The Final Word Cricket Podcast

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 12: India v USA The last day on Long Island came down to this. Group leaders India versus surprise packet the USA. And it was another close-fought contest. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 11: Pakistan v Canada As far as must-win games go, this was very must and not very win for Pakistan, who once again had to wade into the fray at New York's new cricket stadium, and faced another cricket upstart with big energy in Canada. Aaron Johnson smashed a bunch, and it took all of Pakistan's fast-bowling wiles to keep things under control. Then, it was once more to the chase... Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 16, Episode 19: David 'Bumble' Lloyd was one of our most entertaining guests way back in the early days of the pandemic. He's back with us today to check in after making 88 not out on debut for the Lancashire Over 70s last week and he has his eye on some unfinished business from 1974-75... a return to the England team? The voice of associate cricket, Andrew Leonard, is also on the show after a mighty first week for the lower-ranked teams in the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Geoff and Adam's chat jumps from domestic comps to Pat Cummins' life after cricket to the Australian honours list. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Win prizes in our Westfield UK competition. Get the app, find TFW under Events, then listen to the show. westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Get the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our 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

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 10: South Africa v Bangladesh, Scotland v Oman Another New York day, another last-ball thriller, another low-scoring run chase. Once again South Africa struggled early before The Wolf cleaned up the scene. Once again a run-a-ball chase ended up being far tighter than it had any right to be, and once again Anrich Nortje among others was unhittable. In last night's game, the Scots threw down the gauntlet to England with a run rate surge. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 9: India v Pakistan The Big Bertha of cricket matches came around at last, with the Nassau Stadium on Long Island packed to capacity. The pitch was better than other games at this ground, but the contest was no less tight, with every run a struggle for both sides. As it came down to a close finish, the question was whether Pakistan's nerve would hold where it has failed in so many World Cups before. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 8.2: The heavyweight contest of Group B took place in Barbados, with England needing a win more badly than Australia giving the team's divergent fortunes in their opening matches. David Warner and Travis Head who made the early running, while Jos Buttler and Phil Salt almost matched them for speed. But the middle orders would decide the fate of this game. Meanwhile, Afghanistan outgrew the status of underdogs with a demolition of New Zealand. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 8.1: Netherlands v South Africa, Bangladesh v Sri Lanka What an opening week of this tournament! The Dutch have a habit of knocking off South Africa in World Cups and they very nearly did it again on Long Island. Meanwhile, in Dallas on Friday night, another chapter was added to the fierce rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Adam Collins has Ben Jones with him. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw 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, we look at the point when a Marsh coincidence became a Marsh supremacy, before a wander back to one of the most unconvincing toffs to stumble over a Test cap for England. Skip forward some decades to meet the unlikely Danza Pacino Hyatt, discover the mystery of the Pearls Cup, and why not go modern with Brendon McCullum's finest coaching moment. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.38 - Phillip Meng 1.18 - Toby 1.96 - Chris Jones 2.68 - Matthew Share Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 7: Canada v Ireland O Canada! A first T20 World Cup win for the Maple Leafers, defending 137 with class and skill at Eisenhower Park on Long Island. Adam Collins has Daniel Norcross with him to reflect on the second consecutive day where an associate nation has knocked off a full member. Bigger World Cups are Better World Cups. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily, 2024, Day 6.2: Scotland v Namibia. While history was being made in Dallas, Geoff was with Steven Finn in Barbados watching the Scots eventually flex some muscle against an already muscular Namibia. The arm wrestle wavered either way before a final flat six decided the day. Let's go to the street outside Queen's Park Oval in Bridgetown to find out what happened. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

T20 World Cup Daily: 2024, Day 6.1: USA v Pakistan Wow. What a game, what a victory. It took going to a Super Over but the Americans have produced the most stunning result against Pakistan in Dallas. Adam Collins checks in with Cam Ponsonby at the ground to discuss a massive victory for the co-hosts. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup Daily, Day 5.2: Australia v Oman, Uganda v Papua New Guinea. The Australians finally get into action, but Oman are not about to let them do it easily. On a testing pitch in Barbados, a lot of testing takes place, and perhaps the catch of the tournament. Meanwhile in Guyana, Uganda's Cricket Cranes make history when they take on Papua New Guinea, and 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga has his own place in it. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup Daily, Day 5.1: India are away, thrashing Ireland on Long Island. But what's going on the New York pitch? It's just as much of a talking point as Rishabh Pant's return and the men in blue's fine work with the ball for Adam Collins and Daniel Norcross, who makes his first appearance of the World Cup. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 16, Episode 18: Coming to you from New York City! Or more specifically, Long Island. The ICC is hunting for US-born cricket converts, so we found a couple to sit under a tree in Eisenhower Park for a chat: US national panel umpire Bryan R. Caine, and sportswriter Mike Leboff. Also this week, another cricketer in hot water for gambling in a sport funded by gambling, and Nerd Pledge gives us a very rare Double Revisit, one year in the making. Your Nerd Pledge number(s) this week: 18.81 & 24.73 - Luke Reynolds Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Win prizes in our Westfield UK competition. Get the app, find TFW under Events, then listen to the show. westfield.com/united-kingdom/app Get the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find all our 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 T20 World Cup Daily, Day 4: Scotland dominate the first ten overs of their game against England, and give themselves a real chance - but what effect will some badly timed rain have? Meanwhile, Afghanistan flexed their muscles against Uganda the previous night while Ben Jones discovered the paloma. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup Daily, Day 3: Time for a Super Over! That didn't take long. David Wiese was there in all disciplines for Namibia in the absurdly tight game against Oman. The next morning, welcome to New York, where Sri Lanka batted in concrete gumboots before South Africa did much the same. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup Daily, Day 2: Join us in a Dallas diner for pancakes, and maybe an imminent upset? West Indies, the other co-host, had a challenge on their hands in their opening game, as Papua New Guinea were resolute with the bat thanks to Sese Bau, before a host of spinners and Kiplin Doriga's fine hands behind the stumps brought an opportunity to create a huge surprise. In next: Andre Russell. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup Daily, Day 1: What. The. Absolute. Hell. The USA pulled out one of the great cricket turnarounds tonight, after Canada dominated the first innings of their World Cup opener. Aaron Jones and Aussie Gous produced the miracle after Jeremy Gordon's over for the record books. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The T20 World Cup Daily, Day 0: Welcome to America! The Final Word hits Texas ahead of the opening game tomorrow. It’s time to head down to the cricket ground at Grand Prairie and check out what has been put in place, while the temperature rolls through a low swelter and the finishing touches are applied to the stadium. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw 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 argument has gone on long enough that it's time to finish it. Is a century plus a half century a milestone? Also this week, a reinterpreted Bannerman, a misunderstood basher, and a contender for the most freakish debut of all time. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 3.53 - Tim Vanderpump, Party Liaison 3.10 - Chris Lintott 8.11 - Joe Bracher 1.19 - Matt Blacker Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter the Westfield UK competition: win gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes. westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 16, Episode 17: India, the UK and the USA are all heading towards national elections, in the same year that the USA, England and India will all be prominent in cricket, starting with the gathering for the T20 World Cup. For that to arrive, the IPL had to finish, after a campaign as long as any election, and this time Mitchell Starc went from first gear to seventh with exactly the right timing, as did Team USA to down a Full Member nation in a series for the first time. Meanwhile, the ICC still has mates with a (digital video of a) bridge to sell you. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Or the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 16: It has been quite the story. First, the revelation that France's cricket board was approving scorecards from domestic games with no evidence of ever existing. Then, blacklisting the entire national women's squad when those players asked for an investigation. The ICC says there is nothing to see here. As ever, there is a lot of money at stake. We speak to the France24 reporter who broke the story, Peter O'Brien, and one of the banished players, Poppy McGeown. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Or the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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, is this one of the most bogus games to get first-class status? Probably not in the top hundred if we're honest but it's funny anyway. Also, a great player's brief and bombastic return, another's fondest day, and the ease of resolving scheduling dilemmas when you have sufficient clout. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.33 - Pushkar Godbole 4.92 - Robbie McIntyre 1.85 - Vijai Prabhudass 4.86 - Gareth Cottiss Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter our Westfield UK competition Gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All links at linktr.ee/thefinalword 10% off kit from seriouscricket.co.uk with FINALWORD24 at checkout Your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Book Club 6: Harry Ricketts - Richie Benaud’s Blue Suede Shoes The 1961 Ashes had it all, especially at Old Trafford. The ground where Jim Laker ran amok the previous time the Australians visited would be the scene of a staggering come-from-behind triumph under the bold leadership of Richie Benaud, spinning to win from out of the rough. Adam has Steve Cannane with him to interview Harry Ricketts, the co-author of a terrific new book focused on a match that helped earn the Australian captain the reputation as the best leader in the game. But it’s a portrait just as much about the England skipper, Peter May, and how a champion player would become a symptom of an antiquated class system by the end of his time in charge. A book that’s going to win a stack of awards, it’s out this week. Enjoy! Buy a copy of Richie Benaud's Blue Suede Shoes here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/richie-benauds-blue-suede-shoes-9781526670274/ Read Steve Cannane's Review for the FT here: https://www.ft.com/content/d1e4e4e4-59a9-4f41-abdb-1059932cb7fe Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter our Westfield UK competition Gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All links at linktr.ee/thefinalword 10% off kit from seriouscricket.co.uk with FINALWORD24 at checkout Your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw 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, how many things do you not know about Jim Laker? For us, plenty, including how close he came to turning out in the baggy green. Lara Killick asks about some rubbery figures, we head back to the early IPL, some forgotten T20 Blast, and the very beginning of Test cricket once again. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.49 - Cam Allen 18.77 - Chris Byrne 29.00 - Lara Killick 21.24 - Alan Simpson 7.75 - Eranda Jayawickreme 1.71 - Niall Taylor Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Enter our Westfield UK competition Gift vouchers or your own T20 World Cup final party at Sixes www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All links at linktr.ee/thefinalword 10% off kit from seriouscricket.co.uk with FINALWORD24 at checkout Your Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 16, Episode 15: Yes, we finally have our ad-free feed up and running, extra exciting in the same week as Adam claims to have watched The Greatest Round of County Cricket Ever. Wait for his documentary series on it in 10 years' time. Jofra Archer is tentatively back bowling snorters, there is civil unrest in Australian state cricket, and we finally figure out how the IPL works as Mitch Starc hits top gear. Also, our Westfield competition starts this week, and our listeners get innovative in fundraising for the Edinburgh marathon. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 3.18 - Thilo Fob Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Or the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 14: After Australian cricket endured its worst moment in modern memory in 2018, the Sandpaper debacle, cameras were invited into the inner sanctum of the men’s dressing room for a fly-on-the-wall documentary. Five years on, they have returned for a third installment during last year’s World Test Championship and the Ashes that followed. The result is another engaging peek behind the curtain as Pat Cummins and his side set about their task of trying to win the lot as the players from both teams produced their most exciting contest in a generation. Adrian Brown has directed The Test from the outset and joins us, as he did when the previous editions were released, to talk us through his latest project. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Or the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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. Did Paul Nixon pen his own Wikipedia entry? Daniel Norcross reports, you decide. Our co-host has been busy too, getting Paul Collingwood to help tell the story of the less enjoyable half of that visit to Australia. Adam goes back to a memorable week in Galle, takes in Surrey challenging the touring Australians in 1899, and reflects on the life and times of Cyril Washbrook. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 5.45 - Shawn Rajanayagam 2.03 - Francis Keepfer 3.51 - Michael Edelstein 2.06 - Randolph Brazier 2.99 - BIG GEOFF Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City. More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get 10% off kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout: seriouscricket.co.uk And get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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, a long backtrack to a much earlier episode where we tried to unravel the mystery of carrying one's bat for nought not out. Enter a multitude of Hearnes. Also, the man they called Stork, a forgotten career of coincidences, Winnie Mae's birthday, Pip Clark The Musical, and the fastest snorters that Braddles ever faced. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.06 - Vijay 14.02 - Ross Davey 4.92 - Shannon Blackmore 3.25 - Tim Gilkison 5.63 - Pip Clark Revisit: Osman Bahemia Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City. More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get 10% off kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout: seriouscricket.co.uk And get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 13: With the Jimmy farewell in the air, was it the right move or wrong? Should it have happened three years earlier, or one year later? Let's get into it. Also this week, Monty does a Mal Meninga, the ECB continue towards selling up, the ICC continue selling out to the worst people in sport, the Dutch keep being sold short, Ireland's men and Pakistan's women put in performances against the odds, and we chat the domestic circuit of Champo and IPL. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 2.05 - Simon Trafford (revisit) Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Or the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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, with Daniel Norcross joining Geoff Lemon, we start with a walk through the Indian hill town of Ooty, then end up deep in the origins of European fascism. Yes, it's all related to the cricket. Also, the German influence on Lord's in 1994, the worst ever hat-trick, and an ode to a love that never quite panned out. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 3.79 - Jai Sharma 2.90 - Paul Frame 2.11 - Jack Rule 6.05 - Jagannathan Tiruvallur Eachambadi 3.61 - Fran Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City. More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get 10% off kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout: seriouscricket.co.uk And get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

We weren't expecting to record an ep today but the news of Jimmy Anderson's retirement announcement required it. At The Oval, Adam has an emotional Daniel Norcross with him to reflect on a truly magnificent international career. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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, with Adam and Geoff are back together, do you know how cricket relates to Ronald Ryan and to Malaysian capital punishment in the 1980s? Neither do we, but we got there somehow anyway. Also, a lot of time in the Imaginary City - Adelaide. Short runs, rain delays, referenda, and the best defensive technique that any bunny has had. It's another packed show. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.38 - Bill 10.10 - Ciaran O'Kane 24.73 - Luke Reynolds 7.45 - Tobi Wilson 7.44 - Richard Fleming 5.93 - Michael Edelstein Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City. More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get 10% off kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout: seriouscricket.co.uk And get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 12: Our 1000th episode! A serious number. From the 2015 Ashes to now so much has changed, but we’ve kept hitting record and talking to each other – in a week where Geoff has moved to Portugal and Adam has seen Peggy start to walk. Into the show itself, English cricket mourns the loss of young player Josh Baker. Australia’s decision-makers have explained their JFM T20 omission as Jake Fraser-McGurk continues to light up the IPL. Will Pucovsi tentatively has a state contract for 2024-25 but his future is less certain than ever. A massive win for Scotland’s women to qualify for the T20 World Cup, and we wrap county cricket and the IPL. Your Nerd Pledge number for this week: 6.00 - Osman Bahemia Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Or the Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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, Bharat Sundaresan joins the show for what is coincidentally a great week to be an expert on West Indies teams meeting India. Famous uncles, less famous young nephews, and one of the most underrated batting greats of all. Join the dots on Story Time. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 5.60 - Bala Sivaramanan 16.24 - Dom Griffiths 4.73 - Chris Dobbins 1.17 - Ash Jayaraman 2.71 - Eric Parnis 2.00 - Toby Guyatt Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get 10% off kit from Serious Cricket with FINALWORD24 at checkout: seriouscricket.co.uk And get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 11: On this episode, as promised, we shift focus to Vanuatu. Specifically, to their extraordinary women’s team, currently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifier in Abu Dhabi. To be one step away from the World Cup with a side that barely existed until a decade ago is a story that, in a way, speaks for itself. Their rise was confirmed when knocking off regional giant PNG to win a spot at a tournament that includes three full member nations. Then last week, they thrashed Zimbabwe to begin this most important competition they’ve ever participated in – a scarcely believable result. Joining us to help tell this great modern tale, Selina Solman, the captain of the team, and Tim Cuttler, an Australian who has been chief executive of Cricket Vanuatu over the last few years, and also happens to be a spinner in their men’s team. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 10: Just what is The 100 worth? It's a question that has vexed English cricket, on various levels, since it was first dreamed up some six years ago. Now, we are up to the inevitable moment for the controversial competition as it is prepared for a day at the market. Will Macpherson, from the Telegraph, joins as this week's co-host to go into depth about a story he's been covering as closely as anyone. It leads our busy agenda, which also includes the announcement of T20 squads on the men's side and upsets at the qualification tournament for the women. Later, it's domestic cricket aplenty and Cricket Australia's new blueprint for the women's game. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 9: It’s appropriate that this conversation with Greg James took place at The Oval, the ground he grew up visiting with his dad – the place where he developed an unbreakable bond with the game. He explains how he fell in and out of love with playing without ever really leaving. And how that’s turned into finding a place for it professionally through the Tailenders podcast and all that's evolved from it, but not so much of a place that it eats away at the boyhood joy that started it all. A delightful guest. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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. Daniel Norcross is back with Adam for a second installment of their doubleheader, recorded beneath the Jardine portrait then later at the former England captain’s home ground. It’s an Australian skipper, Allan Border, who is celebrated for his secondary discipline after we learn all there is to know about the man who was for many decades Lancashire’s finest quick. An astonishing get later in the show, somehow linking Liverpool’s Fab Four and Sri Lanka’s Tremendous Two. We finish on even 100s made in both innings, hitting a variety of Final Word sweet spots along the way. Enjoy! Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.52 – James 2.00 – Alex P 7.56 – Steven Westwood 2.00 – Paul Reeve 10.00 – Anna Forsyth revisited Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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 weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This is the first of a Story Time weekend doubleheader with Daniel Norcross. Only four numbers, but boy did we go to some places. From the Biggest Vince, to a debut hat-trick to picking Daniel’s clothes on TikTok. What about the chap who played once for England in football and once for England in cricket? Or the Dusty Old Bastard who was sent a fake telegram to turn up for a Test he wasn’t selected for? Later, a beautiful sequence of coincidental numbers gets us to the first Lord’s Test ton. And all capped with a Jeremy Coney voice note about Umpire Dick Short. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.02 - Jason Bennie 2.59 – Daniel Forman 14.80 – Jimit Raja 3.16 – Rizwan Patel Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 8: We've seen her do unreal things before, but this one was the best of the lot. The biggest chase ever in women's cricket, with Chamari ending on 195 not out. Also this week, Meg Lanning's interview about her struggles, the new English women's domestic structure becomes clear, and in men's cricket we have Australian domestic players refusing state contracts, Scott Boland injured out of the county season, Peter Siddle going around yet again, and another hectic week in the run-fest IPL. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 82.15 - Pat Dempsey Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 7: It's been a rugged month at Cricket Ireland. In a buoyant mood after winning their first men's Test Match in March, the focus has quickly moved to internal affairs, whether that be the postponement of Australia's visit, budgets or company cars. It's the perfect time for another chat with Warren Deutrom, who has been the chief executive at CI head office since 2006. To help frame this detailed conversation, Nathan Johns from the Irish Times also joined Adam in Dublin. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get down to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City! More extra, less ordinary. westfield.com/united-kingdom/london Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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 weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, a search for the greatest Welsh all-rounder, and another search for a run out of historical significance. We have a caller on the line sounds weirdly like Steven Finn, an unexpected link from Bradman to Murali, and a song of praise for the most swoon-worthy wrist position of all. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 10.00 - Anna Forsyth 4.00 - Amelia Vine 4.78 - Ed Barr-Sim 9.51 - Darragh O'Donovan Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 6: One of our staples is to speak with Lawrence Booth, the editor of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, on the day of its release in the Lord’s Library. In this, his 13th edition in charge, no punches are pulled. As he says in his editors’ notes, it’s clear that the future of Test cricket, beyond the wealthiest nations, really is at the crossroads. And as always, there’s so much more celebrating the year that was – forthright and thoughtful, the good book is doing exactly as it should. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 5: Deep into western Victoria, in the land around Harrow and Edenhope, was the home of the great cricketer Unaarrimin, more broadly known as Johnny Mullagh. We've told the story before of his 1868 Aboriginal team that toured England. Last weekend, Geoff headed to Harrow for commemorative matches between the veterans' Indigenous teams of Victoria and New South Wales. It was something special. Also this week, our county cricket updates, some rare multi-day domestic cricket for India's women, and our IPL wrap. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 7.64 - Satchmo Distel Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Book Club 5: Ben Bloom - Batting for Time: The Fight to Keep English Cricket Alive Moreso by the year, the future of domestic cricket in England is up for grabs. Operating in a squeezed schedule at the same time franchise tournaments are changing the global landscape, the place of the County Championship and many of its clubs is complicated like never before. In 2023, Ben Bloom explored the underlying issues by interviewing 100 people in the thick of things. The result is this fine and important book, which has made headlines at the start of a new season. He spoke with Adam, appropriately during a county game, at The Oval in London. Get the book: https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/batting-time Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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 weekly walk through cricket history via your listener quiz challenges. This week, what is the worst bowl-first decision of all time? And what does it have to do with the Vengaboys and the bravest innings ever played near a giant fruit? Plus the byword for cricket arcania, the portrait that should grace the mantelpiece of Daniel Norcross, and some stories we can tell you about the Stories we can tell you. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.58 - Sam Brown 1008 - Alan Edgar 5.11 - Jeffrey Gabriel 4.50 - Simon Butcher & Andrew West 5.69 - Matt May 3.49 - Matt Near the Gabba Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Donate to support our Edinburgh Marathon runners for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Greatest Season That Was, Episode 10 – Damien Fleming. By this stage on the re-release of The Greatest Season That Was series on the 1999 Men’s World Cup, we have revisited interviews with players and broadcasters who were front and centre from South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, England and India. But what about Australia? The story of their staggering semi-final tie was told earlier in the series, but their campaign to that point was already noteworthy. From teetering on the edge of elimination to an internal shake-up to a fateful night of ten-pin bowling, a man in the thick of things throughout was Damien Fleming. The ever-enthusiastic Australian quick takes us back 25 years, but to 1996 as well when they also snuck through the semi only to blow the big one. He explains in this conversation with Shannon Gill (Code Sports), Dan Brettig (The Age) and Adam Collins why history didn’t repeat when the men in the bright gold uniforms made it to Lord’s. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 4: Cricket got underway in England over the last week, with more rain than balls bowled but some bumper days of play nonetheless, not least the one in which Sam Northeast knocked together 335 at Lord's. Will Nathan Lyon's two overs count as a game played? The wait remains. In Australia, Nic Maddinson moves states again. There's a chaotic week of IPL, the Sri Lanka's women's team complete a historic series win in South Africa, Roberta Moretti steps down after seven years as captain of Brazil, and the world lost Papua New Guinea's finest bowler Kaia Arua. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.90 - Shaun Ton Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your 10% discount on top-notch kit from Serious Cricket. Use FINALWORD24 at checkout --> seriouscricket.co.uk Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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

Season 16, Episode 3: Made in heaven, Michael Bevan. He was the very best at what he did - finishing 50-over run chases with the onboard computer scanning every option. But he was a lot more than that: a red-ball maestro, a Test spinner, the most prolific player to walk onto the Sydney Cricket Ground. We were lucky enough to spend our Sydney live show in January 2024 together, in an impressively honest conversation about a career's iconic highs, its great frustrations, and the personal lessons he had to learn to reconcile it all. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get a sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Run or donate to the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon for the Lord's Taverners All 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