The Final Word Cricket Podcast

New Zealand v Australia, Christchurch Day 0: It's preview day at beautiful Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Australia go in unchanged, New Zealand have Kane Williamson and Tim Southee each playing his 100th Test, and the pitch is a lovely shade of green. Get the latest with us. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort out your super with CBUS Super. cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Dharamsala preview: It's the most beautiful ground in the world. These are the facts. Cameron Ponsonby is joined by Vithushan Ehantharajah from ESPN Cricinfo to preview the fifth and final Test of the series on what looks set to be a spectacular occasion. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity 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, which was actually recorded a little while earlier, Adam and Geoff meet up at the Albert Ground in Melbourne for an on-location recording. Adam gets sidetracked into Test triple centuries, Geoff gets sidetracked into ODI doubles, we look at a famous Lord's match, a long loop back through last episode's territory in New Zealand, and tackle a marathon free hit plus an unlikely candidate for being underrated. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 3.11 - Simon Clarke 2.02 - Donna 1.14 - Michael Ball 4.23 - Jack Taylor 5.24 - Richard Bond McNally 6.46 - Ben Gleeson Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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 15, Episode 27: Admittedly we don't get onto the title topic until the end of this episode, but it starts with a glance at the Shield and ends up back there amid the conundrum of Will Pucovski. In between, the machinations of the New Zealand and Australia Test series, worries for Alex Carey, the trials of Vanuatu in World Cup qualifying including a very rare and dodgy tactical ploy and a remarkable old spinner's debut, Ireland notch their first Test win, and it's freezing in Dharamsala ahead of India England. Plus, which football team is Fran Fine? Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 5.72 - Matt Baker Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

New Zealand v Australia, Wellington Day 4: It's all over at the Basin, right near the plughole. Dreams were riding on Rachin Ravindra but in the end it was Nathan Lyon pouring cold water on a few faces. On a beautiful sunny afternoon in Wellington, we'll tell you how it all went down. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort out your super with CBUS Super. cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand v Australia, Wellington Day 3: Both teams kept the foot down during a Test that keeps motoring along, with Nathan Lyon having some fun playing at being a batter before Glenn Phillips had even more playing at being a bowler. A dramatic second session saw New Zealand keep some flame of hope alive, and overnight that lamp has been entrusted to Rachin Ravindra and Darryl Mitchell. It's all set up for a belter on Day 4. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort out your super with CBUS Super. cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand v Australia, Wellington Day 2: Well, that escalated quickly. The morning went by as Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood worked their way into historical territory that involved the Big Ship Warwick Amstrong and Final Word fave Arthur Mailey, before a series of calamities befell New Zealand's batting. Glenn Phillips was great fun as ever, Matt Henry kept carrying this team, and Kane Williamson had one of his strangest days. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort out your super with CBUS Super. cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand v Australia, Wellington Day 1: After eight long years, the Australian men's Test team returned to New Zealand to play. And for a couple of sessions they perhaps wished they had not, as the local bowlers got on top on a green pitch. But another Green thing is Cameron Green, and he had something significant to say about the state of play by the close in a flurried finish. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort out your super with CBUS Super. cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Zealand v Australia, Wellington Day 0: What will we do without Neil Wagner? A fine career comes to an end ahead of the series opener between the Black Caps and Pat Cummins' men at the beautiful Basin. For the Aussies, it's the XI as anticipated - the same side that lost to the Windies at the Gabba a month ago - and they're on the hunt for precious WTC points away from home. As for Tim Southee's team, they would do anything to get over the line against Australia in a Test Match for the first time in over a dozen years but they won't have Devon Conway's assistance in that mission, out with a thumb injury - a big blow. Bharat Sundaresan is with Adam Collins in their Airbnb/commune/hostel. And then... India v England, Ranchi Wash-up: How did it come to this? Will Bashir and Hartley ever get a game in the County Championship? And what on earth happened to Ollie Robinson? Cameron is joined once again by Cricinfo's Vithushan Ehantharajah to analyse to England's series defeat and have the latest from the camp. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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 15, Episode 26: In Wellington ahead of the First Test between New Zealand and Australia, Adam and Bharat are frustrated by the fact that they're there for only for two matches and not three - a view you're finally hearing more from players and administrators alike. The teams have already duked it out across three T20s, the visitors learning a bit about their World Cup Best XI in the process. There's plenty going on in India, as well as two domestic finals in Australia with Tassie's women and the WACA men both completing three-peats in one-day cricket. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, Ranchi Day 4: And just like that it’s over. India win the prestigious IDFC First Bank trophy after the calm heads of Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill get them over the line on day four. A miraculous England win looked on the cards briefly after India lost five wickets for 36 runs but it wasn’t to be for Stokes’ men. Cameron Ponsonby is on the ground as ever and is joined by the Telegraph’s Will Macpherson. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Ranchi Day 3: And just like that it’s over….almost. Four Tests of drama culminated in a day where India were excellent and England fell to the wayside. India started the day 130 runs behind; but they end it 150 runs from a series victory. And surprise surprise, there’s more DRS drama. Cameron Ponsonby is joined for this one by ESPN Cricinfo’s Vithushan Ehantharajah. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Ranchi Day 2: Prepare for fast-forward. The pitch is starting to break apart with England currently in pole position. Yashasvi Jaiswal scores yet more runs, but an unbeaten Joe Root century and four wickets for Shoaib Bashir means that England finish the day well ahead. Oh...and it's England's turn to think umpire's call is a great invention. Cam Ponsonby, at the ground, once again has Daniel Norcross for company. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Ranchi Day 1: Wait a minute. That looked suspiciously like an excellent day of conventional Test cricket. Akash Deep started his Test career with not one but several bangs, after a misfire. Mohammed Siraj bowled some pearls. Ravindra Jadeja got the pitch to play tricks. And through it all, Joe Root stood supreme with another classic innings, while Ben Foakes and latterly Ollie Robinson did their part. Is that stumps score a good one? Nobody has any idea. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Ranchi Day 0: The Rancho Relaxo! To one of Adam's favourite grounds for the Fourth Test with England in a must-win position after their hiding over the weekend. As for the hosts, Bumrah is resting - time for their spinners to come into their own on a surface that looks like it might turn from the get-go. But those assumptions have been mistaken at this ground in the past. Cam Ponsonby is in place, ready to roll. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 15, Episode 25: Taylor Swift has finished her run at the MCG, leading Virat Kohli 3-1, while the New Zealanders have finished off a surprisingly competitive Test against their makeshift South African opposition and now are in the last stages of preparation to try beating Australia in a series for the first time in decades. Bharat Sundaresan joins Geoff to look over this, Ravichandran Ashwin's 500th wicket, a long-needed pathway in Australia for female match referees, the conflicts of interest for players in overlapping T20 leagues, and Will Pucovski's first Shield hundred since his Test debut. Your Nerd Pledge for this week: 2.60 - Andrew Gardner Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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, Daniel Norcross joins Adam Collins for a flip through the pages of Adam's diary on a very special non-school day involving a Final Word fave. Also, the slowest batter in all cricket? A strange coincidence with the next Nerd Pledge on our upcoming weekly show, there's a look at the little-discussed but very good Bob Barker, and another number takes us to a genuine Dusty Old Bastard. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 4.55 - WG Rumblepants 3.46 - Jeames Withers 3.85 - Matt McD 3.99 - Mark Stein 2.53 - Ajay 1.49 - Jason Wilkins Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, Rajkot Wash-up: Will Stokes bowl? Is DRS corrupt? Will England drop Bairstow? Did Duckett create Jaiswal? Cameron is joined by Crincfo's Vithushan Ehantharajah to analyse to England's record Rajkot defeat and have the latest from the camp as they look towards Ranchi. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Rajkot Day 4: What a difference a day makes. Beginning the third morning in great shape, England succumbed to India by 434 runs by the end of the fourth evening. The supreme performance from the hosts included another double ton for their magnificent young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal before Ravindra Jadeja went to work, collecting a bag of five wickets to go with his century when the chips were down inside the first hour of the Test - doesn't that feel a long time ago now? Cam Ponsonby is at the ground in Rajkot and he has Daniel Norcross with him. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Rajkot Day 3: The middle session of the middle day of the middle Test in this series - how decisive it could prove to be. England, having blown the doors down last night, badly lost their way with Joe Root's reverse-ramp the moment most in focus. Sure enough, India strengthened their position yet further by the close thanks to another classy ton from Yashasvi Jaiswal. Cam Ponsonby is at the ground in Rajkot and he's with Adam Collins. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v South Africa Women, Perth Day 3: A long way behind, South Africa had only one option: to fight. So they did, through most of the third day while making the Australians work. Chloe Tryon showed her range, Delmi Tucker showed her temperament, and the contest offered promise for the future. Your hosts: Geoff Lemon and Bharat Sundaresan. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, Rajkot Day 2: Another day, another wild ride. Ashwin takes his 500th Test wicket to further mark a great career, but it’s Ben Duckett and England’s afternoon, as the left-hander belts a remarkable unbeaten century. The match is still in India’s favour but England are chasing them all the way. With debutant host Cameron Ponsonby, is veteran guest Daniel Norcross. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v South Africa Women, Perth Day 2: One long day that was all about one long innings - the historic double century produced by Annabel Sutherland, fast becoming a hugely significant Test cricketer. Around a masterpiece of timing and concentration, everybody else in the Australian team had a good turn at something as well, while South Africa showed some fight despite being miles behind in the game. Your hosts: Geoff Lemon and Bharat Sundaresan. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, Rajkot Day 1: A day of twists and turns to begin the Third Test, but the home side, thanks to a 204-run stand between the captain Rohit and the local superstar Jadeja, earned a handy advantage by the close. To recap the tons, the wickets and the barbeque of poor old Sarfaraz Khan, Adam Collins has Cam Ponsonby for company there at the ground. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v South Africa Women, Perth Day 1: It was 43 degrees at the WACA, and South Africa felt the heat after being asked to bat. Darcie Brown, Kim Garth, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland and Tahlia McGrath ensured that the spinners were not required, before Australia faced trouble of their own. But where there's trouble, there is Beth Mooney, before Alyssa Healy had some fine moments and one less desirable moment of her own. Your hosts: Geoff Lemon and Bharat Sundaresan. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, Rajkot Day 0: After a week off to cool down after two brilliant Tests to start, the series moves to Rajkot. In doing so, the hosts welcome back a man who knows the SCA ground as well as any - Ravindra Jadeja. That's one of the many pieces of team news from both camps, which includes the inclusion, for the first time, Sarfaraz Khan in an India XI. As for England, Mark Wood returns to partner with Jimmy Anderson as the visitors tweak their bowling bowling configuration. All told, the promise of an exciting few days coming up. Cam Ponsonby is at the ground, Adam Collins is in London Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 15, Episode 24: Glenn Maxwell and ridiculous hundreds. It is a theme of late. Four of them in his last nine hits for Australia, and the one in Adelaide against a West Indies team that played well in the end - it was probably the purest of the lot. Also this week, new concussion rules across three nations, the chance for a fun debut in India's next Test, another belting win for Australia's women while Heather Graham also goes on a tear for Tasmania, the MCC's World Cricket Committee makes some big recommendations, and things fall apart in Pakistan. Your Nerd Pledge for this week: 4.40 - Tanya Wintringham Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

Greatest Season That Was, Episode 7 – New Zealand with Geoff Allott. So much of the ’99 World Cup magic revolves around the extraordinary tie between Australia and South Africa. This time around, our focus shifts the one of the teams that made the other (far less eventful) semi-final: New Zealand. A major driver of their success in reaching the final four 25 years ago was their left-arm swing ace, Geoff Allott, who made white Dukes talk throughout to claim 20 wickets - matched only by Shane Warne. His conversation here with Dan Brettig and Shannon Gill, documenting a brief but memorable career, is a beauty. Enjoy. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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. In a week when an Under-19s player was out obstructing the field and a Shield player survived a similar appeal, along came not one but two numbers linking us to some of the least common methods of dismissal in the game. We also go back to World War I, look at one of the tallest to play the game, find one of the rarest feats for opening batters, and end up even further back in 1855 for a run chase you won't believe. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.14 - Rossi 1.64 - Packo 21.00 - Dave Hornsby 6.80 - Matthew Lincoln 5.00 - Aditya Chaoji 21.49 - Adam T Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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 15, Episode 23: Mitch Marsh won more hearts this week while winning the Allan Border Medal, while Ash Gardner confirmed her supremacy in the Australian women's team with the Belinda Clark Award. That didn't stop South Africa's women knocking off Australia for the first time in 50-over cricket, after notching their first 20-over win the week before. Marizanne Kapp is currently Superwoman. New Zealand predictably battered South Africa's 5th-tier team in the men's Test, but not without plenty of statistical quirks, Afghanistan battled hard in their Test in Sri Lanka, and there's a new women's domestic structure in England. Your Nerd Pledge for this week: 2.29 - David Nicholls Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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. Let's hear a tale we had never found before, about one of the unlikeliest mismatches of them all. Also, an equally unlikely change of allegiance, a game with four results on the table, the player who faced the longest wait, a real wrong number, a curious cumulative record, and the little-discussed batting of a bowling legend, Your Nerd Pledge revisits this week: 6.35 - Max W 78.00 - Peder Roberts 10.70 - Rafael Szumer 1.14 - Guy Hornsby 5.00 - Xavier Bochat 12.32 - Glenn Finkelde and new number 6.79 - Ben Woolgar Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, Vizag Wash-up: With the series squared and players heading in their different directions for a week off, Cameron Ponsonby is joined by Cricinfo's Vithushan Ehantharajah to review the latest reactions from the second Test and look ahead to Rajkot. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Vizag Day 4: In the end, it was Bumrah taking a stump out of the ground. Appropriately so after he turned this match on its head a couple of days earlier doing just the same, putting the home side into a position of authority they would never cede. England gave it a crack in pursuit of 399 - they were always going to - but India have pulled this very watchable series into parity after two Tests. Cam Ponsonby has enjoyed the lot of it in Vizag and he's with Adam Collins in London. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Vizag Day 3: They couldn't, could they? Nearly 400 to chase for England, but they're off to a bright start and they believe. That's after a day when James Anderson did the new-ball business again, Shubman Gill made a stylish hundred after some early fortune, and India then let a dominant position slide against England's spinners. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Check out Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Vizag Day 2: Jasprit Bumrah, goodness me. One of the great spells of fast bowling, moving it both ways with precision and pace, has earned India a considerable advantage after two days. Cam Ponsonby had the pleasure of witnessing it live at the ground and he's with Adam Collins to tell him all about it. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Vizag Day 1: What an innings. What a day. 179 not out for Yashasvi Jaiswal on a day where his teammates faltered and the match was left in the balance. Are India already way ahead? Or after winning the toss was day one a missed opportunity, especially after a couple of late wickets for England? Cam Ponsonby is at the ground, Adam Collins is having a weekend away by the water - they weigh it all up. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Vizag Day 0: Jimmy Anderson has been playing Test cricket in India before the IPL began and will take the field tomorrow alongside Shoaib Bashir, a bloke who was far from birth when he made his England debut. The veteran's extraordinary story continues on his sixth tour of the country. It's one of several changes from the two sides that took the field in Hyderabad, India trying to fill a couple of big holes after KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja went down with injuries in last week's thriller to start the series. To Vizag, a city Cam Ponsonby is thoroughly taken by, and he's joining Adam Collins. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 15, Episode 22: After two of the best Test matches we've seen, finishing within a couple of hours of one another last Sunday, it's nice for Geoff and Adam to exhale and have the chat about it that we didn't get to have. Pat Cummins took a broad view of the significance of the West Indies win, which predictably annoyed some people, while others are annoyed at England doing things the way England currently does - and the fact that it worked. Otherwise, South Africa's women beat Australia for the first time in any format, though they lost the T20 series 2-1. The Big Bash finished last week with Josh Brown going nuts, there are Australian white-ball squads out with several points of interest, and Australia's Inclusivity Championships were played around the same time as England's physical disability team finally began their much-postponed tour of India. Your Nerd Pledge for this week: 2.76 - Joshua Timmins Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, The Hyderabad Heist (the day after): The hits keep coming. Just as everyone is reflecting on one of the great days of Test cricket, India are struck with a massive blow with news that two superstars Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul will not be available for the second Test. With Cameron Ponsonby is Cricinfo’s Vithushan Ehantharajah to look at what it means for the future and reflect on what an incredible week in Hyderabad we’ve just had. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity 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. A revisit special this weekend as we round up some incorrect numbers from episodes past. Investigations at Essex, the record for five-wicket hauls, some stylish pointless sixes, who was involved in the most number of weird dismissals, and which player did bloody nothing for nobody? Your Nerd Pledge revisits this week: 7.71 - Claire Danny Daniel 2.43 - Jonathon Potton 4.10 - Sam Chappel 14.00 - Debashish Biswas 2.05 - Tim Henry 4.50 - Aravind 1.70 - Chris Dobbins 1.00 - Srikanth Agaram Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get that sweet Nord VPN discount - nordvpn.com/tfw Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday 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

