The Final Word Cricket Podcast

Episode 2 - The Oral History of the ‘99 semi-final tie In 2019 on The Greatest Season That Was, Adam made a 12-part series exploring whether the 1999 ODI World Cup was the most interesting global tournament. With Dan Brettig (The Age) and Shannon Gill (Code Sports), they spoke with many of the key players and administrators across seven weeks. The first time around, the episode that you’re about to hear – The Oral History of the 1999 semi-final tie between Australia and South Africa – was the series finale, with some brilliant guests from both teams who took the field that fateful day at Edgbaston. Given we’re now at the semi-final stage again in 2023, with the Aussies and Proteas drawn to play once more – it made sense to pop this our now. So, enjoy the detailed story of, perhaps, the most significant one-day international ever played. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 39: India have completed their clean sweep of the group stage with another near-perfect performance at Chinnaswamy, all of their top five getting to raise the bat at least once - a couple of excellent tons in there too; one record-breaking - before doing as they pleased in defence of 410. The Dutch didn't throw in the towel but their promising campaign comes to an end. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 38.2: England, Pakistan, battle of the teams who are going home - at least that much was clear as soon as the coin fell. Could England remember how to bat? Could Shaheen learn how to catch? Who would trump the battle of the leg-spinners? Bharat Sundaresan joins Geoff in another bathrobe special. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! For Santa tickets, get on Twitter and message SheahanSolo! Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 38.1: Australia are purring their way into the business end of this tournament, easily accounting for Bangladesh, even after the Tigers posted what looked to be a half-decent score. But Mitch Marsh never let it become a contest, completing a monster unbeaten ton... South Africa awaits. Adam has Cam Ponsonby with him in his back yard. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 37: A closer game than it looked it would be at different points, the Proteas getting there in the end. But have they answered any of the outstanding questions about their ability to chase under pressure? Unclear. As for Afghanistan, they go home now but what a brilliant campaign. Adam has Vithushan Ehantharajah (and Winnie) for company. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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, Adam has the tale of a truly bonkers and brilliant man, named Rollo on his birth certificate, who had an extraordinary career and shaped a great many cricketing lives as an educator. We also go back to 2009 - how is it possible Jimmy Anderson was leading the England attack in 2009? A different world. Geoff takes us back to a South African DOB who played as he was described and reflects on the South African side in the immediate aftermath of the Hansie scandal. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 3.30 - Callum Pirera 6.87 - Joel 2.02 - James Sprague & Andrew Cooper 2.22 - Ryan Sneddon Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup For a huge discount off your NordVPN plan, go to nordvpn.com/tfw You'll also get 4 months free on a 2-year plan, and no risk with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 36: Barring something totally ridiculous, the Black Caps are into a fifth World Cup semi-final in a row. To make sure of it, they had to knock Sri Lanka over after losing four on the trot and did so with ease, chasing down the 172 set for them in just 23.2 overs to get some more of that sweet Net Run Rate - the measure that will see them through to the final four. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 35: Two chances remaining for a win in the tournament, and England did not want to fumble this one. But suddenly they looked around and were six down for nothing much. Dawid Malan did his bit, then Ben Stokes came along. Could the Dutch muster a challenge? Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 34: MAXWELLBALL. What else can we say? Is this the greatest night of our lives? Perhaps it is. The most extraordinary innings in the history of one-day cricket was played tonight in Mumbai, something that we will never forget. Come for a stroll with us. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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 8: Imagine someone dynamiting the Louvre. The cricket equivalent has happened, with the magical YouTube channel Robelinda2 being brought down by some vandals with spurious copyright complaints. We speak to Rob Moody about his life's cricketing work, the last fortnight, and what comes next. Plus next year's World Cup qualifiers, a supposed makeover for Perth Test cricket, and a Nerd Pledge story with a lot of meandering. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 3.13 - Sebastian Tarek For a huge discount off your NordVPN plan, go to nordvpn.com/tfw You'll also get 4 months free on a 2-year plan, and no risk with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 33: Sri Lanka and Bangladesh already hated each other before, so they really hate each other now. In Delhi late in a frustrating campaign for both teams, Angelo Mathews became the first player ever to be dismissed "timed out" in an international match. How did it happen and what does it mean? Plus we'll look at, you know, the game, which was a good one. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

Episode 1 - Why 99? In 2019 on The Greatest Season That Was, Adam made a 12-part series exploring whether the 1999 ODI World Cup swas the most interesting global tournament. With Dan Brettig (The Age) and Shannon Gill (Code Sports), they spoke with many of the key players and administrators across seven weeks. On the basis that you'll probably enjoy what was pulled together back then, we are re-releasing World Cup '99 here as the current competition reaches its business end. Before we get into the interviews, a framing discussion that should help jog the memory. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 32: Has a team ever bossed the group stage of World Cup to the extent India have this one? Cam Ponsonby and Adam consider this question after the men in blue handed out their latest hiding, the Proteas thrashed by 243 runs in the top-of-the-table clash at Eden Gardens. Setting it up, it had to be Virat Kohli - on his 35th birthday, the modern great pulled level with Sachin Tendulkar on 49 ODI tons. Also, a cameo from Winnie! Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 31.2: Pakistan kept England alive for a couple of hours, but then they had to do their own work to stay there. Australia battled early, Smith and Labuschagne took us on holiday to Spain, Adam Zampa had some fun and then some more fun, and Ben Stokes kept trying to get up that damn mountain with Dawid Malan for sombre company. A big night at the mausoleum in Ahmedabad, as Geoff Lemon is joined by Matt Roller of ESPNcricinfo. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 31: Pakistan make half the runs and win the game? Cricket, it's a beautiful thing. The poor old Black Caps, meanwhile, have smashed 401 and lost. The difference: Final Word fave Fakhar Zaman, with a 62-ball ton. And with that, the race for fourth spot is well and truly alive. Cam Ponsonby is with Adam, recorded at his local pub in North London before they head to the football. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 30: A match that a few weeks ago looked uneventful ended up with a lot riding on it. The two unfancied teams of the tournament had their most realistic shot at points against one another, to go with their less likely victories from earlier in the tournament. But it was a bizarre period of running that really decided the match, plus another clinical chase from a pair making it their trademark. Geoff Lemon is joined by Matt Roller of ESPNcricinfo. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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, Adam has Bharat Sundaresan in the co-hosting chair and they settle into a theme: fathers and sons. Some of the stories, like a couple of Australia/West Indies ODIs from the glory days, are lovely. The passing of Final Word fave Johnny Won't Hit Today, alongside his old man, is tragic. Between times, more Jamaica than we anticipated, more of the 1911-12 Ashes, and we return to the Boer War for another sad tale from the battlefield. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.23 - Rahul Venkat 5.00 - Guy Hornsby 5.85 - Slim Johns 1.70 - Chris Dobbins 2.65 - Elliott Diamond 7.00 - Terry Hogan Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 29: There are thrashings. There are bashings. Then there is this. Kohli, Gill, Shreyas. Shami, Bumrah, Siraj. Everyone got in on the act, on a statistically historic night at the Wankhede. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 28: The third tough assignment in a row for the Black Caps, and a chance for South Africa to continue winning ways and beat a team with a strong record over them in World Cups. There was a surprising decision at the toss in Pune, and more national records falling to the blade of Quinton de Kock, while Jimmy Neesham had another night in the wars. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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 7: We've reached the stage of the World Cup where very few teams have been eliminated yet it is the four who are currently in the semi-final positions who would need to trip up badly to not feature in the big games in a few weeks from now. England are one of those - their last week was even worse than the one before, which really took some doing. After all that, we take a look some off-field bits and pieces, including CA's annual report, a massive Tasmanian run chase, and tip our lids to an umpiring great. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 6.17 - Prathamesh Deshpande Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 27: After dropping four on the trot, Pakistan are alive again. Well, they'll need everything to go right to make the semis, but they have easily accounted for Bangladesh, who are the first team formally eliminated. And for the green machine, it's Shaheen and Fakhar looking the goods - a couple of matchwinners who can beat anyone on their day. Cam Ponsonby joins Adam, as Geoff is in Pune ahead of New Zealand and South Africa tomorrow. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

Book Club 2: Lawrence Booth & Nick Hoult - Bazball, The Inside Story of a Test Cricket Revolution. The Bazball era demanded a book, and there’s nobody better for the task than two senior reporters who have been on our show many times. Drawing on years of close experience with England teams, and with the insight from speaking to the key players, they’ve done a brilliant job. When the book hit shelves, you might have noticed it generated plenty of headlines in England and Australia. Copies from Bloomsbury Publishing: bloomsbury.com/uk/bazball-9781526672087 Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 26: They've done it again! Every time we think that Afghanistan's tournament of beating more established teams is done, they knock off another. Three excellent wins now, this the most clinical of the lot. Sri Lanka would have backed themselves at the innings break but were nowhere near it - and neither Rashid Khan nor Rahmanullah Gurbaz even had to star. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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, the best yarn we've ever happened upon? For the characters involved, and the sheer madness of it all, Sydney's 1879 riot now has a claim to that title. Earlier, we welcomed a new Tich to fold, discussed the beauty of being a cricket-loving kid during the summer of 1992-93, and then made the case, once and for all, that Kohli > Sachin. Enjoy. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 19.92 - Jono Haylen 6.48 - Will Sandford 1.00 - Srikanth Agaram Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 25: We know that England's campaign has been a disaster, but this was a final exclamation mark. What looked like it would be a thrashing in one direction became a thrashing in the other. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami turned on some fast-bowling brilliance, after Chris Woakes and David Willey did something similar. With Rohit Sharma the only player to pass 50, a remarkable night followed. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 24.2: What a performance from the Dutch. Bouncing back from an Australian hiding and early trouble with the bat, they’ve gone on to dish out a thrashing of their own to the battling Bangladesh, securing a second excellent win in this tournament. Adam has Vithushan Ehantharajah with him for the second part of the Saturday double-header. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 24: A stone cold classic! Two in two days for this World Cup, as Australia racked up a huge total before New Zealand were set fair pursuing an impossible chase. Rachin Ravindra is a genius. Travis Head returned with a bang, a crash, and a wallop. Nobody can stop David Warner. Glenn Phillips was NZ's miracle man. Pat Cummins made the big calls. Jimmy Neesham was a wonder. Hear about it all from the ground at Dharamsala with Geoff and Bharat Sundaresan. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 23: At last, after 23 days of the tournament, we finally had a close finish. Nine wickets down, drama and nerves as a chase unfolded. Rizwan, Babar, Shadab and Saud Shakeel did their bit. Tabraiz Shamsi came in for South Africa and bowled well. Aiden Markram continues to operate at a higher level, and Haris Rauf combined with Shaheen Afridi to rattle the final stages. This was a beauty. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 22: England, it's been wonderful. They've been the best white-ball team for the better part of the last eight years, dual world champions and all the rest, but that ended once and for all at Bangalore with Sri Lanka handing Jos Buttler's side their biggest beating yet in a tournament where nothing has gone to plan. As for Kusal Mendis' men, they now look the most likely to throw a spanner in the works of those currently in the top all-important four. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! And go ice skating! Grab a ticket icerinkwestfieldlondon.co.uk 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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 21: Is this the best day of our lives? Anyone who has heard this show knows that we love Glenn Maxwell. Today, as part of a stunning Australian performance in Delhi, he stole the show. Records were set, broken, and blasted into space. Come along for the ride. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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 6: From world champions to the cusp of elimination with a month to go in this tournament - England are, by any measure, under the pump. Vithushan Ehantharajah jumps back in the co-hosting chair alongside Adam to work this through before running the rule over the new round of contracts. They also acknowledge the passing of a true champion in Bishan Bedi. Later in the show, Laura Jolly, the Women's Cricket Editor at CA.com.au, joins to talk all things Women's Big Bash League season nine, which has gotten off to an eventful start over the last week. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.35 - Kate Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 20: How do you stop Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the final ten overs? That's going to be the question on the mind of all other contenders in this tournament after the Proteas did a job on Bangladesh at the death, hammering 144 of the best in the final ten overs. From there, despite another Mahmudullah World Cup ton, the Tigers were never in the hunt. With Geoff on the road again ahead of Australia's game tomorrow, Cam Ponsonby joins Adam. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! And go ice skating! Grab a ticket icerinkwestfieldlondon.co.uk 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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 19: Afghanistan and Pakistan at Chennai, and it was spin time - four of them picked by Afghanistan, who went into a slow-bowling battle with Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique. Near the end it was IFTIMANIA, which pushed the score along. Then it was down to Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran to produce another of their opening specials. Could Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi get the job done? Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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, the Oz Brothers and their religious persuasion is only missing a founding document - we know what it was, but not where it went. Adam goes back to a personal beginning, we return to a favourite among Final Word faves, and one of the great one-day contests that we nearly got to see. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 2.27 - Claire McQuillan 3.00 - Daniel Karney 5.80 - Donald Vaughan 6.82 - Richard Johnson 4.36 - Dan Crowley Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 18: With guest host Carlos Braithwaite. A man who knows all about playing with and against India's best runs his eye over yet another masterclass from Virat Kohli, who fell five runs short of matching Sachin Tendulkar's century record. That was after a massive partnership between The Sweatiest Man Alive (Darryl Mitchell) and the new kid on the block Rachin Ravindra. Bumrah and Shami ran hot, Lockie Ferguson was rapid, and the end was a close affair. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 17.2: England. South Africa. Two sides looking to bounce back after surprise losses to lower-ranked opposition. Although after this result, those lower in the rankings might ask whether they should be rated higher than one of these teams. A ferocious batting onslaught from Heinrich Klaasen, a coming-of-age moment for Marco Jansen, a return from injury for Ben Stokes, a wild contribution from Mark Wood - it wasn't close, but it was a match with plenty of incident. Plus, Michael Atherton melting. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 17.1: At last, Sri Lanka are on the board in this World Cup. The Dutch gave it a good shake after losing six early wickets batting first, but in the chase, the experienced campaigners got the job done with relative ease. Cam Ponsonby is with Adam in London with Geoff reporting in later today from the England-South Africa clash at Mumbai. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 16: At the Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru without the floodlights from Waverly Park, it was all about massive opening partnerships. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh went ballistic, Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq did it in slightly more restrained style. Two huge scores, two teams needing a win - tune in. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 15: India move to four from four with style, easily accounting for Bangladesh in Pune. And better still for fans of the men in blue, victory was raised by a huge Virat Kohli six, which took him to his 48th ODI ton - he really is seeing them beautifully. Cam Ponsonby is with Adam Collins in London while Geoff gets his computer fixed in Bangalore. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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 And go ice skating! Grab a ticket icerinkwestfieldlondon.co.uk Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Season 15, Episode 5: Outside the pageantry on the field, there are currents and undercurrents influencing this World Cup beyond the play. Senior journalists Daniel Brettig and Anand Vasu join to talk about recent pieces they’ve written that have packed a punch. Also, more Sheffield Shield, more bad press releases and more success for the Australian women’s team. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 14: Two weeks into this tournament, and only one team has an unblemished record after four games. New Zealand kept on banking points with this result over Afghanistan, though the men in blue and red had their chances to record another win against the odd but let too many slip through their fingers at Chennai. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 13: Two major upsets in three days! It's the Dutch this time, who have had to scrap so hard to make this tournament, doing the business against South Africa at a World Cup for the second time in a row. Their captain Scott Edwards led the way with the bat in a thrilling final thrust before his ever-capable bowlers went to work to deny the Proteas, unbeaten to this point. Superb stuff at Dharamsala - a famous night for the men in Orange. With Geoff on the road in India today, Cam Ponsonby is with Adam in his kitchen. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! And go ice skating! Grab a ticket icerinkwestfieldlondon.co.uk 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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 12: Two World Cup finals have involved this pairing, and two World Cup campaigns this year depended heavily on this result. Both teams were winless heading into it, and Kusal Perera joined with Pathum Nissanka to give Sri Lanka a dominant start, before Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc made their presence felt after Pat Cummins and David Warner opened things up. Then it was down to Dilshan Madushanka in a blistering new-ball spell - would it be enough? Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 11: England rolled into Delhi expecting to keep on rolling after Afghanistan, and it did not quite work out the way they expected. Rahmanullah Gurbaz batted explosively, the usual mid-innings collapse happened via Adil Rashid, then Ikram Alikhil produced something. At which point it was time for Mujeeb and Rashid Khan to do their work alongside some fast-bowling magic. A stunning night at the Kotla. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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, our many recent tales of crooks and jailbirds add three more notable entries, from plotters to absconders. We try to track down a family connection, look at a family's number, and solve a statistical possibility about the most successful failures. Plus, find out what they inhale on a surf town's dancefloor - it's Story Time. Your Nerd Pledge numbers this week: 15.40 - Anit Manudhane 2.15 - Nuwan Jayawickreme 60.00 - Ken Edwards 3.51 - Sean, Carmel and Noah Smith 2.63 - Byron Frost Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 10: India and Pakistan! That's the big one. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique started well. Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan kept it going. Then Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav happened, setting the stage for Rohit Sharma with a higher degree of difficulty than you might have thought. All in front of a full house... well, kinda. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 9: After missing two games, it was time for Big Daddy Kane Williamson. But don't call it a comeback - he's been here for years. Mahmudullah did himself a mischief, the old firm of Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim did the job again, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson bowled wheels, Mitchell Santner finally got a game for Chennai Super Kings, and Darryl Mitchell defended his title as the Sweatiest Man Alive. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 8: Two games in to this World Cup, and the Australians are in trouble. Strange selections being made, players with no backups struggling for effect. Meanwhile for South Africa, Quinton de Kock is flying, Aiden Markram is following him, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada are working in tandem. A stunning result at Lucknow. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! And go ice skating! Grab a ticket icerinkwestfieldlondon.co.uk 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

World Cup Daily 2023, Day 7: It was an important first innings from an Afghanistan team that manged to counter one of its consistent weaknesses. But then it changed abruptly into National Rohit Sharma today, resulting in a statsgasm to rival any we've had. Find out how it all unfolded. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Find out what's fun at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City – More extra, less ordinary! And go ice skating! Grab a ticket icerinkwestfieldlondon.co.uk 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 4: In an effort to spend more time talking about the Sheffield Shield this Australian summer, we have Louis Cameron, one of the best in the business, with us to set up the season. Before that, we’re searching for the joy in this World Cup, celebrating Hayley Matthews and pondering what the future might hold for Jake Fraser-McGurk. Your Nerd Pledge number this week: 2.06 - Tom Sloan Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Sign up to learn about all the Lord's Taverners projects at bit.ly/tavssignup Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices