The Final Word Cricket Podcast

England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 5: England do it! They pull off the 10th-highest chase in history. A lacklustre India provided only scant challenges, as an England batting lineup, turbo-charged by Ben Duckett, put India to the sword. What does this mean for India? A “Bumrah Test” is lost, and Guatam Gambhir is now 3 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw in tests. India are the first team in first class cricket history to lose a game having made five centuries. How did they muck this up? Cameron Ponsonby is joined by Daniel Norcross.

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West Indies Australia Daily, 1st Test, Barbados Day 0: A ground packed with history, a country that has produced more superstars than any in the region - it's a privilege to be at Kensington Oval. When the Frank Worrell Trophy series begins, it will be as Australia "reset" (in their words) for a new WTC cycle having lost the big one at Lord's, with the Windies trying to start afresh themselves under new skipper Roston Chase. Oh, speaking of captains - we have some news at the end about Pat Cummins' baggy green.

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

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England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 3: What was Harry Brook thinking? And before that, the same question applies to Jamie Smith. Also, how have England reached parity with only one ton compared to three? But here we are, dare we say evenly poised, after an inspired bowling change just before tea by Shubman Gill. You may be able to guess who he turned to.

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England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 2: Rishabh Pant made it three tons for India on Day 2 with a rollicking century. But with an Ollie Pope blinder, England fought back to limit the damage, then held their grip despite some Bumrah blows. They could be out of it tomorrow, but they’re still in it right now. Ben Jones joins Daniel Norcross.

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England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 1: “We’ll have a bowl.” It's not done yet, but Ben Stokes may live to regret that call, as a new generation of India batters feast on listless bowling. What’s England’s way back into the game? Ben Jones thinks there could be an opening. And for India, were the new superstars already here, and has Rishabh found his groove this early? Here's to teeing off, not recklessly.

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England India Daily, 1st Test, Headingley Day 0: It's about to begin. Five Test matches between two huge teams, with Ben Stokes and the bish-bash brigade versus a new-look India with Shubman Gill at the helm, and Rishabh Pant as the devil on his shoulder. It could go absolutely anywhere. Daniel Norcross joins Geoff Lemon.

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Season 18, Episode 19: Still in the afterglow of South Africa’s World Test Championship win, apparently the real hero is… board chair Jay Shah? You may think we’re talking about him a lot lately, but ask the ICC camera crews that slavishly followed him around. Also this week, Virat Kohli chooses a very pointed moment to back Test cricket, the new cycle begins, there’s trouble with Tassie’s stadium, NZ’s most successful coach pulls the pin, and we finally have dates for the very imminent women’s World Cup.

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Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, we go back to the northern summer of 1990 when the pitches and balls were as flat as each other, ruining bowlers across the UK. Earlier, Adam explored the forgotten hero of the first Test ever played and Geoff told the unhappy story of three siblings who struggled at the top.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

7.10 - Mel Shawley

6.42 - Vikram Ravi

3.66 - Chris Unwin

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

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World Test Championship Final, the day after: When South Africa fell short in the T20 World Cup Final last year, it was Dan Gallan who we called upon to explain the deep hurt. So, as promised, he returns the day after a massive celebration to put into words why the Proteas' triumph means so very much. Also, an eye to Australia's "reset", which begins in Barbados next week.

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World Test Championship Final, Day 4: They bloody well did it. South Africa and winning finals - that hasn't been a pairing that has seen much airtime in international cricket. Things didn't look good this time around either. But after a remarkable final push, it is offical: South Africa are the World Test Champions. It matters for so many reasons, and right now it is a wildly emotional day at Lord's.

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World Test Championship Final, Day 3: South Africa have looked the underdog throughout this WTC final, but halfway through the third day, that all changed. Even the torment that Starc and Hazlewood put them through with the bat was washed away, as Aiden Markram put together the innings of his life. But they're not done yet, and for South Africa, the last part of the climb has so far proved too hard. Can they finish the job on Day 4?

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World Test Championship Final, Day 2: If Rabada fired on day one, Cummins fired back on day two, in a battle of fast-bowling quality that any preview could and should have predicted. Then it was Lungi Ngidi's turn to exert an influence, in a match hurtling towards a conclusion but that could easily go either way.

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World Test Championship Final, Day 1: South Africa needed to do some damage with their quick bowlers early to challenge Australia, and they did exactly that. It set up a tight contest through the day, with Lord's in fine voice, before Australia's quicks had their own say by the close. A shootout might well be on.

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World Test Championship Final, Day 0: It's here. Two years of Test cricket ends with a decider at the ground where it was always designed to be when it was first dreamed up - Lord's. The teams are as ready as they're ever going to be, the XIs named, and we're ready to roll with Adam enjoying Bharat Sundaresan's company as they run through the lot of it. Here we go.

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Season 18, Episode 18: Cricket Australia's new CEO came ready to talk when sitting down with Adam at Lord's two days before the WTC Final. Typically at this point, we list what was discussed but this time, but it'd be easier to identify what didn't come up in one of the busiest eps we've ever recorded. What's obvious: Todd Greenberg is a man determined to make his time in the top job count and isn't afraid to say what he thinks on issues that divide.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, who is the most significant Test cricketer who doesn't even have one line of a Cricinfo bio? We've got a top contender, then it's over to you. Also this week, a different twist on Pakistani marathons, the Irish-India connection, and one of the worst to wield the willow.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

6.64 - Tom Logan

9.60 - Xavier Bochat

4.72 - Dan

1.42 - Bala Sivaraman

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Season 18, Episode 17: The IPL turned 18 this year, old enough for Royal Challengers Bangalore to finally buy a celebratory drink after falling short in every season. Virat Kohli and co will be happy, as will Ben Jones in our IPL segment, after picking Krunal Pandya way back at the start of the season to be the difference. Before that, World Test Championship lead-up, Karun Nair and Kurtis Patterson continue the comeback trail, more Olympic machinations emerge, and Bangladesh will once more be Aminul House.

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Season 18, Episode 16: A special ep today – yes, Glenn Maxwell has retired from One Day International cricket. In this exclusive conversation, he explains that decision in his own words, the timing and wider context. From there, we went back to the beginning to the tell the story of Maxi the one-day mainstay, in a mighty career that in this format that spanned 14 years and included two World Cup wins. As always, he was on top form in this chat – a lovely way to put a full stop on one of Australia’s most thrilling and eventful 50-over journeys. And, of course, we’re grateful that it’s on The Final Word where he wanted to make this announcement. Enjoy.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, almost silent and almost deadly, was Malcolm Marshall the best to ever fire down the ball at pace? Also, when a couple of Australians went big, the one with a triple and the one who threw it away.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

2.15 - Liam Fallon

3.76 - Ben McLeod

2.51 - Oliver Jawara

8.54 - Alex Brown

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Season 18, Episode 15: As England took care of Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, India's new-look Test squad has arrived, with glamour option Shubman Gill leading the side, but we're much more excited about the comeback trail for Karun Nair and a first chance for our emotional investment, Sai Sudarshan. In other news, Big Ange is on the way out (not that one), Ireland are making runs, Hayley Matthews is screaming into the void, and The Dicks are together again for the WTC final.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, one of the peaks of the peak, that isn't talked about as often as some others. Also, another run-looter of prodigious proportions, one of the best combinations ever, and have we found the most dynamic start to a career?

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

5.01 - Julian Russell

2.04 - Matt

4.40 - Jane Seeber

6.74 - Rob Findlay

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England v Zimbabwe, Trent Bridge Test, Day 3: Ben Jones joins Daniel Norcross.

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Is Shoaib Bashir coming of age? Can Ben Duckett see over Blessing Muzarabani’s pads? Why we shouldn’t write off England’s bowlers for Sean Williams getting on top of them. Will the accurate Sam Cook’s 78mph top speed be an issue for more potent batting lineups? Will Josh Tongue be the key bowler of the summer? Could Zimbabwe have taken a bit more of a gamble on Day 1 to alter the course of the Test? Let’s not make it another 23 years, Zimbabwe.  .

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England v Zimbabwe, 1st Test, Trent Bridge Test, Day 2: Cameron Ponsonby joins Daniel Norcross.

Zimbabwe put up the fight that many thought was beyond them, or did they? Depends on the time of day and who you ask. Has Brian Bennett played the innings of the summer? Has Mark Butcher delivered the whimsy of the summer? England’s bowlers enforced the follow-on, but will it count for those who don’t want it to? In a zero-sum situation, we may have seen Shoaib Bashir's turning point. And how does Martin McCague relate to this Test?

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England Zimbabwe Daily, Lord's Test, Day 1: It's England Test season, with Zimbabwe back for the first time in 22 years - but they may wish they'd given it a miss, after England piled up the runs. So, do you love or hate Zak Crawley? Will Jacob Bethell come straight back in for Ollie Pope, even now? Do you believe in the new 'humble England'? And just what in the hell is caffeinated beer? Cameron Ponsonby joins Geoff to find out.

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Season 18, Episode 14: It's almost northern Test summer time, with Ben Stokes out of hibernation, Zimbabwe playing warm-ups, and the Australian and South African IPL players... heading back to India to finish the delayed season. Ah well. Meanwhile, Cam Green makes runs while Marnus doesn't, the South African squad is named, West Indies have a new captain, Middlesex is more into Virat Kohli than Kohli is into Middlesex, and Charlotte Edwards' first squad doesn't include Sophie Ecclestone, which might mean one of two very different things.

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, we discover a player who we should have known more about, with a bendy wrist and a knack for controversy. Also, Adam's loosest and last summer as a touring cricket fan, and a deeper look than ever at the immortal Thanks For Coming.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

13.38 - Lucas Collie

5.49 - Sam Burt

101.00 - David Seton & 1010.00 - Alan Edgar

3.80 - Jamie Millar-Pope

4.50 - Simon Butcher

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Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Season 18, Episode 13: To those who question Kohli's place as a Test great because he didn't average enough or quite make enough career runs, it is fair to say we do not agree. And his old teammate Rohit Sharma went alright too. After moving away from the retiring Indian pair, we stay in that part of the world to review about a wild week off the field before returning to England for Australia's WTC selection squeeze and a thrilling county round.

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Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Season 18, Episode 12: Why did one of South Africa’s best, Kyle Abbott, pack in international cricket at the peak of his powers at age 29 in favour of going full-time as a county cricketer? It’s a question the big quick he’s been asked many times since 2017 when he arrived at Hampshire, from that point going on to become one of the most consistently excellent players on the circuit. A terrific person to spend an hour with, ahead of another round where he’s been at his most dominant. We thank him for his candour and honesty on a whole range of topics. Another top guest.

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Save more, earn more—up to 4.22% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, we find that sometimes when researching something else about cricket, the tangent becomes unstoppable. This is how we all come to learn about sugary butt juice. Let's go to school. Also this week, Adam retells a history that so many of us know but probably don't remember.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

7.22 - Kate Cook

2.57 - Keir

6.09 - Helen Wilson & George Pearson

5.43 - Stephen Walsh

4.85 - Joel Emonsen

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at ⁠⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠⁠

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Book Club 10: Tim Wigmore - Test Cricket, A History

Over the years, Tim Wigmore has penned several superb books, and this might be his best yet. Joining Daniel Norcross at lunch during a recent Surrey game, he sat down to discuss the book he wrote because it is the one he would like to read – always a good place to start. From Test cricket’s conception, he maps the lot: scarcity and status, empire to expansion, racism and rivalries, existential angst to equipment. It’s underpinned by extensive interviews with some of the greatest to have ever done it, exploring the intrigue of a form of the game that we hold so dear yet would not emerge if it were invented today. Well done, Wiggo.

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

Buy Test Cricket, A History here.

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠⁠⁠

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Subscribe to Wisden and never pay full price for the Almanack again: ⁠⁠www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe⁠⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠⁠⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠⁠

Claim £100 cash back (on a £5k deposit) at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Title track by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Urthboy

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Season 18, Episode 11: A charged political atmosphere this week, with Australia's election having just taken place, while the ECB fold to the current campaign to push transgender people to the margins of society. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan tensions reach their highest level in years, with cricket relations sure to be further affected. Otherwise, Kagiso Rabada is back after a spell on the Plum Warners, Bangladesh level the Test series with Zimbabwe, and there's our county wrap plus IPL with Ben Jones.

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to Wisden and never pay full price for the Almanack again: ⁠www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe

Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠⁠⁠

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners. Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠⁠⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠⁠⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠

Claim £100 cash back (on a £5k deposit) at: ⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠⁠⁠

Find previous episodes at ⁠⁠⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠⁠⁠

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, it's Daniel Norcross guest hosting, so he begins with a proverb to live by for running between the wickets. What exactly happened on Sandpaper Day? Adam tells the story from his vantage point in the radio box. Later, they move on to Steve Waugh's farewell, with Bharat slotting in to explain why it was someone else's final outing in Australia too - his cousin.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

4.12 - Brendan Crabb

1.50 - Andrew Pelechaty

6.85 - Tom Bustin

1.80 - Indi

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and never pay RRP for it again: ⁠⁠www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners. Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠⁠

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at ⁠⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠⁠

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Season 18 Episode 10: A left-handed opener from Perth who grew up idolising Justin Langer, in Marcus Harris you have a player who was meant to fit a certain mould. But over his long professional career, which started in 2011 when he smashed a big ton as an 18-year-old in his third game for WA, the 32-year-old has been on a journey that has seen his game evolve into the finished product following stints in the Test team. County cricket has been a significant part of that. He is currently at Lancashire in his fifth championship season, developing consistency that has confounded expectations of what his best might look like if he gets the chance for Australia again. A most engaging guest, he takes us through the rollercoaster ride and the calm that has followed.

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and never pay RRP for it again: ⁠www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe⁠

Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠⁠⁠

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners. Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠⁠⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠⁠⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠⁠⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠⁠⁠

Find previous episodes at ⁠⁠⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠⁠⁠

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Season 18, Episode 9: With the power outage in Lisbon it’s Daniel Norcross stepping in this week as Adam returns to a familiar sofa under the Jardine portrait in Tooting. Fronting the agenda are off-field discussions following our Richard Gould interview, extending to how the English game might look after its latest review. The County Championship is never dull, with the Foxes of Leicestershire hunting for their first promotion as the Surrey machine clicks into top gear for the first time in 2025. There’s also plenty of action to recap in the Women’s One Day Cup before Ben Jones (on his 30th birthday!) takes us to India where the rest of the world is so focused – a staggering 35-ball ton by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the IPL.

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and never pay RRP for it again: www.wisdenalmanack.com/subscribe

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners. Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠⁠

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠⁠https://tide.co/offers/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, there's only one thing on the menu at Diego's dinner, but would a modern-day Plum Warner have been on the gear? That aside, this is a wholesome family episodes with links through both pledges and answers, plus the history of Argentina and some myth investigation about the biggest name in wrestling.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

8.75 - Samuel Chappel

18.96 - Richard Jansz-Moore

7.38 - Elliott Brannen

2.30 - Andrew Nixon

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit https://tide.co/savings

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: https://tide.co/offers/tfw

Find previous episodes at ⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠

Title track by ⁠Urthboy

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Season 18, Episode 8: We like forging traditions on the pod and one of those is speaking with Lawrence Booth, the editor of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, at Lord's on the day the little yellow wonder is released each year. We go through the 162nd edition in the usual way, published at a moment when there is much up for grabs in the global game - documented with care and caution in the editors' notes. From there, the chance to celebrate the best of the game in all its forms and from every corner of the cricket world.

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: ⁠uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025⁠

Get your big NordVPN discount: ⁠nordvpn.com/tfw⁠

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: ⁠odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word⁠

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: ⁠t20vision.com/FINALWORD⁠

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at ⁠finalwordcricket.com⁠

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Season 18, Episode 7: Call it a mutual admiration society: given the way we respect Wisden, it's nice to get an observation back. More importantly this week, the kind of wild net-run-rate ending that we've been anticipating for some time came to pass in the women's World Cup qualifiers. The new English women's domestic system got started, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh played a stunner in their Test series, and Bangladesh's 10 and 11 remain the most entertaining batters in world cricket. Jason Gillespie tackles the Pakistan board, and there are moments worth looking at in a county round dampened by rain. Then, Ben Jones in the IPL warns against the rise of our robot overlords.

Your Nerd Pledge revisit for this week:

5.30 - Claire Danny Daniel

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

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

Title track by Urthboy

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Season 18, Episode 6: Richard Gould has always been up for a lively chat over the years, whether that was in his previous gig as the boss at Surrey or since taking over England cricket's top administrative job in 2022 and this is no different. Here, two years after our previous visit to his office, the chief executive at ECB towers talks through what is shaping up as a vital period ahead both at home and on the global stage. A worthwhile conversation - we got through plenty.

Tickets for the 18th of August - get them quick and bring your mates: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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Season 18, Episode 5: It’s official: Dan Worrall is one of the five cricketers of the year in the 2025 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, following a third dominant season as Surrey completed a county threepeat. From a lower-grade club spinner in Melbourne to the South Australian Shield team to the Aussie one-day team to going full-time in England, he’s the definition of a modern journeyman. Now the 33-year-old finds himself in the mix for an England Test call-up, having met the eligibility to change countries. There was a fair bit to sink our teeth into when he took us through his unorthodox and intriguing journey in the professional game.

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

Tickets for our Wormsley match, August 18: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a wild tale from early colonial history about Australia's first political assassination, and how it links to the first Test match in 1877. Also, a heatwave with an Arctic deviation, the masters of so near and yet so far, and a tribute to the influence of Shannon Doherty and Tori Spelling.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

Lachlan K - 4.80

Simon Rae-Woods - 4.77

Angus Calder - 4.16

James Ralston - 9.02

Mike Wood (revisit) - 4.63

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

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Or 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find help from Odin Mortgage & Tax: odintax.com

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

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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Season 18, Episode 4: Over the years, we’ve had the company of many people for whom cricket is not their day job, but none with as many letters after their name. Mervyn King’s life in economics involved teaching at some of the finest universities, going on to become the long-standing governor of the Bank of England. That term included the 2008 Great Financial Crisis, as one of the world’s most important figures in finding a way out of that shock. Now retired, he’s able to give to the game he’s loved since growing up in the 1950s, serving this year as president of MCC. In the Lord’s pavilion, he spoke with Adam about a complex period of transition in the international game, and his own vast career.

Tickets for the 18th of August - get them quick and bring your mates: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025

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

We have 47 runners in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.⁠⁠ Donate to get us to our £30k fundraising target⁠⁠ for The Lord's Taverners.

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Save more, earn more—up to 4.48% AER (variable). Interest rates are tiered, with the top rate for balances over £1M. Each tiered rate applies to the portion within that range. New Tide members get these rates free for 6 months; after that, your Tide plan’s rates apply. For full offer T&Cs visit ⁠https://tide.co/savings⁠

Claim your £100 cash back (for a £5k deposit) at: ⁠https://tide.co/offers/tfw⁠

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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Season 18, Episode 3: Great news this week that after years of campaigning, the ICC board has agreed to support Afghanistan’s women cricketers in exile. Details aren’t yet clear but the principle is. Also this week, more Olympic news, James Anderson is made a knight, a hefty county round includes some sizzling finishes, and there was an even better one in the unofficial Australia-England Test starring Charli Knott.

Tickets for the 18th of August - get them quick and bring your mates: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025

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

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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That's right, we've been kindly offered the chance to play on Wormsley, one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world, with The Final Word XI set to take on our mates at Zero Ducks Given on Monday the 18th of August. It's a superb opportunity for us to raise money for The Lord's Taverners, the charity close to both podcasts, so we came together for this chat (a collaboration, if you will) with Toby Tarrant and Daniel Norcross. Tickets are available in the below link: £20 to watch or £90 to have a day out in the marquee. Book the day off work now!

Tickets for the 18th of August - get them quick and bring your mates: uk.emma-live.com/WormsleyFinal2025

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

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

Sort out expat finances with Odin Mortgage & Tax: odinmortgage.com/partner/the-final-word

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

Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD

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, Adam and Geoff reunite from The Oval in London, and as luck would have it, this show includes two separate stories featuring a great Oval moment and a great Oval player. It also, rather less expectedly, includes the story of the Australian Shahid Afridi, who did so many miles from Traralgon to Doncaster that he earned the right to tweak a birth certificate or two.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

2.21 - Kennedy H. Ross

4.62 - Jim Carnegie

4.53 - Paddy Considine

8.18 - Andy Newton

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

Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw

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

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Season 18, Episode 2: It can’t be easy putting red-ball cricket first as a modern West Indian cricketer, but that’s exactly what Kemar Roach has done. Throughout a long and winding international career the start in 2008, and is still going strong 17 years later, the quick from Barbados has always given complete commitment across 85 Test Matches. Back in London for his fifth stint with Surrey, after playing a key role in their county threepeat, he joined Adam at The Oval to reflect on his adventures in the game. In doing so, he wasn’t short of an opinion about the importance of financing Caribbean cricket in a way that gives them the best chance to enjoy consistent success once again. And all done with a big smile on his face – a terrific guest.

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Season 18, Episode 1: The new season begins! It begins with a triple century in the county championship, among a slate of brilliant finishes. It also begins with a sad formal farewell to the sport from Will Pucovski. And as tends to be the way, our episode finds its way through governance changes and scheduling questions into some peak 90s light entertainment. Settle in for Season 18: we can vote, but we still can't drink in America.

Your Nerd Pledge revisit for this week:

3.43 - Sam Ashworth

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It's Story Time, our walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, Daniel Norcross is back with Geoff for a short and sweet Story Time that somehow turned into this. It begins with Jeremy Coney's preferred method of staving off hyenas, and goes on through pondering who is Daddy, why we remember certain names, who was on the verge of weeping through his entire long career, and who may have wept after his very short one. The ticket is free, take the ride.

Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week:

5.08 - Elliott Hoffman

16.28 - Rafael Szumer

7.14 - Chris Holt

4.44 - Martin Smith

3.70 - Damo B

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Season 17, Episode 35: Welcome to episode three in our series of interviews with county cricketers at the top of their games. It’s opening day today with Lancashire visiting Lord’s. After being relegated at the end of 2024, the job for the men representing the Red Rose is obvious – to bounce straight back up. And when it comes to posting their runs over the next six months, it’ll be their skipper who sets the tone. Keaton Jennings has enjoyed a great run over the last five seasons at the top of the list. At age 32, he’s now deep into a career that has taken him from captaining the South African Under 19s to making a Test ton on debut for England. It’s been a while since his last international cap, but he’s never been far from the thoughts of selectors given he’s shown that he can cut it with the best. In this interview, he provides great insight to what it’s like trying to master the mental side of the game and how that’s liberated him to play his best cricket in recent years. Intelligent and self-aware, he’s another outstanding guest.

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Season 17, Episode 34: As the Mighty South Aussies finally took home another Sheffield Shield and completed the domestic double, Australia's national contracts came out, which raises interesting questions about who will be defending the World Test Championship title in June. In other matters this week, Ben Stokes' body is not a wonderland, James Anderson stuns the world by straining a calf, St Kilda punish Carlton in grade cricket, and the end for the Gabba becomes clear.

Your Nerd Pledge revisit for this week:

5.30 - Richard Jones

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Season 17, Episode 33: Welcome to our second interview in a series with county pros at the top of their game as season 2025 begins. Jack Leach’s career has been an unusual one - a Test spinner best known for the most significant 1 not out in modern Test nistory. But when he has the ball in his hand, he's been a matchwinner or England. And when he’s had the backing of the powers that be, he’s seen as one of the most important players in the dressing room. In our conversation, we speak with one of Taunton’s favourite sons as he prepares for another crack at getting the county championship trophy to Somerset for the first time. A great guest.

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

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t20vision.com/FINALWORD

Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com

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