India v England, 1st Test, Hyderabad Day 4: What a staggering day of Test cricket. For England to turn around a 190-run first innings deficit, practically everything had to go right for them and, what do you know... it did. The visitors go 1-0 up in stunning circumstances; Ollie Pope and debutant Tom Hartley are the heroes. Cam Ponsonby saw it all at the ground at Hyderabad and he's with Adam Collins, who wishes he was there too. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v West Indies, Brisbane Day 4: One of the most remarkable days of Test cricket seen in Brisbane, and one of the most remarkable bowling performances ever from Shamar Joseph. A busted foot and a lot of pain didn't stop him from creating one of the classics with the ball, while Steve Smith did something similar with the bat, leading to an all-time finish. With Bharat Sundaresan and Geoff Lemon. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Hyderabad Day 3: At the close of play on day two, it looked like only one team could win this First Test - India, of course. 24 hours on, it's a very different story, overwhelmingly thanks to England's number three, Ollie Pope, who has made 148 of the most interesting runs you could ever wish to see. Cam Ponsonby witnessed the England comeback at the ground in Hyderabad, he's with Adam Collins. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v West Indies, 2nd Test, Brisbane Day 3: This West Indies line-up just won't quit. Hanging in there for long enough to set Australia 216 for victory, the visitors have picked up a couple of wickets before the close with this Test nicely in balance heading into the fourth day. At the ground in Brisbane, Bharat Sundaresan and Adam White are with you. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Hyderabad Day 2: It's taken India just two days to show the gap between the teams when playing on their home soil, cruising to a handsome first-innings lead. Tomorrow morning, it will be all about whether Ravindra Jadeja can advance to another Test ton before the home spinners put their bowling boots on when good and ready. Adam Collins is joined by Cam Ponsonby at the ground in Hyderabad. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v West Indies, Brisbane Day 2: What a day of Test cricket! If only those bails fell off... well, let's not get too deep into alternative histories. What's certain is that the Windies have given themselves a genuine chance of victory after claiming a first-innings lead, thanks mostly to the work of their opening quicks Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph. For the first time, it's Bharat Sundaresan piloting the show, and we have a new guest host alongside him, the excellent Adam White. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Hyderabad Day 1: A day as busy as you expect from two teams determined to make a mark to begin the series right from the outset. England’s attack got them to a vaguely credible position with the bat but Yashasvi Jaiswal’s contribution was more telling, pushing the hosts into a very handy position by the close. Cam Ponsonby is at the ground in Hyderabad, joining Adam Collins. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v West Indies, Adelaide Day 1: How the tables turned! Then turned again. For a session there, it was business as usual, with Australian quicks knocking over the West Indies top order. But then Kavem Hodge and Joshua da Silva worked something special, and Kevin Sinclair might be something special. A very fun day and night of pink-ball cricket. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

India v England, Hyderabad Day 0: Jack Leach, Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley are not Ashwin and Jadeja - let there be no doubt. But on the belief that the Hyderabad pitch is going to rag from morning one, the visitors are putting all their faith in an inexperienced spin trio that will rely heavily on the bespectacled bloke from Somerset. As for the hosts, they so rarely lose at home with a tried-and-true gameplan. But how will it work if the Bazballers can make a bit of a mark early? A fascinating series awaits. Cam Ponsonby, who will be at the ground on our daily shows throughout the next two months, joins Adam Collins. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/london https://www.westfield.com/united-kingdom/stratfordcity Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Australia v West Indies, Adelaide Day 0: Time for a pink-ball shake-up. Bharat Sundaresan has been prowling around training and press conferences as always, and has the latest from Brisvegas: swing, storms, quarantines and selections. Meanwhile, there was also a whole lot of breaking news between when we recorded the weekly show and now. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find shirts, marathons and other links at linktr.ee/thefinalword Sort your super with CBUS on their 40th birthday: cbussuper.com.au Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices