeah, to get that opportunity, it was a it was amazing. And the faith that everyone showed in me to in that role, um, and the support on the day in particular was awesome. So yeah, absolutely loved the experience and yeah, hopefully, hopefully get some more of it. Sure.

Well perfect record. Hard to drop a winning captain, isn't it?

Well perfect record. Hard to drop a winning captain, isn't it?

Uh, yeah. I'll definitely be telling that story for a while. But no, Matt McCarthy's a tremendous captain. And as long as he's playing, um, uh, we're we're in good hands. Um, yeah, but it was it was a great experience, even like.

Uh, yeah. I'll definitely be telling that story for a while. But no, Matt McCarthy's a tremendous captain. And as long as he's playing, um, uh, we're we're in good hands. Um, yeah, but it was it was a great experience, even like.

The T20 game that he kept it in, wasn't it? Yeah.

The T20 game that he kept it in, wasn't it? Yeah.

No. Yeah. What a what are the T20 games at the end there. So I managed to get a pretty, pretty decent win I think we, we won with uh four overs to spare. So. So um yeah it was a, it was a good feeling to get a win under the belt as a captain, but even better as, as a player for the Aussie team.

No. Yeah. What a what are the T20 games at the end there. So I managed to get a pretty, pretty decent win I think we, we won with uh four overs to spare. So. So um yeah it was a, it was a good feeling to get a win under the belt as a captain, but even better as, as a player for the Aussie team.

It's a challenging part, particularly in a T20 game like the fielding and the bowling and kind of managing all that and keeping your head together.

It's a challenging part, particularly in a T20 game like the fielding and the bowling and kind of managing all that and keeping your head together.

Yeah, I think so. I think there's just there's a lot of things that you need to be thinking about. You got to be thinking, you know, 4 to 5 overs ahead of where the game actually is. And then, you know, we as a team, we had a lot of plans, but sometimes different players and and different scenarios in the games changed. And so yeah, you sort of always got to be be thinking ahead of things. But um, yeah, definitely working out when to bowl people at particular times when like what fields to set the different batters. Lucky enough, we had a had a good look at them over the four other games before that. So it was um, it was a lot of thinking, I guess.

Yeah, I think so. I think there's just there's a lot of things that you need to be thinking about. You got to be thinking, you know, 4 to 5 overs ahead of where the game actually is. And then, you know, we as a team, we had a lot of plans, but sometimes different players and and different scenarios in the games changed. And so yeah, you sort of always got to be be thinking ahead of things. But um, yeah, definitely working out when to bowl people at particular times when like what fields to set the different batters. Lucky enough, we had a had a good look at them over the four other games before that. So it was um, it was a lot of thinking, I guess.

And of course, for people who might be aware with the blind cricket, the different categories, you know, have to bowl a certain amount of overs. So that kind of adds another complexity to it. It's not, uh, you know, you can pick your best five bowlers or whatever and bowl them. It's kind of not quite that straightforward.

And of course, for people who might be aware with the blind cricket, the different categories, you know, have to bowl a certain amount of overs. So that kind of adds another complexity to it. It's not, uh, you know, you can pick your best five bowlers or whatever and bowl them. It's kind of not quite that straightforward.

Yeah. And I have to be quite decent at math, which I'm not. But yeah, your B1 players are totally, totally blind category players. They have to bowl eight overs in a combined eight overs within a T20. So yeah, making sure that you've got that at the right time of the games and then power plays and all that type of stuff as well to think of. So yeah, it's a bit bit to think of but um, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. So you did a bit.

Yeah. And I have to be quite decent at math, which I'm not. But yeah, your B1 players are totally, totally blind category players. They have to bowl eight overs in a combined eight overs within a T20. So yeah, making sure that you've got that at the right time of the games and then power plays and all that type of stuff as well to think of. So yeah, it's a bit bit to think of but um, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. So you did a bit.

Of planning obviously beforehand, like you had your sort of plans, as you said, but I guess in your mind you were going over a different scenarios.

Of planning obviously beforehand, like you had your sort of plans, as you said, but I guess in your mind you were going over a different scenarios.

Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I think um, well, each game we had, we had a sort of a game plan of how we one attack it as a, as a team. And, and we spoke about that before, you know, each morning. And it was, it was really quite, quite basic plans. But then within yourself you have your own, um, ideas of, of what you want and where you want the fields to be. But now, look, when you get to the Aussie level, I guess, you know, everyone out there can can do the job. And, um, so it wasn't it wasn't too strenuous. Um, there was a lot of different ideas that were thrown around. So I was really grateful for that. But, um, yeah, they're definitely a bit of planning that goes into it for sure.

Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I think um, well, each game we had, we had a sort of a game plan of how we one attack it as a, as a team. And, and we spoke about that before, you know, each morning. And it was, it was really quite, quite basic plans. But then within yourself you have your own, um, ideas of, of what you want and where you want the fields to be. But now, look, when you get to the Aussie level, I guess, you know, everyone out there can can do the job. And, um, so it wasn't it wasn't too strenuous. Um, there was a lot of different ideas that were thrown around. So I was really grateful for that. But, um, yeah, they're definitely a bit of planning that goes into it for sure.

Is that the toughest job? Kind of, uh, not so much ignoring, but, uh, taking on board slash ignoring the advice that's going on around you during a game, particularly in the heated moments of it.

Is that the toughest job? Kind of, uh, not so much ignoring, but, uh, taking on board slash ignoring the advice that's going on around you during a game, particularly in the heated moments of it.

Um, well, it can be quite tough at times. Everyone has an opinion and a lot of people think their opinion is right. So yeah, you've got to be a bit firm with with your own, your own beliefs with it. And but the, the really good thing is I play cricket with, um, pretty much everyone on the team for a really long time, ten, ten years and for, for a lot of the boys in the team. So definitely respect everyone's opinion. So I took a lot of it on board. And I know Macca. Um, Matt McCarthy um, takes a lot on board as well. So yeah, it's it can be challenging at times, but ultimately everyone really knows what they're what they're doing out there. So yeah, it was it wasn't too much.

Um, well, it can be quite tough at times. Everyone has an opinion and a lot of people think their opinion is right. So yeah, you've got to be a bit firm with with your own, your own beliefs with it. And but the, the really good thing is I play cricket with, um, pretty much everyone on the team for a really long time, ten, ten years and for, for a lot of the boys in the team. So definitely respect everyone's opinion. So I took a lot of it on board. And I know Macca. Um, Matt McCarthy um, takes a lot on board as well. So yeah, it's it can be challenging at times, but ultimately everyone really knows what they're what they're doing out there. So yeah, it was it wasn't too much.

One of the things with the restricted amount of games or, you know, rain interrupted games. So I guess that maybe the kind of full ability of the squad can't be tested because there's less games that might have otherwise been the case, you know, planning going into the series.

One of the things with the restricted amount of games or, you know, rain interrupted games. So I guess that maybe the kind of full ability of the squad can't be tested because there's less games that might have otherwise been the case, you know, planning going into the series.

Yeah, definitely. And I think I think in the lead up we knew that that was going to be eight games that were that were, well, ideally were going to be played at the start. So we had a rough idea and you know, eight games within I think it was like nine days or something. So we knew that it was going to be a lot of rotation. So after that first game and then the weather unfortunately held it off, it was it was a bit, um, a bit challenging to try and um, I guess utilise the full squad, but as much as we thought we would, but you know, everyone, everyone played and everyone got out there and did their best for their country and, and ultimately we, we, we didn't lose the game. So I guess it shows the strength of our team, the depth that we have. And, and I guess the togetherness that we have, because there really wasn't a whole lot of, uh, or anything really, other than upbeat and positive, um, thoughts going head into each game. So yeah, I couldn't ask for more for, for the team. And um, and I guess the collective mindset that we had, it was it was really quite special to be a part of.

Yeah, definitely. And I think I think in the lead up we knew that that was going to be eight games that were that were, well, ideally were going to be played at the start. So we had a rough idea and you know, eight games within I think it was like nine days or something. So we knew that it was going to be a lot of rotation. So after that first game and then the weather unfortunately held it off, it was it was a bit, um, a bit challenging to try and um, I guess utilise the full squad, but as much as we thought we would, but you know, everyone, everyone played and everyone got out there and did their best for their country and, and ultimately we, we, we didn't lose the game. So I guess it shows the strength of our team, the depth that we have. And, and I guess the togetherness that we have, because there really wasn't a whole lot of, uh, or anything really, other than upbeat and positive, um, thoughts going head into each game. So yeah, I couldn't ask for more for, for the team. And um, and I guess the collective mindset that we had, it was it was really quite special to be a part of.

And the individual players that kind of deserve a bit of a special.

And the individual players that kind of deserve a bit of a special.

Mention. Oh, definitely. I think I was I was super proud for for debutants. I think when you get to play for the first time for your country. It's one of those feelings that I go back to. The memories that I got back to is one of the best things. So to see that for Lincoln Medal, for Aaron Lyle and for Chris Gould, I played a fair bit of cricket with Chris down here in Victoria. Um, so I was absolutely over the moon for them to get their baggy greens, but it'll be hard not to to go past Steph and Nero, who at times felt like put the country on his back and really pushed us along. Um, he's he's one of the best, probably one of the best innings of cricket I've ever seen. And I think it was the third game where he's got 135 off of 70, and it really helped us win that game of cricket and ultimately secure the ashes. So Steph and um, yeah, definitely gets a big shout out for me. But to be honest, I think the just the team as a whole, I think we surprised ourselves with how well we played and how well we gelled together. You know, sometimes you go over and don't get the results that you want. So to be a part of such a dominant, I guess, team and in a winning team was just really, really pleasing.

Mention. Oh, definitely. I think I was I was super proud for for debutants. I think when you get to play for the first time for your country. It's one of those feelings that I go back to. The memories that I got back to is one of the best things. So to see that for Lincoln Medal, for Aaron Lyle and for Chris Gould, I played a fair bit of cricket with Chris down here in Victoria. Um, so I was absolutely over the moon for them to get their baggy greens, but it'll be hard not to to go past Steph and Nero, who at times felt like put the country on his back and really pushed us along. Um, he's he's one of the best, probably one of the best innings of cricket I've ever seen. And I think it was the third game where he's got 135 off of 70, and it really helped us win that game of cricket and ultimately secure the ashes. So Steph and um, yeah, definitely gets a big shout out for me. But to be honest, I think the just the team as a whole, I think we surprised ourselves with how well we played and how well we gelled together. You know, sometimes you go over and don't get the results that you want. So to be a part of such a dominant, I guess, team and in a winning team was just really, really pleasing.

Stefan had a bit of time away from the Australian team, hadn't he?

Stefan had a bit of time away from the Australian team, hadn't he?

Yeah, yeah he did. Um, yeah. He, um, he took some time off. I think it was before, uh, we went to India a couple of years ago just to sort of reset and and. Yeah, like. But he came back with flying colours and, and really showed why he's, he's probably one of the best Aussie players that's ever played. So yeah, it was absolutely thrilled for him.

Yeah, yeah he did. Um, yeah. He, um, he took some time off. I think it was before, uh, we went to India a couple of years ago just to sort of reset and and. Yeah, like. But he came back with flying colours and, and really showed why he's, he's probably one of the best Aussie players that's ever played. So yeah, it was absolutely thrilled for him.

I remember speaking to him after 2009 and I said, how did you feel? And he said, I can still remember him talking about it, kind of. I can kind of see it in my mind, he said. I was kind of sat there and thought, what the heck's happened? I can't imagine that. Not that I'll never get to make 209 or even three runs, but you kind of can imagine because it's kind of over in the blur, isn't it? Then when you're reflecting on it, you think, hang on, what? Did that really happen?

I remember speaking to him after 2009 and I said, how did you feel? And he said, I can still remember him talking about it, kind of. I can kind of see it in my mind, he said. I was kind of sat there and thought, what the heck's happened? I can't imagine that. Not that I'll never get to make 209 or even three runs, but you kind of can imagine because it's kind of over in the blur, isn't it? Then when you're reflecting on it, you think, hang on, what? Did that really happen?

Yeah. Yeah. No. Exactly right. It was a bit of it's a bit of that with, um, our, um, our series now. And I remember where I was batting with him at the time when he scored his 300th, and it was a bit I was definitely in shock myself with what just happened there. Um, so no, I can only imagine what was going through his mind. But yeah, he, um, he showed a huge amount of leadership within our team. And, um, and obviously his performances were just out of this world. So yeah, I was super pleased for him and someone who's been a really close friend of mine for a while. It was awesome to see.

Yeah. Yeah. No. Exactly right. It was a bit of it's a bit of that with, um, our, um, our series now. And I remember where I was batting with him at the time when he scored his 300th, and it was a bit I was definitely in shock myself with what just happened there. Um, so no, I can only imagine what was going through his mind. But yeah, he, um, he showed a huge amount of leadership within our team. And, um, and obviously his performances were just out of this world. So yeah, I was super pleased for him and someone who's been a really close friend of mine for a while. It was awesome to see.

I guess the bigger picture about that, uh, Nate, is that, you know, there was an incredible response on YouTube in terms of views and what a great way to spread the word about blind cricket.

I guess the bigger picture about that, uh, Nate, is that, you know, there was an incredible response on YouTube in terms of views and what a great way to spread the word about blind cricket.

Uh, it's, uh, it's absolutely it means the world to us, really. Um, the response from from everyone within our community as a whole. But then all the work that Cricket Australia and and all the all the partners and all the people that made it happen, um, it was just it's one of the best things that that I've been a part of. Um, you know, I've been playing, playing sport, blind sports for a while, and it's probably one of the most, um. Yeah, well, well covered tours that I've been a part of. And. Yeah, it means the absolute world. And yeah, it was it's just awesome to see so many people come up and and talk about the blind ashes and, and talk about each game and you know, who did well, who didn't. And it's been just awesome being back home now and hearing all all that from a lot of people that watch. So yeah. Couldn't can't thank everyone enough.

Uh, it's, uh, it's absolutely it means the world to us, really. Um, the response from from everyone within our community as a whole. But then all the work that Cricket Australia and and all the all the partners and all the people that made it happen, um, it was just it's one of the best things that that I've been a part of. Um, you know, I've been playing, playing sport, blind sports for a while, and it's probably one of the most, um. Yeah, well, well covered tours that I've been a part of. And. Yeah, it means the absolute world. And yeah, it was it's just awesome to see so many people come up and and talk about the blind ashes and, and talk about each game and you know, who did well, who didn't. And it's been just awesome being back home now and hearing all all that from a lot of people that watch. So yeah. Couldn't can't thank everyone enough.

I bring a cricket in India, isn't it?

I bring a cricket in India, isn't it?

Oh, mate. Yeah, I know it was. Yeah, it was lucky enough to be over to India a couple of times. And there, everywhere you go, they want to sit at home and feel like that a little bit coming back here. So it's um. Yeah, it's it's awesome.

Oh, mate. Yeah, I know it was. Yeah, it was lucky enough to be over to India a couple of times. And there, everywhere you go, they want to sit at home and feel like that a little bit coming back here. So it's um. Yeah, it's it's awesome.

Along those lines, uh, internationally, is there any kind of news? I think I asked Ed this last week on the program and he wasn't really sure. I mean, I'm not not sure how much you guys can say in terms of what might be in the planning process, but it'd be great to get sort of another World Cup happening, wouldn't it?

Along those lines, uh, internationally, is there any kind of news? I think I asked Ed this last week on the program and he wasn't really sure. I mean, I'm not not sure how much you guys can say in terms of what might be in the planning process, but it'd be great to get sort of another World Cup happening, wouldn't it?

Yeah, well fingers crossed. Look, honestly, this whatever, um, whatever opportunity internationally comes up next, um, anyone of us will will jump at it with with open arms. We've been really lucky that the support from Cricket Australia and, and all the state affiliates have been been really good with with that and just getting England over here. It's been a while since we've played and we haven't played an ashes series since 2016 against them. So it's to get that under the wagon and to see how successful it was for us as an Aussie team in perspective and uh, personally, um, hopefully it can spark a few more trips, but probably the next big thing for us is, um, everyone in the Aussie team is that we've got our national carnival. The NCIC is up in the middle of January, so yeah, a bit of attention will be moved to that now. But internationally, look, we'll take anything that comes our way, to be honest. Um, yeah. We're riding on a bit of a high at the moment, so hopefully we can capitalise on that.

Yeah, well fingers crossed. Look, honestly, this whatever, um, whatever opportunity internationally comes up next, um, anyone of us will will jump at it with with open arms. We've been really lucky that the support from Cricket Australia and, and all the state affiliates have been been really good with with that and just getting England over here. It's been a while since we've played and we haven't played an ashes series since 2016 against them. So it's to get that under the wagon and to see how successful it was for us as an Aussie team in perspective and uh, personally, um, hopefully it can spark a few more trips, but probably the next big thing for us is, um, everyone in the Aussie team is that we've got our national carnival. The NCIC is up in the middle of January, so yeah, a bit of attention will be moved to that now. But internationally, look, we'll take anything that comes our way, to be honest. Um, yeah. We're riding on a bit of a high at the moment, so hopefully we can capitalise on that.

Well, let's hope the Queensland weather behaves yourself. As you said, you'd be playing a blind spot for a while. You're still at the footy at the Hawthorn Football Club.

Well, let's hope the Queensland weather behaves yourself. As you said, you'd be playing a blind spot for a while. You're still at the footy at the Hawthorn Football Club.

Yeah, mate. Yep. Still there. Um, so I'm very lucky to work there as well. So yeah, I've been working and playing um, blind footy for, for Hawthorn and been working at the local footy club at the same, same time for, for about 5 or 6 years now. So. Loving loving it mate. And the opportunities that we're getting in in blind sports now is is incredible. A lot of the boys that just, um, jumped off the plane, went over to Adelaide and played some blind tennis. So yeah, I'm a mad ass sport lover. So the opportunities that we get for it now is, is absolutely amazing. So yeah, we'll keep doing as much as I can.

Yeah, mate. Yep. Still there. Um, so I'm very lucky to work there as well. So yeah, I've been working and playing um, blind footy for, for Hawthorn and been working at the local footy club at the same, same time for, for about 5 or 6 years now. So. Loving loving it mate. And the opportunities that we're getting in in blind sports now is is incredible. A lot of the boys that just, um, jumped off the plane, went over to Adelaide and played some blind tennis. So yeah, I'm a mad ass sport lover. So the opportunities that we get for it now is, is absolutely amazing. So yeah, we'll keep doing as much as I can.

I was going to say being a sports nut I mean that in the most kindest way to work at a sort of mainstream football club, that they can't they can't beat Port Adelaide. That must be a pretty big thrill.

I was going to say being a sports nut I mean that in the most kindest way to work at a sort of mainstream football club, that they can't they can't beat Port Adelaide. That must be a pretty big thrill.

Yeah, yeah it is.

Yeah, yeah it is.

Um. It is. We definitely can't get past port at the moment. But look, there's always next year. Um, and everyone's very hungry for that at the Hawks, that's for sure.

Um. It is. We definitely can't get past port at the moment. But look, there's always next year. Um, and everyone's very hungry for that at the Hawks, that's for sure.

I just thought I'd put that in just in case. Just in case anyone had forgotten. Yeah.

I just thought I'd put that in just in case. Just in case anyone had forgotten. Yeah.

We haven't, that's for sure.

We haven't, that's for sure.

No. I'm sure actually, I know I've kicked myself because next time Hawthorn play port, I. I know what's going to happen. Good to catch up. I know you've had plenty on your plate and also probably wanted to catch your breath after a busy series. Thanks for speaking to us. Congratulations to all those involved and also the Cricket Association. A big shout out to Jess to Jess O'Reilly for her great help getting interviews for us. So we wish you well and I'm sure it won't be too long before we talk again.

No. I'm sure actually, I know I've kicked myself because next time Hawthorn play port, I. I know what's going to happen. Good to catch up. I know you've had plenty on your plate and also probably wanted to catch your breath after a busy series. Thanks for speaking to us. Congratulations to all those involved and also the Cricket Association. A big shout out to Jess to Jess O'Reilly for her great help getting interviews for us. So we wish you well and I'm sure it won't be too long before we talk again.

No, definitely. Thank you very much for having me. And thanks everyone for all the all the support.

No, definitely. Thank you very much for having me. And thanks everyone for all the all the support.

That's the broom maker there. Captained the Australian team on one occasion. And also part of the clean sweep Australia over England in the Blind Ashes.

That's the broom maker there. Captained the Australian team on one occasion. And also part of the clean sweep Australia over England in the Blind Ashes.