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Cricket for everyone – your friendly guide to the world's strangest sport. Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins combine match analysis with irreverence, politics, interviews and history as they follow the game they love around the world. You can support the show at patreon.com/thefinalword. Get your big NordVPN discount: https://nordvpn.com/tfw
Latest Episodes
View all 1,571 episodesThis is W̶o̶m̶e̶n̶'̶s̶ cricket | The Final Word
More corruption accusations in world cricket as ICC does nothing
Story Time 267 – When Mr Cricket passed The Don
Wisden 2026 with Lawrence Booth
Brazil's world record, and Dave Warner nicked on the drive
Story Time 266 – Why do bowlers only get 20 percent?
The Final Word with Jake Weatherald
Red-ball cricket shoots emerge from frozen winter ground
Story Time 265 – The Rastafarian Lion of Judah
The Final Word with Toby Roland-Jones
Season 20, Episode 1: A new season brings new faces and fresh storylines. But it’s also a time to admire those who have been on the circuit for a long time, dedicating themselves summer after summer. Heading into his 17th professional season, a man who has done this with distinction for Middlesex is their big quick and standard-bearer, Toby Roland-Jones. A decade on from his magical hat-trick to win the county championship on the final day of the season at Lord’s, he’s still charging in and making it count. In this chat, he charts the highs, including a remarkable start to his Test career, and the lows, when his body limited that England stint to just one summer. A fine bowler and great guest. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw or 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk or get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S19 Ep 39New Aussie contract list braces for Test overload year
Season 19, Episode 39: It’s our season finale for the Australian cricket season of 2025/26, with a cracker of a Sheffield Shield final run and won over five days, and a new Australian central contract list moving well away from white-ball formats and investing everything in the extraordinary glut of 21 Tests between this August and the following July. Also this week, separate administrator madness in both Pakistan and India, an all-time performance in the women's game, and more discontent with Brendon McCullum is part of the many stories bubbling away in England before the new county season. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw or 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk or get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy 0:00 Award for Best Podcast 11:30 Sheffield Shield Final 23:30 CA Central Contracts 34:00 Beyers Swanepoe 43:00 Jay Shah 22nd Most Powerful Man 52:30 PSL 58:00 Bopara retires 1:00:30 IPL 1:10:00 Amelia Kerr 1:15:00 AusW v WI W 1:19:24 Bazball under fire 1:26:49 County Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S19 Ep 38The Final Word with Sam Cook - A change is gonna come
Season 19, Episode 38: It’s impossible to avoid more investment in some players’ stories. One for us has been Essex and England seamer Sam Cook. Hs Test debut was a triumph for everyone who believes that hitting the same spot while nipping it around is worthy, regardless of the speed gun. He did so in all conditions for his county and banged down the Test door. That first game at Trent Bridge audition wasn’t enough to keep him there through 2025, but he’s determined to give himself every chance of this year being his, after the season begins on Good Friday. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw or 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk or get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Story Time 264 - Wave cash at me in the Brunswick Ballroom
It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history. A fresh combo this week, as Daniel Norcross joins Geoff to discuss one of the least orthodox Nerd Pledges we’ve had - not in content, but in method of delivery. Also, how do you track down someone who has a more illustrious namesake? Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week 50.00 - Kamal Mann 4.21 - Handsome Hammy Goodman and Glamorous Gary Goodman 3.51 - Mathew 3.74 - Not That Steve Smith Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Much review about nothing: England Ashes accountability falls flat
Season 19, Episode 37: In a necessary two-part weekly show, the first dealt with Australian matters, and now Daniel Norcross joins Geoff to look at England’s supposed review of their Ashes disaster. Also this week, the BCCI released a schedule for next year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has surprised everyone; Pakistan’s PSL is in trouble again, and Amelia Kerr is going up yet more gears. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S19 Ep 36Cricket Australia to sell the farm? The moment of truth
Season 19, Episode 36: Geoff and Adam are back together at last, after weeks of travel difficulty, and a huge news week means a two-part weekly show. Later this week will come the two-day meeting between Cricket Australia and the state associations to decide whether they should go ahead with trying to sell off the Big Bash League. Of course most involved have spent months positioning the conversation to make sure that happens. Is anyone against it, and has anyone given proper weight to the likely drawbacks? This week we get into the matter in depth, as well as more of the amateur-hour stuff we've come to expect from New Zealand Cricket, and some strange moves in the Australian women's team. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Story Time 263 – Paradise is a 1979 Lord’s final
It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history. This week, the hope of Queensland and the spirit of Somerset, as we return to happier times for domestic cricket. A tale of a Lord’s final of Daniel Norcross’ youth is told with care, as is the career of England’s big boss when he was a big boy plundering runs. Later, an old friend has a clue in for Adam, which relates to yet another book he’s written about the Golden Era of the game. In the middle of all this, a time jump followed by lengthy TV review section – maybe we do this every weekend? Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week: 2.71 – Darren Wright 6.40 – Hugh Carson 5.45 – Jeremy Nash 6.37 – Pat Rodgers Get yourself a copy of Pat Rodgers’ book on Bert Folkard by emailing him at: [email protected] Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Deano's World XI stunner: 30 years to the day, with his son Koby
Season 19, Episode 35: It was on this day, 21 March 1996, that Dean Jones stepped out in front of his adoring MCG crowd to play against the Australian team that he was so unlucky not to be picked in for the World Cup. The century that followed, in most challenging of conditions, was a marker of just how good he had been since selectors dropped him. Two true believers who were there that afternoon, Adam Collins and Shannon Gill, are joined by Deano’s teenage son Koby Hamilton-Jones to discuss what the innings meant to the man himself, and to those so invested in his trailblazing career. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Final Word with Asa Tribe
Season 19, Episode 34: It takes a bit to wear the Next Big Thing tag in English cricket, which is what Asa Tribe has quickly become. A breakout 2025 for Glamorgan and Jersey, with whom he’s played internationals since he was a teenager, saw him vaulted into an England Lions squad, which he made the most of rattling off a classy ton against a strong Australia A. Also earning franchise opportunities overseas, this 21-year-old has the cricketing world at his feet in 2026, with the next stop championship action in division one with his promoted county. He spoke with Adam about all this and plenty more. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Browse the beers at stompingground.beer or get 15% off Step One gear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Learn about Lacuna Sports - bespoke female cricket wear, created by women for women: lacunasports.co.uk Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Player auctions are absolutely bonkers
Season 19 Episode 33: Does anyone understand how players end up valued in auctions, like what we saw for The Hundred last week? Daniel Norcross has a crack at explaining it to Adam. They’re on more comfortable ground talking all things Shield and debating controversial dismissals. Later, will the BBL be privatised? Sounds like we’ll know by Easter. Which is when the county championship returns, which will warm us inside and out as the IPL begins its marathon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a swag of Step One clothes. Get 15% off Step One men’s or women’s underwear at uk.stepone.life/discount/TFW148 Browse the beers at stompingground.beer, or decide whether buying part of Stomping Ground's business is right for you. https://onmarket.com.au/offers/stomping-ground-eoi Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit https://cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Story Time 262 – A megastar footballer’s weird Shield cameo
It's Story Time, our weekly walk through cricket history. This week, a detailed analysis of every Adam to turn out in a first class game, with the most interesting tale of them all the guy who played only once, yet had time to run into a Final Word fave. Speaking of them, a double from a former guest is featured by Daniel Norcross, who is with Adam this week in the co-host seat. To finish, The Great Barrie Robran’s unexpected Sheffield Shield cameo. Your Nerd Pledge numbers for this week: 14.29 - Niall Taylor 2.07 – Chris68 8.88 – Richard L 7.00 – Robran Cock Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword and win a case of Stomping Ground or a pack of Step One jocks Browse the beers at stompingground.beer Or learn more about buying shares in Stomping Ground is right for you https://onmarket.com.au/offers/stomping-ground-eoi Stop snoring with 10% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2026 at zeussleeps.com Get 10% off BIG Boots UK boots and socks at bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au CBUS Super - Build your something. Visit https://cbussuper.com.au to sort your superannuation. Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices