"Double Shakas With Blair Tickner"

"Double Shakas With Blair Tickner"

Author: The Alternative Commentary Collective August 8, 2026 Duration: 30:55

On this special episode of The BYC Podcast, Dylan Cleaver, Paul Ford and ACC Head G Lane are joined by Black Cap Fast Bowler and Great New Zealander Blair Tickner (00:00)! 

Blair Tickner has had a comeback year worth remembering. Recontracted for 2026–27, Wickets against England during a historic series win, and coach Rob Walter saying he's "added new levels" to his game. Not bad for someone who two years ago wondered if the Black Caps' journey was over...

They cover the England series (including what it was like being on the receiving end of a Jofra Archer bouncer, and whether the concussion protocols allowed for a proper series-win celebration), what it takes to come back from two years out of international cricket at 32, the specific technical adjustments that have made the second stint feel different from the first, and what actually makes Central Districts the greatest domestic cricket side in the world.

They also get into Blair's distinctive bowling action and whether any coach has ever tried to "fix" it, the wickets awaiting the Black Caps in Australia, and where he sits on the NZ20 franchise league debate. Plus, the barista life at the 13th Stag cafe, first-cricket-bat memories, and pre-spell 
rituals.

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There's a particular, slightly sun-bleached feeling to a New Zealand summer that often involves the crack of willow on leather. The BYC Podcast lives right in the middle of that feeling, but it's not your standard analysis of cover drives and bowling figures. Instead, it's where the reverence for the game collides with absolute irreverence. Hosted by Paul Ford and Dylan Cleaver under the banner of The Alternative Commentary Collective, this is the specialty cricket audio experience that has earned a reputation for being both celebrated and a little feared. Each episode feels like pulling up a deckchair in the backyard with a group of friends who know the sport inside out but would much rather discuss its absurdities and forgotten heroes. You'll hear from a rotating cast of dubious guests, all contributing to conversations that capture the unmistakable sounds and smells of the season. The debates here are less about batting averages and more about pressing, philosophical questions, like comparing the aesthetic virtues of a well-oiled Duncan Fearnley Magnum to a Polyarmoured Slazenger V12. It’s a chaotic, funny, and deeply affectionate tribute to cricket’s peculiar corners, making this podcast a unique staple for anyone who enjoys the game but loves the culture around it even more.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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