The Final Word Cricket Podcast

Australia India Daily, 2nd Test, Adelaide Day 1: Goodness. Australia came into this game with an advantage in pink-ball cricket, and they needed somebody to take it. Well, Mitchell Starc did. But that was only half of the equation. Could the Aussies withstand Bumrah with the ball? Well, kinda. Meanwhile, we love Nitish Reddy more with each knock, Scotty Boland was back in action, and there was Hall of Fame action galore. A rollicking day and night.

Come to our live shows!

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

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Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 2nd Test, Wellington Day 1: Have England already won the series?

On a day where only three batters made above 20, Brook got 123 and was amazing. England looked in all sorts of trouble at numerous points in time, but somehow, a late Brydon Carse burst has them on the brink of victory.

Come to our live shows!

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

This Is Hypnobirthing

Insta @thisishypnobirthing

Or email: hello@thisishypnobirthing.com if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 2nd Test, Adelaide Day 0: After India battered Australia in Perth, there has been a 10-day break for the home team to get their breath back. They're down one bowler in Josh Hazlewood, and we know who the replacement will be. India, meantime, could pick just about anybody. And is Jaiswal enjoying his final months of low-profile living before stepping into Kohli's spotlight?

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Season 17, Episode 14: Before taking off for Adelaide, Adam and Geoff reflect on an Australian attack that might be in transition earlier than we thought. Beyond the BGT, we farewell Ian Redpath, who has passed away at age 83, celebrate the Renegades, who have won the WBBL for the first time, and congratulate the incoming CA boss - he has a big job ahead. Plenty more, from WTC implications to the Adam Zampa selection stoush to Jay Shah taking the chair at ICC HQ.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, in the Sherrin Stand at Victoria Park in Melbourne, we back to Napoleonic times to discuss whether we have newly encountered one of the most unpleasant characters in the history of the game. Later, some tales of things that might have been, ranging from Imran Khan to Mike Hussey to the magic of Ben Hollioake's debut.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

3.54 - Jon Lansdell

2.27 - Greg Upon Thames

6.30 - Andrew Cooper

4.13 - Rooto

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Get your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 1st Test, Christchurch Day 4: England cruise to an eight-wicket win to go one-nil up in the series.

New Zealand had their chances at the start, but eight drops later and England had a comfortable win. Should Tim Southee play in Wellington? Should Ollie Pope keep the gloves? How good are Brydon Carse and Jacob Bethell? All this and more from Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

This Is Hypnobirthing

Insta @thisishypnobirthing

Or email: hello@thisishypnobirthing.com if you/someone you know is having a baby and you reckon this would help them, as it did Rach and Adam when they had their girls.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 1st Test, Christchurch Day 3: Turns out if you drop eight catches, it's hard to win.

England dominate day three in Christchurch and finish close to securing a win. Only a near-miracle will save New Zealand now. Runs for Ben Stokes. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse are good and Chris Woakes had a good day overseas. Who'd have thunk it. Cameron Ponsonby and Jeremy Coney have it all.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 1st Test, Christchurch Day 2: Use your hands New Zealand. What are you doing!?

Harry Brook is very good at batting, so the Kiwis let him ton up and England get ahead in the game. Should Ollie Pope have actually scored runs or is that silly? Nathan Smith was good on debut.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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New Zealand England Daily, 1st Test, Christchurch Day 1: New Zealand chuck it away. From 199 for three to 319 for eight, it's level, but England are happier.

Kane Williamson is back and in the runs, Shoaib Bashir takes 4fer on a day one green top. But, was it good bowling or did the Black Caps just get it wrong after tea. Cameron Ponsonby is joined by Jeremy Coney to discuss it all.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Season 17, Episode 13: Okay, we didn't get the dots on, but we did record at Perth's gorgeous campus where for two decades bowlers with suspect actions visited from everywhere. Aaron Chin, a biomechanist who worked on the project, tells us all about it. Earlier, it is everything-other-than-the-BGT on our agenda, including a trip over to Christchurch with Cam Ponsonby. There's also a light-touch IPL auction chat, comparisons between Henry Hunt and Harold Holt, and the PCB (rightly) cashing in. Then a red-ball wrap for men and a white-ball lap for women.

Come to our live shows! All tickets here: century.com.au/tfw24

Adelaide December 5 (Aaron Finch)

Brisbane December 12 (Harsha Bhogle)

Melbourne December 22 (Glenn Maxwell book launch)

Sydney January 7 (Glenn Maxwell book launch)

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Buy our merch, including the 'I got my action tested at Uni WA' shirt: linktr.ee/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Visit Victoria! You know you want to. visitvictoria.com

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 1st Test, Perth review: With the Test done in four days, the dust has not remotely settled. Australia got smashed, the people want change, and the McDonald-Cummins management team wants calm and stability. Those things don't align. Adam and Geoff run over some of the things Australia need to consider, and the good selection problems in India's future.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 1st Test, Perth Day 4: It happened, not exactly in the way we thought it might, but it happened. There was plenty of fun on the fourth and final day for Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, time for a little more artistry from Jasprit Bumrah, and some fine backup work from Mohammad Siraj and Harshit Rana. A result in Perth that will live long in Test annals.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 1st Test, Perth Day 3: The way things seemed to be going was the way they continued, as India made Australia work in the way that Australia usually makes visiting teams work. This match could have huge ramifications within the sport, but let's focus on the here and now: a day for Jaiswal first, Kohli second, and Bumrah third, with its dramatic denouement.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 1st Test, Perth Day 2: This match was spiralling out of control, and now it has been dragged back to an even keel. An abrupt gear shift in Test cricket, featuring one of the longer and slower last-wicket partnerships you're likely to see, then one of the longer and slower opening stands that modern cricket is likely to produce. Day 2 ends with India with a great chance to shake up expectations for this series.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Australia India Daily, 1st Test, Perth Day 1: Whooo was expecting that? Was it a good bowl-first day? We still don't know, because everybody got out, on both teams. A fast-bowling clinic from across the world united, in a day full of thrills and not very many spills.

Come to our live shows!

Adelaide December 5

Brisbane December 12

Melbourne December 22

Sydney January 7

Tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia India Daily, 1st Test, Perth Day 0: We're about to start! Five Tests to come, and Adam and Geoff are together at a very windy non-WACA.

Come to our live shows! Perth November 21, Adelaide December 5, Brisbane December 12, Melbourne December 22, Sydney January 7. Get tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Season 17, Episode 12: It's Test season, it's Perth, and the band is almost back together. Geoff will join Adam tomorrow for the preview day and the Final Word live show, but before that we need to get a read on the BGT, and Josh Hazlewood's pre-game thoughts. A lot more to cover, including the end of India's dominant T20 International year via Sanju Samson, more chaos in Pakistan with Jason Gillespie's non-sacking and the non-relocation of the Champions Trophy, and a small bit of cheer about the Afghan women's team in the gloom.

Come to our live shows!

Perth November 21, Adelaide December 5, Brisbane December 12, Melbourne December 22, Sydney January 7. Get tickets at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greatest Season That Was - The Final Frontier episode 4 – Adam Gilchrist:

During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, the pulsating summer of 2020-21, The Greatest Season That Was pod focused its attention on the relationship between the cricketing giants over the decades, some 20 years from the staggering 2001 encounter in India. When Australia arrived in Mumbai, the stakes were set as high as at any time in modern memory. Steve Waugh’s side were on an historic roll, but winning in India was one hurdle that hadn’t been cleared for an Aussie touring team since 1969. But the difference this time around was the presence of Adam Gilchrist. His staggering century changed the course of the First Test and set the tone for the rollercoaster ride to come. He spoke in great depth with Shannon Gill and Dan Brettig about that Test and the two that followed. A brilliant guest.

COME ALONG TO OUR LIVE SHOWS! All tickets here: century.com.au/tfw24

Perth - 21 November with Tom Moody

Adelaide - 5 December with Aaron Finch

Brisbane - 12 December with Harsha Bhogle

Melbourne - 22 December with Glenn Maxwell (and friends)

Sydney - 7 January with Glenn Maxwell (and friends)

If you want to upgrade your ticket and get a personally signed copy of Maxi’s book, The Showman, you can do so here: https://tinyurl.com/maxitfw

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Get live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Some news. Due to Maxi's playing schedule being a bit unclear after the Pakistan series, we've decided to play it safe and push back our Melbourne show to the 22nd of December. Sorry to those who booked for the earlier date - ultimately, we didn't think it was right to run the gauntlet with the possibility he would need to pull out of his own book launch. In the process of making this shift, we've secured another iconic venue the old HiFi Bar (now known as Max Watt's). It's going to be a great night, these always are in our old hometown. So please do come along to celebrate The Showman's release with Glenn Maxwell and Christmas with The Final Word.

Of course, all Melbourne tickets remain valid for the new date. Or if you want to use them for attendance to another of our shows around the country, that's easy too - just drop us a line to info@finalwordcricket.com. Thanks for your understanding.

COME ALONG TO OUR LIVE SHOWS! All tickets here: century.com.au/tfw24

Perth - 21 November with Tom Moody

Adelaide - 5 December with Aaron Finch

Brisbane - 12 December with Harsha Bhogle

Melbourne - 22 December with Glenn Maxwell (and friends)

Sydney - 7 January with Glenn Maxwell (and friends)

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Get live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, the little-known twist of how cricket's most famous mathematicians nearly ended up with a Hawaiian feel – one we’re determined to embrace from this point forward. We then get into WA’s remarkable first Shield season and the characters who made it so. Later, the rarity and oddity of a very unusual ton, before a father-son pledge about a famous debut from a very not-famous player.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

6.48 - Cameron M

22.13 - Monique Beedles

10.30 - Leigh Rees

6.78 - Scott & Finn Mackie

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Get live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Season 17, Episode 11: Eating disorders are not something associated with cricketers, especially opening bowlers. But this was the lot of in life for Ethan Bamber during the pandemic: trying to exert control, for a time he lost it entirely. This is far from the whole picture when it comes to a very capable seamer who is on the move from Lord’s to Edgbaston after seven seasons at Middlesex – the 25-year-old has one of the more interesting back stories on the circuit. It shapes the kind and caring human being that he is, at odds with the perception of most who try and take stumps out the ground for a living. He joined Adam at their local café in North London to take stock on what has already been and consider what comes next. A most impressive young man.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Get live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Season 17, Episode 10: Geoff and Adam are back together at last, after 5000 miles on American roads and a lot more distance in the psyche. After catching up on events there, we have big announcements for our live shows, thoughts on the many unlucky Australian openers, the suddenly inflated worries facing the touring Indian Test side, Michael Neser's terrible luck, and the World Test Championship maths. Pakistan smash Australia, then get locked out of their own Champions Trophy tournament. Then there's some weird stuff with Victorians in Guyana, and a wild week in the WBBL.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for the rights of workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au

Get live show tickets or other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Greatest Season That Was - The Final Frontier episode 3 – Damien Fleming:

During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, the pulsating summer of 2020-21, The Greatest Season That Was pod focused its attention on the relationship between the cricketing giants over the decades, some 20 years from the staggering 2001 encounter in India. The previous time the sides met was in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney during the season of 1999-2000. Determined to build something special under Steve Waugh having just won the World Cup, they were on a roll and determined to, as our guest Damien Fleming puts it, sing the song after every Test that summer. Steamrolling India, they did just that. At the peak of his powers then and there, the swing ace spoke with Adam, Dan Brettig and Shannon Gill about the series before the epic. Enjoy all eight parts of Final Frontier over the next couple of months.

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday

And please hyperlink over ‘sort you super out with CBUS’ with this: https://www.cbussuper.com.au/

Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, how did Warney nearly become the PM’s XI captain? Via texts with the PM, of course. It’s a fixture we spend some time on, including going back to Bradman and Lillee’s final Australian fixtures. But what about the tie The Don was captained just before his mighty First Class career ended? This is riveting stuff for both Adam and Bharat Sundaresan. Also featured: the epic end to Bill Ponsford’s Test career, Larry Gomes’ tremendous record in Australia, the West Wing cricket bat from the Queen and the glory days of the ODI tri-series. A fun show. Enjoy.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

7.00 - Riley Campbell

2.05 - Jonathan Brand

4.51 - Richie B

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday https://www.cbussuper.com.au/

Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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Season 17, Episode 9: A career total of just 10 Test Matches belies the imprint made on the game by Alex Tudor. A quick bowler who burst onto the scene in an Ashes series and made his presence felt right away, he was always good enough to mix it with the best. Injuries curtailed his international career, but his love for cricket – and continued involvement in it – has never ceased. He spoke with Adam and gave a feel for the lovely company he will be on Ambassador’s Cricket Legends Cruise in December along with Graham Gooch, Jonathan Agnew and Henry Blofeld.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday

https://www.cbussuper.com.au/

Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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Season 17, Episode 8: The format of the World Test Championship has been a stick to whack it with since day dot. However, the unintended consequence of the model in place has become a feature not a flaw with five teams now in the hunt thanks to New Zealand’s stunning three-nil victory over India. For the first time in a long time, Adam has Izzy Westbury (from an undisclosed location) with him to consider what this all means along with McDreamy McSweeney’s McMentum, the first Women’s FTP, the ball tampering incident that wasn’t and a great deal more.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday:

cbussuper.com.au

Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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The Greatest Season That Was - The Final Frontier episode 2 - Gavin Robertson:

During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, the pulsating summer of 2020-21, The Greatest Season That Was pod focused its attention on the relationship between the cricketing giants over the decades, some 20 years from the staggering 2001 encounter in India. Three years earlier, the dynamic was very different with Mark Taylor’s side put to the sword by the hosts in the first couple of Tests by a series of supreme batters in the form of their life. But one bowler who found a way to make it work was a journeyman spinner, Gavin Robertson. His story was a beauty: from the Centrelink queue to a terrific Chennai debut, he made every moment count. He told the tale the Aussies’ 1998 tour, and his life in the game, to Adam, Dan Brettig and Shannon Gill. Enjoy all eight parts of this series across the next couple of months.

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday

And please hyperlink over ‘sort you super out with CBUS’ with this: https://www.cbussuper.com.au/

Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com

Find all our links at linktr.ee/thefinalword

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, our love affair with Wangaratta grows through the story of a journeyman in the wickets against the Windies. With Daniel Norcross with Adam, long answers are inevitable and roads less travelled too – what would Australia be like had Matthew Hayden taken the chance to run for parliament? A rare triple header is tackled ton as well – a new number revisit and confirmation all in one, with (Plucka) Ducks, (Vasbert) Drakes and (Jon) Davison together at last.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

4.81 - Dane Hansted

6.82 - Richard Johnson

2.36 & 2.46 – Randolph Brazier

3.59 - Tim Unwin

7.35 - Tobi Wilson

Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday

And please hyperlink over ‘sort you super out with CBUS’ with this: https://www.cbussuper.com.au/

Go Ambassador cruising with Goochy, Aggers, Blowers and Alex Tudor from December 12-19! Pick up 10% off with finalword10 at checkout here - www.ambassadorcruiseline.com

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Season 17, Episode 7: It’s a complicated cricketing universe – more by the month. But the joys of a Test Match, however unexpected, remain unrivalled as we saw in India and Pakistan this week. For this conversation, Adam has fellow romantic Bharat Sundaresan with him. They start with a hectic week of speculation in Australia (along with retirements, contracts, collapses and suspension cessations!) ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. They then drift into a circuitous lap around the world. And spliced into the middle of all this, Geoff Lemon files an update from the US election campaign trail.

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Season 17, Episode 6: Before Ben Duckett boarded the plane to Pakistan, where he started in blistering form, the England Test opener sat down with Adam and Geoff in London. On the cusp of turning 30, he’s in all probability at the mid-way point of his career and never been more established as an international batter. Having first came across Duckett in a tour game nearly a decade ago, the conversation goes to that period of his career, when he first banged the door down to earn England Test caps in his early 20s, through to difficult times in the wilderness, a change of county and forcing his way in a second time. A nice chat to do – he gave us plenty.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a special hosting combination with Andy Zaltzman on the Nerd Pledge tools for the first time since September 2019 (!), with his old mate Daniel Norcross. And what did they find? Well, for one, that left-handers can be ugly too. From there, a bit of Deano and a lick of Davo. Later, Greigy’s off-spin revival and Big Bird’s fine avoidance. Enjoy!

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

1.05 - Bala Sivaraman

25.00 - Tom Stewart

7.38 - Evil Scootus

5.77 - Emily Price

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Book Club 7: Glenn Maxwell & Adam Collins - The Showman

You might’ve heard… we did a book. It was a team effort. The Showman, of course, has Maxi telling the story of a remarkable year in his life leading up his World Cup miracle, within his already fascinating career in the global game. Adam co-authored it with him through the course of 2024. And Geoff was the editor, putting the finishing touches on the manuscript. Together, they caught up ahead of the book’s release (30 October) to look back on the process and discuss the sections of the book that are likely to generate the most amount of attention.

Be sure to buy yourself a copy! It’s available for pre-order everywhere. That includes the audio book, which has been read by friend of the pod Rhys Muldoon.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Showman-Glenn-Maxwell/dp/1761428209

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Season 17, Episode 5: David Warner is at it again - available for selection! But no, that won't be happening. There's nobody better to be co-hosting with Adam than Alex Malcolm from ESPNcricinfo, who is across every inch of the Sheffield Shield at this fascinating time of the year. From there, reflections from the Women's World Cup, a lap around the Test-playing world, and further concerns about the health of the global game despite CA's strong financial story.

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The Greatest Season That Was - The Final Frontier - Harsha Bhogle:

During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, through the pulsating summer of 2020-21, The Greatest Season That Was pod focused its attention on the relationship between the cricketing giants over the decades, some 20 years from the staggering 2001 encounter in India. There was nobody better to call upon than Harsha Bhogle to paint the bigger picture to begin, speaking here with Adam, Shannon Gill and Dan Brettig. With India soon to in Australia again for the next instalment of this great rivalry, we will be re-releasing the eight parts of this series on The Final Word feed over the next couple of months Enjoy.

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Women's T20 World Cup, final, New Zealand v South Africa: They did it! Daniel Norcross and Cameron Ponsonby are on the scene.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, it’s the formidable combination of Bharat Sundaresan and Daniel Norcross - born for these roles. Follow the tale of Geoff Chubb, the South African on the Lord's honours board who was imprisoned by Rommel, then look at India’s forgotten victory over the West Indies that was the catalyst for Fire in Babylon. Later, they explore the curiously dismissed career of Dane Vilas and Collis King’s World Cup winning innings.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

2.66 - James

7.75 - Joe Scott-Hartley

3.13 - Gopal B

6.51 - Peter T

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Women's T20 World Cup, semi-final 2 - New Zealand/West Indies: No matter what, there will be a new team winning the Women's T20 World Cup with New Zealand holding off the Windies in a thriller to earn the right to play South Africa on Sunday. Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby are two very excited co-hosts - join them for their instant reaction from Sharjah.

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Women's T20 World Cup, semi-final 1 - South Africa/Australia: South Africa stunned the red-hot favourites Australia to win with ease and advance to Sunday’s final. It was an all-round performance for the ages from the Proteas, with Australia left to ponder how it all went so wrong. Cam Ponsonby and Daniel Norcross discuss an incredible result.

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Season 17, Episode 4: After all the time we spent talking about Cam Green's back last week, it has now ruled him out of the summer, and opened up a spot for openers. Away we go again, with all the Australian Shield performances, Australia A picks, and their ramifications. Also this week, Pakistan go full Pakistan after England's ridiculous win, Shakib goes full Facebook brain while retiring, Sanju Samson goes bosh, and plenty more besides. Bharat Sundaresan joins Geoff.

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 13 - West Indies/England: Whoa. England, undefeated and flying, did everything right until they didn't. The Windies, smashed in their opening game of the tournament, have bounced them from the comp and vaulted into the semis themselves via Net Run Rate on a dramatic final night in Dubai. Find out more with Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby.

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 12 - New Zealand/Pakistan: After an early wobble that raised India’s hopes, New Zealand steadied the ship against Pakistan to win comfortably through to a semi-final that not many had predicted at the start of the tournament. Daniel Norcross and Cameron Ponsoby review the action from Dubai as we near the business end of this tournament.

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 11 - England/Scotland, Australia/India: An injury-hit Australia showed they are still deserving of their favouritism, holding their nerve against India in a high-scoring gem. That leaves Harmanpreet Kaur’s side on the brink. Meanwhile, England smashed Scotland to beef up their net run rate at the perfect time. Here’s Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, there is one club with some supporters who believe it is the entire cricket world. But what happened when it had to go toe to toe? Also, did we just find the most sacked man in cricket? We've got one of the most recognisable, along with one of the most unusual injuries. Another fun show this week.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

11.76 - Thomas Melia

5.14 - Martin Kirk

5.15 - Angadh Oberoi

2.84 - Edward Fielding

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 10 - New Zealand/Sri Lanka, South Africa/Bangladesh: Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer saw off Sri Lanka’s total with ease but not quite convincingly enough to move into outright 2nd place in the group on NRR. The White Ferns will be banking on a favour from their Trans-Tasman cousins over India to help ease their path into the semi-finals. In the second game in Dubai, South Africa held a battling Bangladesh at arm's length and will now face a nervous wait for other group results to determine if they’ll qualify for the semis. Pick up the conversation with Cam Ponsonby and Daniel Norcross

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 9 - Australia/Pakistan: Australia cruised to their third win of the tournament but not without serious injury concerns. A shoulder dislocation to speedster Tayla Valeminck and a foot injury to captain Alyssa Healy could open the door to their challengers iat the pointy end of the tournament. Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby take up the conversation in our nightly wrap from the UAE.

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Season 17, Episode 3: Henry Blofeld, or Blowers, as he’s universally known, was a staple of cricket broadcasting in England for half a century. First calling internationals in the early 1970s, he was central to Test Match Special becoming a national institution as a much-loved voice in that famous commentary box. He narrated the game around the world until 2017 when he hung up his BBC mic. Having covered hundreds of Tests, Blowers is a man with thousands of yarns. The master storyteller joined Adam to share a few of those from his wonderful life in cricket.

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 8 - West Indies/Bangladesh: We're at an interesting point in the group stage where each game changes the vibe. With that in mind, it was so important the Windies came to play against Bangladesh and play they did, banking a healthy Net Run Rate boost at Sharjah. As ever, join Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby for their nightly wrap.

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 7 - South Africa/Scotland, India/Sri Lanka: The time had come for India to light a fire under their tournament and they have done so against Sri Lanka, scoring the highest total of the World Cup so far. Earlier, South Africa did their Net Run Rate plenty of good as well, bouncing back after their loss to England a couple of days ago. At Dubai Sports City, join Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby for their nightly wrap!

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Season 17, Episode 2: It's time for Mr Sheffield to rise again, which means the annual jostling for national position begins in earnest. Some players are rested, some are tested, some are bested, while Michael Neser is inevitably fastest to impress-ted. England get their Test tour of Pakistan going without Ben Stokes, Shan Masood tons up, the Women's T20 World Cup is up and running, Sanath Jayasuirya needs a new phone for his new job, Tim Southee goes south, and Ireland knock off South Africa in a one-dayer. Plus, County Championship Trade Radio, (not) featuring Kane Cornes. And later, Andrew Probyn from the Nine Network joins us to talk about the day Bob Hawke top-edged a ball into his eye some 40 years ago this week.

Your Nerd Pledge revisit for this week:

18.77 - Chris Byrne

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Women's T20 World Cup, Day 6 - Australia/New Zealand: Are the Australians unstoppable, again? Is that what's going on here? Daniel Norcross and Cam Ponsonby consider this important question after Alyssa Healy's team hammered New Zealand in Sharjah.

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